How can I experience New Orleans'cultural celebrations and festivals this month?

When visiting New Orleans, you can findsomething magical and unforgettable every day. Whether it's an opportunity to sample our exceptional cuisine, to learnabout our rich cultural heritage or a music festival you seek, New Orleans has somethingfor everyone.

InFebruary, New Orleans is for lovers. Food lovers, music lovers and of courseeveryone loves Mardi Gras! Restaurants and hotels across the city are offeringromantic packages that make for unforgettable Valentine's Day getaways.  And Carnival season really gets rolling whenthe bawdy and satirical Krewe du Vieux takes to the streets of the FrenchQuarter on the 4^th. Larger scale parades roll the 10^th,11^th and 12^th and the festivities reach full tilt on the15^th through Fat Tuesday (21).

Check out the festival calendar below for moreexamples of fun just waiting to be had in New Orleans all year round.

2012 Festivals

• Zulu Lundi Gras Festival/Feb. 20
• 25th Annual Lundi Gras at Spanish Plaza with Rex/Feb. 20
• Mardi Gras Day/Feb. 21
• Soul Fest/March 3-4
• Earth Fest/March 17-18
• Spring Fiesta/March 23-April 1
• Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival/March 21-25
• Congo Square/New World Rhythms Festival/March 24-25
• Louisiana Oyster Jubilee/March 10
• New Orleans Roadfood Festival/March 23-25
• French Quarter Festival/April 12-15
• Louisiana Bicentennial Celebration/April 17-23
• New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Presented by Shell/April 27-May 6
• Mid City Bayou Boogaloo/May 18-20
• Asian Pacific American Society Festival/May 19
• New Orleans Wine and Food Experience/May 22-26
• Greek Festival/May 25-27
• New Orleans Oyster Festival/June TBD
• New Orleans Vieux-to-Do/June 8-10
• ESSENCE Music Festival/July 6-8
• San Fermin in Nueva Orleans/July 13-15
• Tales of the Cocktail/July 25-29
• COOLinary New Orleans/Aug. 1-31
• Satchmo SummerFest/Aug. 2-5
• Whitney White Linen Night/Aug. 4
• Dirty Linen Night/Aug. 11
• New Orleans Red Dress Run/Aug. 11
• Southern Decadence Festival/Aug. 29-Sept. 3
• New Orleans Seafood Festival/Sept. TBD
• New Orleans Burlesque Festival/Sept. TBD
• Gretna Heritage Festival/Oct. TBD
• Art for Arts' Sake/Oct. 6
• Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival/Oct. 12-14
• Celebracion Latina/Oct. 13
• New Orleans on Tap/Oct. TBD
• New Orleans Film Festival/Oct. TBD
• Voodoo Music Experience/Oct. 26-28
• Louisiana Swamp Festival/Nov. 3-4
• New Orleans Fringe Festival/Nov. TBD
• Words and Music Literary Festival/Nov. TBD
• Oak Street Poboy Festival/Nov. TBD
• Treme Creole Gumbo Festival/ Dec. 8

Christmas New OrleansStyle/December

I have not visited New Orleansin a few years. What can I expect?

During your trip to New Orleans you'll have the opportunity toindulge in world-famous cuisine, savor specialty cocktails and dance the nightaway to some of the best live music in the world. Our laid back, friendlyculture inspires guests to relax, kick up their heels, and live it up.

The city is experiencing millions ofdollars in hotel renovations and upgrades, there are over 1,200 restaurants tochoose from with new eateries popping up all the time and a variety ofattractions to enjoy as well. The city balances a love for tradition with theenergy of innovation, resulting in an eclectic vibe found no where else.  

So prepare to let the stress of your 9-5melt away. There are meals to be eaten, toasts to be made and new friends justaround the corner.

How many visitors have been to New Orleans recently?

NewOrleans hosted 4.8 million visitors in thefirst half of 2011, an increase of 7.7% over the same period in 2010. These visitors spent a total of $3.1 billion, a boost of more than 10%over January - June 2010. 

In 2010, 8.3 million visitors traveled to New Orleans and spent $5.3 billion- the mostvisitor spending ever in the city's history.

What is the media currently reporting about New Orleans as a visitor destination?

