The Crescent City Area encompasses New Orleans and its sprawling suburban communities. The Crescent City has something for everyone: jazz, outdoor cafes, fine restaurants and museums. There are carriage tours of the French Quarter, streetcar rides in the Garden District and riverfront areas, and riverboat cruises on the mighty Mississippi. The city also offers boating on Lake Pontchartrain, historic homes and courtyards, an internationally renowned zoo and aquarium, and a variety of night clubs, galleries, wax and art museums, shopping and the excitement of casino gaming. Just a short drive from New Orleans is Jefferson Parish, an area of fascinating contrasts to entice the entire family.

Enjoy a marshland excursion in the Jean Lafitte National Park, a visit to Rivertown U.S.A., a historical and cultural district in a Victorian setting or a free ferry ride to visit the National Historic Districts of Algiers Point and Gretna which offer a variety of museums, historic sites and homes. Mardi Gras, the area's most famous festival, brings two weeks of parades and balls in the early spring. The Carnival season is followed by the Spring Fiesta, the Jazz & Heritage Festival, the French Quarter Festival, La Fete, Bastille Day, New Orleans Food Festival and many more! The Superdome holds major sporting events and is a frequent host of the Super Bowl.

Visit historic St. Bernard, just four miles from downtown New Orleans. Just follow Rampart Street until it becomes Highway 46 in Chalmette near the National Battlefield. It was here in 1815 that the Battle of New Orleans was fought between General Jackson's ragtag American Army and the elite British invaders under General Pakenham. Just a short distance down Highway 46 are ruins of the DeLaRonde Plantation, confiscated by the British and used as a hospital during the Battle of New Orleans. It was here that General Pakenham was taken when he was wounded. Also on Highway 46 are the Ducros Museum and Library, c.1800, dedicated to St. Bernard history, and the Islenos Museum next door that depicts the history of the Islenosor Spanish Island people of St. Bernard. You can also visit the 1787 St. Bernard Cemetery. In addition to plenty of history, you will also find wonderful restaurants, friendly people, great fishing and other activities.

Plaquemines Parish is a peninsula surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico, divided by the Mississippi River, and is the beginning and end of the Great River Road. Visitors will delight in touring both sides of this river parish. Citrus and vegetable stands abound through the parish as well as numerous marinas and fishing boats that emphasize the agricultural and fishing heritage. The parish offers excellent hunting and fishing. Charter fishing boats depart form Venice and Empire. Historic Fort Jackson,completed in 1832, is located on Highway 23, six miles south of Buras. The fort is constructed as a star-shaped pentagon with 20'-thick red brick walls, surrounded by a moat and now contains a museum and gift shop. The Plaquemines Parish Fair and Orange Festival at Fort Jackson in December and the Southwest Pass Tarpon Rodeo at Empire in August are some of the area events and festivals.

Louisiana Tourism Information -- Louisiana Page Locale Adapted from the Louisiana Office of Tourism site.