Play Meter

AOE activities will be centered in the Hyatt Regency adjoining the Superdome, which is prominent in this sky view of the city.
Guide to a New Orleans visit
Possibly the most perfect setting
this side of Paris for a gathering of
persons in an amusements industry,
New Orleans lays fair claim to her
title: "The City Care Forgot."
During the Amusement Operators
Expo in New Orleans, Louisiana,
March 12-14, visitors will have little
problem of what to do with their time
left after show hours-except the
hard choice between the feast items
of fine cuisine, varied sights of the
surroundings, down-home jazz, and
much more.
One port of call only should not be
missed by the first-time visitor: the
French Quarter, or Vieux Carre, as
it is still called. Though it may seem
more influenced by the Spanish than
the French, because the old quarter
was ravaged by fire and rebuilt
during a time when the Spanish
governed the city-it is the
centerpiece of today's multi-cultural
New Orleans. Within its more than
40 square blocks are the elegant and
the tawdry, saints and sinners (or fair
representations of both). The
Quarter is seen to best advantage by
a walking tour, or by relaxing in a
horse-drawn carriage tour that is
available day or night.
8
Within the old quarter and near
Canal Street is the Visitor's
Information Center, 334 Royal
Street, in the Old Bank of Louisiana,
built in 1826 and once the city's
financial hub. There one can load up
on maps , reference guides, and
current data on the Crescent City.
There is a complimentary cup of
coffee (a brew which is another
singular treat of New Orleans), and
outside tables invite watching people
stroll Royal Street, which is noted for
its shops dealing in antique items of
numerous ongms.
Lodging
To get to that point-and to the
Amusement Operators Expo, from
which we were taking a breather with
our walking tour-you will, of
course, want to have made room
accomodations. Of lodging, there is
also a great variety in the city and its
outlying area.
Following is a guide to some of the
many hotels available, both in the
central district and on routes
convenient to it and to New Orleans
International Airport. From the
outlying locations, a cab fare of
about $10 will take the visitor into the
business district and the Hyatt
Regency location of the show-
about 30 minutes car travel.
Based on information from the
local Tourist and Convention
Commission, room prices are rated
here in terms of an average price
double: moderate ($25 to $45),
deluxe ($45 to $65), and luxury ($65
and over) . Prices are subject to
change, and the visitor will want to
phone the hotel in advance .
Commercial rates are noted when
offered, as are family plan
arrangements. For the discount of a
commercial or businessman's rate:
apply on making reservation for a
"corporate number" that will be
accepted at the desk on checking in.
First, the luxury pads:
Fairmont Hotel, University Place,
a few blocks from the show site,
commercial rates; phone 800/527-
4727, or locally, 529-7111. Top night
club entertainment in three settings.
Le Pavilion Hotel, Baronne and
Poydras streets, near AOE show
site, commercial rates; old world
elegance; phone 800/ 535-9095, or
locally, 581-3111.
PLAY METER. March. 1981