Life in New Orleans FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions
I have not visited New Orleans in a few years. What can I expect?
All visitors want to know if the authentic New Orleans experience still exists and the answer is a resounding yes! That authentic, sensory New Orleans experience of food, music and culture that people have come to love is alive and thriving. We recently successfully hosted major events such as ESSENCE Festival--the largest African American Festival in the country, Jazz Fest, Mardi Gras and major conventions are happening everyday. The damage caused by Hurricane Katrina was in the outlying neighborhoods, miles away from the airport and the historic areas frequented by visitors, such as the French Quarter, Faubourg Marigny, Warehouse Arts District, Garden District/Uptown, Audubon and University section, Carrollton and Riverbend and historic Algiers on the city’s west bank. In fact, the historic architecture in the tourist areas is as beautiful as ever. There is no need to wait; the time to visit is now, especially because of great hotel deals available this summer.
What are my options for attractions and museums?
The arts scene is exploding and our galleries are among the finest in North America. There are many cultural attractions, such as: plantation homes, riverboat cruises, city tours, Mardi Gras World, Café Du Monde, Cabildo State Museum, New Orleans Historic Collection, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Audubon Zoo, National World War II Museum, Harrah’s Casino, New Orleans Museum of Art, Bestoff Sculpture Garden, National World War II Museum, Contemporary Arts Center, Louisiana Children’s Museum, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the New Orleans Ballet and much more.
What are my hotel choices?
There are more than 31,000 hotel rooms available in New Orleans, including small boutique treasures in the French Quarter, charming bed and breakfast properties, major downtown hotel towers and much more. Thanks to practically citywide hotel refurbishments and upgrades, New Orleans has one of the freshest hotel products of any major city. The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans was just named one of the 65 best new hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveller UK Edition 2007 Hot List.
What are my restaurant choices?
Family-owned restaurants are back, and the chefs who made them famous are cooking in the kitchens. There are more restaurants than ever in New Orleans. All of your favorites such as Mr. B’s, Camellia Grill, Emeril’s, Galatoire’s and Commander’s Palace are ready to indulge your senses, in addition to several new restaurants, including Riche, by Todd English, Iris, Cochon and Table One.
Will it be difficult to get flights to and from New Orleans?
No. The NOMCVB and the Louis Armstrong International Airport continue to work with national airlines to insure that groups with large numbers of arrivals can travel to and from the city in a convenient and timely fashion. Through dialogue with the airlines, additional flights have been added and larger planes have been used when airlift is a concern for a particular event.
What are my options for taxis, buses and streetcars?
There are thousands of taxis available on New Orleans streets and at major hotels. Taxi rates are $2.50 plus $1.60 per mile (.20 per one-eighth mile) thereafter. There is also an additional charge of $1.00 per passenger after the first passenger. During peak visitor times (including Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest) taxi rates are $4 per person or the meter rate, whichever is higher. A fixed rate of $28 (one to two people) is charged from the airport to most areas of New Orleans. For parties of more than two, the fare is $12 per person. RTA services are $1.25, including bus transportation and the streetcar. Twenty-nine bus lines are running, providing 25,000 rides daily. Bus service allows transportation throughout the city’s major corridor, extending from the Faubourg Marigny to Riverbend. The New Orleans Streetcar line is partially back in service, including the leg traveling on Canal Street from the Mississippi River to Mid-City, and from Canal Street north on Carrolton Avenue to City Park at Wisner Boulevard. The Riverfront line is also running. The time line for the full return of the historic St. Charles Avenue line is late 2007, to include construction of three electrical substations. A small leg from Canal Street to Lee Circle was restored in December 2006. The stations were originally constructed in the 1940s and were in need of upgrading.
How many miles away from the city is the airport?
10 miles, approximately 20 minutes away.
Is New Orleans a safe place for visitors?