• Travel + Leisure (T+L) magazine 2011 America's Favorite Cities survey voted New Orleans as the number one destination for live music/concerts and bands, wild weekends, cocktail hour, singles/bar scene, fine-dining restaurants, friendliest people, cafes, antique stores, flea markets and people-watching. T+L also found that New Orleanians are most proud of their city compared to residents of the other 34 cities in the survey November 2011

• Trip Advisor users ranked New Orleans #1 for the 2011 Trip Advisor Travelers' Choice for U.S. Food and Wine Destinations October 2011
• New Orleans was named a top five budget-friendly vacation destination by Gaytravel.com-August 2011
• Trip Advisor's TripIndex ranked New Orleans the third Least Expensive U.S. City for Travelers- July 2011
• Travel + Leisure readers ranked New Orleans #6 on their World's Best Awards for the U.S. and Canada- July 2011
• Priceline.com users ranked New Orleans as the #2 destination for July 4^th Weekend-June 2011
• AAA South Magazine readers named New Orleans: Best large city for a weekend, Best Guys Getaway, Best Girls' Getaway, Best Small Hotel--Columns Hotel, Best Museum of Art-New Orleans Museum of Art, Best Restored Hotel--Roosevelt Hotel, Best Fine Dining--Commander's Palace, Best Arts and Crafts Fest-- Jazz and Heritage Festival- June 2011
• New Orleans was chosen as "Best Day Trip" destination in Festival South's 2011 Best of the Pine Belt Awards- June 2011
• Shutterfly.com named New Orleans as one of the "Ten Most Joyous Cities in the U. S."-June 2011
• MoneyWatch.com named New Orleans one of the Top 10 Cities for Single Men-May 2011
• Travel + Leisure named New Orleans Garden District one of America's Most Beautiful Landmarks- April 2011
• Travel + Leisure named New Orleans City Park as one of 12 of "America's Coolest City Parks"- April 2011
• AOL Travel named New Orleans as a Top Budget Destination for 2011
• Forbes Magazine named New Orleans the #1 U.S. Biggest Brain Magnets- February 2011
• Globe and Mail named New Orleans as one of the "10 Best Cities to Hold a Business Meeting"-January 2011

What are my hotel choices?

There are more than 36,993 hotel rooms available in the New Orleans metropolitan area,                                            including smallboutique treasures in the French Quarter, charming bed and breakfastproperties, major downtown hotel towers and more.

What  are my restaurant choices?

According to Tom Fitzmorris and www.nomenu.com, there are 1,236 restaurantsopen in New Orleans today, a new city record! Visit www.neworleanscvb.com for moreinformation.

What are my options for shopping?

NewOrleansshopping--from the French Quarter to Magazine Street--offers an array of retailchoices. Options include The Shops at Canal Place, Saks Fifth Avenue, The Riverwalk, JaxBrewery, as well as hundreds ofboutiques, art galleries and antique stores throughout the city along. Tax-freeshopping offers international visitors even more reasons to experience New Orleans.

What type of events does New Orleansoffer sports enthusiasts?

New Orleans' line-up ofsporting events and sports venues are sure to live up to every fan'sexpectations. The city is home to several sports teams showcasing premierevents in football, basketball, baseball and soccer including the Saints,Hornets, Zephyrs and the Jesters. The State of Louisiana,"known as the "Sportsman's Paradise," is alsorenowned for its fishing and hunting hot spots.

New Orleans will host several major sporting eventsin the next few years, including:

• 2012 NCAA Men's Final Four
• 2012 BCS National Championship
• 2013 NCAA Women's Final Four
• 2013 Super Bowl
• 2011-2014 All-State Sugar Bowls

In the last sixyears, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome has undergone $336 million in upgrades andrenovations:

NEW FESTIVAL PLAZA- CHAMPIONS SQUARE

Inone of the most innovative downtown developments in recent years, thepedestrian mall adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome has been redevelopedinto a 53,000 sq. foot sports and entertainment plaza with digital capabilities,food & beverage service and performance space. It is a popular gatheringplace for fans to congregate and get pumped up for the many events at the Domeand New Orleans Arena.  This revitalization of a high profile area on the Poydras Streetcorridor creates one of the most "happening" places in a city that loves tohave a good time. club XLIV located just off the Square is an exclusive, poshvenue to prepare for the game and is available for rental for private events.

NEW PRIVATE BOX SUITES

Atotal of 15 private box suites have been added to the Superdome's 300 level,bringing the total number of luxury suites in the building to 152.

