| NEW ORLEANS | |
| CITY OVERVIEW
Stay in New Orleans
|
It has always been thought that New Orleans should have had more sporting franchises than just the NFL Saints. This is now starting to change since the relocation of the NBA Hornets further south to ‘Norleans’. New Orleans is renowned as the ‘Mardi Gras’ capital of the USA. In conservative USA, this means that New Orleans has a reputation of excess. The other famous aspect to New Orleans, and Louisiana generally, is the Cajun cuisine, found in most eateries throughout the city. If you get the chance, a great way of entering New Orleans is by the Amtrak train. When the train nears New Orleans, you enter Lake Ponchatrain, a huge body of water off the Mississippi River on the northern edge of town. For what seems like miles and miles of suspended railway track, all you see out the window is the train sailing just above the water. When finally in New Orleans, you quickly get the feeling that no other part of the USA is quite like this place. The French Quarter is the city's focal point and contains most of its major attractions. Bourbon Street, one of the most famous streets in the world, contains all the ‘best’ bars, restaurants and sex shows. The district is worth walking around to view the unique architecture – which interestingly enough is more Spanish than French. The Spanish character that emerged in the city after the fires of the late 1700’s is seen best through the ironwork railings on galleries overhanging the street in Royal Street, the 'Main Street' of the French Quarter. Jackson Square remains the central starting point for visitors to the Quarter, as it is the place where the city’s street musicians, artists, fortunetellers and mimes congregate. The
nearby Garden District, which is 2.5 km southwest of the French Quarter,
is a National Historic District, containing several Georgian style
mansions; the Audubon Zoological Gardens; which includes the magnificent
Aquarium of the Americas; Tulane University, which specialises in
African-American history and New Orleans' jazz legacy; and Lafayette
Cemetery No 1, which is renowned for its above-ground tombs. The St
Charles Ave Streetcar Line accesses the northern section of the District. |
| GETTING THERE
Fly to New Orleans Within USA
|
New
Orleans International Airport is 18km west of the downtown area. For
getting to and from the airport, most visitors rely on the Airport Shuttle.
Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses share the New Orleans Union Passenger
Terminal, seven blocks upriver from Canal St at 1001 Loyola Avenue. The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) offers bus and streetcar services (New Orleans has two streetcar lines in operation). The vintage cars of the St Charles Ave Streetcar Line and the Riverfront Streetcar Line connect most of the tourist destinations with the French Quarter. These two lines will eventually be linked by a new Canal St line. |
| NFL
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS |
The New Orleans Saints were the 16th franchise admitted to the NFL in 1966. It is not exaggerating to say that the Saints are one of the most losingest clubs in NFL history. It took until 1987 before the Saints won more games than they lost in a year (12-3) to make the playoffs for the first time. They continued winning until 1993 but were still unable to win a playoff game. Mediocrity set in again until 2000, where the Saints not only ended up with a rare year over .500, they won their first playoff game. |
| NBA
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS |
The New Orleans Hornets are the newest NBA location - the franchise having moved from Charlotte for the beginning of the 2002-2003 season. The Hornets reached the playoffs for the first time in 1992-1993 and has been regular playoff contenders since this time, although never quite being able to win or reach an NBA Final. In fact, since 1992-1993, the Hornets have not had one season under .500. They have been one of the most consistent teams in the NBA. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues in a City used to sporting drudgery. |
| THE SUPERDOME |
The Superdome hosts the Saints and is located downtown within walking distance of the French Quarter at Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans. The Superdome was opened in 1975 and has a capacity of 73,000. The Superdome is one of the most unique stadiums in the US. The Dome is actually constructed from anodised aluminium, which explains its spaceship look. It is a very popular arena for the New Orleans faithful, with most games sold out before the season begins. Although one of the older stadiums left in use in the country, the Superdome hosted the 2002 Superbowl, a remarkable honour for a stadium so aged. By public transit, take the RTA Bus Route 16 (South Claiborne) from the Uptown area or the Route 84 (Galvez) from the Franklin area directly to the Superdome. |
| THE NEW ORLEANS ARENA | The New Orleans Arena became the new facility for the Hornets in 2003. The Arena is located across the road from The Superdome at 1501 Girod Street, New Orleans. The Arena has a capacity of 18,500 and is the usual home for Tulane University. Use the same transit directions for the Superdome to get to the New Orleans Arena |
| GOLF
Early May - US PGA HP Classic of New Orleans, English Turn Golf and Country Club, 1 Clubhouse Drive, New Orleans. Ticket and Event information from www.pgatour.com |
The English Turn Golf and Country Club is located some 10km south-east of downtown New Orleans. From downtown, take RTA Route 107 to the end of the route, which gets you to the intersection of Woodland and General De Gaulle. From here you are a further 4km walk or taxi drive further east along Woodland Highway, then north along Route 406 before turning right onto English Turn Parkway, which leads to the course. |
| HORSE
RACING
Fair Grounds Race Track, 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans (season: late Nov to late March) Tickets available at course |
The Fair Grounds Race Track is located some 6km north-west from downtown New Orleans. From downtown, catch the RTA Bus Routes 50, 51 or 52 (St Bernard) that go up St Bernard. Get off at the intersection of Gentilly and walk south along it to the course. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
UNIVERSITY OF NEW ORLEANS |
UNO
has several campuses over New Orleans, with the main campus being the
Lakeside Campus. The New Orleans Privateers are located at 2000 Lakeshore
Drive, New Orleans, some 8km north of New Orleans on the banks of Lake
Ponchatrain. The Privateers have teams in several sports, including
men’s and women’s basketball. The basketball teams play out of the
Kiefer Lakefront Arena, which is located on campus and has a capacity of
10,000. From
downtown and the French Quarter, you can catch the RTA Bus Route 55
(Elysian Fields) Local or Route 56 Express that terminates at the UNO
Campus at the end of Elysian Fields Avenue. |
| NCAA
SPORTS - DIVISION 1
TULANE UNIVERSITY |
The
Tulane Green Wave are located at 6823 St. Charles
Avenue, New Orleans, which is some 7km west of downtown. The Green Wave
has teams in most sports, including football and men’s and women’s
basketball. The football team plays out of the Louisiana Superdome, home
of the NFL’s Saints. The basketball teams play their larger games out of
New Orleans Arena but with a new NBA franchise in town will now play more
at the Fogelman Arena, which is located on campus and has a capacity of
over 3,500. From
downtown you can catch the St Charles Streetcar Line to Broadway, which is
adjacent to the campus. Or you can catch several bus routes that go near
the campus, including the RTA Bus Route 22 (Broadway) to Broadway and St
Charles, which is where the streetcar also stops near the campus. |
