Hello,
One of the best things about living in New Orleans is the Holiday Season. The weather is typically fantastic and the French Quarter is a little less crowded than usual. So, it's easy to get restaurant reservations and find a parking spot for your car.
Most hotels offer Papa-Noel rates that are significantly less than at other times of the year and restaurants offer special menus.
And, the Sugar Bowl follows shortly thereafter. So things get back to 'normal' real quick. So, get down here before New Years to experience New Orleans at one of the best times of the year.....The Holidays!

The wonderful lights display in City Park is amazing and an inexpensive way to spend a few hours in the early evening hours. It's only a 10 minute drive from downtown and well worth the effort to drive through the centuries-old oak trees decorated with millions, yes millions, of lights. There's even a train that you can ride though the park to see the lights. So, you don't even have to drive yourself if you don't feel like it. It's something that the 'locals' do and it's something I suggest to everyone visiting. They stay up past the New Year, so if you miss them in 2002, you can still see them in early 2003.

Happy Holidays everyone!

-Gene