New Orleans

 
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There is no place quite like New Orleans. With an abundance of history, culture and entertainment, there is no shortage of things to do during your stay. Start off your day with a beignet in the French Quarter and end the night in the neon lights of Bourbon Street. With over 1,000 local eateries, there is no shortage of food options – from fragrant gumbo to po-boy sandwiches – the New Orleans dining scene truly reflects the city's diverse culture and history. Explore historic homes or take a tour through an above-ground cemetery if that is more your style. No matter the time of day there is always something to see and do in the Big Easy.

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Overview

Made up of many neighborhoods and districts, there is a lot to see and do across the city. The French Quarter is a charming and lively area that includes St. Louis Cathedral, Bourbon Street for restaurants and live music, and Café du Monde – one of the city’s most famous beignet shops. The Garden District’s walking tours show off the area’s well-preserved properties, surrounded by trees, climbing ivy and gardens. Downtown New Orleans includes the Superdome, Harrah’s Casino and Audubon Aquarium. Nestled next to downtown is the Arts/Warehouse District, which includes the National World War II Museum and the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, plus the Port of New Orleans’ Julia Street and Erato Street cruise terminals. Other notable districts: Gentilly (Jazz and Heritage Festival and horse racing), Uptown/Carrollton (Audubon Park and Zoo), Mid-City (New Orleans Museum of Art and above-ground cemeteries), Algiers (city-views and Jazz Walk of Fame), Marigny/Bywater (Frenchmen Street and nightlife), and New Orleans East (Fort Pike and Bayou Sauvage wildlife refuge).

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Before You Go

Airport Check-In: It is recommended that you reconfirm your flight information and check in for your flights at the airline’s website 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure. Please bring all your final documents with you. It is important to arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to departure for all domestic flights, and two to three hours prior to departure for international flights.

Required Documents: U.S. citizens must travel with a valid government-issued photo identification (such as an enhanced driver’s license). Rules are subject to change at any time, without notice. For the most current information, visit the website for the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.

Newlywed Information: Tickets and other travel documents must exactly match your current identification. If not, you could be denied boarding and no refund will be forthcoming.

Honeymoon Packages: Some hotels require you to present a marriage certificate or license for you to receive the honeymoon package. Please bring your marriage documentation with you if you are traveling on a honeymoon package.

Luggage: Baggage allowances and fees vary by airline. For airline baggage fees and policies please visit https://www.costcotravel.com/Info/Airline-Baggage. If baggage fees do apply, this cost will be additional and must be paid directly to the airline.

Travel Health Information: For the most current worldwide health information, consult your family physician or the official website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/travel or by phone at 1-800-232-4636. You’ll find information on recent outbreaks, required vaccinations, insect protection, illness and injury abroad, and more.

General Safety Tips: By taking a few simple security precautions before and during your vacation, you can help ensure that you, your traveling companions, and your valuables are as safe and secure as possible.
  • To make it easier to replace your passport if it’s lost or stolen, in addition to your passport, take a photocopy of your passport information page (keeping it separate from your actual passport).
  • Carry only a limited amount of cash, just enough for gratuities and incidental purchases. Major credit cards are widely accepted and can be replaced if lost or stolen.
  • Always lock your hotel room door (including patio and balcony door on any level of the building) and use the peephole before opening the door.
  • Store your valuables (such as cash, credit cards and airline tickets) in the hotel’s in-room safe or front desk safety deposit box.
  • If you must carry valuables on your person, do so in a pouch or money belt concealed under your clothing. Purses and backpacks can be easy targets for thieves.
  • For complete and current safety and security information, including travelers' tips, public announcements, travel advisories and more, please visit the website of the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.

Climate:
Average Fahrenheit Temperature:
  • December through February: 65° to 66° (Winter)
  • March through May: 73° to 85° (Spring)
  • June through August: 90° to 92° (Summer)
  • September through November: 88° to 72° (Autumn)

Tropical Storm Season from June to November

Water Safety: Tap water is safe to drink.

Local Currency: U.S. Dollar

Time Zone: Central Daylight Time

Local Language: English

Transportation: Rental cars, private transfers, ridesharing services, taxis and buses are available. To determine time schedules for public transportation, please inquire at your hotel.

Do Not Forget: Visitors are reminded to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, insect repellent, personal prescriptions, a camera, film/memory card, an extra camera battery, comfortable walking shoes, and travel documents.

Top Experiences

  • New Orleans City Park : More than 170 years old, this park is 1,300 acres and includes recreation, education, entertainment, sports and conservation. This area is definitely family-friendly, including an amusement park, Train Garden and a sculpture garden called Storyland.

  • New Orleans Museum of Art : Located at the southern end of City Park, this small but well-curated museum has over 40,000 works of art. Bonus: once you’ve had your fill of art indoors, head to the adjacent Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, which is free to the public.

  • National WWII Museum : Combining national perspectives and personal accounts, there is a blend of immersive exhibits and artifacts alongside oral histories and multimedia displays in this museum for World War II.

  • Jackson Square : One of the most photographic spots in the city, the park has Parisian-style landscaping dating back to the original design in 1851 and a view of St. Louis Cathedral. It is also a popular place to jump on a horse carriage tour.

  • St. Louis Cathedral : This could be considered the “heart” of old New Orleans. Just across from Jackson Square, you can take a tour of this Catholic church for a peaceful break from the busy city.

  • Mardi Gras World : See some of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into New Orleans’ most famous party. This warehouse hosts tours of floats that are under construction or repair, plus some authentic costumes for guests to try on!

  • Preservation Hall : An intimate jazz hall, it originally started as a art gallery with jazz musicians brought in to attract patrons. It hosts 45-minute-long performances in the evenings.

  • French Quarter : Famous for Bourbon Street, Mardi Gras and jazz music. Go for the architecture, stay for the restaurants!

  • French Market and Riverwalk shopping : In case of rain, head indoors for some food, fun and souvenir shopping. The French Market is great for local crafts and hot sauce samples, while Riverwalk is a multi-storied mall with more than 75 retailers.

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