New Orleans is known as the City of Festivals, it remains one of the USA's top cultural destinations and is home to the most famous and colourful spectacle of them all - the Mardi Gras! A potpourri of musical richness, everything from zydeco and gospel to jazz and new-age rock finds passionate expression in this city with music quite literally in the air wherever you go. Take the ferry across Old Man River or ride the turn-of-the-century carousel in City Park.

The most celebrated and historic core of the city – including the Faubourg Marigny, French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street, Garden District, Audubon Park and Zoo and St. Charles Avenue – not only remains intact, both physically and spiritually, but is thriving. The cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience continue to flourish, as they have for centuries. We are open, fully prepared and eager to welcome all of our visitors again.

The historic and cultural experience that attracts more than 10 million people to New Orleans each year is as rich, charming and welcoming as ever. There are more than 28,000 hotel rooms here, and our famed restaurants and music clubs are humming. In February 2006, the 150th anniversary of Mardi Gras was a coming out party for the city, which has since enjoyed equally historic festivals, sporting and cultural events, conventions and meetings. It´s no surprise that the New York Times has named New Orleans the "Comeback of the Year" and both Orbitz and Travel & Leisure have chosen it as one of their top destinations for 2007.

Time difference: -6 hours GMT

NEW ORLEANS	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rainfall (mm)	89	110	167	124	75	123	192	99	119	43	107	125
Rainfall (inches)	3.5	4.3	6.6	4.9	3.0	4.8	7.6	3.9	4.7	1.7	4.2	4.9
Min Temp (°C)	9	10	13	16	20	23	24	24	22	17	11	9
Max Temp (°C)	18	19	22	25	29	32	32	32	30	26	20	17
Min Temp (°F)	49	50	55	61	68	74	75	75	72	63	51	49
Max Temp (°F)	64	66	71	77	85	89	89	90	86	79	68	63