Take a magical cultural ride through New Orleans

Few cities in the United States can offer the mystery and magic of New Orleans, and the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar line – the oldest continuously operating street railway system in the world – offers one of the most popular and inexpensive tours in this gorgeous city.

More than 175 years old, the line, which includes riverfront and Canal Street spurs, features beautifully restored original streetcars that still strike those endearingly familiar clangs! Ride the full length of the main line, from downtown New Orleans through the stunning Garden District along oak-draped St. Charles Avenue. Enjoy views of some of the most beautiful and historic mansions in the South, and make fun stops along the way for dining, refreshments or simply strolling the Uptown New Orleans streets.

Stop along lovely Audubon Park and you'll find yourself next door to the award-winning Audubon Zoo! Make it a round-trip ride and you can end up steps from the French Quarter, where the touring and fun can continue nonstop.

The streetcars give you easy access to many other kinds of entertainment as well. Consider a stop at Le Chat Noir Theatre du Cabaret, a beautiful cabaret club and bar along St. Charles that offers some of the finest singing, dancing and live theater in the city several nights a week. Or, visit Southern Repertory Theatre, in the Shoppes at Canal Place mall, for top-flight theater that includes both new, original works and local productions of Tony Award-winning plays.

Not far off the Canal Street streetcar line, at the edge of the French Quarter, is the beautiful Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, where you'll find a full schedule of live entertainment that includes Broadway musicals, opera, symphony and ballet performances, and pop concerts by major touring acts.