New Orleans Music Weekend

Considered one of the world's greatest cultural celebrations, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is an annual 10-day event that draws more than 300,000 people. Listen to thousands of well-known musicians, such as Fats Domino and Willie Nelson. Also scheduled is an annual gala, as well as workshops, creative craft fairs and much more. Festivities take place on the fairgrounds. Public transportation is also available to and from all events.

New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana, as well as the state's top tourist destination. The Crescent City has a reputation for historical roots, hot and muggy weather, good food, good music and non-stop partying. Despite the damage from Hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleans welcomes visitors to incredible restaurants, beautiful sites (such as the French Quarter and Garden District) and hot live music clubs.

Nicknamed the Big Easy by some, New Orleans has long had a reputation as a city of vice. However, the city also offers many attractions for families with children and those interested in culture and the arts. Its famous Creole food, nearby swamps and plantations, 18th and 19th century architecture, streetcars and museums offer a unique cultural experience travelers will never forget.

Famous festivals like Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival bring in tourists by the millions, and are the two times of the year when one needs to be sure to book accommodations well in advance to be sure of a room.

In the heart of the French Quarter, Maison de Ville is one of the most romantic destinations in North America. The high Ceiling rooms in the main house are furnished with antiques, four poster beds and period paintings. The historic Audubon Cottages have private courtyards, rare antiques, Audubon prints and are clustered around a pristine swimming pool - the oldest in the French Quarter. Complimentary Continental Breakfast is served daily either in your room or in the courtyard and Port and Sherry are served in the hotel's main parlor. Complimentary daily newspaper and shoe shine service is available.

Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, the following description may no longer be accurate. Please consider this when making your travel plans.

Brigtsen's has mastered New Orlean's cuisine like no other. A wide selection of creole specialties include Butternut Shrimp Bisque and Shrimp Ratatouille. Of course they have more than just shrimp (although what more could you ask for at a Cajun restaurant?) such as "Roast Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Dirty Rice & Pork Debris Sauce" and "Grilled Prime Beef Tournedos with Tasso Marchand du Vin Sauce & Pecan Bleu Cheese Quenelles." Savor the fine flavors of Chef Frank Brigtsen's cooking.

While the clubs in the French Quarter usually get most of the attention, they are not the only ones that produce good times with even better music. The walls of pressed tin are hovered over by ceiling fans that work overtime, all the time. A funky but fun atmosphere envelopes this club that is popular mainly for dancing. Club goers pick their spot then move and groove to the sounds of blues, zydeco and R&B.This hot spot in the Carrollton area does require a cab ride, but is well worth the fare. It is open daily at 3pm.

It's just impossible to get bored of New Orleans' plush City Park. Sprawled over 1,500 acres, this welcoming oasis attracts hordes of people every day. You'll find love-birds sharing some time together, children playing around, joggers doing their daily rounds and people absorbing the park's beauty. Camps, field trips and an amusement park are the facilities for children. Sports lovers can choose from golf, football, tennis and lots more. The park also provides the perfect setting for weddings, picnics, birthdays or other special functions. If you're a nature freak, volunteer to help protect this beautiful park. Not a cent of tax money is used to maintain this facility, so donate generously towards this venue. Stop by to spend leisurely hours of your evening or delight in the various sporting facilities offered.

Located in beautiful City Park, this breathtaking museum houses nearly 40,000 paintings, sculptures and prints, plus the Courtyard Cafe and the Museum Shop. The art at New Orleans Museum Of Art comes from across the globe and represents everything from Southwestern Native American art to 19th-century French Impressionists.

Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro is the most intimate jazz venue in New Orleans. Combine the intimacy with an ever-changing line up of some of the best musicians in the world and you end up with an up-close and personal music experience that cannot be matched anywhere else in the city. On almost any night you are guaranteed to be a witness to the forefront of contemporary jazz in the making. The small wood-paneled bar room holds several tables for dining where dim lighting and exposed wooden beams give off the feeling of being in a cabin in the woods. Menu items include oysters, shrimps, crab and fish dishes, with pastas. Try their specialty Fried Mushrooms and Shrimp Creole. And for dinner indulge in the Yellowfin Tuna or Blackened Fish. Order anything, everything is delicious and mouth-watering!

