It’s been five years since Hurricane Katrina put more than 80 percent of New Orleans underwater. Today, while there is still much to be done, the city’s tourism industry is getting stronger.

The city now has more than 300 new restaurants, and hotels have undergone $400 million in improvements. New attractions have been built as well, including the Audubon Insectarium and the Southern Food and Beverage Museum.

TripAdvisor recently picked New Orleans as the No. 1 destination internationally for nightlife, and the city ranked first in growth among the top 25 U.S. destinations in hotel performance for January through May 2010, according to Smith Travel Research. July started off strong with almost all hotel rooms in the city booked with tourists and groups, says Jennifer Day with the New Orleans CVB.

Gray Line operates several themed group tours around New Orleans, including a Steamboat Natchez tour along the Mississippi River downtown. Visitors can explore gardens, swamps, cemeteries, ghostly haunts and more, depending on which theme they choose. “Every year has gotten better,” says Adrienne Thomas of Gray Line. ”Customers keep coming back; we’ve had a lot of repeat people.” Thomas adds that the city has made a firm stance to move on from Hurricane Katrina. “We’re ready to let that go (and) look at what we’re creating.”