Another sweet treat can be found in the traditional New Orleans dessert, pralines, made from boiled

It's impossible to keep a city like New Orleans down. Long known for its raucous, free-spirited mélange of cultures, cuisines and musical genres, as well as half a dozen truly inspired annual excuses to party, including of course, Mardi Gras (February) and the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival, or Jazz Fest (late April/early May), as well as lesser-known but equally worthwhile fetes like the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival (late March),the  music-oriented French Quarter Festival (mid-April), the LGBT-oriented Southern Decadence (Labor Day weekend) party, and alternative rock festival Voodoo Experience (Halloween weekend), there s always a good reason to visit the Crescent City.
Even in the wake of the devastating destruction and loss of Hurricane Katrina, the question was not if the city would recover, reviews of las vegas hotels but when. Seven years later, reminders of the tragedy linger, including some residential buildings and warehouses that remain abandoned in the Ninth Ward. The city has not quite rebounded reviews of las vegas hotels to the days when 10.1 million tourists visited each year, but it is still a popular vacation destination, and if anything, it seems evermore vibrant. Abundant refurbishment projects only enhance the city's already eclectic architectural flavor, rather than inhibiting in any way the beauty and charm of its historical and culturally vibrant reviews of las vegas hotels roots.
For tourists, the heart of the city remains reviews of las vegas hotels the French Quarter. Stroll along catacomb-like streets, stopping at classic attractions like Café Du Monde . This crowded establishment, which has been in business in the New Orleans French Market reviews of las vegas hotels since 1862 and is open 24 hours a day (except Christmas), may intimidate a bit with its frenetic energy and mob of eager visitors. But it's fully worth vying for a table. reviews of las vegas hotels Enjoy the decadently delicious beignets, square French-style powdered-sugar-dusted doughnuts, with a cup of coffee (introduced to America by the French via New Orleans in the mid-1700's) with chicory (roasted and ground endive reviews of las vegas hotels root added to coffee to stretch it when rations were scarce during the  Civil War, and still a popular regional flavoring) or other drinks. Pick up some powdered beignet mix and ground coffee to replicate the experience at home.
The French Market also features restaurants, gift shops, a farmers market and flea market, as well as a free program highlighting the culinary history and culture of New Orleans on most Sunday afternoons at 2 pm.
Another sweet treat can be found in the traditional New Orleans dessert, pralines, made from boiled sugar, reviews of las vegas hotels cream, reviews of las vegas hotels butter and pecans, and cooked up fresh daily at a variety of French Quarter locations, including Southern Candymakers on Decatur Street. Other popular destinations in the neighborhood are the Pontchartrain Hotel , where Tennessee Williams is said to have stayed while working on A Streetcar Named Desire , and legendary New Orleans jazz venue, Preservation Hall . Magazine Street entices retail enthusiasts with antique shops and boutiques while Bourbon Street reviews of las vegas hotels is an apex of revelry with its many musical venues and bars. Still undergoing renovation since Katrina, Confederate Memorial Hall Museum reviews of las vegas hotels holds the world's second largest reviews of las vegas hotels collection of Confederate Memorabilia.
The waterfront esplanade offers an opportunity to shop, stroll and enjoy panoramic views of the city, which can also be enjoyed from one of the tours offered by the steamboat Natchez, which takes visitors along the Mississippi River the length of the city twice daily. reviews of las vegas hotels Nearby are the convention center and Harrah's Casino .
The newest up-and-coming neighborhood is the Warehouse District, near the convention center, which has an arty vibe thanks to raw industrial spaces stylishly renovated into hotels, art galleries, restaurants and bars. Nestled on the corner of one such block is a culinary reviews of las vegas hotels standout Cochon , which features a butcher shop (open during the day to offer house-cured meats and sausages, sandwiches and small plates). For dinner, the restaurant updates traditional Cajun southern cooking with remarkably delicious and charming results. The welcoming, knowledgeable bar staff can guide diners through the bar's moonshine and bourbon flights. Small plates offer the opportunity to sample many flavors reviews of las vegas hotels and the sides are absolutely worth trying. reviews of las vegas hotels Don't miss the wood-fired oyster roast (a local delicacy that's particularly well-done here) and order anything featuring pork belly (one special during a recent visit was such a perfectly rendered reviews of las vegas hotels mix of flavors it almost evoked tears).
Other dining standouts include lunch at Napoleon House for a muffaletta sandwich and the house specialty cocktail, the Pimms Cup, or Coop's Place, where the fried combo plate and gumbo are standouts. Both are located in the French Quarter. For dinner, marinate in old-school charm at Dickie Brennan's reviews of las vegas hotels Steak House , where steaks are served with Cajun spiced butter. Considered one of the best for local cuisine, including dishes that blend in Vietnamese influences, is Elizabeth's Restaurant , where must-haves include the praline bacon appetizer and fried chicken plate.
reviews of las vegas hotels The Marigny (or Faubourg Marigny) is a popular neighborhood for live music and is also home to its own take on Mardi Gras, renowned for its unique, colorful costumes, as well as the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts , which offers arts instruction to area children and holds frequent performances and exhibitions.
