New Orleans has a proud multicultural heritage of its cultural history. Widely cited as the birthplace of jazz, this is a must-see for music and history lovers. While the city is probably most famous for Mardi Gras, it has just as much, if not more, to offer the rest of the year. According to a 2007 CNN poll, New Orleans is also the best city in the US for live music, cocktails, flea markets, antique shops, nightlife and cheap food. The city also ranked second for overall lunch and dinner, gay friendliness, friendliness of residents, and people-watching.
The city is famous for its architecture and has seventeen iconic historic districts. Throughout the city, there are many styles of historic housing: American townhouses, Creole cottages, double-gallery houses, and shotgun houses. St. Charles Avenue is particularly famous for its extravagant mansions. The New Orleans skyline is also impressive, with the World Trade Center New Orleans, Plaza Tower and One Shell Square being particularly impressive. Most of the city’s skyscrapers can be found along Canal and Pydras Street in the Central Business District.
Two of the best places to visit for culture and nightlife and the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Notable tourist attractions in the Quarter include Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the French Market, and Preservation Hall. Nearby you can also find the New Orleans Mint, now a museum, as well as the National World War II Museum and Confederate Memorial Hall. Magazine Street is always worth a visit, with its impressive boutiques and antique shops. For a tour of the harbor, hop aboard the Natchez, an authentic steamboat, which sails through the city twice a day.
If you feel like getting in touch with local nature, why not stop by the Audubon Nature Institute, which includes the Audubon Park, Zoo, Aquarium, and Insectarium, as well as stunning gardens? If you venture beyond the city, you’ll find plenty of wetlands, including the Honey Island Swamp. In the area you can also find the Chalmette Battlefield and National Ceremony, site of the 1915 Battle of New Orleans.
New Orleans is also famous for its thriving music scene. In July the Essence Music Festival takes place. This year’s headliner is Beyoncé. New Orleans was a hotbed in the ’60s and ’70s and contributed as much to the development of rhythm and blues as it did to rock and roll. This is still the case and the streets are often abuzz with live music.
New Orleans is world famous for its food, which was developed over centuries and influenced by Creole, French, and Hispanic cuisines. Unique specialties include beignets, square-shaped fried pastries served with lattes made from a mixture of coffee and radicchio; red beans and rice; Gulf oysters on the half shell and other seafood and Creole dishes. Residents of New Orleans enjoy some of the best restaurants in the United States and visitors are encouraged to try local establishments recommended by their hosts. Some recommended restaurants to try are Red Fish Grill, Besh Steakhouse, Acme Oyster House, and Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro. Another New Orleans specialty is praline, a delicious confection made with brown sugar, cream, butter, and nuts.
Lodging and hotels in New Orleans are also especially cheap, so what are you waiting for?