NEW ORLEANS, La. – New Orleans and Company has announced new attractions, transit developments, and hotel openings that further position the destination as a resource for planning and executing meetings, conventions, and large groups in New Orleans.
Some of the newest developments in the Crescent City include:
Experiences and attractions
– Rated as one of the 10 Best Aquariums by USA Today and Travel + Leisure, The Audubon Nature Institute is set to debut the Audubon Aquarium of Americas and Insectarium on June 8. This follows the biggest renovation since the institution opened on Canal Street in 1990 and includes the re-location of the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium from the U.S. Customs House on Canal Street to the Aquarium campus on the river, building a combined experience that re-envisions Audubon’s downtown guest experience and educational programming. The new renovation will include approximately 17,000 square feet of new exhibit space constructed inside the existing walls of the Aquarium, as well as 2,500 square feet of existing space that will be enclosed to create a shared public lobby.
– A special exhibit titled “The Walt Disney Studios and World War II” at The National WWII Museum. In celebration of Disney’s 100th anniversary, the exhibit explores how one of America’s greatest entertainment companies helped achieve Allied victory.
Transit openings
– The Southern Rail Commission and Amtrak together have announced the return of passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile. The route is currently being tested with familiarization trips to determine when the rail service will be in operation to the public. An additional route from Baton Rouge to New Orleans is also being discussed to fund and pursue later this year.
– Residents of Connecticut, Los Angeles, and the surrounding areas can now enjoy seasonal one-stop services to New Orleans via Breeze Airways from May to September.
Hotel and restaurant developments
– Adding to the 26,000 rooms currently offered in New Orleans is Nobu Hotel New Orleans, set to open in 2024. The luxury hotel will launch within the newly created Caesars New Orleans, following a multimillion-dollar transformation of Harrah’s New Orleans, and will feature 340 rooms and the celebrity culinary hotspot Nobu restaurant.
– Adding to the historic culinary scene is King, a new French brasserie located in the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot. The restaurant is part of the hotel’s expansion into the historic building next door and offers seating for 125, including an outside patio.
