I am a many time New Orleans visitor, including both Women's Final Fours and last year's UConn/Tulane football game. The New Orleans Marriott on Canal at the edge of the French Quarter is a good choice for a full service hotel. Last year I enjoyed staying at one of the old boutique hotels in the Quarter, the Hotel St. Marie.
Restaurants start with Commander's Palace, one of my three favorite restaurants anywhere. Note that there is a dress code. Diner is pricey, but the food and experience are worth it. I always liked Brennan's (the birthplace of Bananas Foster) in the Quarter, but it was closed last year. It has reopened; I hope that it is what it was. For seafood Drago's is popular; in the French Quarter try The Red Fish Grill or the Acme Oyster House.
When you get home, folks who have been to New Orleans may ask if you had a Central Grocery muffuletta, a Hurricane at Pat O'Brien's (their red jambalaya is not bad), and beignets with hickory coffee at Café Du Monde -- be prepared to stand in line for a table at their French Market location, and check out Jackson Square.
If you have time, I recommend the World War II Museum. Catch their the short "Beyond All Boundaries" 4-D film experience, with narration by Tom Hanks. I also recommend the Creole Queen Paddlewheeler cruise to The Battle of New Orleans, which includes on-site Chalmette battlefield narration by the National Park Service.
From downtown, the St. Charles Streetcar through the beautiful Garden District to Tulane is fun if not quick. Get off at Audubon Park and walk to campus. And if you have time, a Park walk and the Audubon Zoo.
