One of the nation's most respected travel writers recently wrote a piece that sums up how we feel about New Orleans.
"It can now be said with certainty and joy that New Orleans has returned to life: you really should visit this unique national treasure."
We couldn't agree more, Arthur Frommer! Read the full article here. We think you'll agree, when you attend NCSL's 2008 Legislative Summit in New Orleans next week, you'll be glad you did! Register today!
The New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau has secured time on the Travel Channel during the month of July to showcase its city. Over the next four weekends, "Forever New Orleans TV," created and hosted by Emmy award-winning reporter Karen Carlson, showcases the city's culture, restaurants, attractions, accommodations and most of all, the spirit and resilience of New Orleanians. 
So watch on Sunday mornings (8:30 a.m. Eastern and Pacific, 7:30 a.m. Central), or search for "New Orleans TV" on your digital video recorder. Here is the schedule for July.
July 6: Voluntourism
The hurricane may have brought a lot of destruction to the gulf coast, but it has also brought a groundswell of kindness from all over the country and all over the world.
July 13: Sportsman's Paradise
You wouldn't know it was so close to the city, but a natural oasis exists within an hour's drive of New Orleans.
July 20: La Nouvelle New Orleans
They may not pronounce the names of streets the same way, but France and New Orleans have a special relationship that neither time nor storm could tear apart.
July 27: Sugar and Spice
We eat and cook with Chef Paul Prudhomme - the man who essentially created the demand for Cajun spices worldwide, visit a one-of-a-kind confectionary and make other stops in the city.
The Arena Football League is holding its annual championship game on Sunday, July 27, one day after the NCSL 2008 Legislative Summit officially concludes. Their championship weekend starts off with a Saturday night concert featuring Huey Lewis and the News. Check out the league's special NCSL flyer below for the full details of the offer and other special events happening that weekend.
Download arenabowl_xxii_flyer_ncsl.pdf
The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports Sunday that the final leg of the streetcar lines in the city opened over the weekend. The event is being celebrated by the community, local businesses and tourists. The streetcar has long been a symbol of this historic American city.
As the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority announced, "For the first time since Hurricane Katrina, locals and tourists alike will be able to enjoy a scenic ride down the full St. Charles streetcar line—boarding at Carondelete and Canal Street, rolling the length of St. Charles Avenue, down South Carrollton Avenue and ending at South Claiborne Avenue."
Be sure to take a ride on a streetcar when you attend NCSL's 2008 Legislative Summit in New Orleans. Register for the meeting today!
by Meagan Dorsch
First, I would like to apologize for taking so long before highlighting another great place to visit in New Orleans during NCSL's Legislative Summit. We have been so busy preparing for this meeting, everyone is going 100 miles an hour and loving it!
Having said that, thank you for giving me the opportunity to stop for a second, and remember how wonderful warm beignets are on a humid morning in New Orleans. Throw in some Chicory coffee, and I can't think of a better way to start the day.
Since it's open 24 hours a day, you can start your morning or end your night Cafe DeMonde! It is close to the French Quarter and just a quick tip...there is also a location inside of the RiverWalk Mall...steps away from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center!
Don't miss out on these fabulous treats or NCSL Legislative Summit in New Orleans. You are going to want to be in that number...register today!
Looking for a great overview of the 2008 Legislative Summit in New Orleans? Today, we recorded a free, online event highlighting the program, the tours, social events, kids program and some great information about the city of New Orleans.
At only 36 minutes long, the presentation features NCSL staff and a representative of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. All you have to do is grab your favorite beverage, go to your computer, turn on your sound and click on the link found on this page that says "encore presentation." The event, called a Webinar, will play out on your screen.
We welcome your feedback. Post a comment below and let us know if you have any questions that we didn't answer at today's event. And, if you haven't yet, go ahead and register for the meeting!
by Meagan Dorsch
When we traveled to New Orleans a few months ago to create our NCSL video on the places to visit during the 2008 Legislative Summit, I had to do a little research. Of course I had heard of Jackson Square and Cafe du Monde, but for Commander's Palace, I turned to the Internet, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and colleagues for help.
The video is now up on NCSL's website and you can see for yourself what options are available to explore. But I am going to attempt to give you some background and insight into these places based on my recent experiences.
Let's start with the first place we feature on the video, Jackson Square. This is the first image of New Orleans that comes to my mind anytime the city is mentioned. It is steps away from the Mississippi River and Cafe du Monde.
Originally called the Place d'Arms (thank you Ms. Brown, my 4th grade teacher), Jackson Square is a historic park located in the French Quarter of the city. I will stop with the history lesson and pass along a tip. If you want a great picture of Jackson Square, make sure to cross Decatur Street and climb up to the Mississippi River boardwalk, also known as the Moon Walk (named after the former Mayor that had it built (thank you Internet). You can see the entire square from this vantage point and it makes for a picture perfect memory of New Orleans. Who else has this picture framed at home? Only me?
Also, this is a great place to buy local art. We saw everything from paintings to jewelry. The prices are reasonable, depending on what you want to buy. Just a note, more artists showed up as the day went on. We started and ended our day in Jackson Square and there was more to choose from in the afternoon compared to the morning.
There is so much to see and do in New Orleans! I can't wait to fill you all in on our adventures in the days to come!
The number of visitors to New Orleans nearly doubled last year, according to statistics released last week by the city's covention and visitors bureau.
More than seven million tourists came into the city, nearing the 8.5 to nine million who came to New Orleans prior to hurricane Katrina. There are actually more restaurants open in the city now than before the storm. Hosting the National Basketball Association's All-Star Game, the college football championships and Mardi Gras, the city had a strong first quarter in 2008.
Steve Perry, who once worked as a staff member for the Louisiana legislature, is now the president and CEO of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau. He says the city is ready to host NCSL's 2008 Legislative Summit.
"You're going to find an amazing city." he said. "From your events at the fabulous World War II Museum to just walking around the historic French Quarter, you're going to have the time of your life in New Orleans. We can't wait to see you this summer in the Crescent City."
You can download his 45-second video, in Windows video format, here: Download PerryNCSL.wmv
New Orleans is hosting a nice warm-up event before NCSL's 2008 Legislative Summit in July.
The streets of New Orleans are full of U.S., Canadian and Mexican flags this week, according to an article today in the New Orleans Times-Picayune. The fourth annual North American Leaders' Summit is taking place in the Crescent City this week, headlined by President George W. Bush, Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexico's President Felipe Calderon. The picture above shows President Bush being welcomed by New Orleans' students.
We like the idea that they are calling this a summit. Instead of just three main principals, NCSL's meeting will bring in more than 1,000 state legislators -- which is why we consider the North American Leaders' Summit a great warm-up act.
