The third stop on the search for the next American Idol brings us to Louisiana, the home state of judges Randy Jackson and Ellen DeGeneres! New Orleans is one of the top ten most visited cities in the United States, and the city's annual Mardi Gras festival draws in a large crowd. Known as "America's Most Interesting City," New Orleans is a good location for American Idol auditions because it's the birthplace of jazz music. Welcome to The Big Easy!

Transportation

In a city shaped like a crescent it can be difficult to get the lay of the land. If you're flying to NOLA, Louis Armstrong International Airport is located in Kenner, just about 10 miles away from downtown New Orleans. Take the Airport Shuttle from Louis Armstrong to downtown New Orleans hotels, the French Quarter, and more. The vans conveniently depart every half hour, and the cost is $20 one-way or $38 round trip. A cab ride from the airport to the downtown area costs $28. Take an Amtrak train to New Orleans from a number of cities across the country. The route to New Orleans originates in Chicago with stops in Carbondale IL, Memphis TN, Jackson MS and small towns along the way. The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) buses offer an inexpensive way to get around. It only costs $1.25 to travel one-way around town. Traveling around New Orleans wouldn't be complete until you ride on their oldest continuously operating streetcars in the world! The streetcars travel all around the city and also only cost you $1.25 for one-way travel.

Sightseeing

Come hungry to The Big Easy and eat at famous chefs' restaurants. Try traditional N.O. Creole and Cajun food: crawfish, jambalaya, gumbo, and more. Head to the French Quarter for shopping, lodging, and dining, and be sure to stroll down the famous Bourbon Street. Take one of the many types of tours offered in New Orleans including swamp tours, culinary tours, plantation tours, French Quarter tours, and more. Music lovers will want to pop into some of the many local jazz clubs and tap their feet to the beat.