Yes. Tourist areas are as safe as those in any big city. The ratio of police to citizens is actually higher today: Pre-Katrina Police Force Post Katrina Police Force Number of Officers – 1,680 Number of Officers – 1,458 Number of Citizens – 400,000 Number of Citizens – 255,000 Ratio Police/Citizens – 1:238 Ratio Police/Citizens – 1:174 So far in 2007, New Orleans has safely hosted more than one million visitors for ESSENCE Music Festival, Mardi Gras celebrations, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, major sporting events, cultural festivals, and large conventions with tens of thousands of attendees. Testimonials from leisure visitors and travel industry professionals are available here: www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/752/sectionID/2/subsectionID/752 Testimonials from business travelers and convention visitors are available here: www.neworleanscvb.com/static/index.cfm/contentID/744/sectionID/3/subsectionID/744 New Orleans’ popular tourist areas such as the French Quarter, Downtown/Central Business District, Uptown, Garden District, Magazine Street, Warehouse/Arts District and Convention Center Boulevard continue to maintain a record as one of the safest and most walkable places for visitors of any city in America. Unfortunately--as in any major city--crime does exist, and in New Orleans, the vast majority of violent crime is criminal-on-criminal acts which occur in areas of the city not frequented by tourists. The New Orleans Police Department is known nationally for its record in making New Orleans a safe place to visit, ranging from large-scale crowd control events such as Mardi Gras, to four or five individuals enjoying a weekend getaway. Today the citizen-to-police ratio is much higher than it was pre-Katrina and we have backup from a new police recruit class, the National Guard and state police troopers to maintain a visible and serious law-enforcement presence. As with any destination, we recommend that vacationers and convention attendees practice common sense and stay in well-populated tourist areas when they are here. New Orleans remains a national treasure and we want everyone who visits it to have a safe and enjoyable time.
How’s the Superdome?
Under the management of SMG, the Louisiana Superdome reopened on Monday, September 25, 2006, with Monday Night Football, when the New Orleans Saints defeated the Atlanta Falcons before the largest audience in ESPN history. The New Orleans Saints finished the 2006 season with a record of 11-7, reaching the NFC Championship Game against the Chicago Bears and one game away from a Super Bowl XLI appearance. Saints fans anticipate another great showing this fall, following news that the 2007 season is sold-out. The neighboring New Orleans Arena, home to the AFL’s New Orleans VooDoo and the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets reopened in March 2006. Since that time the Arena has hosted hundreds of events, including sporting events, concerts, performances and even the circus. SMG currently has 150 full-time employees, with a part-time work force of approximately 2,500, including detail police officers.
Why is New Orleans called the Crescent City?
The Mississippi River flows in the shape of a crescent around the city.
Why is New Orleans called the Big Easy?
The term "Big Easy" is believed to come from a dance hall by that name which existed in the early 1900s. Some say that it might have been the dance hall, an actual dance, or possibly even a person who could do the dance. At the turn of the century, jazz musicians were fond of nicknames, and might have used the "Big Easy" for an Uptown dance hall. Eventually the nickname transferred to the city as a whole, referring to the gentle pace of life and somewhat lax morals for which New Orleans is known. Source: Times Picayune - August 27, 1987, 2003
What are my options for shopping?
Our shops and boutiques - from the French Quarter to Magazine Street - offer the finest and most eclectic shopping options in the U.S. Options include The Shops at Canal Place, Saks Fifth Avenue, The Riverwalk, Jax Brewery, as well as hundreds of boutiques, art galleries and antique stores throughout the city.
What are my options for family activities?
New Orleans is rich in family attractions, including the Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Zoo Louisiana State Museum, the Children’s Museum and much more. There also are many tours, ranging from walking tours of the French Quarter to swamp, cemetery, and ghost tours.
What are my options should I need medical care while visiting?
Hospitals convenient to tourist areas are: • Touro Infirmary, 1404 Foucher St., 504-897-7011, www.touro.com • Tulane University Hospital and Clinic, 1415 Tulane Ave., 504-988-5800, www.tuhc.com • Ochsner Clinic Foundation and Hospital, 1514 Jefferson Highway, 800-874-8984, www.ochsner.org/frontpage/default.htm • Children’s Hospital, 200 Henry Clay Ave., 504-899-9511, www.chnola.org
What options are available to volunteer to help a neighborhood that was affected by Hurricane Katrina?
From convention visitors to leisure travelers, church groups to high school and college students, people have shown incredible generosity in giving of their time and talent, and a great deal of elbow grease, helping the city of New Orleans in its recovery and restoration. Governor Kathleen Blanco and Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu have formed an official organization that matches volunteer opportunities with volunteers, called Volunteer Louisiana. Visit www.volunteerlouisiana.gov to get started.
Does Amtrak service New Orleans?
Yes. The City of New Orleans train is running to Memphis and Chicago, while the Crescent has resumed its regular route to Atlanta and New York.
What is the population of New Orleans? Will there be workers to staff the hotels and restaurants?
Yes. Orleans Parish currently has approximately 255,000 residents. Pre-Katrina, this number was 485,000. Post-Katrina, the metropolitan New Orleans area has 1.1 million residents. Pre-Katrina, this number was 1.3 million.
For additional information please visit the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau at: http://neworleanscvb.com