NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) invites New Orleans residents to take advantage of the city’s many cultural attractions and world-class dining options through “Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown” and COOLinary New Orleans Restaurant Month, the CVB’s annual summer campaigns.
Both campaigns encourage locals to experience their hometown through the eyes of visitors while supporting the businesses that have made New Orleans one of the most popular travel destinations in the world – and one of The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2015.”
“Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown” (August 1 – September 30) promotes summer specials on local tours, attractions, hotels and more through www.touristathome.com.
Returning to the program this year is the popular eight-week social media challenge, where followers of the CVB’s Instagram (@VisitNewOrleans) and Twitter (@VisitNewOrleans) accounts are encouraged to submit a photo pertaining to one of four themes, family, food, history and culture, using the hashtag #BeATouristNOLA for a chance to win a staycation grand prize package. Winners will be chosen weekly, with the grand prize staycation winner announced in October. Locals can visit touristathome.com/social-media-challenge for a complete listing of the official rules.
The 11th annual COOLinary New Orleans Restaurant Month returns in August, offering special 2 and 3-course lunch menus for $20 or less and three-course dinner menus for $39 or less at more than 75 premiere restaurants across the city. New to the program this year are brunch menus offering three-course meals for $39 or less.
This year’s COOLinary New Orleans restaurants include: The American Sector, Andrea’s, Angeline, Antoine’s, Arnaud’s, Besh Steak, Bistreaux, The Bombay Club, Bourbon House, Brigtsen’s, Broussard’s, Café Adelaide, Café Degas, Café Giovanni, Cane & Table, Capdeville, Carrolton Market, Charcoal’s Gourmet Burger Bar, Charlie’s Steak House, Chateau du Lac Bistro, Commander’s Palace, The Court of Two Sisters, The Crazy Lobster, Criollo, Crossroads at the House of Blues, Desire Oyster Bar, Dick & Jenny’s, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, Feelings Café, Foundation Room at the House of Blues, Fountain Lounge, Fulton Street Bistro Bar, Galatoire’s, Galatoire’s 33 Bar and Steak, GG’s Dine-O-Rama, Grand Isle, The Grill Room, GW Fins, Hard Rock Café, The Irish House, Johnny Sànchez, Kingfish, K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen, La Provence, Le Foret, LMNO, Lüke, M Bistro, Martin’s Wine Cellar, Mat & Naddie’s, The Melting Pot, Miyako, Mizado Cocina, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Mr. B’s Bistro, Muriel’s, New Orleans Creole Cookery, Palace Café, Pascal’s Manale, The Pelican Club, Pizza Domenica, Red Gravy, Restaurant R’evolution, Rib Room, Royal House, Rue 127, Saveur, SoBou, St. Lawrence, St. Roch Market, Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar, Tableau, Tivoli and Lee, Trenasse, Tujague’s, Vincent’s Italian Cuisine and more.
“Year after year, New Orleans is recognized as one of the world’s premier destinations and a top city for vacationing at home,” Stephen Perry, President and CEO of the New Orleans CVB, said. “There’s no better time to be in New Orleans, and our ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown’ and COOLinary campaigns allow locals to experience what publications around the world have been touting – that New Orleans is an authentic cultural treasure worth celebrating. The special pricing and discounts of the ‘Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown’ and COOLinary campaigns give locals the unique opportunity to rediscover their favorite aspects of New Orleans, and locals jump at the opportunity to immerse themselves their own beloved city.”
The New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau is a nationally accredited, 1,100-member destination marketing organization and the largest and most successful private economic development corporation in Louisiana. The CVB and its members influence thousands of decision-makers and millions of visitors to choose New Orleans through direct sales, marketing, public relations, branding and visitor services at their New Orleans headquarters and offices in Chicago, Louisville, KY, Washington, D.C. and six foreign countries.
Consistently recognized as one of the top five CVBs in the country, the New Orleans CVB celebrates its 55th anniversary in 2015.
