Visit the film location: New Orleans

Green Lantern may have been more about Ryan Reynolds playing a superhero in a green suit than the legendary New Orleans, but the world-famous city provided a thrumming backdrop for the film's all-action shenanigans, leaving film fans in no doubt as to why Brad and Angelina, along with Sandra Bullock, love the city so much.

Absolutely bursting with museums, historical sites and art galleries - all of which showcase the city's rich history as a musical and cultural hub - the city is also home to a world-class zoo and aquarium; a must-visit warehouse filled with incredible Mardi Gras props, and, rather ghoulishly, cemeteries so old and steeped in history they've become attractions in their own right.

When it comes to having a good time, New Orleans's nightlife is a hedonist's dream, with bars boasting nightly live music jammin' sessions from some of the country's best jazz musicians - and the Mardi Gras isn't the only festival in town.

Easy does it

Take a trip to the French Quarter of the city to get a taste of the cultural and architectural legacy of the original French and Spanish settlers - all wrought-iron balconies, tall shutters and magnolia-strewn courtyards.

Hop onboard street cars, with a service that dates back to 1835, to really explore the city. And make Julia Street a stop-off. Home to 13 mid-19th century townhouses, it's often referred to as Julia Row or the Thirteen Sisters. You'll find some of the city's best art galleries here too.

If you've come for Mardi Gras, the world-famous carnival, which originated in the 17th century and which starts on Shrove Tuesday - with Mardi Gras French for ‘Fat Tuesday' - sees New Orleans party for three days solid, with the city shaking to its signature jazz, blues and zydeco sounds.

Finally, don't forget to add taking a trip down the mighty Mississippi River to your lengthy list of things to do.

Boarding pass

Destination New Orleans
Filmed there Green Lantern, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Expendables
Celeb fans Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Nicolas Cage, Helen Mirren, Liv Tyler
Fly there… Emirates flies to New Orleans. Visit www.emirates.com for more info

Mad about New Orleans!

"Without the spirit of the people who live there and take care of the city and honour its traditions, its love for music, its love for life, if you take those people away, you'd take away why I love New Orleans so much!"
Sandra Bullock

"In New Orleans, the people are great... We can just live and breathe and ride bikes. We can take our kids on bike rides, and local people just give us a shout-out and let us move on… Everybody treats us like neighbours."
Brad Pitt