New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center: Know Before You Go
Heading to a conference, exhibition, trade show or special event? The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is one of the largest event facilities in the country, and its size makes advance planning important.
This guide helps you choose the right entrance, find parking, reach your hall, understand transportation options, use onsite services and avoid common visitor mistakes.
Quick Facts for Visitors
Which Entrance Should You Use?
There is no single best arrival point for every convention. Choose based on how you are traveling and the location provided by your event organizer.
Walking From a Downtown Hotel
Starting point: 900 Convention Center Boulevard, near Julia Street and the Great Hall.
This is the official main pedestrian entrance. If your sessions are in another hall, check whether a different authorized event entrance is more convenient.
Arriving by Uber, Lyft or Taxi
Starting point: Designated Taxi/Rideshare Zone, 400 Calliope Street.
Use the marked pedestrian crossing to access the Transportation Center entrance outside Lobby G.
Driving Your Own Vehicle
Starting point: Select a designated MCCNO parking lot, such as Lot F or G.
Enter the actual lot address into your navigation app. Do not assume the main venue address leads to public parking.
Exhibitor or Freight Driver
Starting point: Your event’s exhibitor service manual.
Event freight may use a separate marshaling yard, contractor check-in or timed loading procedure. Do not use ordinary visitor directions for booth freight.
Address and Entrance Comparison
| Location | Address / access | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Main visitor entrance | 900 Convention Center Blvd., at Julia St. | General pedestrian arrival, Great Hall side |
| Transportation Center | Outside Lobby G | Taxi, rideshare and transportation access |
| Taxi / rideshare zone | 400 Calliope St. | Designated pickup and drop-off zone |
| Non-event freight | 101 Henderson St., Docks 1–2 | Authorized non-event shipping and receiving |
Parking at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Parking is available at convention center lots toward the southern end of the facility, across from the H, I and J hall area. Published daily rates are straightforward, but individual events may change which lots are available or how vehicles are directed.
Parking Lot Addresses
| Parking lot | GPS destination | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Lot F | 400 Calliope St. | Venue parking; four complimentary EV charging stations for parking guests |
| Lot G | 355 Henderson St. | Southern campus parking area |
| Lot B | 1251 S. Peters St. | Listed on official parking maps; confirm event availability |
| Lot C | 1205 Tchoupitoulas St. | Listed on parking maps; availability may vary |
How to Reserve Parking Before Your Event
- Check your event date. Verify the correct day and your organizer’s preferred lot or arrival instructions.
- Visit the official venue parking page. Open MCCNO Getting Here and find ParkMobile Online Parking Reservations.
- Open the ParkMobile booking interface. Search for the venue lot or choose the provided reservation link.
- Select the correct date and vehicle. Review the listed price, time window and any reservation conditions.
- Complete payment. Retain the confirmation and follow the lot’s posted entry instructions.
- Navigate to the selected lot. Use its own GPS address, not the convention center’s general address.
Parking office: 504-582-3193 · parking@mccno.com.
For a more detailed comparison of venue lots, arrival sides and downtown accommodation, see our Ernest N. Morial Convention Center parking, hotels and map guide.
How to Reach the Convention Center
The venue is in the Warehouse/Arts District near the Mississippi River waterfront. The best transportation choice depends on your hotel, luggage, mobility needs and arrival time.
| Transport | Practical arrival advice |
|---|---|
| From MSY Airport | The airport is approximately 15 miles away. Use taxi, rideshare or available airport-to-downtown public transportation. |
| Taxi / rideshare | Use 400 Calliope Street and enter through the designated Lobby G pedestrian crossing. |
| Public transport | New Orleans RTA bus and streetcar services connect downtown areas. Check the exact stop and current service schedule. |
| Walking | Many Warehouse District and downtown riverfront hotels are walkable; the actual distance depends on your hall. |
| Private shuttle | Check whether your conference has an official shuttle before assuming one will operate. |
Arriving From New Orleans Airport: Five Steps
- Confirm your destination. Use the official venue address for general navigation or the Lobby G transportation zone for rideshare arrival.
- Choose your transportation. Taxis and rideshare are direct; scheduled public transportation may be less expensive but requires route planning.
- Check airport pickup instructions. Follow signs to the designated taxi, rideshare or bus location.
- Allow time for traffic. Major conferences and downtown events may increase journey times.
- After drop-off, locate registration. Your event’s actual check-in desk may be elsewhere inside the venue.
