Things to Do and See in New Orleans

New Orleans was named to Time's list of World's Greatest Places 2021. Needless to say, we’re a little more than excited to see all of you there for our 2022 Annual Meeting, Feb. 20-23. Get jazzed with our sneak peek at all you’ll experience in the city: music, food, Mardi Gras krewes. It has something for everyone!

 

Scroll down for:

• Near our Hotel
• Mardi Gras Parades to Attend
• Suggested Itineraries
• Eat, Drink and Listen
• Must-See Locations
• History

These include recommendations from local AUTM Members!
 

Visit the New Orleans & Co. Microsite

Get to know NOLA with the official tourism website built for Annual Meeting attendees:  

Location, Location, Location

All Meeting events take place in the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel. You’ll be close to the: 

• Aquarium of the Americas (3 blocks)
• Arts & Warehouse District (3 blocks)
• Canal Place shops (4 blocks)
• French Quarter (4 blocks)
• Jackson Square (6 blocks)
• National WWII Museum (8 blocks)

Parades

The 2022 Annual Meeting takes place the week before Mardi Gras! Check out the parades you can attend during the Meeting, learn the history, and find all the details here.

Parades taking place during the Annual Meeting 

• French Quarter: Krewe of Barkus 2:00pm
• Uptown New Orleans: The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale 11:00am, followed by Krewe of Carrollton and Krewe of King Arthur
• Slidell: Krewe of Dionysus 1:00pm
• Abita Springs: Krewe of Push Mow 2:00pm

• Mandeville: Original Krewe of Orpheus 7:00pm 

• Uptown New Orleans: Krewe of Druids 6:15pm, Krewe of Nyx 6:45pm

Want to see even more floats and history? Visit the Mardi Gras Museum. 

Suggested Itineraries

Have a few extra hours or days to explore? Check out some suggested itineraries.

Eat, Drink & Listen

Beignets, gumbo, Sazeracs: New Orleans has been named "Best Culinary Destination in the USA." With more than 1,000 eateries, it’s not surprising. Bring your appetite! Pro-tip: no trip is complete without a visit to Cafe Du Monde.

• Best Fine/Casual Fine Dining:
  • Compère Lapin
  • Jewel of the South
  • Josephine Estelle
  • N7
  • Orleans Grapevine
  • Peacock Room
  • Peche
  • Sylvain
  • The Bower
  • Tujagues
• Best Casual Dining:
  • Brunch/ Breakfast/Lunch:
    • Who Dat Coffee Café (tell them James Z sent you in! It’s his neighborhood hang)
    • Crossaint D’Or Patisserie
  • Lunch or Dinner:  
    • Betty's Bar & Bistro
    • Budsi’s Thai
    • Mother's
    • Paladar 511
    • Port Of Call
    • Verti Marte
• Best Drinks:
  • Bachannal Wine
  • Bar Marilou
  • Bar Tonique
  • Barrel Proof
  • Black Penny
  • Carousel Bar & Lounge
• Best Music Venues:
  • Anywhere on Frenchmen Street
  • The Howlin' Wolf
  • Tipitina's

• Must-See Neighborhoods: Visit the Marigny and Bywater
  • To get you started, here are some food & drink tips:
    • Anna’s
    • Bywater American Bistro
    • The Country Club
    • The Elysian Bar
    • The Franklin
    • Pepp’s Pub
    • Rosalita's Backyard Tacos
    • Saint-Germain

Must-See Locations

• Historic:
  • French Quarter
  • Cemeteries
  • St. Charles Avenue (take the streetcar up to see the mansions and Tulane's uptown campus)
• Museums:
  • New Orleans Museum of Art
  • Ogden Museum of Southern Art
• Bus, Boat, Walking Tours:
  • Paddle boat cruises on the Mississippi River
  • Swamp/bayou tours
  • Haunted history tours of the French Quarter
• Nature Walks:
  • City Park
  • Audubon Park
• Architecture:
  • St. Charles Avenue
  • French Quarter
  • St. Louis Cathedral
  • Shotgun houses in the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods
• Best spot to take a selfie:
  • Jackson Square
  • Bourbon Street
  • The Mississippi River
  • Louis Armstrong Park

History 

• The city is named after the Duke of Orleans, and the French influence doesn’t stop there. Learn more. 

Want to Learn More About NOLA?

• Stay up to date with the latest from our friends at New Orleans & Company.  

Book Your Room and Register

Join us this February by registering, then book your hotel room. View the schedule highlights and meet the speakers. 

Laissez les bon temps rouler!