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New Orleans Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in New Orleans
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New Orleans Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in New Orleans - 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 are 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 are returning 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.
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New Orleans
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World
Newton Street, Algiers Point
www.mardigrasworld.com |
What is it? 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.
Hours of Operation:
Phone:(800) 362 8213 |
2. The Cabildo
701 Chartres Street
lsm.crt.state.la.us |
What is it? 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 it has been visited by five American
presidents.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm
Phone:(504) 568 6968 |
3. National D-Day Museum
945 Magazine Street, New Orleans. Entrance in Andrew
Higgins' Drive
www.ddaymuseum.org |
What is it? The unique National D-Day 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.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 5pm
Phone:(504) 527 6012 |
New Orleans
holidays - Top Events
1. Mardi Gras
From 2007-02-20
To 2007-02-20
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What is it? Despite last year's devastating hurricane
season, New Orleans will once again host 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.
Where is it? Throughout the city, especially Bourbon Street |
2. New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival
From 2007-04-27
To 2007-05-06
|
What is it? 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.
Where is it? |
3. St Patrick's Day
From 2007-03-17
To 2007-03-17
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What is it? 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. .
Where is it? French Quarter |
4. Gay Easter Parade
From 2007-04-08
To 2007-04-08
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What is it? 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.
Where is it? Streets of the French Quarter |
5. French Quarter Festival
From 2007-04-13
To 2007-04-15
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What is it? 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.
Where is it? New Orleans French Quarter, especially Jackson Square and
the River Front |
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