New Orleans, The City of Celebration and Resilience
New Orleans, nicknamed "The Big Easy," is a town of jazz kings and queens, iconic architecture, the New Orleans Saints, and perhaps the most spirited street in America—Bourbon Street. It's also one of the only cities in America where you can legally drink on the street, which only adds to the lively nature of NOLA nightlife.
New Orleans is an experience for the senses, the city is filled with vibrantly colored streets, soul-filled rhythm and blues, and memorable flavors. The coastal Louisiana enclave is the culinary heart of creole and Cajun food, and beyond delicacies from gumbo to shrimp and grits, it's the city that brought us the muffuletta, beignets and char-broiled oysters.
For legendary New Orleans jazz, the best restaurants in New Orleans, and every other must-try activity, including tours of the bayou and tours of the city's most popular attractions.
If you want to experience New Orleans properly, it's best to begin your tour in the French Quarters. The neighborhood is lively, with lots to do and see, and offers a one-of-a-kind experience. The neighborhood, also known as Vieux Carré, is the heart and soul of this city, and it's also a National Historic Landmark. As the site of the original New Orleans colony (established by the French in 1718), the French Quarter has held on to its heritage, complete with street names that are still listed in French. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets to find such attractions as Jackson Square, Faulkner House Books, and the Cabildo. While you're strolling, you’ll see the neighborhood's architecture: balconies are designed with baroque ironwork and hanging plants, while leafy courtyards are filled with bubbling fountains.
The French Quarter's main draw is Bourbon Street – New Orleans' infamous party hub. You'll find this street laden with performers and fortune tellers as well as rowdy bars. Although a trip to New Orleans isn't complete without strolling down Bourbon Street, keep in mind that boisterous evenings on Bourbon are best appreciated by adult travelers. While it's fun to be at the center of the action, there's really no escaping the late-night noise.
If you prefer a tamer French Quarter experience, you can tour the neighborhood several different ways: Mule-drawn carriage tours line up daily on Decatur Street in front of Jackson Square taking groups of four through the crowded district. Or, rely on your own two feet with one of the city's top walking tours. You can also take in the area from a completely different perspective – on the water via a Steamboat Natchez Cruise. Several streetcar and bus lines service the neighborhood, including St. Charles, Canal Streetcar - Cemeteries and UPT-Riverfront lines, and bus routes. New Orleans is one of the top ten cities in the United States for the number of annual visitors. Louisiana is divided into parishes rather than counties like the other states, and greater New Orleans spans eight parishes.
If you want to experience Mardi Gras, Essence Festival or other popular Jazz shows be sure to book well ahead of time and be ready for hotel rates to be higher than at other times of the year. Also, many popular sightseeing attractions are closed during Mardi Gras. New Orleans is known as the birthplace of jazz, and legendary musician, Louis Armstrong was born in the city. Category five Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August 2005, flooding 80 percent of the city. For more than 2 decades the city has rebuilt but didn’t lose its spirit. The motto of New Orleans is "Laissez les bon temps rouler," or "Let the good times roll, and is a renowned city of celebration and resilience.