Exhibit Halls, Meeting Rooms and Venue Floor Plans
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has approximately 1.1 million square feet of prime contiguous exhibition space and about 140 meeting rooms. The facility also offers large assembly spaces, including the Great Hall and a theater.
For visitors, this means room numbers and entrance assignments matter more than the building’s general address.
Exhibit Halls
Large halls support trade shows, product exhibitions and multi-day conferences. Hall letters help identify event areas, but the exact active entrances depend on the organizer’s layout.
Meeting Rooms
Breakout rooms may be on upper floors or along extended corridors. Confirm your floor and room designation using the current venue diagram.
The Great Hall
A major ballroom and event space near the Julia Street side. The Great Hall includes approximately 60,300 square feet of divisible column-free ballroom area.
New Orleans Theater
A roughly 4,000-seat theater designed for presentations and large sessions. Check your event credentials and entrance instructions before proceeding.
How to Locate Your Session Without Getting Lost
- Find the full location in your agenda. Look for the hall, room number, floor and registration location.
- Open the official floor-plan PDF. Use its room index to identify the relevant part of the campus.
- Choose your nearest authorized entrance. The main Julia Street doors may not be ideal for a south-end hall.
- Follow indoor wayfinding. Look for hall letters, floor numbers, elevators and event signage.
- Ask a Guest Service Ambassador. Venue ambassadors can be recognized by their purple jackets.
The linked venue document contains room and capacity information. Your event organizer’s current show floor plan determines which sections are in use.
Food, Wi-Fi, Restrooms and Onsite Services
You can handle many common visitor needs without leaving the convention center. Individual business and dining locations may operate according to the event schedule.
| Amenity | Where / how to find it |
|---|---|
| Free Wi-Fi | Select MCCNOFREEWIFI in public areas |
| Atrium Café | Lobby C |
| Lagniappe Food Court | Lobby F |
| Jazz City Cafe | Lobby J |
| Streetcar Cafe | Lobby G |
| UPS Store / Business Center | Lobby F; shipping, printing and business services |
| Dutch’s Corner | Near the UPS Store; convenience items and souvenirs |
| Nursing rooms | Lobbies B and H |
| ATMs | Near Julia Street entrance, Atrium Lobby, Hall E Lobby and Hall I Lobby |
| Lost property | Campus Security: 504-582-3040 |
Accessibility, Mobility Support and First Aid
MCCNO provides accessible entrances and circulation features, including ramps, automatic doors, elevators, accessible restroom facilities, braille information and directional signage.
Accessible Parking
Designated parking spaces are available in surrounding lots on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability can vary with event operations.
For special arrangements, email parking@mccno.com before arrival.
Mobility Scooters and Wheelchairs
Mobility scooter rental is available through the onsite UPS Store in Lobby F. The venue recommends arranging this in advance. Wheelchairs may also be requested.
Assistive Services
For interpreters, assisted-listening equipment or other event accommodations, contact the organizer in advance. MCCNO Event Services can help identify the appropriate event representative.
Event Services: 504-582-3011
Service Animals
Trained service animals are permitted subject to applicable venue rules. Pets and emotional-support animals that are not recognized service animals are not granted the same access.
First Aid and Emergency Help
Security personnel are on duty around the clock. Medical stations can be found near Hall B, Lobby D and Hall H, depending on event activity. If assistance is required, contact an onsite Guest Service Ambassador or security employee.
Important Security Contact
Campus Security: 504-582-3040
Life-threatening emergency: Call 911.
For planned accessibility accommodations, give the venue and organizer advance notice; the venue’s safety guidance requests at least 48 hours when possible.
Where to Stay Near the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
New Orleans has a large downtown hotel supply, but not all properties are equally convenient for every event hall. Compare actual walking routes rather than straight-line distances.
| Area | Best suited to | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Warehouse / Arts District | Visitors prioritizing nearby hotels and restaurants | Walking route to assigned hall |
| Julia Street area | Great Hall and main-entrance arrivals | Exact hotel entrance and event location |
| Riverfront / Poydras area | Downtown business travel and riverfront access | Distance to the correct venue doors |
| French Quarter | Visitors prioritizing sightseeing and nightlife | Daily transportation and walking time |
Before Booking Your Hotel
- Check whether the event organizer provides an official hotel block or discount.
- Compare final nightly prices, including applicable taxes and additional fees.
