Audubon Aquarium Of The Americas

The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is adjacent to the French Quarter, right on the Mississippi River, which adds to the Aquarium's intrinsically inspiring aura. It displays, among other things, a vibrant world of Caribbean coral reef with a walk-through tunnel, sea otters and penguins engaging in play, and a 400,000 gallon Gulf of Mexico Exhibit which allows you to visit the gigantic sharks, tarpon, and rays. Guests are even encouraged to feed the parakeets, and get up close and personal with a sting ray.

• Web:

  www.auduboninstitute.org/aquarium

• E-mail:

  air@auduboninstitute.org

• Address:

  1 Canal Street, New Orleans

• Phone:

  +1 504 565 3033

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–5pm

Audubon Zoo

Located in beautiful uptown New Orleans, the Audubon Zoo engages guests with animals from around the world. The zoo features natural habitats, like the Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle, and lavish gardens. The elephant and sea lion presentations are phenomenal. Guests are also invited to see treasures of the animal kingdom like the Amur leopards, endangered whooping cranes, orangutans, the white tiger, and the elusive white alligators.

• Web:

  www.auduboninstitute.org/zoo

• E-mail:

  air@auduboninstitute.org

• Address:

  6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans

• Phone:

  +1 504 581 4629

• Opening hours:

  Mon–Fri 10am–5pm, Sat & Sun 10am–6pm

Backstreet Cultural Museum

This museum celebrates New Orleans street culture and Mardi Gras history. It features a collection of Mardi Gras Indian costumes and plenty of musical artifacts. You can explore New Orleans' art and cultural heritage by attending collections, exhibitions, music and dance performances.

• Web:

  www.backstreetmuseum.org

• E-mail:

  info@backstreetmuseum.org

• Address:

  1116 Henriette Delille Street, New Orleans

• Phone:

  +1 504 657 6700

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat 10am–4pm

Cabildo

The Cabildo originally served as home to the city council under Spanish rule. Now marking the beginning of the Louisiana State Museum, the Cabildo offers group tours that explore Louisiana's extensive history, from early European settlers to the Civil War.

• Web:

  www.louisianastatemuseum.org/museums/the-cabildo

• E-mail:

  mmcgraw@crt.la.gov

• Address:

  701 Chartres Street, New Orleans

• Phone:

  +1 504 568 6968

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sun 10am–4:30pm

Canal Street

The legendary Canal Street is often referred to as New Orleans' "Main Street." Utilized as the point of origin for any tour of the Crescent City, scenic and historic sights are never far away. Many of the street's historic buildings are now home to up-scale hotels like the Ritz Carlton, and the Shops at Canal Place feature household brand names. Canal Street hosts parades during Mardi Gras and puts on stunning lighting displays during Christmas, making it a primary destination for many travelers.

• Address:

  Canal Street, New Orleans

City Park

This immense green refuge from the city just 2 miles from the French Quarter contains numerous museums, lakes, fountains, sports facilities (including a golf course), an amusement park and the world's largest collection of oaks. It is a favourite among runners, bikers, picnickers and those looking for a bit of boating on the lakes. Many events and concerts are held here, as well as an Easter egg hunt and the Celebration in the Oaks.

• Web:

  www.neworleanscitypark.com

• E-mail:

  info@nocp.org

• Address:

  City Park, New Orleans

• Phone:

  +1 504 482 4888

Christmas New Orleans Style (December)

Christmas is a very special time in New Orleans, a time when carols and live jazz resound in the air, all to welcome Louisiana's Santa Claus known as Papa Noël, who travels by an alligator-pulled boat rather than a sleigh dashing through the snow. Take the opportunity to savor a four-course Réveillon Dinner and soak up the festive atmosphere underneath the lit up centuries-old oaks of the City Park.

• Web:

  holiday.neworleans.com

COOLinary New Orleans Restaurant Month (August)

Good food is at the heart of the city's inextinguishable joie-de-vivre, and there hardly is a better month than August to explore all the New Orleans culinary scene has to offer. Throughout the whole month, diners are welcome to pay a visit to one of over 50 participating restaurants and enjoy a set-menu lunch or dinner at a special price.

• Web:

  www.coolinaryneworleans.com

French Quarter Festival (April)

Another noteworthy music festival is the French Quarter Festival, a celebration of New Orleans music running annually since its inauguration in 1983. Music genres represented include blues, jazz, zydeco and others. Attendance is free of charge.

• Web:

  www.fqfi.org

Mardi Gras (January–February)

Mardi Gras isn't just a single day — Fat Tuesday, the last day before Lent — but a nearly entire month of festivities. It all starts on Twelfth Night, January 6, when the city becomes obsessed with eating, costuming, bead-tossing and parading, which all increase in intensity as Ash Wednesday nears. All weekends leading up to Fat Tuesday see parades roll all over town. Bands, marching groups, boats, and costumed riders toss beads and other accessories to the crowds. The celebration is also child-friendly: the Uptown parade route and suburban parades are entirely family oriented.

• Web:

  www.neworleans.com/events/holidays-seasonal/mardi-gras

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April–May)

The annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (also known as Jazz Fest) is a 10-day celebration of the city and state's music tradition, second in importance if only to the famed Mardi Gras. Bands and performers from all across the country gather in New Orleans to play music essential to the making of Louisiana art scene, from Cajun music to blues, Afro-Caribbean, zydeco, and, of course, jazz.

• Web:

  www.nojazzfest.com

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (June)

The grand-scale Wine & Food Experience sees thousands of culinary experts and gourmands gather at various restaurants and venues across New Orleans to savor some of the state's finest cuisine. Wine tasting events are held, too, showcasing hundreds of fine wines from all across the world.

• Web:

  www.nowfe.com