FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:

Terri Kaupp, DEVENEY on behalf of New Orleans CVB and New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, 504-949-3999, tkaupp@deveney.com

Five Reasons to Visit New Orleans This Fall

(NEW ORLEANS) - July 26, 2016 - Fall in New Orleans is one of the most wonderful times of the year. Locals and visitors alike celebrate the temperate climate with festivals, events and outdoor activities that showcase the city's unique tastes, sights and sounds. Experience firsthand the city's one-of-a-kind ambiance, healthy travel options, and unparalleled hospitality and charm, in five ways this fall:

1. First, We Eat - In a city with more than 1,400 restaurants (and growing) to choose from, New Orleans offers a variety of cuisines, and ways to enjoy them, for all tastes. From festivals, farmers markets and restaurants galore, there are endless options available that are sure to transport taste buds on a culinary adventure. Local chefs and restaurants are constantly evolving, utilizing local and seasonal ingredients that reflect the uniquely diverse culture of New Orleans.

During Restaurant Week New Orleans (September 12 - 18), choose from a selection of James Beard Award winning restaurants scattered throughout the city, to restaurants offering a variety of flavors influenced by Vietnamese, Israeli and Spanish cultures, among others, for a culinary experience that's worth writing home about.

To explore the latest and greatest, check out Trinity New Orleans for an imaginative take on classic New Orleans dishes. For seafood lovers, the aptly named Caribbean Room has any catch freshly prepared by up-and-coming chef, Chris Lusk. In late-September, the city will welcome world-famous Chef Emeril Lagasse's newest concept and fourth New Orleans restaurant, Meril, to the Warehouse District. The restaurant, named after his daughter, will feature a variety of dishes influenced by Lagasse's world travels.

2. Spooky Sites - New Orleans is said to be one of America's most haunted cities. Immerse yourself in the city's eerie mystique just in time for Halloween by taking a ghosts and spirits walking nighttime tour through the French Quarter to experience history lurking around every corner. Then, delve into the origins of New Orleans Voodoo, a religion that developed from the traditions of African diaspora and was further refined as a theology by Haitians. Pay homage to Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, who codified Voodoo practices locally and gave the religion a beautiful but mysterious public face. Her grave in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is meticulously maintained by legions of followers who still place offerings there, including food and various Voodoo paraphernalia. And, in true New Orleans fashion, gather the family to revel in the excitement of the Krewe of Boo (October 22), the official Halloween parade of New Orleans.

3. Football and Fanfare - Sunday football in the South serves as an unspoken holiday - and New Orleans football is no different. The city has become a prime destination for major sporting events due to its walkability and affordability. Arrive early to tailgate with the New Orleans' Saints Nation at spots around the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and enjoy the fanatical costumes, music and traditional New Orleans cuisine, such as gumbo, jambalaya and fried turkey. With the first home game of the Saints regular season kicking off September 11, head to New Orleans to cheer on the city's beloved NFL team and 2009 National Champions, and see firsthand why the South has the best tailgate around. Learn the city's "Who Dat" chant and cheer along with Saints fans, or support your home team when they travel to New Orleans for a friendly rivalry.

4. Fall Festin' - New Orleans' lineup of local festivals continues to expand. Last year, the city counted more than 100 festivals in New Orleans, attended by an estimated four million people. Packed with live music, food, art, dancing, family and southern hospitality, festivals are a sampling of the best New Orleans has to offer. From celebrating zydeco music and po'boys to king cakes, oysters and Creole tomatoes, New Orleans has a festival for just about everything and everyone. So, bring the sunscreen, pack a comfy pair of walking shoes and get to festin'!

Keep these fall festivals at the top of your list:

  • Fried Chicken Festival (September 25)
    In its inaugural year, Fried Chicken Fest will showcase more than 20 fried chicken dishes for attendees to enjoy. The main event will consist of a fried chicken wing eating contest, and the featured restaurants will compete to win the coveted title of "Best Fried Chicken."
  • Oak Street Po-Boy Festival (October 23)
    Celebrate the famous New Orleans sandwich with the annual street party, a favorite among locals. The festival features more than 40 restaurants offering everything from traditional roast beef and oyster, to fried shrimp and softshell crab. Get there early to avoid long lines. Bon appétit!
  • Voodoo Music + Arts Experience (October 28 - 30)
    All of the adventure and mystery that happens in New Orleans around Halloween comes to life with the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience. Hosted in New Orleans' City Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, guests can enjoy signature cuisine, national music acts and take a piece of New Orleans home with them by visiting the local art displays. This year's musical line-up can be found here.

5. Fall Fitness - New Orleans makes it easy to stick to any wellness plan during a visit.
Many restaurants offer health-conscious patrons a variety of low calorie, but not low flavor, options as part of the Eat Fit NOLA initiative. Then, work up a sweat by booking a class with at a local park or hotel with The Sweat Social, geared towards active travelers. Not a fan of group exercise? Take a stroll or rent a bike to check out the newly-completed Lafitte Greenway and explore 2.6 miles of New Orleans neighborhoods, retail shops, parks and historic sites. Then, race to the finish line and support New Orleans' Children's Hospital in the Jazz Half Marathon and 5K (October 29), where race-appropriate Halloween costumes are encouraged!

For trip-planning assistance, from hotel reservations to restaurant recommendations, as well as a full list of events, visit www.neworleanscvb.com.

To make plans for a fall getaway and to see a list of events and packages, visit NewOrleansCVB.com and NewOrleansOnline.com.

**For specific image requests, contact Terri Kaupp at tkaupp@deveney.com.

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The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nationally accredited, 1,100-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at our New Orleans headquarters and offices in Chicago, Louisville, KY, Washington, D.C. and six foreign countries. Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrates its 56th anniversary in 2016. For more information, please visit www.neworleanscvb.com; www.facebook.com/neworleans; www.twitter.com/neworleanscvb; www.instagram.com/visitneworleans.

The New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC) promotes the city as a leisure tourism destination throughout the year. Annually, NOTMC's marketing campaigns include strategic print, broadcast, Internet advertising and public relations.
Websites: www.neworleansonline.com; www.followyournola.com; www.NewOrleansMuseums.com; www.RadioFreeNeworleans.com; www.GoNola.com.
Social media: www.facebook.com/neworleansonline; www.twitter.com/visitneworleans.