Visiting Greater New Orleans

New Orleans with Metairie and Kenner is Louisiana's largest metropolitan area, encompassing seven of the state's parishes. Called the Big Easy, Crescent City or self proclaimed as America's Most Interesting City, New Orleans is well-known for the French Quarter, its celebration of Mardi Gras, great Jazz music and Creole and Cajun cuisine. The reigning 2009 Superbowl Champion New Orleans Saints make their home at the Louisiana Superdome in downtown New Orleans. The Superdome also hosts the Sugar Bowl, and was used as temporary housing during the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. Full of exciting events, sites and sounds, New Orleans is a must see and experience for travelers.

Football Fans get ready for an exciting season with the Saints. Set to defend their 2009 Super Bowl championship season, the Saints kick off the 2010 season September 9th against the Vikings in the Superdome. Saints Fans are assured of 17 weeks of games to enjoy - and hopefully more into 2011.

Always exciting, New Orleans hosts several fantastic fall festivals. The 2010 New Orleans Seafood Festival is September 10th through 12th. Held in Lafayette Square downtown, this fourth annual event benefits the Louisiana Hospitality Foundation. Seafood from Louisiana remains safe and healthy to eat. The local crawfish featured in many dishes are a freshwater crustacean. Come sample cuisine from famous local restaurants and chefs, watch celebrity chef demonstrations and enjoy a weekend of fun and live music. The Best Western St Christopher Hotel is a few blocks from Lafayette Square - an ideal location for travelers to downtown New Orleans.

October brings the New Orleans Film Festival to the city. Did you know that Louisiana is the third biggest destination for film in America? New Orleans is surpassed only by Hollywood and New York City. The 2010 New Orleans Film Festival is the 21st Annual, with screenings at venues across the city. A great opportunity to see a diverse selection of the best cutting-edge films.

The Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival is October 16th and 17th, 2010. Presented by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the festival features two stages with performances by Taj Mahal, Corey Harris, Henry Gray and Ruthie Foster among other top blues musicians. This is the fifth annual festival, and along with the music you will feast on the best southern BBQ around.

Voodoo Experience 2010 is the last three days of October. The youngest of local music festivals the award winning Voodoo Experience celebrates its 12 annual event. With an amazing and diverse line-up of top-names across all genres of music, you will enjoy performances from Afrojack and Buckwheat Zydeco, to Ozzy Osbourne and Weezer. Celebrate all the music of New Orleans at City Park behind the New Orleans Museum of Art.

There are over ten Best Western Hotel locations in and around New Orleans. The Best Western French Quarter Landmark Hotel and Best Western St Charles Inn are convenient locations for visitors to downtown. The award winning Best Western Westbank is located just south of downtown and features an Olympic-size pool. Enjoy your visit to New Orleans with Best Western Hotels.