Travel to New Orleans

Most famous for the Mardi Gras festival, New Orleans offers plenty of other sights and activities. There are swamp tours, 3,000-year-old Native American relics, superb Creole cuisine and fabulous, vibrant live jazz music.

Transportation to New Orleans

New Orleans International Airport receives mainly domestic flights, with only a few international flights. However, the citys nearness to Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Atlanta, make it easy to find a convenient connection to just about anywhere in North America and the world. By rail, three Amtrak lines provide service from New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal to Chicago, Houston and Memphis. Also located at the Union Passenger Terminal is the Greyhound terminal, which offers extensive bus services throughout the US.

What to see

Scores of visitors flock to New Orleans for Mardi Gras each year in February; however, the city has a great deal more to offer at other times of the year as well. New Orleans boasts a colourful history and parts of the city can be easily explored on foot, beginning with Jackson Square, which features a matchless selection of sidewalk artists, musicians and mime. Nearby, the citys famous French quarter is well worth discovering in detail.

Daytrips

Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge is the biggest of its kind in an urban area and is located just 16 miles from downtown New Orleans. It features several endangered and threatened species such as the brown pelican and bald eagle, and is made up of fresh and brackish marshes, hardwood forests, lagoons and canals.

Lake Pontchartrain is the nations second largest saltwater lake and forms the northern border of New Orleans. The lake is rather shallow and its beaches are popular with picnic goers, who often line its shores. Fishing, sailing and kayaking are also popular, as is camping in several state parks that line the waters edge.

Activities and leisure

New Orleans is home to four professional sports teams, which stage home games in the city. The city has staged nine Super Bowls. Boating and fishing are popular on the lakes in City Park, while walking and cycling can be enjoyed along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

Safety issues

Visitors should be careful when travelling to New Orleans, especially during Mardi Gras. The streets can be quite crowded with revellers and there are often fights or problems with pickpockets. Its best to take out travel insurance before heading to this city.