If you’re looking to explore the beautiful and vibrant Big Easy during the 2013 ISDS Conference, you have a lot of exciting options right near the hotel. Located in the heart of New Orleans, the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel is centrally located near various attractions ranging from arts, music, food, history, culture, and shopping.
Culture
Zoo Cruise – The John James Audubon riverboat from the Aquarium to the Audubon Zoo along 7 miles of Mississippi River and New Orleans waterfront.
Audubon Zoo – Audubon Zoo is a New Orleans landmark and a living museum filled with some of the rarest and most beautiful creatures of nature. There have been animals at this site since the 1884 World Exposition in Audubon Park. Today, Audubon Zoo is 58 acres of animals in their natural habitats. The Zoo consistently ranks among this country’s best. More information.
The Aquarium – Looming large against the Mississippi River is the extraordinary Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, one of the top museums of its kind in the U.S. Here the visitor finds 15,000 sea life creatures, representing nearly 600 species, living happily in a state-of-the-art facility. More information.
Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World – Visit the warehouses where they construct the giant floats of Mardi Gras at Mardi Gras World, and watch the artists fist hand. More information.
Marie Leavau’s House of Voodoo – The famous voodoo priestess Marie Leaveau is a notorious New Orleans character, and you can learn about her fascinating and tumultuous life story. More information.
French Market – Reminiscent of some European markets, this open-air mall features shopping, dining and music in a tradition that is uniquely New Orleans. From Café du Monde near Jackson Square to the market at the end of Esplanade Avenue, there are five blocks of specialty retail shops and a community flea market with locally-made jewelry, clothing and art. More information.
Music
Maple Leaf – Originally a chess and music club (a couple of chess tables are still on the premises), and later famed as the site of poetry readings and some of pianist James Booker’s most incendiary recitals, the Maple Leaf is still the place to go if you’re craving funky New Orleans music (brass bands, blues and funk, usually) that sometimes doesn’t cease until sunrise. A patio
provides somewhat fresh air. More information.
Preservation Hall – Back in the days when the future of traditional New Orleans jazz seemed dim, this is the place that kept the music alive. There is no bar or climate control. The music begins nightly at 8 p.m. with a line usually forming outside a half-hour before. More information.
Snug Harbor – This cozy restaurant and bar in the tucked-away neighborhood of the Marigny is the place to be on Friday nights when you might catch legendary jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis live.
Food
Antoine’s – One of New Orleans must-see food institutions frequented by politicians, celebrities, and food lovers.
Liuzza’s – A neighborhood institution that boasts the best fried dill pickles and the coldest beer in town served in frosted schooners.
Mother’s – Place to go for traditional New Orleans food from jambalaya to po’ boys. More information.
To learn more about these attractions and more visit this website.
The average temperature in New Orleans in early- to mid-December is 55 F, with the average high being 64 F and low being 47 F.