Travel Notes to Summer Meeting, 2001

TRAVEL NOTES


There's a whole lot more to NEW ORLEANS - the "Big Easy", the "city that care forgot" - the 92-square-block French Quarter is a walking-tour paradise. Most attractions are within walking distance of the hotel or are located on a street-car route. Stroll through the nonstop carnival of Jackson Square; explore the contrasts of busy shops and restaurants, cool patios, and iron-laced balconies. Sample beignets, cafe au lait, muffuletta or po-boy sandwiches, a Dixie beer, a Ramos gin fizz or Sazerac cocktail, crawfish etoufee, or red beans and rice-all to the beat of local-grown zydeco, R&B, and jazz. You may not realize it, but you are in the heart of a large metropolitan area. As with any large city, care should be taken to guard against becoming a victim of crime. Also keep in mind that in July, the days are very warm with the average daily high temperature of 91°F and the average low of 73°F.

To assist you in choosing from the many fun and interesting sites to visit, listed below are information and costs of the more commonly visited sites. This list is by no means all-inclusive.

The Jazzland Theme Park is a family theme park showcasing Louisiana food, music, and 32 thrilling rides in a wholesome environment minutes from downtown New Orleans. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission: $31 for adults and children taller than 4 feet, $26 for shorter children, $15 for people older than 60, children 2 and under get in free!

Take a year-round tour of the world famous New Orleans carnival scene at Blain Kern's Mardi Gras World. Open 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission: $11.50 for adults, $8.50 for seniors, $5.50 for children 3-12 years, free for children under 3.

The St. Louis Cemetery is an atmospheric eighteenth-century above-ground cemetery that includes the tomb of New Orleans's "Voodoo Queen" Marie Laveau.

The Audubon Institute - The IMAX/Aquarium is a superb aquarium with a walk-through corridor, Louisiana swamp, Amazonian rainforest, petting tank and IMAX theatre. Open 9:30 a.m. daily. Admission: $13.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors, and $6.50 for children under 12. The Zoo, counted among the nation's top zoos, a worldwide safari awaits visitors to Audubon Zoological Gardens, where adventures take shape in such realistic environments as the Asian Domain, the African Savanna, the Australian Outback and the Louisiana Swamp. Take the St. Charles Street Car to the front of Audubon Park and catch the Zoo Shuttle to the Zoo. Open weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and weekends from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission: $9.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors, $4.75 for children under 12. If you plan to do both the Zoo and the Aquarium, investigate purchasing a combination ticket to save money.

Conveniently connected to the Convention Center and neighboring the Aquarium of the Americas, the Riverwalk Marketplace is the home of 120 stores, restaurants and one-of-a-kind pushcarts, filled with the best gifts, tastes and styles in New Orleans. Open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jax's Brewery (504-566-7245) also along the riverfront has shops, One Canal Place has Sak's Fifth Avenue. Don't forget the flea market on the river and antiques on Royal Street.

New Orleans City Park has its own public golf course, Botanical Gardens, Carousel and Storyland and it's all just a quick drive from hotel. (504-482-4888)

Take a tour of the Louisiana Superdome (drive or long walk from hotel, Tours on Mon., Wed., and Fri. 800-756-7074)

Many Museums in and around the French Quarter including a Children's Museum. Some are listed below:

Other suggestions are Swamp Tour (Some pick up from hotels and some offer airboat tours as well-www.louisianaswamp.com or www.cypressswamp.com or others), Cemetery Tour (Do not tour a cemetery alone! Take a guided tour with a group if you wish to visit a cemetery.), Garden District Walking Tour (Ride St. Charles Street Car to the Garden District and follow map or take a guided tour), French Quarter Walking Tour (Couple of different ones-meet at a specific location in the Quarter), Paddle wheeler cruise (Steamboats are docked on the river within walking distance of hotel. Recommend the Steamboat Natchez (800-233-BOAT) or try the Creole Queen (800-445-4109).

A few local food items to try are the beignets at Café Du Monde and a muffuletta from Central Grocery or the Napoleon House, all of which are located in the French Quarter. Red beans and rice almost anywhere in New Orleans is good. Many bars, restaurants and clubs are within walking distance of the hotel in the French Quarter and Warehouse/Arts District. Just be prepared for the hot summer weather.

If you have money to loose, oops I mean spend-the casino, Harrah's (877-277-GAME), is within walking distance!

Public golf courses are located at Audubon Park (Street Car ride from hotel 504-865-8260) and Bayou Oaks at City Park (drive from hotel 504-483-9396). Other Semi-Private golf courses are located around New Orleans.

Ride the St. Charles Street Car ($1.25 one-way) to its terminus and back for a scenic view of New Orleans. (A great way to experience the flavor of New Orleans!) The Riverfront Street Car ($1.50 one-way) is a great way for tired feet to go from one end of the riverfront to the other.

You can always take a bus tour of New Orleans. It is a great way to see the City in the summer while riding in air conditioning. They also offer tours of cemeteries. (800-535-7786)

New Orleans is the home of the Louisiana Philharmonic, and the Saenger Theatre offers Broadway shows, plays, and entertainers. Check their schedule if you are interested.

You can always take a cooking class (3 hr and 2 hr classes offered) at the New Orleans School of Cooking in the French Quarter, or just attend one of their lunch demonstrations. (800-850-3008)

Check out the New Orleans Zephyrs.


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