The first time visitor to New Orleans rockin' French Quarter is awed by its 24/7 mentality…especially the nightly impromptu jazz sessions that surround Bourbon Street. You can hardly spit without hitting some guy with a horn. This is Pete Fountain land and jazz musician wannabes entertain the 2.3 million tourists that pour in annually to hear the brassy "sounds". Beyond the rum-soaked streets of the Vieux Carre, New Orleans is also a town where deals are made, in related industries like shipping, oil services and bulk commodity imports.

HOTELS
A wide range awaits with big names like Hyatt, Inter-Continental, Ritz-Carlton, Westin, Sonesta and Fairmount predominating. The very British luxury-class hotel Windsor Court is convenient to Harrah's Casino and has harbored one of the city's top restaurants for over two decades. Hotel Ste Helene at 508 Rue Chartres (800-348-3888) is perfectly located in the French Quarter, a couple blocks from Jackson Square and the riverboat docks. It is a beautiful example of 18th century N.O. style. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Landmarks, Hotel Ste Helene embraces true 18th Century French Quarter charm. International House at 221 Camp (504-522-0083) is an opulent contemporary hotel two blocks from the French Quarter. Once the world's first international trade center, IH has been transformed into a striking hostelry with minimalist features and black-and-white photos of jazz greats and one of the most romantic hotels in town. Aveda toiletries and king beds are standard. IH is wired with CD player, speakerphone / dataport and IDD.

DINING/BARS
Brennan's is still New Orleans very special eating experience. Favorite dishes include Eggs Benedict, Trout Nancy and Bananas Foster. It's immensely popular with weekending Texans so always book a table in advance. Restaurant August is a fairly new addition to the downtown district of Canal Street. Housed in a 19th century Creole-French building Chef John Besh's non-stuffy eatery serves contemporary French cuisine. Lemon Grass at International House Hotel serves wonderful Asian dishes. Arnaud's, Commander's Palace and Galatoire continue to please. Check dining listings at www.neworleans.com.

SIGHTS
River boating is the most popular pursuit. Daily tours and weekly steamboat cruises are offered on the Mississippi. A streetcar ride through the antebellum Garden District may command a respectable second place along with The Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans Museum of Art and the remarkable swamp exhibit at the Zoo. Chalmette Battlefield at English Turn is the battle site where Andrew Jackson, the pirate Jean Lafitte, and hastily organized American troops defeated the invading British navy in 1815 at 8606 W. St. Bernard Hwy.

GOLF
Feb - Jun 2005 the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. has added a new wrinkle for golfers that is bound to be popular: Putt your way down the river on a Steamboat Golf Cruise. Five cruises from New Orleans are on the docket that include 4 or 5 rounds of golf at various Louisiana or Alabama courses along the route. A distinct feature of a cruise is everything is taken care of, convenience and service being the bywords. Passengers and gear is ferried to each day's links upon docking, with play at premium 18-hole Louisiana layouts like The Bluffs at Thompson Creek, Money Hill, Pelican Point and Copper Mill. Other golf cruise locations are at Mobile, Biloxi and Pensacola. Courses are designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Davis Love, Pete Dye and Ron Garl. Golf legend Lon Hinkle will accompany each cruise. For reservations on a New Orleans & Riverboat Adventure Week vacation or to receive a free brochure, River Adventures, contact the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. at 800-543-1949, or see www.deltaqueen.com.

19TH HOLE
The legendary Delta Queen and Mississippi Queen take you steamboatn' in style. Both ships have a grand décor and are furnished with genuine antiques. Passengers enjoy a choice of staterooms, three meals a day and original onboard entertainment. There are wide promenade decks for easy access to the passing views of Ol' Man River, a Chart Room for closely following the route and a bar with nightly tunes.

Pat Pugh is a Houston-based travel writer. Her golf and outdoor features are published in Golf Houston magazine and Houston Sports News. She has received travel writing awards from Delta Airlines and the British Tourist Office.

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