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Discover Places to Go and Things to Do
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New Orleans, LA
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Only in New Orleans Locals say that the South ends fifty miles north of New Orleans. In many ways, that is true. This city is home to a diverse music culture, world-renowned cuisine, voodoo, and  Mardi Gras , one of the world's largest parties. New Orleans' colorful constitution incorporates French, Spanish, Caribbean, Italian, Irish, and West African influences into one big jambalaya. The result is a red-hot town that can be everything from difficult to magical. New Orleans is a relatively small city with little concern for what goes on outside of it. Hardly anything ever changes in New Orleans, which suits the locals just fine. In the summertime, heat rouses the scent of everything from magnolia blossoms to fresh-boiled crawfish, and contributes a comfortable laziness to the New Orleans' attitude. Part of the city's charm lies in its laid-back, anti-serious manner toward almost everything. You can blame the laissez-faire attitude of the city on the heat, but this approach has become part of the culture. In New Orleans, there is always a tomorrow for what they have to do today, and that is what makes this city so fun and relaxing.
Getting Around Once you reach New Orleans, you can take a cab to almost anywhere in the city for a flat rate of about $25. If you are heading to one of the major hotels, you can take the airport shuttle, which costs about $15. Renting a car is also an option, but if you are planning to stay in the city center for most of your visit, it is best to leave the car behind and avoid the costly parking and potentially perilous New Orleans streets. If you do opt to mosey about town in a vehicle, keep in mind that these city drivers exhibit a tendency toward risky driving methods.
Public transportation in New Orleans consists of the streetcar line and the bus system. Though Public transportation is not the most reliable form of travel, in many cases it can take you where you want to go for only a $1.25. If, of course, you need to get somewhere quickly, or if you're traveling late at night, it is best to take a cab.
A good way to sightsee is to take the streetcar line, which is the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world. Three streetcar routes operate in the city. The #12 St. Charles line begins at Canal Street, travels the length of St. Charles Avenue, and terminates at the intersection of South Carrolton and South Claiborne Avenues. The #2 Riverfront Streetcar Line travels the entire length of the French Quarter, along the riverfront, from Esplanade Avenue to Tchoupitoulas Street where the Morial Convention Center is located. Finally, the #48 Esplanade line departs from intersection of North Rampart and Canal Streets, travels the length of Esplanade Avenue, and terminates at City Park and the St Louis Cemetery. Bus and streetcar fares are $1.25 and exact change is required. Visitor passes offer unlimited rides for a flat fee: a one-day pass is $4, a three-day pass is $8. Passes are available at most major hotels and at New Orleans Tours and Gray Line Tours locations.
French Quarter The French Quarter, or Vieux Carre in French, is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. It lies in the crescent of the Mississippi River and consists of fairly narrow streets, reminiscent of European city planning, that reveal hidden courtyards and look up to wrought iron balconies. The architecture in the Quarter typically dates to the late 18th- and early 19th-centuries, and draws on French and Spanish influences. In daytime, the French Quarter, especially the area around Jackson Square, is filled with tourists, street performers, and the occasional conman. At night, the French Quarter transforms into the stereotypical party scene. Barhopping college students, adventurous suburbanites, tourists, and practitioners of the world's oldest profession all populate the area until the wee hours.
Lower Canal Street Once the main shopping district of New Orleans, lined with popular department stores and theaters, Canal Street lost much of its grandeur to a sluggish economy in the 70s and 80s. Today, Harrah's New Orleans and an expanded convention center have helped this part of Canal Street to develop into a ten block strip of hotels, T-shirt shops and electronics stores. The Riverwalk Market Place , which is near the aquarium and convention center, also makes this a popular stop for tourists.
Central Business District The scattered, mismatched skyscrapers and superbly odd-shaped Superdome of the Central Business District form the recognizable skyline of New Orleans. Several modern hotels, as well as older and established hotels like the Fairmont Hotel , are in heart of the CBD and the New Orleans' business community. Bustling during the day with local businesspeople, this area lulls at night, with the exception of the restored Orpheum Theatre and its acclaimed New Orleans Symphony. Since the district is relatively empty at night, many of the guests from the hotels in the neighborhood head for the Quarter.
