Info About the City of New Orleans

Elevation:
11 feet above sea level
Land Area:
180.6 square miles
Location:
Located on the Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico in South Louisiana
Time Zone:
Central Time Zone

Local Seasons

Spring tends to be the busiest time of year in this festive city due to Mardi Gras, although, with the exception of the summer, most seasons have a high volume of tourists. Spring and fall tend to offer the most comfortable weather, allowing visitors the opportunity of enjoying the many historic and unique sites of the city. With daytime temperatures averaging near 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the spring, and near 70 degrees Fahrenheit in the fall, it’s a perfect time for exploring everything the city has to offer. Whether strolling through the French Quarter, stopping at the world famous CafĂ© du Monde for coffee and beignets, or partying on Bourbon Street, New Orleans offers a multitude of choices for any taste.

Best Ways To Get To New Orleans

New Orleans is accessible by a number of different modes of transportation. The fastest and easiest tends to be by air, but there are also trains, busses, and taxis depending on where you are coming from.

By Air – New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY)

Located approximately 30 minutes from downtown New Orleans and Bourbon Street, the airport is served by many of the national and internationally known airlines as well as by certain local and regional carriers.

900 Airline Highway
Kenner, LA 70062
504-464-0831

Ground Transportation

Car rental, taxi, and limousine service is readily available at both the airport as well as downtown.

By Train – Amtrak Station

1001 Loyola Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70113
800-USA-RAIL

By Bus – Greyhound Station

1001 Loyola Ave.
New Orleans LA 70113
504-524-7571

Getting Around New Orleans

Once you are there, getting around New Orleans is fairly easy. Depending on where you are staying, walking can be an easy method of transportation, particularly in the French Quarter. However, if you are staying in Metairie, Kenner, Lakeview, or other areas outside of the French Quarter and downtown New Orleans, a bus, taxi, or streetcar may be a more viable option.

Local Bus Service

Regional Transit Authority (RTA)

2817 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70119
504-248-3900

St. Charles Streetcar

A national historic monument – the streetcar rambles along a 13 mile loop from Canal Street, along St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District, past Audubon Park to Carrollton uptown. There is also a streetcar along the riverfront, where trolleys make ten stops between the Convention Center and Esplanade Avenue.