NEW SIDELINE SEATING
The sideline seating on the Plaza Level has been completely revamped, movingpatrons closer to the action, with improved sightlines. The new seatingunits have added approximately 3,100 prime seats up close to the teambenches.

REDESIGNED PLAZA LEVEL CONCOURSE

TheDome's Plaza Level concourse has been expanded and includes additional foodservice areas, specialty stands and restrooms. The new concourse also hasall-new flooring, lighting, murals, color scheme and signage.

NEW PREMIUM GROUND LEVEL CLUB LOUNGES

Located belowthe reconfigured Plaza Level stands, the new premium clubs features private entrydirectly from the parking garage, an upscale environment for private events,and high-end amenities including a fixed bar, lounge & table seating,television monitors and restrooms.

NEW LOOK OUTSIDE
These exciting new changes aren't limited to the interior of the Superdome. Louisiana'smost famous landmark was recently outfitted with shiny new look on theoutside.  The entire 400,000 sq. ft. of anodized aluminum on the exteriorwalls were replaced giving the photogenic building a bold, brassy look from every angle. A new dynamic LED lightingsystem will soon replace the former "wash lights" to illuminate the exterior ofthe Superdome. This energy efficient system will allow for unlimited color andlighting patterns that can be customized specifically for every event.

What are options for LGBT travelers?

New Orleans is well-known for its vibrant LGBTscene. There are over two dozen TAG approved hotels throughout the city andguests can party at one of New Orleans'many stellar LGBT clubs or bars. Visitors can enjoy amazing shopping in theFrench Quarter, on Magazine Streetor at The Shops at Canal Place.Plan your trip around one of the city's gay lifestyle celebrations such as theGay Easter Parade, Saints & Sinner Literary Festival or the Southern Decadence Festival, known as the "Gay Mardi Gras" which takes place every Labor DayWeekend and draws over 100,000 visitors to the city each year.

What are my options for attractions and museums?

New Orleans is home to attractions and museums thatspeak to the city's unique culture as well as general attractions sure toplease any visitor. Examples include: plantation homes, riverboat cruises, tours,Café Du Monde, African American Museum, Free People of Color Museum, Louisiana StateMuseums, New Orleans Historic Collection, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, AudubonZoo, Harrah's Casino and its entertainment-filled Fulton Street Promenade, NewOrleans Museum of Art, Bestoff Sculpture Garden, City Park, the BotanicalGardens, Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots, Contemporary Arts Center,Louisiana Children's Museum, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the New OrleansBallet, Audubon Insectarium, Southern Food and Beverage Museum, Museum of theAmerican Cocktail, The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Blane Kern's MardiGras World, and the National WWII Museum.

What's the best way to get to New Orleans?

There areplenty of flights into New Orleans!Louis Armstrong New OrleansInternational Airport offers 116average daily flights, 14,371 average daily seats and services 37 cities.

The expansionof Concourse D at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is a $16.9million project that doubled the size of Concourse D, creating six new gatesand 8,000 square-feet of space for concessions. The project has created 1,000construction jobs for the regional economy and will provide an enhanced airportexperience for all passengers and visitors.

Underway arethe terminal interior and exterior renovations and the consolidated rental carfacility (CONRAC). The official ground-breaking for the CONRAC facility tookplace in July.

Additionalupgrades include free WiFi, refurbished restrooms throughout the terminal, anew aircraft rescue and fire fighting station and plans for a storm proof powerand water facility. In total, $300 million of improvements and modernizationprojects are underway at the NewOrleans Louis Armstrong InternationalAirport. As you can see, Louis ArmstrongInternational Airportis committed to ensuring your travel experience is as comfortable, safe andefficient as possible!

Airlinesoperating out of the Armstrong International Airportinclude: AirTran, Air Canada,American Airlines, Continental, Delta Air Lines, Frontier, JetBlue Airways,Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, U.S. Airways.

What are my options for taxis, buses, airport shuttles and streetcars?

There are thousands of taxis availableon New Orleans'streets and at major hotels. Taxirates are $3.50 plus $2 per mile (.25 per one-eighth mile) thereafter. There isalso an additional charge of $1.00 per passenger after the first passenger. Taxispicking up from LouisArmstrong InternationalAirport are required tobe prepared to process payment via credit card.

During peak visitor times (includingMardi Gras and Jazz Fest) taxi rates are $5 per person or the meter rate,whichever is greater. A fixed rate of $33 (one to two people) is charged fromthe airport to most areas of NewOrleans. For parties of more than two, the fare is $14per person.

