If you want to venture out of the downtown area, Magazine Street is a nice place to shop boutiques and enjoy a nice walk through the garden district and uptown. The Rum House is a nice place to find refreshments and a good landmark to begin your walk

When I visit cities, my usual plans include a self-guided walking tour. There is so much to see in the city. I recommend grabbing some champagne and taking a stroll down Royal Street in the quarter. It is full of art galleries, bars, and antique shops. Always a fun time.

For those inclined to learn a thing or two, The National World War II Museum is close to the conference hotel and is one of the best museums in the country. The famous Higgins boats from the D-Day invasion were made in New Orleans and Stephen Ambrose chose this location to tell that story.