This hippy den, above Siam Cafe with pillows on the floor for lounging, is transformed after dark into one of the funkiest jazz venues in the city. Thai food is available at Dragon's Den from the Cafe. You never quite know what to expect in a place that functions as a bar, coffee house and performance venue, so take your chances... It could be and usually is, quite fun at Dragon's Den!

Jackson Square, in the heart of the French Quarter, has been around since the 1700's, it was originally known as the "Place d'Armes". The center of the park showcases a large statue of Andrew Jackson. The square is surrounded by historic buildings including the St. Louis Cathedral, which is a minor Basilica. The square was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960.

New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, provides an ideal platform for all to experience and share the cultural history of jazz in New Orleans. The park aims to educate visitors through its database of information, on the origin and development of jazz in America. A hallmark feature of this site is the Perseverance Hall whose historic significance is that black jazz performers, played for black or white audiences in the 1800's. The park hosts special jazz events several times a year. The seasonal concerts for Christmas are extremely popular.

Royal Street is one of the oldest streets in the city, well known for its businesses, that deal in antiques and artwork from all over the world. This impressive street is surrounded by French and Spanish colonial architecture on all sides and emanates a distinct old-worldly look. The shops dotting this street are filled with consumers having an eye for quality, authenticity and detail. The quality of merchandise is unmatched and sometimes, just talking to the shop owners can be an educative experience. Make this street your next shopping destination for all that is antique and unique.

Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, the following description may no longer be accurate. Please consider this when making your travel plans.

From the famed beignets of the "Cafe Du Monde" to the fabulous farmer's/flea market (going strong since 1812), this shopping experience incorporates buying, dining and entertainment all within a five block radius of the famous French Quarter. The Market boundary begins on Decatur Street across from Jackson Square. While you stroll through you may see any number of items, including candy, cookware, spices and mixes, clothes, fresh produce, crafts and toys, memorabilia, and even gator-on-a-stick. The Market is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is free for browsing.

The original Antoine's, established in 1840, resided only a block from the restaurant's present location. This family-owned establishment, now in its fifth generation of management, bears the namesake of its creator, Antoine Alciatore. The French Quarter restaurant has 15 dining rooms, each with its own New Orleans-inspired decor. The service is adequate and the food is exceptional. The seafood entrees are among the best items on the menu, especially the Oysters Rockefeller, which were first created here before all others imitated.

New Orleans' infamous Bourbon Streets runs the length of the city's French Quarter—although "Upper Bourbon Street" is what comes to people's mind when they think of the eight block stretch famous for its crazy nightlife scene, lined with bars and clubs of any genre. This street is probably best known for its involvement in the Big Easy's greatest festival, Mardi Gras. Definitely a one stop destination if a crazy night out in New Orleans is on the agenda.

Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, the following description may no longer be accurate. Please consider this when making your travel plans.

Whenever you are in New Orleans for business or pleasure, a must stop is Magazine Street. This is the street that has it all no matter what your shopping needs are. Whatever you're looking for, be it women's fashion (Total Woman), men's fashion (Style Lab for Men), vintage clothing (Recycled), children's clothing (Pippen Lane), shoes (Feet First), or accessories (Filly Handbags & Accessories), Magazine Street is the place to be. When you start to work up an appetite, try seafood (Casamento's Restaurant), French cuisine(Lilette Restaurant), Mexican (Nacho Mama's Mexican Grill), southern (Upperline Restaurant), farmer's markets (Crescent City Farmers Market), chocolates (Blue Frog Chocolates), cafe's (PJ's Coffee and Tea Co.), or bars (St. Joe's Bar).