Tourists everywhere are becoming more conscious about the impact their travel plans will make on the planet. Minimize your carbon footprint by taking a green vacation in New Orleans.
Choose Greener Transport
Photo by Shelby Lehor via Trover.com
A road trip to New Orleans might be an American institution, but unless you’ve got a hybrid vehicle, it’s far from the most eco-friendly option. If you’re making the planet your priority, consider catching public transport instead. Greyhound Buses operate services to New Orleans from most major American cities. Alternatively, Amtrak trains travel to New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal from Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.
If you must fly, make sure that you offset your carbon emissions. It might cost a little money, but it’s a price worth paying to help reverse the damage done.
Stay in Eco-Friendly Accommodation
There are a range of hotels in New Orleans that aim to look after its guests and the planet. Earn a dose of good karma if you book one of the following eco-establishments.
Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans holds a prestigious three green key rating in the Green Key Eco-Rating program. It achieved this rating through a range of measures, including installing digital thermostats and energy efficient lighting, donating leftover foods and linens to local shelters, and using eco-friendly cleaning supplies.
Harrahs New Orleans Casino & Hotel goes one better with a four green key rating, the best in the city. Like all casinos in the Caesars chain, its CodeGreen policy stresses environmental stewardship through energy efficiency, water conservation, recycling, and water reduction measures.
Eat Meat-Free at New Orleans Restaurants
Studies show that going meat-free for just one day a week makes a similar environmental impact to taking your car off the road for 320 miles or air-drying your clothes 50 percent of the time. New Orleans’ great vegetarian and vegan restaurants make it easy to skip the steak.
City Greens grows the veggies and herbs used in its soups, salads, and wraps at its own farm to ensure all the produce is fresh and free of nasty chemicals. Seed’s slogan of “Garden base, NOLA taste” gives you a hint of what’s in store from this all-vegan restaurant. The seed gumbo and delicious desserts will please even the most dedicated carnivore. If some people in your party aren’t willing to go meatless, try the exotic flavors of Carmo. Its raw vegan menu and vegetarian dishes are complemented by sustainable seafood and organic meat meals.
Take a Walking Tour
New Orleans has plenty of polluting coach tours and cruises, but all you really need to see the city is a good pair of walking shoes. Walking tours have zero carbon emissions, so they’re a great way for eco-conscious travelers to see New Orleans. Try a variety of alcoholic beverages in the French Quarter on the Original Cocktail Walking Tour or learn more about the city’s haunted history on the City & Cemetery Tour.
Your stay in New Orleans needn’t take a toll on the planet when you follow these green travel tips.