RTA servicesare $1.25, including bus transportation and the streetcar. Thirty-three bus andstreetcar lines are running daily. Bus service allows transportation throughoutthe city's major corridor, extending from the Faubourg Marigny to Riverbend.

Airport Shuttle, Inc. is the officialground transportation for Armstrong International Airport,with service to and from New Orleans'hotels and other designated locations. Fare is $20 per person one way and adiscounted $38 per person round trip is now available.

Does Amtrak service New Orleans?

Yes,the City of New Orleans train is running to Memphis and Chicago, whilethe Crescent runs to Atlanta, Charlotte,Washington D.C.,Philadelphia and New York. The Sunset Limited runs to Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson and Los Angeles.

What are my options for cruises?

Norwegian Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines and RoyalCaribbean are currently sailing from NewOrleans.

New Orleans is the perfect destination from whichto set sail. We offer valuable pre and post cruise deals (www.neworleanscvb.com/cruisepackages). And as a compact,walkable and filled with countless festivals and cultural attractions - many ofthem free - New Orleansmakes for an affordable and unforgettable part of your vacation.

What's new at the Convention Center?
The New Orleans ErnestN. MorialConvention Center - the sixth largestConvention Center in the nation - will launch a $50 million renovation projectthis December that will result in the largest ballroom in New Orleans, to be dubbed "The Great Hall" inreference to the Convention Center's first use as the Great Hall of the 1984World's Fair. In addition, the JuliaStreet entrance will be enhanced to now providevisitors with a grand "sense of arrival."

Hall A of theConvention Center will be re-configured to create a 60,000 square footballroom. The existing entrance will be transformed into a sunny, windowedentry plaza welcoming visitors to the Center, and offer a 4,660 square foot"junior" ballroom with a roof-top terrace, and a 4,700 square foot executivelounge.

Designelements of the Great Hall will include:

• 86,000 square feet of flexible function space;
• Finishes found in a hotel ballroom including milled carpet,  wall coverings and a décor reflective of New Orleans unique style;
• Advanced sound, lighting and technology capabilities;
• Divisions that allow for several concurrent but independent session rooms.

The space willalso retain standard features of an exhibit hall including utility floor boxes,rigging points, easy access and ample pre-function space.

The entrywayand ballroom renovations follow $93 million in improvements made to the 27-yearold facility over the past five years, including a complete makeover of theinterior lobbies, a repainted exterior, lobby furniture, digital signage andkey card entry at meeting rooms, and a fully redundant 1-GIG internet backbone.

Constructionis scheduled to occur between November 2011 and December of 2012. The firstclients to use the space will be the Society of Personality and SocialPsychology in January, 2013.

The ConventionCenter has also selected a new food service contractor to successfully help theCenter distinguish itself as a venue with the highest culinary standards, asbefits a city that is known for exceptional food and dining experiences. Aftera rigorous bidding process, Centerplate was awarded the contract.

Summary of Improvements2008-2010

• Furniture pods strategically located in main lobby and meeting room levels
• Installation of I-Coves, comfortable internet lounges located throughout pre-function spaces
• Aesthetically enhanced "sense of arrival" to main entrance
• Visually stimulating way-finding, banner and signage program
• Extensive landscaping enhancements
• Installation of fixed and mobile concierge desks
• Establishment of Convention Center Ambassador Program
• Re-painting of building exterior
• Key card access for meeting rooms
• Renovation of concession stands
• Expanding internet infrastructure to a fully redundant 1-GIG internet backbone
• New digital, large-screen, closed-circuit, video/audio system throughout pre-function space
• Individually addressable, digital signs at each meeting room
• "Crown-Room"-type executive lounge, fitted with work-stations, lounge furniture, cable television

   and refreshments with controlled access

• Both 30,000+ sq.ft. ballrooms freshly remodeled

Meetings (3,000 or more inattendance) in 2012 include:

