Airport Details
Airport Full Name
New Orleans International
IATA Code
MSY
Location:
The airport is situated 14 miles (22km) west of downtown
New Orleans.
Airport Facilities
Banks and business centres offer foreign money exchange, ATMs, travellers cheques and a host of other banking and business services. Internet access is available, as well as tax-free shopping, gift shops, a post office, advance baggage check-in, and a visitor information service. Facilities for the disabled are good. There are restaurants on Concourses A, B, D and in the main ticket lobby, while snacks are available on Concourse C.
Transfers
The Airport-Downtown Express (E-2) stop is on the second level of the Airport, near the Delta counter. Tickets to the city cost $1.10. The Airport Shuttle offers a service to/from the hotels throughout the Metropolitan area. The Airport Shuttle booths are open in the baggage claim area for local transportation. They are also providing transportation to/from all of Southeast Louisiana as well as the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Reservations are needed for these types of transport. Please call 1 866 596 2699 or (504) 522 3500 between 9am and 6pm for information and reservations.
Contact
Switchboard: +1 504 464 0831. Information desk: 504 464 2752.
New Orleans Hotel Deals
New Orleans Holiday Deals
Climate Details (C)
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
| Min | 9 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 17 | 11 | 9 |
| Max | 18 | 19 | 22 | 25 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 26 | 20 | 17 |
Travel Guides: New Orleans
General Information
When Jean Baptiste Le Moyne picked out the strategic spot on the Mississippi River for his French colony in 1718, little did he know that he had doomed a future city to tragedy nearly 290 years later. Situated on a swamp, and surrounded by the sea, Lake Pontchartrain and the Mississippi River, the subsiding city of New Orleans chose to swim rather than sink with the construction of a system of levees, pumps and canals to protect the city from flooding.
However, on the 30 August 2005, Hurricane Katrina, one of the worst hurricanes ever to hit the United States, slammed into the region, catapulting New Orleans into world headlines that followed the struggle of the community to cope with extensive damage, loss of life and the flooding of more than 75 percent of the city.
Despite the 'I told you so' attitude of much of the world, the proud residents of New Orleans were more determined than ever to rebuild their city, to bring back the jazz, the extravagant celebrations and the 'Big Easy' lifestyle that once made it the party capital of America. Local musicians have returned home, after-dark options are burgeoning and the strains of jazz and blues rhythms are once again echoing through the streets of the atmospheric French Quarter. Legendary Bourbon Street continues to host carnivals and parades, including the annual Mardi Gras, which has a reputation for being the most scandalous and sensational event on the world's festival calendar.
Besides all the partying, New Orleans has plenty of serious sightseeing to offer. The city is full of picturesque historic buildings, lush parks, interesting museums displaying everything from voodoo culture to modern technology, riverboats and historic streetcars, and of course jazz cafes. But for now evidence of the calamity, as well as the city's determination to survive, take first place in any visitor's 'to do' list.
Getting Around
When in New Orleans, the vintage electric rail vehicles or 'streetcars' are the way to go. With various lines crossing the city, most destinations are accessible by this means of transport. Various VisiTour passes allow unlimited rides on buses and streetcars, and for streetcar fare and route information visit www.norta.com. The Canal Street Ferry takes passengers across to the suburb of Algiers and is free for pedestrians, offering fine views of the city skyline. Walking, cycling, taxis and rental cars are some of the other options; many tourist areas, like the French Quarter, are most enjoyable on foot. Driving a car in New Orleans may be difficult as many roads are still inaccessible due to hurricane damage.
Activities
New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum, New Orleans
Voodoo came to Louisiana through African slaves, and has been practised since the early days of the city. New Orleans is known worldwide for its shady association with the darker arts, and the small but fascinating New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum has artefacts and exhibits depicting the history of its practice in the region. There is usually a voodoo priestess on hand to do palm readings and even make personalised gris-gris bags. The museum may also arrange excursions to voodoo rituals upon request.
