New Orleans Travel & Lodging

The conference hotel & venue is the Astor Crowne Plaza French Quarter.

• Special Discounted Hotel Rates: SITE participants will be offered discounted room rates at the conference hotel from March 9-21. Book your conference stay and a few extra days to enjoy the city!  Reservations must be made by 5 PM Central on February 24, 2023 to secure the conference rate.
  
  The Hotel confirms the following guest room rates subject to availability:

Standard Guest Room + In-room Wi-fi

$165*

*taxes and fees applied at booking

• AIR:Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)  is located approx. 30 minutes from the conference hotel. Most major international airlines operate from MSY.
• GROUND: Taxi booths are located on the first level of the Terminal outside of Baggage Claim Belts 1 and 14. Passengers must wait in line at one of these booths for taxi service. Taxi rides cost approx. $36.00 from the airport to the Central Business District (CBD) or French Quarter. Airport Shuttle service is available from the airport to hotels and various other locations in the New Orleans for $24.00 (per person, one-way) or $44.00 (per person, round-trip). Please visit www.airportshuttleneworleans.com  or http://www.flymsy.com/groundtransportation for more information.
• VISAS: AACE can provide registered attendees with a letter of invitation to use with your visa application paperwork.

New Orleans is a city in a class of its own, offering endless opportunities for fun and entertainment. Below are just a few of the  many things to do in The Big Easy!

• • Live Music: The city’s music is its beating heart – especially true during Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and other celebrations.  Local dives and world famous music venues will keep you dancing all night. Explore clubs and venues here.
  • Streetcars: Streetcars are a charming and convenient way to experience the many areas of New Orleans. The St. Charles Streetcar has operated for more than 150 years. Four distinct lines, each originating Downtown, will take you through the French Quarter, the beautiful Garden District, and beyond to places you might not otherwise see.
  • Bourbon Street: This street is famous for a reason. Noisy. Raucous. Nocturnal. Bourbon Street embodies the life of a party town. The street is lit by neon lights, throbbing with music and decorated by beads and balconies. Grab a cocktail in a “go cup” and stroll the sidewalk while you sway to the music in the air.
  • Nightlife: While music is the local language any time of the day or night, come sundown in New Orleans, opportunities to listen and dance to live music and catch cabaret shows are in every nook and cranny. Bars, restaurants, and clubs are all in ample supply.
  • French Quarter: The French Quarter is one of NOLA’s most historic neighborhoods, but you’ll find plenty of new mixed in with the old. There’s a reimagined French Market, modern boutiques mixed with beloved antique stores and old restaurants. Grab a coffee and beignet from Cafe Du Monde and hit the shops!
  • Cemeteries: Take a tour or venture on your own through one of New Orleans’ historic and hauntingly beautiful cemeteries. See the full cemetery list here. There are also many ghost tours available to walk you through the haunted hisotry of New Orleans.
• Family Friendly Attractions
  • Riding streetcars through garden district
  • Audubon Zoo
  • Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium
  • Carousel Gardens Amusement Park
  • Louisiana Children’s Museum
  • French QuarTour Kids walking tours (designed specifically for kids, by teachers)
  • Mardi Gras World float tours
  • Rock climbing at New Orleans Boulder Lounge
  • The National WWII Museum
  • New Orleans Jazz Museum
  • Nearby swamp tours for alligator viewing

Exclusive discounts on New Orleans Tours for SITE Attendees!

• Use code AACE23 at https://uniquenola.com/ for 20% off any of their unique tours and experiences. Tour schedule below is in CST.

If you don’t do anything else in New Orleans, you will at least eat well. New Orleans has some of the best seafood, soul food, and sophicated fare in the world. Some of our own tried-and-true recommendations are:

• Commander’s Palace: The quintessential New Orleans dining experience, oved by locals and visitors alike, and recognized with James Beard awards for food and service and Wine Spectator’s Grand Award.
• Antoine’s Restaurant: Operated by the same family without interruption for more than 175 years, Antoine’s cuisine is original New Orleans with French and Creole backgrounds. One of the richest wine cellars in America is found here.
• Cafe Du Monde: Need a coffee break? Since 1862, Cafe Du Monde has served cafe au lait and Beignets 24 hours daily. Perfectly pairs with people watching on Jackson Square.
• Court of Two Sisters: This legendary spot is rich with New Orleans history and boasts a fantastic menu. Join them on weekends for a Live Jazz brunch in the courtyard or fine dining in the evenings.
• Brennan’s: A New Orleans icon recently reopened with a commitment to honoring the city’s history and ethnicity through its cuisine, architecture and ambiance.
• SoBou: Experience the French Quarter like a local with food and drink that pays homage to New Orleans. Sip on well-made Sazerac cocktails while savoring fare like the foie gras burger or crispy oyster tacos. On weekdays, be sure to try their Two Bit (25-cent) lunchtime martinis.
• GW Fins:New Orleans premier, upscale seafood destination. Serves only the freshest local, national, and international seafood at its seasonal peak with a menu that changes daily.
• Palace Cafe: Creole cuisine is served in the historic Werlein music building. Live jazz brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Try the Crabmeat Cheesecake. Sounds weird, but it’s wonderful!

*Disclaimer: AACE is not compensated or sponsored by any of the above attractions or restaurants for giving these recommendations. Our staff provides these suggestions based on personal experience.