TRAVEL TO NEW ORLEANS! Ever hear of patriotic tourism? NYC♥NOLA is "the first major 'patriotic tourism' effort by a U.S. city to help rebuild the New Orleans visitor industry, the top generator of jobs and economic activity in the region."

Judging from the website, you can fly from NYC to NOLA on a few airlines, with American offering at $129 roundtrip fare. The listed hotel rates range from $149-199/night.

How safe is the New Orleans environment these days? This December 6, 2005 EPA report is the best I've come up with so far.

Thanks to NY1 for the lead.