| Statistics about how Hurricane Katrina affected the | | | | clubs now than there were before the hurricane. |
| city of New Orleans paint a daunting picture: 800,000 | | | | Cruise ships lay over in the port or sail from the river, |
| people displaced from their homes, nearly $23 billion in | | | | so international tourists are once again stopping off |
| damages, and 80 percent of the city flooded. News | | | | to see the sights of New Orleans. |
| outlets covered the unfolding drama 24 hours a day | | | | Sports Teams Call New Orleans Home |
| right after the hurricane, but it is rare to see current | | | | Football fans may remember the New Orleans Saints |
| images of the city as it rebuilds itself and returns to | | | | playing home games in other venues just after |
| normal. | | | | Katrina, but now they are back in the Superdome |
| Hurricane Katrina affected not only the local | | | | where they belong, and the stadium is undergoing a |
| populations but also the once-thriving tourist industry | | | | major renovation as the city prepares to host the |
| in the area. For those living outside of New Orleans, | | | | Super Bowl in 2013. Its always fun to plan a trip to |
| perhaps the last images they had of the city involved | | | | see your favorite football team play the Saints in the |
| flooding, devastation, and chaos. It has been years | | | | warm Louisiana winter, so put that on your agenda |
| since the hurricane and although the city and its | | | | as something fun to do while you visit. |
| residents were changed forever, there is still much to | | | | The Hornets have also returned to New Orleans, and |
| be admired about this great historic place. | | | | National Basketball Association fans are happy to hear |
| The French Quarter and Old New Orleans | | | | that. The team even hosted the NBA All-Star Game |
| Most visitors to New Orleans come to see the | | | | in 2008, putting on a good show for basketball fans |
| French Quarter, which is iconic in films and the | | | | across the nation. This goes to show that the city of |
| American imagination. Fortunately, this part of the | | | | New Orleans is ready and willing to host major |
| city was not devastated by the hurricane and so it | | | | events, so bringing a small group of your own is no |
| looks much the same as it did years ago. | | | | problem. |
| The Jackson Square area is alive with fortune tellers, | | | | The Bright Lights of Hollywood Shine in New Orleans |
| street musicians, and food. Visitors will experience the | | | | While this historic city has been the backdrop to |
| same sorts of sights and sounds in the area as they | | | | dozens of major and minor films over the years, |
| did prior to the storm a testament to the strength | | | | many worried that the hurricane would put a stop to |
| of the local human spirit. | | | | this lucrative business. Not so, as more than 20 |
| Throughout the old town, a new respect for life | | | | movies have been produced in New Orleans since |
| veneers the bright lights and happy sounds. In | | | | 2007 the most recent being The Curious Case of |
| uptown, many places have reopened, much to the | | | | Benjamin Button. |
| joy of locals and tourists alike. Any visit to New | | | | The city serves as a great film location because of |
| Orleans will still be full of opportunities to enjoy all the | | | | the many amenities available to crews and the |
| great sights and experiences the city has to offer. | | | | beautiful areas of town which can be used for |
| New Businesses Are Starting and Established | | | | backdrops. More films are on the slate for coming |
| Businesses Are Thriving | | | | years, so you will see a lot of New Orleans coming |
| Immediately after Hurricane Katrina, the town was | | | | out of Hollywood soon. |
| almost completely shut down as thousands of people | | | | Let the Good Times Roll! |
| fled their homes and businesses because of the | | | | Laissez les bons temps rouler! means "let the good |
| flooding. As soon as they could, most people | | | | times roll" and has long been New Orleans greatest |
| returned to the place they call home and began to | | | | slogan, from hosting Mardi Gras festivities to the |
| rebuild. There are still a few shuttered storefronts | | | | constant heartbeat of Bourbon Street. The phrase |
| scattered around town, but new attractions and | | | | has taken on new meaning for the hard-working |
| shops are continuing to open. | | | | citizens who have made the best of a bad situation. |
| Locals say there are even more restaurants and | | | | |