All booked up in New Orleans

Not far from the Hotel Monteleone is St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square's architectural centerpiece, where a memorial service was held for Williams following his death.

Learn more about William Faulkner, another Mississippi writer who made his home in New Orleans, in a small apartment at 624 Pirate's Alley. Within walking distance of the St. Louis Cathedral, this is where Faulkner lived briefly in 1925. During his stay he was befriended by Sherwood Anderson, who lived nearby.

Faulkner completed "Soldiers Pay" and "Mosquitos" while residing in the handsome historic building within easy reach of the waterfront area.

Today the property is Faulkner House Books, where first editions, rare books, and a rich collection of Southern writers' works can be found. Vintage photographs of writers line the shop's interior.

This is also where a visitor can find out about a host of literary walking tours. Many are led by Kenneth Holditch, a Williams scholar.

Most of the houses with literary associations aren't open to the public, but one that is belonged to Frances Parkinson Keyes and is located at 1113 Chartres Street. The home was a winter retreat for Keyes beginning in 1944. This is where she completed "Dinner at Antoine's" and "Blue Camellia."

On a more contemporary note, a life-size bronze sculpture of Ignatius Reilly from John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces" stands at 800 Iberville Street.

While the French Quarter is known for its wrought-iron balconies, lovely courtyards, and lazy tempo, the Garden District is resplendent with antebellum mansions, planters' cottages, and the Audubon Park and Zoo.

The St. Charles Streetcar, the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the country, connects the French Quarter to the urban oasis of the Garden District.

Highlights on this jaunt include a stop at the Audubon Park and Zoo, 340 acres of lagoons and walking trails that honor naturalist John James Audubon, another famous resident of the French Quarter who created many of his bird paintings while living here.

A not-to-be-missed stop is the ever-popular Camellia Grill, a landmark and local favorite of the students from Tulane and Loyola universities.The small diner serves up some of the best burgers and homemade pecan pie in the city. For those seeking great food at a reasonable price, this is the place.

The Garden District includes its own legacy of writers. Lillian Hellman grew up at 1718 Prytania, one block off St. Charles Avenue.F. Scott Fitzgerald resided in the Garden District briefly.Walker Percy lived at the Pontchartrain Hotel before settling on Calhoun Street.And George Washington Cable's former home is located at 1313 Eighth Street.

Anne Rice, another of New Orleans's literary sensations, was born in the city and credits her hometown as the inspiration for her saga of the Mayfair family. Rice sites in the Garden District include: Our Mother of Perpetual Help Chapel at 2521 Prytania and the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1at the 1400 block of Washington Avenue. The beautifully restored St. Elizabeth's Orphanage, built in 1865, houses Rice's doll collection.

For literary enthusiasts, March is the time to visit. That's the month for the very popular Tennessee Williams Literary Festival,now entering its 18th year. With the Monteleone as the host hotel, the event promises five days of readings of Williams's plays, noted lecturers, and literary walking tours of Williams sites.

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