Taylor Swift arrives in New Orleans: What to know
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Miami-based artist Shawn Kolodny created the inflatable friendship bracelets for the Superdome, according to The Times-Picayune. Image: Caesars Superdome
Taylor Swift kicks off her three-show Eras Tour stop in New Orleans Friday night at the Caesars Superdome.
Why it matters: Expect Super Bowl-level traffic downtown as the city hosts more than 100,000 visitors for the shows and Halloween weekend.
The big picture: The French Quarter will have vehicle restrictions, and roads around the Dome may close.
- Periodic closures are also possible on Poydras Street, Canal Street and Loyola Avenue, according to City Hall.
The intrigue: The Superdome hung massive friendship bracelets on the building this week.
- Chances are also increasing for Vice President Kamala Harris to make an appearance at one of the shows, according to Gambling.com. Swift endorsed Harris in the presidential race.
- We're also watching if Lana Del Rey will join Swift on stage for "Snow on the Beach." Del Rey has been spending time in Louisiana with her new husband, swamp tour guide Jeremy Dufrene.
☀️ Weather: It's forecast to be warm and sunny all weekend. Highs around 80 and lows in the mid-60s.
✈️ Flights: About 28,000 people are expected to fly in daily through Sunday, airport officials say. Sunday will be the busiest day for departures.
🚕 Getting there: Duncan Plaza is the transportation hub for the event, and the city is putting on a free festival there all weekend.
- It's the Uber/Lyft drop-off and pickup point and where officials want parents to pick up their teens.
🤑 By the numbers: The Eras Tour is the highest-grossing tour of all time, writes Axios' Troy Smith.
- Tickets for her New Orleans' shows sold out last year.
🛍️ Merch: People with tickets can get merch the day of their show at Champions Square.
- The Smoothie King Center is the merch shop for the general public. See hours.
🍴 Eat like Taylor: She previously visited Saba, N7 and Bywater Bakery. Go deeper.
🤳🏻 Advice: Wear comfy shoes and don't sing in your videos if you want to hear Swift singing. Go deeper.
🪩 Things to do: Hotels, restaurants and businesses are hosting Swiftie-themed events all weekend.
The bottom line: Be patient if you are out and about this weekend and tip generously.