Opening Times:
Daily 10am-6pm
Admission:
$7 adults, $3.50 children. Concessions
available.
Mississippi River Boat Rides, New Orleans
Set on the banks of the Mississippi River, New Orleans is a great place to take kids for a boat ride. The Natchez steamboat traverses this great river and passes many of the city's historical sites, while the John James Audubon ferries passengers between the Aquarium of the Americas and the Audubon Zoo. There are also a number of Louisiana swamp tours which kids would love.
Storyland and Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, New Orleans
Kids in New Orleans love Storyland and the Carousel Gardens amusement park. Storyland is a fairytale playground featuring life-size storybook attractions such as Captain Hook's pirate ship, and an imitation whale from Pinocchio. The traditional wooden carousel at the theme park always draws a crowd, as do the bumper cars, lady-bug roller coaster and miniature trains.
Opening Times:
Carousel Gardens: Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm;
Storyland: Tuesday to Friday 10am-3pm, Saturday to Sunday 10am to
6pm.
Admission:
Admission $3, rides $3 each. Admission and unlimited
rides $20.
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans
New Orleans' state-of-the-art Audubon Aquarium, situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, is regarded as the best in America with highly entertaining exhibits. Underwater tunnels allow visitors to marvel at a Caribbean Reef and a re-creation of the Gulf of Mexico, complete with sharks. There is also a walk-through Amazon rainforest and an exhibit displaying the inside story of swamp life. The Aquarium features every type of aquatic creature from jellyfish and sea horses to sea otters and penguins. The Aquarium's 'sister' attraction, also run by the Audubon Institute, is the excellent New Orleans city zoo, situated in Audubon Park further uptown.
Opening Times:
Aquarium and Zoo: Tuesday to Sunday
10am-5pm.
Admission:
Aquarium: $19.95 (adults), $12.95 (children 2-12). Zoo:
$14.95 (adults), $12.95 (children). Concessions
available.
D-Day National WWII Museum, New Orleans
The unique D-Day National World War II Museum was founded in 2000 by historian and author Dr Stephen Ambrose and has become regarded as a highlight of any New Orleans sightseeing tour. Situated in New Orleans' Warehouse District it depicts the June 6, 1944 invasion of Normandy, the Home Front during World War II, and the D-Day Invasions in the Pacific. Exhibit galleries include text panels, artefacts, and personal account stations where visitors can listen to the stories of war veterans. A panorama exhibit recreates a Normandy beach landing; there are also regular film shows.
Opening Times:
Open daily 9am-5pm. Closed Mardi Gras Day,
Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Admission:
Museum only: $18 (adults), $9 (children 12-5), free for
children under 5, concessions and combo tickets
available.
Louisiana Children's Museum, New Orleans
The Louisiana Children's Museum is a fantastic attraction for kids with a vast selection of exhibits, art activities and educational programs to enjoy. The kid-sized Winn-Dixie grocery store is a favourite, as are the climbing wall and the giant bubble that kids can play in. Eye to Eye has fun showing the workings of the human eye, and Art Trek features drawing, painting and sculpture lessons.
Opening Times:
Tuesday to Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm, Sunday 12pm-4:30pm
(September to May); Monday to Saturday 9:30am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
(June to August). Closed major holidays.
Admission:
$8
The Cabildo, New Orleans
The entertaining and informative Cabildo on Jackson Square in New Orleans' French Quarter explores the history of Louisiana from the first European explorations to the post-Civil War Reconstruction era from a multi-cultural perspective. The museum is the flagship of the Louisiana State Museum facilities and is housed in an historic building, dating to 1799, originally serving as the Spanish city council offices. Two major historic events took place in the Cabildo building: the Louisiana Purchase Transfer ceremonies in 1803 and later a landmark Supreme Court decision was handed down here that legalised racial segregation. The Cabildo takes pride that five American presidents have visited it.
