New Orleans is a Louisiana city on the Mississippi River, known for its nightlife, vibrant live music scene and spicy, unique cuisine.
New Orleans is a Louisiana city on the Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico. Named the “Big Easy”, known for its nightlife, vibrant live music scene and spicy, unique cuisine reflecting its history as a pot of French, African and American cultures. Incorporating its festive spirit is the Mardi Gras, the end-of-winter carnival renowned for parades and street parties.
1. French Quarter
The French Quarter, also known as Vieux Carré, was the heart of New Orleans for 300 years of its existence, built on the banks of the Mississippi River at a higher point. Today, Bourbon Street anchors the stage for partying and dining, while the other elegant alleys line galleries, shops, and music clubs, wander around and pull it all in. Make sure you stop at one of the city’s oldest restaurants here.
2. Bywater
The arts are flourishing in the Bywater, as the neighborhood is being transformed by numerous large street murals (find many of them on St. Claude Avenue), cool cafés and excellent bars.
3. Marigny
This is the lively neighborhood just east of the Quarter, where Frenchmen Street’s music clubs go off all night. Frenchmen Street in the Marigny was a locals’ hangout spot. These days, in-the-know tourists turn up for the live music offered in the neighborhood. Make it a point to experience the epicness that is Mardi Gras Day on Frenchmen—just be sure to be in costume when attending.
4. The National WWII Museum
Founded on the 56th anniversary of D-Day in 2000, this museum has drawn visitors from around the world to learn about the war from the American point of view. The museum is located in New Orleans because of Andrew Higgins, who was based here, contributed to the Allied victory by inventing the flat-bottomed Higgins boats that allowed the forces to storm the beaches at Normandy. The collection includes those boats and much more, from documents, uniforms, and weapons to fully restored period aircraft.
5. New Orleans Jazz Museum
Set in the Old Mint building, a fact interesting in its own right, the New Orleans Jazz Museum is all about the music that defines the city. Exhibits change constantly, given the museum’s collection, which is the largest of jazz artifacts in the world. Expect to see Louis Armstrong’s first cornet and the first jazz recording ever made on a disc from 1917, along with live concerts tapings, musician interviews and much more at this fascinating place.