What are things to see and do in Madrid on a weekend?

Any must see things weekend of 10/26/2007?

• My husband and I will be staying at: Renaissance Arts Hotel 700 Tchoupitoulas Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 Any suggestions of things to do close by?

• Answer:

  What is your definition of "close by"--walking distance, or short driving distance? Take a taxi to the Deutches Haus at the 200 block of S. Galvez Street--(less than 5 miles away) for the last week-end of Oktoberfest, but expect a crowd. Take a Haunted History vampire or ghost tour in the evening, or go on a cemetery/voodoo tour during the day. All of those are walking tours. Head to the Trade Center at the foot of Canal Street, which is easy walking distance from your hotel, and take the elevator to the 31st floor or 33rd floor, ( I forget which) to Club 360, and you can get a great view of New Orleans at night. No cover charge; just a one-drink minimum. There is the World War 2 Museum in the 900 block of Magazine Street, not far from where your hotel is. You are also close to the Riverwalk Mall, at the foot of Poydras Street. Behind the Trade Center building is Spanish Plaza, which should have a kiosk there for the Creole Queen riverboat, ( New Orleans Paddlewheels) where you can make reservations and buy tickets for a dinner/ jazz cruise. The Aquarium of the Americas is at the foot of Canal Street, and is a great place to visit. We also have an IMAX Theater in the same area. Call 504-581-4629 for info on what's currently showing there. In addition, you could take the free Canal Street ferry across the Mississippi to Algiers, and get the Free shuttle to Mardi Gras World, where the floats are built. You pay your admission at the gift shop, see a short film; you get to try on authentic Mardi Gras costumes, and you get to sample King Cake and see up close the floats of Carnival. Bring your camera and enjoy! Another place to visit is M.S. Rau Antiques, in the 500 block of Royal Street in the French Quarter. They have an awesome collection of fabulous antiques from around the world, the best of the best, and it's a real treat to see, whether you are an antique fan or not. There is no charge to go through their shop, and they will be happy to show you around. Also on Royal Street is the Historic New Orleans Collection, great for those interested in history, and the historic Wax Museum on Conti Street, which has 24 scenes depicting the history of New Orleans. It's one of the few museums in New Orleans that is open 7 days a week. These are only a few suggestions; I could go on and on. There is much to see and do in New Orleans.