Welcome to the Big Easy

New Orleans is world-renowned for its good food, good music and overall good times. When you come to visit for the 2004 ACI Conference, we'll help you enjoy the Big Easy as much as possible. This page will help you find what you need to make the most of your time here.

As a handy reference, we suggest you check out the website for the New Orleans Convention and Visitor´s Bureau. They have a good bit of information for the first time visitor, or the regular traveler.

Getting Around in New Orleans

If you are arriving to New Orleans via air, you will need transportation to the DoubleTree Hotel. A cab from the airport to the hotel will average $28. A hotel shuttle is available for $10 from the airport, but will take 20-30 minutes, as it stops at each of the major hotels.

If you are driving to the conference, or renting a car, the hotel is located at 300 Canal Street. On-site parking is available until the lot is full, at a rate of $25/night or $10/event. Overflow parking is available across the street at Canal Place at a rate of $15 per 24 hours or $7 for event parking.

The DoubleTree Hotel is centrally located in downtown New Orleans. The main attractions such as the French Quarter, Riverwalk, Aquarium of the Americas, the IMAX Theater and several great museums are within walking distance. Trolley car access to the Audubon Zoo is just a city block away. If you want to drive around town to see the sites, pay special attention to parking signs and meters. For further information on how and where to park in New Orleans see the above mentioned website.

Where to Eat

Visiting New Orleans without tasting our great food is like visiting Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower or Rome without seeing the Coliseum. To help you find your way to the best culinary delights and out of the way delicacies, we will post some suggestions. Check this page regularly for suggestions and hints.

What to Do

There is always something to do in the Big Easy. Whether it´s touring a world-class museum, listening to jazz or antique shopping on Royal Street, you'll find plenty of options for your free time. We will be posting local event calendars periodically with some of New Orleans more popular venues. As they say in New Orleans, "Let the good times roll!" We´ll show you how and where.

Weather

When attending any event in New Orleans in mid-July, it´s a safe bet that it will be hot; and more than likely humid. Check this site for updated weather forecasts as the conference approaches. But don´t worry, rain or shine this will not be a conference you´ll want to miss!