Professional Photographers of America/Jan. 15-17   
SAP Global Marketing, Inc./Jan. 17-20
American Rental Association/Feb. 5-8
UBM LLC (Formerly United Business Media)/Feb. 14-17    
Vacuum & Sewing Dealers Association/Feb. 27-29
American Pharmacists Association/March 9-12
Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses/March 24-29           
New Orleans Dental Conference/April 12-14
American College of Physicians/April 17-21 
American Academy of Neurology       /April21-28   
Oncology Nursing Society/May 3-6
Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association/May 7-9
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine/May 30-June 1
International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association/June 10-12
Southern Baptist Convention/June 19-20
National Association of Black Journalists/June 20-24           
Kiwanis International/June 28-July 1
Evangelical Free Church of America/July 1-6
Southern Regional Education Board/July 10-13
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America/July 18-22
National Medical Association/July 28-Aug. 1
US Department Of Education/July 31-Aug. 2           
Pentecostal Churches of the Apostolic Faith/Aug. 3-8          
Pentecostal Assemblies of the World/Aug. 5-11
Louisiana Restaurant Association/Aug. 11-13
Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles/Mystic Shrine/Aug. 17-23
American Political Science Association/Aug. 30-Sept. 2
AARP/Sept. 20-22
Water Environment Federation/Sept. 29-Oct. 3
International Auto Body Congress and Expo/Oct. 10-13
Society for Neuroscience/Oct. 13-17
American Academy of Pediatrics/Oct. 20-23
American Society of Plastic Surgeons/Oct. 26-30
EMS Expo, Inc./Oct. 29-Nov. 2
International Pool Spa Patio Expo/Nov. 6-8
American Association for Respiratory Care/Nov. 10-13
American Assn for the Advancement of Slavic Studies/Nov. 15-18
Diversified Business Communications/Dec. 5-7

Is New Orleans a safe place for visitors?

New Orleans welcomes eight millionvisitors per year and the New Orleans Police Department is world renowned forthe safe and successful management of major cultural events such as Mardi Gras,festivals, and special sporting events. The world's most prominent corporationsand associations select New Orleans for conferences and business events rangingfrom a 10-person corporate board meeting to large association city-wideconventions with tens of thousands of attendees from around the world. 

The New OrleansConvention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and its tourism partners maintain a greatrelationship with the New Orleans Police Department and Superintendent ofPolice Ronal Serpas.

For 2011, crimes are down the 8^th District, which encompasses popular tourist areas such as the French Quarter,downtown/Central Business District, Morial Convention Center, Riverfront andMarigny.

Although we maintain a very safe recordfor visitors, local elected officials and the New Orleans Police Departmenthave a proactive, comprehensive plan for improving the quality of life for allthose who visit, live and work in New Orleans. This includes a strategic approach to addressing graffiti, solicitation,poor lighting, parking violators, truancy, curfews for juveniles, loitering,panhandling and the enforcement of noise ordinances. 

Superintendent Serpas and his seniorleadership team are happy to meet with New Orleans CVB customers about theirspecific groups. In addition, the New Orleans CVB informs the top leadership ofthe NOPD of the complete convention and visitor schedule so they may providecustomized coverage in areas where specific events are occurring.

Visitors to New Orleans Can Expect

• 133 officers assigned to the 8^th District
• 13 officers assigned specifically to Bourbon Street during the evening through the early morning hours
• Police patrols on Segways
• 11 officers and supervisors devoted to daytime patrols on foot as well as Vespa scooters, golf carts, motorcycles, and Segways. This includes Royal Street, Bourbon Street, Chartres Street, Jackson Square and parks.
• 10 officers and supervisors assigned to Canal Street and Convention Center Blvd. via  patrol cars, Vespa scooters, Polaris carts and Segways
• A minimum of six officers on horseback every night
• Portable light boxes on major cross streets such as Canal, Iberville, St. Louis and St. Peter
• Sky Watch towers to increase visibility, observation and police presence
• The permanent staffing of tourist areas is also routinely augmented by the assignment of Reserve NOPD Officers who are assigned on night shifts and weekends

Crime exists inall major cities. In New Orleans, the vast majority of violent crime istargeted criminal-on-criminal drug and retaliation acts which predominatelyoccur outside of popular tourist areas. As with any destination, we recommendthat vacationers and convention attendees practice common sense and do notwander into deserted, non-tourist areas of the city. 

Common Sense Tips for Visitors to Any Major City

• Iphones and smart phones have been the target of thieves nationwide ... be aware of your surroundings when walking and using your smart phone.

• Do not leave your purse unattended.
• Consider removing your convention badge when leaving your meeting venue.
• Do not display large amounts of cash in public places.
• Avoid walking alone on deserted streets at night as you would in any major American city, travel with a colleague or friend if possible.
• If you are intoxicated, please take a taxi instead of walking or driving.
• Trust your gut instincts. If someone or something seems suspicious, leave the area or alert a police officer.
• If approached by strangers for con games such as, "I bet I can tell you where you got your shoes," do not participate. Simply smile and walk past them.
• Lock car doors. Stow valuables out of sight in your vehicle.
• Remember that most laws enforced in your city are enforced here as well.

