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Other Points of InterestOther New Orleans points of interest are in the city's more or less distinct districts or neighborhoods and outlying suburbs. The part of the city known as Downtown, extending roughly from the river to Claiborne Avenue between Poydras and Canal streets, is the central business area. The term downtown also is a general name for that part of the city downstream from Canal Street and lakeward from the river.
The Warehouse District is bounded by Canal Street, St. Charles Avenue, the Pontchartrain Expressway and the river. Old storage buildings have been converted into upscale lofts, galleries and museums such as The National WW II Museum and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.
Uptown refers to areas upriver from Canal Street; the Garden District and the various university sections are in this locale.
More a historic than a distinct geographical area is the Irish Channel, in the vicinity of St. Thomas Street. Once a brawling waterfront neighborhood, it was named for the many Irish immigrants who settled there during the 1840s.
Though all parts of the city were hit by Hurricane Katrina's hurricane-force winds and rain, it was flooding from the levee breaches that caused catastrophic damage. Beyond the high ground along the river, New Orleans' low-lying neighborhoods were hardest hit; some sections may be razed. Gentilly, a section of homes and smaller businesses, centers on Gentilly Boulevard (US 90) from the Fair Grounds Race Track to the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal. East New Orleans, flanked by lakes Borne and Pontchartrain, extends eastward from the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal. The Lakeshore included the West End, Lake Vista and other subdivisions around the north end of City Park.
Across the river is the West Bank, comprising the suburban communities of Algiers, Gretna, Harvey, Marrero and Westwego.
Ansel M. Stroud Jr. Military History & Weapons Museum
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge
Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden
Confederate Memorial Hall Museum
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Museum of Trade, Finance, and the Fed
New Orleans Glassworks and Printmaking Studio
Southern Food and Beverage Museum
New Orleans, LA
AAA’s in-person hotel evaluations are unscheduled to ensure the inspector has an experience similar to that of members. To pass inspection, all hotels must meet the same rigorous standards for cleanliness, comfort and hospitality. These hotels receive a AAA Diamond designation that tells members what type of experience to expect.
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New Orleans Marriott555 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70130
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JW Marriott New Orleans614 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70130
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Hilton New Orleans Riverside2 Poydras St. New Orleans, LA 70130
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Sheraton New Orleans Hotel500 Canal St. New Orleans, LA 70130
Book NowCity Population
343,829
Elevation
11 ft.
Sales Tax
Louisiana's statewide sales tax is 4.45 percent; an additional 5 percent is levied in the New Orleans metro area, and Orleans Parish has a .5 percent tax on food and beverages. The city has a 11.75 percent lodging tax, plus an occupancy tax of $1-$12 per night. The state's car rental tax is 3 percent.
Emergency
911
Police (non-emergency)
(504) 821-2222
Fire (non-emergency)
(504) 658-4700
Time and Temperature
(318) 324-8808
Hospitals
Ochsner Medical Center, (504) 842-3000; Touro Infirmary, (504) 897-7011; Tulane Medical Center, (504) 988-5263; University Medical Center New Orleans, (504) 702-3000.
Visitor Information
1221 Elmwood Park Blvd. Suite 411 New Orleans, LA 70123. Phone:(504)731-7083 or (877)572-7474
Air Travel
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is about 21 miles west of downtown New Orleans in Kenner and is served by nearly all major domestic and foreign carriers.
Rental Cars
New Orleans is served by several major car rental agencies. Arrangements should be made before you leave on your trip. Your local AAA club can provide this service or additional information. Hertz, (504) 568-1645 or (800) 654-3080, offers discounts to AAA members.
Rail Service
Amtrak uses the Union Passenger Terminal at 1001 Loyola Ave. Daily service is offered. Phone (800) 872-7245 for further information.
Buses
The Greyhound Lines Inc. bus terminal is at 1001 Loyola Ave.; phone (504) 525-6075 or (800) 231-2222 for schedule and fares.
Taxis
Cabs are plentiful in the main business and tourist areas. Average fare is $3.50 initially and $2.40 for each additional mile and $1 for each additional person. The largest companies are Metry, (504) 835-4242 and United, (504) 522-9771. Information about taxi service also can be obtained from the Taxicab & For Hire Bureau at (504) 658-7176.
Public Transportation
Transportation by bus, streetcar and ferry is available in New Orleans.
As a AAA member, you'll save even more. Your AAA Travel Agent will check to see if AAA Vacations is combinable with other AAA member benefits, plus cruise and tour past passenger discounts and benefits.
