Car Rental in New Orleans

New Orleans has long been a place to go for its fun entertainment and lively nightlife. But recently, it’s become a business-travel hotspot. With a little preparation, a business trip or short stay in the Big Easy can be stress-free while filled with excitement, fun, and adventure.

Arriving in New Orleans

The National Car Rental branch is located at the new consolidated car rental facility, found on Rental Blvd west of the terminals. Once you’ve picked up your car rental, the drive downtown will take about 20 minutes using I-10. Taking Hwy 61, AKA Airline Dr. takes only a few more minutes but offers a more direct route.

Things to Do, Places to Eat, Sights to See

Any trip to New Orleans should include a meal filled with fresh, local seafood; luckily, there are many choices within a short drive. Classic New Orleans restaurants such as Harbor Seafood and Oyster Bar can satiate any appetite, however; for Cajun and Creole cuisine, travelers should check out Dooky Chase and Café LaSalle. These are also great places to take clients and business associates for the perfect meal filled with local flair. While nearly every out-of-towner goes to Café Du Monde for beignets, it's for a good reason. They're quite delicious and a New Orleans classic. 

The Central Business District blends business with pleasure in a way only New Orleans can. Among the high-rise-based business lies restaurants and clubs that are popular with locals and visitors.

You don’t have to spend your entire trip downtown or in the French Quarter. There are plenty of fun and adventurous outings in neighborhoods across the city. Check out gems like the Garden District, Warehouse District, Faubourg Marigny & Bywater, and Algiers.

While it’s tempting to think so, New Orleans is not just about food and drinks. The city is filled with incredible jazz bands, some of the best are street performers you can stumble across on a walk around town. You should also visit Mardi Gras World, conveniently located near the convention center. While it may just be a warehouse near the Mississippi River, it’s filled with floats being built for the parades during Carnival.

Where Work Gets Done

The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is one of the city's largest venues, covering more than ten city blocks. Events range from large conventions and trade shows to fundraisers and dances. The convention center has 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space, making it the sixth largest facility of its kind in the U.S.

The convenient location of the convention center makes it accessible to world-class restaurants and some of the most significant areas of the city. It’s adjacent to the Central Business District, where you’ll find corporate headquarters, local businesses, and an amalgam of restaurants, bars, and cafes for any after-hours business meetings or a quick power lunch.

There is a lot to see and do in The Big Easy. Work hard, play hard should be the motto for a trip to New Orleans. Take a little time to plan your trip, and you'll leave satisfied with the time spent perusing the neighborhoods around town.