Opening Times:
Tuesday to Sunday 10am-4:30pm
Admission:
$6 (adults), free for children 12 and under.
Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World, New Orleans
In Algiers Point, on the west bank of the Mississippi River, stands a unique studio museum showcasing the famous New Orleans' Mardi Gras. The museum is actually the working studio of foremost carnival float designer, Blaine Kern, for whom producing floats and props for the city's annual Mardi Gras is a full-time job. Visitors can watch Kern and his team design and construct the giant sculptures of everything from cartoon characters to mythological figures and animals that will eventually parade through the streets.
Getting There:
Catch the free ferry at the foot of Canal Street to
historic Algiers Point. A free Blaine Kern shuttle meets every
ferry from 9:30am. to 4:30pm
Opening Times:
Opens daily 9:30am-4:30pm.
Admission:
Tours: $18.50 (adults), $11.50 (children). Concessions
available.
Louis Armstrong Park, New Orleans
Louis Armstrong Park is a 32-acre sanctuary of green trees and jazz melodies in the heart of the historic old quarter. Inside you'll find Congo Square, the meeting place of slaves in the 19th century. The Visitors' Facility also has exhibits and an indoor performance venue. Occasional free Sunday afternoon concerts are a highlight in the park.
Admission:
Free
Preservation Hall, New Orleans
Historic Preservation Hall is New Orleans' most popular jazz venue, where the famed Preservation Hall Jazz Band serves up first-rate Dixieland Jazz six nights a week in the French Quarter building (originally built as a residence in 1750). On Sundays the Olympia Brass Band performs instead. No seating, food or drinks are available, but crowds flock here simply for the music between 8pm and midnight.
Opening Times:
Nightly from 8pm until 11pm.
Admission:
$12
Hurricane Katrina Tour, New Orleans
In the wake of one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit the United States, Gray Line Tours offers a three-hour bus ride around some of the hardest hit areas in New Orleans, including Lakeview and Gentilly, and is aimed at gathering support to rebuild the city. To respect the privacy of the locals, buses will not allow tourists off the bus to take pictures, but will pass around pictures of the storm and its destruction, and guides will describe the events before and after the storm hit the city, as well as explaining the significance of the levee system.
Opening Times:
Three hour long tours are conducted daily at
1pm.
Admission:
$38 (adults), $30 (children)
French Quarter, New Orleans
Regarded as the heart and soul of New Orleans, the French Quarter is the historic part of town covering about 90 square blocks radiating out from Chartres Street and Jackson Square. The Quarter, or Vieux Carre, was established in 1718 as a French military outpost, which was later taken over by the Spanish, merging into a freewheeling culture incorporating slaves, pirates, mercenaries, call-girls and various freemen of every colour and creed. Today the area looks and feels much as it did before Hurricane Katrina, with its wrought-iron railings and tall doorways, and clubs, bars, Cajun-seafood restaurants and shops all a-buzz. By day it is one of the best people-watching spots in the world, and the focus for visitors to New Orleans. By night the area becomes a giant street party throbbing with jazz music and a world-class dining district. The most famous street is Bourbon Street, where prostitutes literally mingle with priests, and bars stay open all night.
Besthoff Sculpture Garden, New Orleans
View the priceless sculptures that make up the superb Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. The Sculpture Garden provides a unique opportunity for visitors who treasure the arts, with a world-class collection of modern and contemporary sculptures presented in an exquisite natural setting. Next to the Sculpture Garden is the New Orleans Museum of Art and City Park, with centuries old oak trees, lagoons, a small amusement park and Storyland, a charming fairytale playground.
Opening Times:
Daily 10am-4:45pm, closes 8:45pm
Fridays.
Admission:
Free
Audubon Insectarium, New Orleans
If it walks, crawls or flies, find it at the Audubon Insectarium. Set in Custom House, the historic, white marble columned structure in Canal Street, this is the largest freestanding insectarium in the United States, devoted to over 900,000 species of insects. View thousands of live bugs and mounted specimens. The Cooking Show and Cultural Café offer culinary adventures; witness the art of cooking with these creepy criters and sample the treats, or opt for more traditional fare in the insect-themed café.