- Confirm whether hotel parking is charged separately.
- Check accessibility requirements and room availability.
- Verify any advertised convention shuttle service rather than assuming it is available.
For more area-specific hotel and parking information, read our New Orleans Convention Center parking, hotel and truck entrance guide.
Entry Tickets, Event Hours, Security and Exhibitor Rules
The convention center is a host facility for many independently organized events. It does not have one universal public ticket price or one public opening schedule for every exhibition.
Tickets and Registration
Some events allow public ticket purchases. Others require professional registration, exhibitor credentials or invitations. Use your specific event’s official registration channel.
Security Screening
Bag inspection, access control or screening may apply. Check event rules for bag dimensions, photography, prohibited items, re-entry and age restrictions.
Event Hours
Badge pickup, exhibit opening, conference sessions and vendor operations may all use different schedules. Rely on your organizer’s latest agenda.
Exhibitor Freight
Event deliveries require the exact instructions from your general contractor or exhibitor manual. Non-event venue freight has a separate 101 Henderson Street receiving entrance.
How to Confirm Attendance Requirements
- Locate the exact event name and dates. Do not rely on the convention center name alone.
- Check the event organizer’s registration page. Confirm admission type, eligibility and pricing.
- Read attendee policies. Review bag rules, prohibited items and any identification requirements.
- Identify your check-in location. Save the hall, lobby and registration opening time.
- Complete the final transaction. Purchase or register through the authorized organizer and save your confirmation.
Final Event-Day Checklist
- Confirm the event date, session start time and badge collection hours.
- Save the hall number and the correct visitor entrance.
- For drivers, reserve parking and save the exact lot address.
- For rideshare users, check the Lobby G / Calliope Street arrangement.
- Bring your event ticket, identification if required and accessible accommodations confirmation if applicable.
- Check local weather and wear comfortable shoes for a large venue.
- Allow extra time during heavily attended conventions.
- Save the venue’s security and parking contact numbers.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center located?
It is located at 900 Convention Center Boulevard, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, in the Warehouse/Arts District near the Mississippi River waterfront.
2. How much is parking at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center?
The venue’s currently published daily rate is $23 for a standard vehicle and $42 for an oversized vehicle. Payment is cashless through ParkMobile, and there are no in-and-out privileges.
3. Which entrance should visitors use?
The main pedestrian entrance is at Julia Street and Convention Center Boulevard near the Great Hall. A second public entrance is located at the Transportation Center outside Lobby G. Follow your event’s assigned entrance when specified.
4. Where is the Uber and Lyft pickup location?
The designated Taxi/Rideshare Zone is at 400 Calliope Street. Follow the marked pedestrian crossing near Lobby G for pickup and drop-off.
5. How far is New Orleans airport from the convention center?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is approximately 15 miles from the convention center, depending on the route. Travel time varies with traffic and transportation method.
6. Does the convention center offer free Wi-Fi?
Yes. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas through the network MCCNOFREEWIFI. Connection performance may vary with location and event activity.
7. Is the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The venue provides ramps, automatic doors, elevators, accessible restrooms and designated parking. Contact the event organizer in advance for event-specific assistance.
8. Are there restaurants inside the convention center?
Yes. Dining locations include Atrium Café in Lobby C, Lagniappe Food Court in Lobby F, Jazz City Cafe in Lobby J and Streetcar Cafe in Lobby G. Operating hours can vary by event.
9. Can visitors enter the convention center without a ticket?
Entry depends on the event and the area being accessed. Some events are public, while others require tickets, registration or credentials. Check the individual event before traveling.
10. What is the convention center’s contact number?
The main phone number is 504-582-3000. For parking questions, call 504-582-3193. For security or lost property, call 504-582-3040.
Official Documents, Contacts and Final Actions
Use these sources for live availability, official event confirmation, parking reservations and detailed floor plans.
| Information needed | Official resource |
|---|---|
| Venue information | MCCNO official website |
| Parking, lot directions and rideshare | Getting Here |
| Floor plans and room capacities | Official floor-plan PDF |
| Accessible facilities and first aid | Safety and Accessibility |
| Food and visitor amenities | Services and Amenities |
| Rules and restrictions | Campus Safety Rules |
| Questions and contact information | Official Contact Information |
Information reviewed October 24, 2026. Parking charges, event operations, transportation services and business hours may change. Convention-center.org is an independent visitor information publication and is not the official venue operator.