Before Hurricane Katrina wiped out a great deal of the tourism in New Orleans, the metropolis was among the top sightseeing attractions in the country. The storm has come and gone and now the city is sort of completely re-built with tourism increasing again. New Orleans hotels are offering deals which make the wallet swell with pride and once again, the people are swarming towards the south. Conventions and sports events alike attract the visitors as well as the general tourist just exploring the Big Easy for a good time. New Orleans hotels along Bourbon Street offer luxurious rooms to the big spender and more budget conscious offerings to those who just want a space near the action. There's also plenty of rooms in the Garden district that offer charm and a quieter atmosphere for the family or business traveler. When visiting New Orleans and choosing your hotel, keep in mind that the city is split into districts: French Quarter, Central Business District, Downriver, Uptown, Middle, Lakeside and Algiers. Just like when booking San Diego hotels, check where your events or convention center is located before booking your hotel to ensure the proximity works for you. Parking reaches a premium inside the city and public transit or walking is suggested. If your visit will be towards the French Quarter, the casinos or even in the business enterprise district, you might regret bringing your car. While most New Orleans hotels do offer parking, it's a pricey luxury and usually valet. While conventions and sporting events dictate when many of the visitors flock to New Orleans, still others just take pleasure in the city simply for its charm, restaurants and Dixieland Jazz. While it's up to the particular person, the best time of the year to check out the city certainly is the fall and spring. Temperatures are mild and outdoor music and food are really easy to enjoy. Of course, New Orleans is going to be full of visitors during Mardi Gras, so don't plan on getting a lot of site seeing done that weekend. Hosted in February, this traditional extravagant weekend is a never-ending party. Book your New Orleans hotels early and plan on paying very high parking fees that weekend. If you're visiting New Orleans for reasons other than partying or conventions, there are numerous things you may wish to investigate while in town. Go on a good gander of the Mississippi River from the French Quarter or even the Algiers ferry. Historic neighborhoods offer wonderful views of architecture that reflects a century passed by. A lot of visitors to New Orleans enjoy viewing the New Orleans Museum of Art or maybe the great art found in the old cemeteries in Uptown and Treme. The Audubon Zoo is an excellent destination to visit with both children and adults. And while in town, make sure to take a streetcar ride as a way of getting just about anywhere in town.