Opening Times:
Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm.
Admission:
$15.95 (adult); $10.95 (children)
Events
Gay Easter Parade
Parades and parties are the order of the day again in New Orleans at Easter, this time when the city's Gay community turns out to celebrate under the auspices of the Easter Grand Marshals. Thousands of spectators line the streets of the French Quarter to watch the passing floats, carriages, walking groups, bands and motorcycles. Cross-dressing and nudity is not permitted, but apart from that anything goes with the costumes and conviviality.
Date:
8 April 2012
Venue:
Streets of the French Quarter
Venue:
4:30pm
St Patrick's Day
No sooner has New Orleans recovered from the revelry of Mardi Gras than it starts all over again, with the celebration of St Patrick's Day being the perfect reason for another round of parades and parties through the downtown area, centred on Bourbon Street. Traditionally it is a day for the locals to gather on the streets and pavements with picnic baskets and umbrellas. Groups parade dancing down the street in costumes of green, dispensing flowers, beads and kisses to the spectators to the tune of amplified live bands on floats and trucks. The most popular 'throws' that the crowd vies for on this day are cabbages, carrots, onions and the odd potato. For more information phone (504) 525 5169.
Date:
17 March, annually
Venue:
French Quarter
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
In late April, just before the onset of the summer heat and humidity, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is held in various locations. Numerous stages simultaneously present a vast cross-section of musical performances by top artists, ranging from traditional New Orleans jazz to Gospel, country, rap, hip-hop and Creole zydeco. In addition to the hundreds of performances and thousands of musicians the festival includes numerous food stalls and hundreds of arts and crafts displays making it a true celebration of the city's culture and heritage.
Date:
29 April to 8 May 2011
Mardi Gras
Despite the devastating hurricane season in 2005, New Orleans is once again hosting the world-renowned annual Mardi Gras, a carnival that was first celebrated in its present form in 1856 and has earned a reputation for being the most scandalous and sensational annual event on the world's festival calendar. The origins of the carnival can be traced back to Roman times, but the date is based on the Christian calendar. Traditionally Mardi Gras day falls on 'Fat Tuesday', the day before Ash Wednesday, usually occurring during late February or early March each year. The history and traditions of the New Orleans Mardi Gras are confusing and complicated, but what it all means to revelling visitors is a series of ever-more exciting spectacular street parades through the French Quarter starting about 10 days before Fat Tuesday, building up to the big day. The whole affair turns into a major street party, with traditional strings of beads being exchanged in return for favours.
Date:
21 February 2012
Venue:
Throughout the city, especially Bourbon Street
Satchmo Summerfest
New Orleans turns out in style to celebrate the city's most beloved and famous son, Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong, in the week of the star's birthday each year. The line up of events honouring the music man who promoted jazz around the world includes an outdoor festival featuring music performances and local food along with seminars and discussion groups. There are also activities for children, art exhibitions, a jazz mass, parade and a 'club crawl' on the programme, and most events are free. Phone (504) 522 5730 for more information.
Date:
5 - 7 August 2011
Venue:
French Quarter
Venue:
11am to 7pm
French Quarter Festival
Featuring the 'world's largest jazz brunch' (with more than 40 booths serving specialities from well-known New Orleans restaurants), the annual French Quarter Festival is a showcase for local musicians and a gourmet chance to savour New Orleans flavour. On the music front 13 stages operate in the historic Vieux Carre district with a programme ranging from brass bands to gospel and traditional jazz. As far as the food goes there are all the classic New Orleans specialities like Jambalaya, Gumbo and bread pudding, with lots more besides. All this is spiced up with dozens of special events, many of them free, like fireworks over the Mississippi, art exhibitions, courtyard tours, music workshops and parades. For more information contact the Festival office on (504) 522 5730.
