| Sightseeing
The Aquarium and Audubon Zoo
Find out why the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas on the banks of the
mighty Mississippi, is one of the top five aquariums in the U.S.! The
aquarium celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2000, and is celebrating
with the creation of a uniquely designed Seahorse Gallery.
A worldwide safari awaits visitors to
Audubon Zoological Gardens, where adventures take shape in such
realistic environments as the Asian Domain, the African Savanna, the
Australian Outback and the Louisiana Swamp. Counted among the nation's
top zoos, Audubon continues to grow with new exhibits and activities.
The French Quarter
It's easy to fall in love with New Orleans' famous French Quarter. This
10 block square is a mosaic of colors, sounds, tastes, smells and
feelings like no other place in the world. Located 1 block from The
Fairmont New Orleans.
Garden District
This area is bordered by Jackson Avenue, Louisiana Avenue, Magazine
Street and St.Charles Avenue. Stroll through this magnificently
landscaped area known for its beautiful examples of Greek Revival and
Italianate architecture. Admire an array of distinguished homes,
including that of novelist Anne Rice.
Jackson Square
Often called the heart and soul of New Orleans, Jackson Square is a
place for entertainers, picnic lunches and sightseeing. Here, the St.
Louis Cathedral towers over the square. Located in the French Quarter.
Royal Street Antique Shops and
Galleries
Stroll along Royal Street and find some treasures in the many antique
shops and galleries.
The National D-Day Museum
The National D-Day Museum celebrates the courage and sacrifice of the
men and women who won World War II and promotes the exploration and
expression of these values by future generations.
- Located 12 blocks from the hotel.
- Open 7 days a week
St. Louis Cathedral
Visit the oldest cathedral in North America.
Harrah's Casino
Try your luck in this 100,000 square foot casino. Open 24 hours a day.
- Located just steps away from the
French Quarter.
Jazzland Theme Park
Fun for the whole family! A 20 minute drive from downtown.
Historic Natchez Pilgrimage Tours
Visit the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River and experience the
pre-Civil War South.
Gray Line Sightseeing
Visit a plantation house or gaze at alligators during a fascinating
swamp and bayou tour. Whatever your choice, Gray Line will take you to
the best that New Orleans has to offer.
Shopping
Riverwalk Marketplace
Conveniently connected to the Convention Centre and neighboring the
Aquarium of the Americas, Riverwalk is the home of 120 stores,
restaurants and one-of-a-kind pushcarts, filled with the best gifts,
tastes and styles in New Orleans. It's located about eight blocks from
The Fairmont New Orleans.
Jackson Bewery
With over 50 stores, restaurants and cafes, Jax Brewery is a great place
to shop for cool souvenirs, great clothes and great Cajun spices. It's
located about 10 blocks from the Fairmont New Orleans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Climate
The United States has one of the world's most diverse climates. Summers
range from warm in the northern states to very hot in the southern
states, with high humidity in the central states and on the east coast.
Winters can be cold and snowy in the north and at the same time warm and
pleasant in the south. Dress to match your destination's seasonal
climate.
Clothing
Casual wear is acceptable most of the time. Some establishments
(nightclubs and bars) have a "no jeans, no running shoes"
policy. Certain dining rooms require men to wear jackets to dinner.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are widely accepted throughout the United States. Bank
machines can be found everywhere and debit cards are also widely used.
If you are using a foreign card at a bank machine, your money will be
disbursed in U.S. funds.
Currency
Financial institutions will provide a credible rate of exchange when
switching your currency for U.S. dollars.
Electrical Current
110 Volts, 60 Cycles AC (same as Canada and Mexico)
Health Insurance
The United States has a very high quality of medical care. However, it
is a private system and, as such, is very expensive by any standard. You
should consider the purchase of your own health insurance a necessity.
Even if you are covered by your home country's national health insurance
system, your country will probably not pay all costs associated with
health care in the U.S., so additional coverage is necessary.
Visitors taking medicine prescribed by a
doctor should bring a copy of the prescription in case it needs to be
renewed by a doctor in the U.S.
Liquor Laws
In the United States, all states require that you be 21 years of age or
older to purchase and/or consume alcoholic beverages.
Public Holidays
| New Year's Day |
January 1 |
| Martin Luther King Day |
January |
| President's Day |
February |
| Easter |
March or April |
| Memorial Day |
May |
| Independence Day |
July 4 |
| Labor Day |
September |
| Columbus Day |
October |
| Veterans Day |
November 11 |
| Thanksgiving |
November |
| Christmas Day |
December 25 |
Time Zones
The continental United States has four time zones: Eastern, Central (1
hour behind Eastern), Mountain (2 hours behind Eastern), and Pacific (3
hours behind Eastern).
Tipping
Tips or service charges are not usually added to a bill in the U.S. The
exception to this is when a large group of approximately eight or more
are dining together in a restaurant, in which case the establishment may
state in advance that a gratuity of 15% will automatically be added to
the bill.
In general, a tip of 15% of the sub-total
(before taxes) is given. This applies to waiters, waitresses, barbers
and hairdressers, taxi drivers, etc. At hotels, airports and railway
stations, bellhops, doormen, redcaps (porters), etc. are generally paid
$1-2 per item of luggage. |
