la Travel Guide

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A is for Absinthe, B is for Boozing on the New Orleans Cocktail Tour

October 27, 2011 at 10:58 AM | by | Comments (0)

While in New Orleans this last weekend to check out the newly reopened Hyatt Regency, we managed some us-time to see the Saints walk all over the Colts at the Superdome. But the thing we can't stop talking about now we're home? The booze.

While no one needs instruction on how to drink when in NOLA, we decided to take the New Orleans Original Cocktail Tour, so we could wash down our history of the French Quarter with a delightful tonic or two. If you like learning a little somethin' as you get lit, we highly recommend this leisurely afternoon pursuit.

One of the most popular tours in town, it is not a pub crawl but a sophisticated stroll through some of New Orleans' most historic bars and restaurants, with plenty of colorful commentary along the way. Groups are capped at a maximum of 10 to keep things orderly, and our guide was a master at entertaining everyone and moving things along.

Since the tour kicks off at 4pm, the streets of the quarter are already filled with happy, buzzy souls, but we had no trouble finding ourselves a spot at the bar each time we called in for some stories and refreshments.

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The National Hurricane Museum is Looking Pretty Good on Paper

August 29, 2011 at 8:45 AM | by | Comments (0)

Hopefully you got enough hurricane action this week to hold you over for a long time, but if not there’s always the National Hurricane Museum and Science Center. Here you can relive some of Mother Nature’s fury through interactive exhibits all while remaining safe and sound—and dry!

The only issue is that the place isn’t open yet, as they’re still trying to raise enough funding to debut the place in Lake Charles, Louisiana. There’s a vote this fall for residents to give their blessing to build the place on the downtown lakefront, but in the interim they’d love a donation or two.

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Help Habitat For Humanity in New Orleans for Discounted Marriott Rates

April 13, 2011 at 1:01 PM | by | Comments (0)

In honor of National Volunteer Month, several hotels are offering special package deals to those willing to volunteer during their stay. One of those hotels, the New Orleans Marriott has created the Spirit to Serve New Orleans package which includes overnight accommodations for two, a boxed lunch for two, and transportation to and from a volunteer site where guests will help Habitat for Humanity rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

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How to Get Tickets to the Men's College Basketball Final Four in 2012

April 12, 2011 at 10:41 AM | by | Comments (0)

If you’re still missing all those last-second buzzer beaters and other March Madness craziness, you’ve got quite some time until 2012 rolls around. However, you can always get a head start on next year by trying to score some tickets well in advance.

Tickets to next year’s Final Four in New Orleans don’t really ever go on sale to the general public, as you need to be lucky enough to be selected in advance for the opportunity to purchase your own. Once the tournament finally rolls around, your chances of getting a face value ticket are slim to none, so that’s why we’re suggesting that you act now.

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What Do You Want to Eat at New Orleans' Airport?

March 18, 2011 at 10:31 AM | by | Comments (0)

If you’ve ever wanted to tell your favorite airport that it could really use one less Sbarro, now’s the time to speak your mind. Louis Armstrong International Airport—that’s the airport in New Orleans—is asking for input on what types of concessions and services travelers are really looking for.

The airport is under a time crunch as it looks to renovate and streamline some stuff in advance of hosting the Super Bowl in 2013. At the same time they’re looking to upgrade their food offerings—more beignets and po’ boys please—and they need your help.

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How To Get Tickets To The Anne Rice-Themed Halloween Ball in New Orleans

October 26, 2010 at 3:30 PM | by | Comments (0)

Today is the last day you can purchase tickets to the The Memnoch Resurrection Ball in New Orleans. The annual event will be held on Friday, October 29, at Republic, 828 South Peters Street, from 9:00 The show starts at 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. The ball is being sponsored by the Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club in celebration of her book, Memnoch The Devil.

Though Anne Rice won't actually be attending the ball, it will feature live bands and special guests, like Dacre Stoker, the great-grandnephew of Bram Stoker. There will even be a fangsmith on hand to make custom fangs for guests as they wait.

