Expect great hospitality in N.O.

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Advocate travel editor
• Published: Jan 3, 2008

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A double dose of football is getting the new year off right for the City of New Orleans.

The first two weekends in January translate into a football bonanza for the Crescent City, highlighted by LSU’s bid for a second national title in four years.

The Tigers will meet Ohio State in the BCS National Championship game on Monday — just six days after Georgia and Hawaii met in the 75th Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Fans can expect not only plenty of football excitement but all the hospitality the city can dish out.

Most visitors are expected to spend three or four days in the city, and there’s not a better time to enjoy the multi-faceted aspects of New Orleans.

Fred Sawyers, president the of Louisiana Hotel and Lodging Association, said the bowl games followed by Mardi Gras and the NBA All-Star game in February will make a rip-roaring first quarter for New Orleans tourism’s hospitality industry.

“For people driving in from Baton Rouge, I say don’t give up,” said Sawyers. “Call and ask about last-minute cancellations. Also look at properties in the Northshore area (Covington and Slidell) and by the airport.”

Pregame activities for the championship game include the extravaganza for female fans Sunday and Monday at Masquerade Ultra Lounge in Harrah’s Casino. Guests will receive a copy of The Female Fan Guide to Pro Football signed by Betsy Korn and former New Orleans Saints standout Bobby Hebert.

Sunday’s events begin at 4:30 p.m., followed by a football workshop at 5:30 p.m. A post-game celebration starts at 7 p.m. with the Absolut Fantini cocktail party and chocolate martini bar.

If the Superdome is the epicenter of your visit, but you have several days to spend in New Orleans, then plan to explore the attractions that spread in all directions. Also, a number of holiday attractions will be ongoing until Monday.

How you spend your time, depends on individual likes and dislikes, but here are some “hip” New Orleans things to do suggested by local residents.

If arriving on Friday, check into your hotel, then drive out to the New Orleans City Park to see the exhibits at the New Orleans Museum of Art.