• By CHAD HEBERT
• Advocate Marketing Staff
• Published: Apr 27, 2008 - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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New Orleans, just an hour away from Baton Rouge, offers easy access to one of America’s most historic cities.

While The Big Easy is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, much of the city is up and running. Tourists are flocking to the city’s streets and shops, and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said the atmosphere is like nothing seen before.

“The tourism atmosphere is at an all-time high, and the top tourism spots are back and open for business,” Nagin said. “The city of New Orleans has just completed one of the most successful periods in the city’s history by hosting seven major events in a four-month period.”

Within that span, the city hosted the Bayou Classic, New Orleans Bowl, Sugar Bowl, BCS Championship, Mardi Gras, NBA All-Star Weekend and Tavis Smiley’s Covenant With Black America Conference. Nagin said those events brought more than 1 million visitors and generated more than $1 billion in revenue.

And there are more big events scheduled. Among those are the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, going on now, and the Essence Festival, scheduled for July Fourth weekend.

Speaking of music, it’s no secret that New Orleans is home to countless renowned local musicians.

The scene thrives, in part, because of artists such as The Neville Brothers, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, the Marsalis family, Harry Connick Jr., Terrance Blanchard, Irvin Mayfield, Kermit Ruffins, Trombone Shorty, Freddie Omar, Phillip Manuel and celebrated New Orleans brass bands.

Some attractions the mayor recommends include St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, Café Du Monde, the French Quarter, Magazine Street shops, the New Orleans Museum of Art, St. Charles streetcars, Canal Street, Saks Fifth Avenue and Rubenstein Brothers.

New Orleans is also home to some great restaurants run by names such as Leah Chase, Emeril Lagasse, Paul Prudhomme, Susan Spicer, Wayne Baquet, John Besh and the Brennan family. The city is full of hidden gems, too, no matter what your taste.

And although several cruise lines have left the city, Nagin is optimistic.

“The cruise industry is on pace for a strong comeback,” Nagin said. “The unique culture, food and music make New Orleans a prime cruise port.”

He said plans for major riverfront development should have New Orleans poised to be one of the top cruise-ship markets.

Two other big draws to the city – the Audubon Zoo and Audubon Aquarium of the Americas – are both open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.