New Orleans has a multicultural heritage that is proud of its cultural history. Widely cited as the birthplace of jazz, it is a must-see for lovers of music and history. While the city is probably the most famous for Mardi Gras, it has 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, cocktail hours, flea markets, antique shopping, nightlife, and cheap food. The city also ranked second for overall food and dining, gay friendliness, resident friendliness, and people watching.
The city is famous for its architecture and has seventeen historic districts. Throughout the city, there are many styles of historic housing: American townhouses, Creole cabins, double gallery houses, and shotgun houses. St. Charles Avenue is particularly famous for its extravagant mansions. The New Orleans skyline is also impressive, the New Orleans World Trade Center, Plaza Tower, and One Shell Square are particularly impressive. Most of the city’s skyscrapers are located 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 is also the New Orleans Mint, now a museum, as well as the National WWII Museum and the Confederate Memorial Hall. Magazine Street is always worth a visit, with its impressive boutiques and antique shops. For a harbor tour, hop aboard the Natchez, an authentic steamboat that runs through the city twice a day.
If you fancy 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 some impressive gardens. If you venture further out of the city, you will find a plethora of wetlands, including Honey Island Swamp. The area is also home to the Chalmette Battlefield and National Ceremony, location of the 1915 Battle of New Orleans.
New Orleans is also famous for its burgeoning musical scheme. In July the Essence Music Festival takes place. This year’s headliner is Beyonce. New Orleans was a hotbed of the 60s and 70s and contributed greatly to both the development of rhythm and blues and rock and roll. This is still the case and the streets are often filled with live music.
New Orleans is world famous for its food, which developed over centuries and was influenced by Creole, French, and Hispanic cuisines. Unique specialties include donuts, square-shaped fried cakes served with latte made with a blend of coffee and chicory; Red beans and rice; Half shell oysters from the Gulf and other seafood and Creole dishes. New Orleans residents 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 sweet made with brown sugar, cream, butter, and nuts.
Accommodations and hotels in New Orleans are also especially inexpensive, so what are you waiting for?