New Orleans is a great city, full of good food, good music, and good times. The city is often referred to as the “most unique” city in America and is one of the top ten most visited cities in the U.S. The city has many excellent tourist attractions, from the renowned French Quarter and Bourbon Street’s notorious nightlife to St. Charles Avenue (home of Tulane and Loyola Universities, the historic Pontchartrain Hotel, and many 19th century mansions), to Magazine Street, with its many boutique stores and antique shops. Moreover, New Orleans has more museums per capita than any other city in the U.S. and is famous for its cuisine, music (as the birthplace of jazz) and its annual celebrations and festivals.
French Quarter
The French Quarter, also known as “the Quarter” or Vieux Carré is famous for its distinct French Creole arhitecture and its cross cultural and multilingual heritage. The neigborhood history dates from the French and Spanish eras 200 years ago. It is bounded by the Mississipi River, Rampart Street, Canal Street and Esplanade Avenue and contains many popular hotels, bars and nightclubs. Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the French Market and Preservation Hall are the main tourist attractions of the area.
Garden District
New Orleans’ Garden District may be one of the best-preserved collections of historic southern mansions in the U.S. The area was originally developed between 1832 and 1900 by illustrate wealthy newcomers who built opulent mansions. The streets are separated by stretches of green parks and the historic cable car line. Take a walk around and feel transported into a southem oasis.
Music & Festivals
New Orleans is a major center for music, showcasing and other numerous celebrations, the most popular of which is Carnival, often referred to as Mardi Gras.
Other major festival is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, one of the largest music festivals in the nation, featuring crowds of people from all over the world, coming to experience music, food, arts, and crafts. Despite the name, it features not only jazz but a large variety of music, including both native Louisiana music and international artists.
Other major festivals held in the city include Voodoo Fest, Essence Music Festival, Southern Decadence, the French Quarter Festival, and the Tennessee Williams/ New Orleans Literary Festival. Here is a complete calendar of events taking place in New Orleans
Outdoors
New Orleans is considered the best U.S. city for wild weekends; its good weather and its fantastic nature make this city a great place to enjoy outdoors. New Orleans is surrounded by a unique environment and landscape to explore. You can go sailing and boating in the Gulf of Mexico or fishing in the marshes (or contemplate the alligators on a swamp tour); you can visit the Aquarium of the Americas, the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge or the Audubon Zoo (consistently ranking as one of the best zoological gardens in the USA); or, you can simply enjoy the magnificent parks you will find in and around the city.
Cuisine
Thanks to centuries of mixure of the local Creole, haute Creole and New Orleans French cuisines, New Orleans has developed distinctive and excellent cuisin. Local ingredients combine French, Spanish, Italian, African, Native American, Cajun, Chinese and Cuban tradition to produce the unique Lousiana flavor.