Date:
7 - 10 April 2011
Venue:
New Orleans French Quarter, especially Jackson Square and
the River Front
Restaurants
Herbsaint
Along the historic Saint Charles Avenue, Herbsaint respects its location's culinary history. The name gives a clue to the patron seasoning of this French and Louisiana blend of fine dining. An esteemed award winning chef and classic meals betray the restaurants' casual atmosphere with an extensive French wine selection that can class up any of the delicious gumbo dishes. Reservations are advised.
Address:
701 St. Charles Avenue
Steamboat Natchez
The sounds of jazz music and the beautiful skyline of downtown New Orleans provide a wonderful backdrop for a moonlight dinner cruise on the mighty Mississippi River, aboard the Steamboat Natchez. The cost of the two hour cruise is inclusive of a traditional southern buffet dinner, departing from the Toulouse Street Wharf, opposite Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter, at 7pm.
Address:
2 Canal Street, Suite 2500
Galatoire's
An institution on Bourbon Street, Galatoire's has been serving up French-Creole specialities since 1905 and still uses many of the original recipes. Starched white linen and shiny crystal set the tone in this establishment where tradition reigns and locals and visitors return again and again to enjoy the fresh local seafood. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Galatoire's requires business casual dress for lunch, and jackets for men starting at 5pm. No shorts or t-shirts.
Address:
209 Bourbon Street, French Quarter
Arnaud's
One of the grand old classic New Orleans restaurants, Arnaud's offers a taste of history along with its ambitious menu. Named after its founder, Count Arnaud Cazenave (immortalised in a portrait on the wall), Arnaud's glitters with chandeliers, leaded windows and a mosaic floor. The eatery consists of 13 buildings in the French Quarter, including a brasserie, bistro, grill bar and banqueting halls. The formal main restaurant requires a jacket, and offers raved-about fish dishes, as well as traditional favourites like filet mignon. Open daily for dinner and brunch on Sundays.
Address:
813 Bienville Street, French Quarter
Mulate's
Mulate's is the original Cajun restaurant, featuring authentic Cajun cuisine. Be sure to try the Zydeco Gumbo and don't miss the homemade bread pudding. Live Cajun music and dancing each night attracts many New Orleans visitors; even Bob Dylan stopped by when he was in town. This restaurant/bar is open for lunch and till late at night.
Address:
201 Julia Street
Casamento's
The rugged looking restaurant, much like its delicious oysters, betrays just how great this oyster bar is. One of the oldest oyster bars in town, Casamento's serves them every-which-way but still the best is to line up a big serving of raw ones on the counter. Cheap prices and reliably incredible oysters make it a favourite for locals.
Address:
4330 Magazine St.
Parkway Bakery and Tavern
It's not fine dining, it's better. The po'boy is a New Orleans classic fried sandwhich packed with so many ingredients its better to try one than read about it. Parkway is the best and oldest place to grab a po'boy mouthful, and the shrimp and beef options have been voted the top po'boys in New Orleans Parkway also doubles as a fun place to grab a beer.
Address:
538 Hagan Avenue
Camellia Grill
The Camellia Grill in the Riverbend area off the St Charles Avenue streetcar is a favourite haunt for night owls who congregate in the early hours for breakfast, particularly the huge fluffy omelettes with adventurous fillings. The classy diner features white-jacketed waiters, delicious waffles, the best burgers in town and is famous for its chocolate pecan pie.
Address:
626 South Carrollton Avenue
Ralph's on the Park
Ralph's on the Park offers food fresh from the farms and waters of Louisiana, with a side helping of splendid City Park views. Their shrimp rémoulade is a favourite, creamy and not a bit spicy, and the filet mignon brings mutterings of 'buttery, so buttery&' to mind. The chocolate Kahlúa mousse or Creole cream cheese ice cream on peach cobbler wraps things up nicely. Ralph's is open for dinners and Sunday brunch.
Address:
900 City Park Ave
