We live in an incredible city, but when we’re so immersed in day-to-day life, sometimes we forget about some of New Orleans’ simple joys: a carriage ride down Decatur, a stuffed Bananas Foster snowball, a stroll through City Park. That’s why the Be a Tourist in Your Hometown initiative is so important (and so fun!). We already know that the benefits of the hospitality industry are twofold: the industry creates jobs first and foremost, but it also gives us access to so many amazing experiences that we as locals don’t need to hop on a plane to enjoy for ourselves. Be a Tourist challenges locals to check off all those New Orleans bucket list items they still haven’t completed, or perhaps just want to revisit. Even better? There’s a competition element with weekly prizes. Here’s how it works:

Locals and tourists alike can enjoy beautiful scenes like Jackson Square. (Photo via Flickr user Brandon)

#BeaTouristNOLA

For 8 weeks, from Aug. 1 through Sept. 30, locals can show how they know New Orleans best by sharing their photos on social media. When you visit an iconic New Orleans spot like Jackson Square, be sure to take a photo and upload it to Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #BeaTouristNOLA. The photographer behind the best photo each week will win a prize, full of goodies like tickets to local attractions, New Orleans swag, and more.

Summer Deals

Even if you don’t win a weekly prize, you can still take advantage of summer deals on hotels, meals and other fun activities throughout the city. Be a Tourist corresponds with annual events like COOLinary, where you can indulge in incredible prix fixe meals for brunch, lunch and dinner, and Museum Month, which offers special rates at museums like NOMA and the National WWII Museum. Visit the Be a Tourist website to find out more.