Downtown Public Safety Rangers

VisitorsDowntown also can utilize the Downtown Development District's (DD) PublicSafety Rangers, who are on duty seven days a week from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Theyact as extra eyes and ears for the police and the DDDand assist visitors with directions, etc. Downtown SafeWalk escorts are offered free of charge within the DowntownDDD boundaries. Call or text (504)415-1730 to check availability.

How is the NewOrleans Convention & Visitors Bureau prepared forhurricane season?

The New Orleans CVB Tourism Crisis Management Plan, along with diligent and thorough preparation withan emphasis on safety, will assist visitors in responding appropriately toemergencies.

The City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana have implemented a unified emergencycommunications plan to ensure the timely flow of informationacross the region in emergency situations. A comprehensive and effective city-wideemergency communications plan for the Greater New Orleans tourism industry has been developed forvisitors.

Today,New Orleans is proud to not only be the nation's leader in fun, food, music andmajor cultural and sporting events, but now to be the most sophisticateddestination in the world in all levels of emergency planning, execution andvisitor management.

For the pastsix years, the US Army Corps of Engineers has worked to supply residents of New Orleans and themetropolitan area with unprecedented flood protection. With a complex andimpressive system of levees, floodwalls, floodgates and drainage pumpingstations, the New Orleans area is equip with one of the world's mostsophisticated and effective protection, shielding the city and its residentsfrom both Mississippi River flooding and the chance of hurricane surges.

100-Year Protection

June 2011, TheUnited States Army Corps of Engineers met its operational goal for completingthe physical features for the 100-year protection system. This means that metroNew Orleanswill defend a storm surge event that has a one percent chance of occurring inany given year, or a 100-year storm surge event.

Activities tothe Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) in the past sixyears were valued at $14.45 billion.Improvements to the HSDRRS include:

• Repairs to more than 220 miles of levees and floodwalls
• Design and construction of the largest surge barrier of its kind in the world
• Design and construction of the largest single project ever built in Louisiana
• Design and construction of the largest drainage pump station in the world

Two of theCorps biggest projects include the InnerHarbor Navigation Canal (IHNC) Surge Barrier and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway-West Closure Complex (GIWW-WCC):

InnerHarbor NavigationCanal(IHNC) Surge Barrier

• The $1.1 billion IHNC Surge Barrier, standing at 26 feet high, is the largest surge barrier wall in the world and provides flood risk reduction to the Ninth Ward, Gentilly, New Orleans East, Orleans Metro and St. Bernard Parish. It is designed to block hurricane surge water and waves from the Gulf of Mexico.

Gulf Intracoastal Waterway-West ClosureComplex

• The GIWW-WCC is the largest sector gate in the nation and the largest drainage pump station in the world for removal of rainwater. The complex reduces flood risk for the residential areas of Jefferson, Orleans and Plaquemines parishes located on the city's west bank of the Mississippi River, the opposite side of the French Quarter and main visitor areas.

What are myoptions should I need medical care while visiting?

Hospitals and urgent care facilities include:

• East Jefferson After Hours Metairie, 2215 Veterans Boulevard, Metairie, Louisiana 70002, Phone: 504-838-3524, www.ejafterhours.com
• East Jefferson After Hours Kenner, 708 West Esplanade, Kenner, Louisiana 70065, 504-461-9660, www.ejafterhours.com
• 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
• Ochsner Baptist Medical Center, 2700 Napoleon Ave., 866-624-7637, www.ochsner.org/locations/baptist/
• New Orleans Urgent Care facility, 900 Magazine Street, 504-552-2433 www.neworleansurgentcare.com/services.asp

What is the population of New Orleans?

Accordingto 2010 Census Bureau estimates, NewOrleans' population is made up of approximately343,829 residents. Jefferson Parish, adjacent to New Orleans and a part of the metro area, ishome to 432,552 residents according to 2010 Census data. New Orleans' hospitality industry is thecity's largest employer with a work force that is 70,000 strong.

Laissez lesbons temps rouler...Let the good times roll

Now is the perfect opportunity to visit New Orleans ... the most authentic, walkable, historic,soulful destination in America.For visitor testimonials or more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com