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Bruce Willis and Helen Mirren See 'Red' in New Orleans

October 15, 2010 at 2:36 PM | by | Comments (0)

Today, RED, which stands for "Retired Extremely Dangerous," opens in theaters. The movie follows a group of ex-CIA operatives (played by Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, and John Malkovich) who have to come out of retirement after leaked government secrets makes them all targets for assassins.

Bruce Willis and company and shot most of the movie in Toronto, but they did wrap up the last few weeks of filming in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

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Kellan Lutz and Annalynne McCord Do Good in New Orleans And You Can Too

September 1, 2010 at 12:06 PM | by | Comments (0)

On Sunday, Twilight's Kellan Lutz and his 90210 girlfriend, Annalynne McCord, flew back into LAX after spending a week in New Orleans helping St. Bernard Project build 5 homes for Hurricane Katrina victims who still do not have permanent housing.

“We have a building goal of around the clock building 5 houses in 7 days,” Kellan tweeted on Saturday, “ending tomorrow on the 5th anniversary [of Hurricane Katrina].”

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Four Great Places to Make Your Labor Day Gay

August 27, 2010 at 4:21 PM | by | Comments (0)

Ah summer! That fleeting season of speedos, pool parties and Pride. Just because Labor Day approaches and heralds an end to the sunny summer months, doesn’t mean there’s not still plenty to do, and here are five of our top picks for the best GLBT destinations for Labor Day. And hey, it’s your last chance to wear white without drawing the ire of Project Runway fans, so take advantage!

· Splash Days in Austin

Saddle up and head down to Texas for one of the wildest, wettest Labor Day weekends around: Splash Days in Austin. The main events Saturday are the Splash Dance at Austin Music Hall from 10:00pm-3:00am, with an Adult Swim Afterhours party from 3:00-7:00am at Sky Lounge on the city’s main drag of Congress Street. Don’t waste all your energy the first night, though, because there are plenty more events on Sunday.

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President Obama to Go Straight from Martha's Vineyard to New Orleans

August 26, 2010 at 9:45 AM | by | Comments (0)


Obama onboard a plane in New Orleans in 2008

While President Obama is about to take off from a quickie vacation with his family in Martha's Vineyard, New Orleans is prepping for his landing. Barack is headed to the Big Easy this Sunday in order to give the proper gravity to the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

No po' boys or shrimp gumbo tastings for him, however. It'll be all business as included in the fun will be Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

The focus of his visit is to inspect the infrastructure of the city since the hurricane hit. New systems of levees and flood walls are supposedly protecting the city like never before, and New Orleans is working on becoming a top tourist destination once again.

[Photo: AP/The Swamp]

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Training Camp Travel: Who Dat Say Gonna Beat Dem Saints?

August 12, 2010 at 11:26 AM | by | Comments (0)

Are you ready for some football? It’s still several weeks before the NFL season kicks off to provide meaning to our Sundays once again, but training camp has arrived. We’ve checked out what’s going on at several spots and teams around the league, and this is what we found:

It’s a long road back to Super Bowl glory, but the New Orleans Saints are up for the challenge. We have our doubts that Drew Brees and the on-again-off-again boyfriend of Kim Kardashian will be able to repeat as champions, but we’ll see, as anything can happen once the pigskin starts flying. After all, who dat say gonna beat dem Saints?

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Tropical Storm Bonnie Diverts More Tourists from Gulf Coast

July 23, 2010 at 11:51 AM | by | Comments (0)

A month ago when Hurricane Alex steered his way toward Cancun, we were thankful that the sour weather was pointing away from the BP oil spill on the Gulf Coast. It looks like that luck is up however, as Tropical Storm Bonnie heads right towards the problem area this weekend.

Already cruise ships based out of Miami are re-charting course to avoid the high winds and waves. That means missed ports everywhere from the Bahamas to Key West.

Meanwhile on Florida's beaches, from which many tourists have already fled for the season, preparations are being made for the coming onslaught of tumultuous weather. Booms protecting marshes and areas sensitive to the oil spill are being removed and if you thought the Gulf Coast was empty of visitors in the previous weeks, just wait until these next few days.

[Image: Weather Channel]

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