Other sites worth visiting include the many historic cemeteries—because of the low elevation and high water table, graves were historically built above-ground, giving rise to a number of elaborate tombs, which have been spotlighted in films from Easy Rider to Interview with the Vampire .
Destination of the Week pieces are not meant to be comprehensive guides to destinations reviews of las vegas hotels since we don't have the time or funds to visit all these places in person and report back to you. Nor are they endorsements of all the hotels we mention. They are simply roundups of top destinations that we have specifically pinpointed for the opportunity they present to use your miles and points to get to and stay there. As always, we welcome  your comments  to help enrich the content here, provide  opinions and first-hand experiences  of these destinations
What could more tellingly epitomize the spirit of New Orleans than the fact that its airport is named not for a politician, but for a jazz legend that once called the city home? The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport serves roughly 2.5 million domestic passengers annually with a dozen airlines offering domestic and international flights in and out of the city. The airport is currently reviews of las vegas hotels being revamped, which has meant the recent opening of several new concessions, including a New Orleans Saints store, selling the football team's reviews of las vegas hotels merchandise, and an outpost of the New Orleans staple, Perlis Cajun clothing, known for its crawfish logo.
The airport is located in Kenner, Louisiana, which is about 15 miles west of the French Quarter. The Airport-Downtown Express (E-2) picks passengers reviews of las vegas hotels up outside airport entrance #7 on the upper level. The fare is $2, and the bus takes about 35 minutes to travel to downtown reviews of las vegas hotels New Orleans. A cab to the city's Central Business District averages around $33 for one or two persons, with the option available to pay by credit card, and takes 20-45 minutes, depending on traffic. reviews of las vegas hotels Airport shuttles to hotels in the Central Business District cost $20 per-person, one-way or $38 per-person, round-trip. Call 866-596-2699 for information or to make a reservation.
The airport reviews of las vegas hotels is served by Air Canada, American, Delta, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, United and US Airways. Southwest has the largest presence serving Baltimore, reviews of las vegas hotels Birmingham (ends June 2, 2013), Chicago-Midway, Dallas-Love, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Houston-Hobby, Kansas City, Key West (begins March 9, 2013), Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Newark (begins March 9, 2013), reviews of las vegas hotels Orlando, Phoenix, reviews of las vegas hotels St. Louis, Tampa and seasonally Milwaukee.
Country Inn Suites By Carlson, New Orleans French Quarter : Located on Magazine Street, walking distance to the French Quarter, this property is composed of seven unique 19th-century buildings. Amenities include complimentary in-room WiFi and a hot breakfast buffet. Rates in January reviews of las vegas hotels begin at $123 or 38,000 points.
The Hilton New Orleans Riverside : Right on the banks of the Mississippi River, reviews of las vegas hotels across the street from Harrah's Casino and four blocks from the French Quarter this hotel s room amenities include Hilton Suite Dreams bed by Serta, Hilton Clock Radio with mp3 player, and Executive Room guests have access to the Executive Lounge, with personal concierge service and complimentary continental breakfast and hors d'oeuvres. Rates in January  begin at $239. This is a Category 6 property requiring 40,000 points for a free night.
The Roosevelt New Orleans : This property features 504 rooms, including 125 luxury suites and PURE allergy-friendly reviews of las vegas hotels rooms. Guests can enjoy live music in the Blue Room, once frequented by Frank Sinatra, or relax on the rooftop bar. Restaurant options include fine dining at Sazerac, or more casual Italian fare at Domenica. Their Guerlain Spa, one of only three locations in the U.S. designated to carry the French cosmetics brand's name, includes a Couples Suite. This is a Waldorf Astoria property. Rates in January  begin at $179 or 50,000 HHonors points.
Hyatt Regency New Orleans : Reopened reviews of las vegas hotels in 2011 after being closed for six years following Hurricane Katrina, the property includes 95 suites, a full-service FedEx office reviews of las vegas hotels and 24-hour grab-n-go fresh market. reviews of las vegas hotels Two bars and two restaurants include Borgne, from James Beard award-winning chef John Besh, who serves up Louisiana seafood with Spanish accents. Amenities include WiFi and high-speed Internet access, local artwork and natural stone baths. Respire by Hyatt hypo-allergenic rooms are also offered. This is a Hyatt Gold Passport Category 4 Hotel. Rates in January  start at $146.30 or