Not many hotels in New Orleans can claim a place right on the banks of the Mississippi River, but the towering Hilton New Orleans Riverside does just that, putting its visitors in the city's hub, just steps away from the French Quarter, the Central Business District, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and other attractions, including renowned restaurants, a world-famous casino, a multitude of museums and great shopping.

And, as the city's largest hotel, it's easy to find available accommodations to suit you, as well as a vast number of amenities, including a restaurant serving one of the city's favorite dishes, run by the family that made it famous.

The Hilton New Orleans Riverside's central location means you can strike out in just about any direction and find something interesting. Walk a few blocks or catch the Riverfront streetcar line and you're in the French Quarter with all its history, music and beckoning doorways.

If you mean business, downtown New Orleans and the Convention Center are right outside your door, but if you're game, the Louisiana Superdome, the home of the Saints and the Who Dats, is also close by. Feeling lucky? Harrah's Casino is right across the street, and if you win, the Riverwalk Marketplace and the Shops At Canal Place can make you feel like a real big spender.

If you're looking for a little culture, or "cult-cha" as the natives say, the Arts District with its multitude of museums, including the National World War II Museum and Ogden are a Mardi Gras bead's throw away, as are the Audubon Aquarium of The Americas and the Audubon Insectarium. And if you're looking for great food (and who isn't in New Orleans?), know that great chefs and restaurateurs' such as John Besh, Donald Link and the Brennan family all have restaurants within walking distance of the Hilton Riverside.

If you're feeling the need to exercise after all that New Orleans food, know that the Health Club by Hilton has more than 100,000 square feet of world-class workout facilities and is so well-thought of by New Orleanians that many come downtown to use its indoor tennis, racquetball, squash, volleyball and basketball courts.

And if you decide to bring along a few friends, or several hundred as the case may be, the Hilton Riverside quite simply is one of the best equipped area hotels to serve you. Featuring 1,622 guest rooms, including Standard, Deluxe and Executive levels of accommodation, all with 37-inch LCD flat screen televisions, high-speed internet access and other Hilton amenities, as well as 130,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, the Hilton Riverside is one of New Orleans' main meeting places.

Given that size, you might think the hotel would seem intimidating or cold, but you'd be wrong. The Hilton Riverside still feels warm and inviting - much like the city right outside its doors.