Garden District This is the premier New Orleans residential neighborhood, boasting the tremendous oak tree lined Saint Charles Avenue as its most-famed street, and home after home epitomizing the antebellum's Greek Revival architecture. Only a walking tour will do this dazzling district the justice it deserves. If you visit the city, you must see the lush, overgrown gardens and grand mansions that line these streets. The Garden District has many well-known residents, including Trent Reznor, Archie Manning, and Anne Rice, the famous author of many vampire novels.
Mid-City Mid-City usually goes unnoticed by the average tourist until Jazz Fest , when thousands of eager visitors, bedecked in shorts and tank tops, crowd onto the Esplanade bus to reach the New Orleans Fairgrounds . Quiet and verdant with trees, Mid-City attracts locals to its wide offering of moderately priced restaurants, City Park, and the New Orleans Museum of Art . For tourists, Mid-City is home to impressive aboveground cemeteries, including Metairie Cemetery, Oddfellow's Rest and St. Louis Cemetery #3.
Uptown Oak lined streets, Victorian mansions, and college cafes are staples of New Orleans' thriving Uptown neighborhood. St. Charles Avenue and Pyrtania Street offer examples of Colonial Revival architecture. The neighborhood is also home to Tulane and Loyola Universities. In addition to the mansions and universities, many pleasant coffee shops, antique stores, and restaurants crowd the small spaces between the fantastic homes of New Orleans' upper class. Plenty of fit and tanned residents jog the two miles through Uptown's gorgeous, Spanish moss-filled Audubon Park each morning.
Warehouse District Having outgrown the once-appropriate title, this historic New Orleans' neighborhood is no longer frequented by blue-collar factory workers. Instead, it is now a vibrant arts district populated by the city's young professionals. Some of the best art galleries in the city sit beside restaurants that offer excellent cuisine. In addition, locals and tourists crowd into the streets of the district during festivals such as Art for Art's Sake, when plenty of wine, cheese, gumbo, and art clutter the sidewalks and the shops.
Tags:
creole, cuisine, musice
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By Herrera20
3 days
Spend 3 Days exploring New Orleans, visiting places like the New Orleans Museum of Art, the French Market, and on the last day, go on the Natchez Steamboat for a relaxed ending to your mini-vacation.
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By Sandersnew
7 days
Planning ahead for Mardi Gras Day, February 5, 2008 in The Big Easy, Louisiana? Lots of room in this itinerary to fill with the activities & restaurants that whet your appetite!
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62 people reviewed New Orleans (1-20 out of 62)
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Top
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at 4:37PM May 29, 2008
Visited the French Quarter in June 2007. Hot, humid and a little rundown. Food was generally no more than okay. But the jazz clubs were awesome.
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at 11:17PM May 27, 2008
LOVED THIS PLACE BUT SOME PARTS STILL DEVASTATED BY KATRINA AND WE WENT APRIL 07
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at 4:30PM July 7, 2009
road trip!
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at 2:00AM May 6, 2009
One of the most fun, sexy places to visit. There's so much mystery and charm in this city. The seafood and creole cuisine are out of this world (not to mention the drinks)! I love this town. The party never ends on Bourbon Street and there is always something to see and do. I love the chickory coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde. It's the best! I haven't been back since Katrina, but I would definitely love to. The swamp tour was outrageous! Have you ever seen a marshmellow loving alligator? Take a cajun swamp tour and you just might see her.
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at 11:30PM June 27, 2008
It was wonderful, the culture was great, the food was amazing, and the music was spectacular.
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at 10:21AM June 24, 2008
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at 4:50PM June 7, 2008
Fantastic city. I haven't been here post-Katrina, though, and would like to see how the city stands now.
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at 11:33AM May 29, 2008
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at 10:55AM May 29, 2008
Oh yes...one of my 1000 places to see before I die!
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at 7:15AM May 29, 2008
was fun but a little dirty. Went here to see some friends play in a band
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at 1:50AM May 29, 2008
Spent a summer here! Darn hot but very pretty.
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at 12:26AM May 29, 2008
I LOVED this city! The music coming out of every pore...and I tasted the best Bloody Mary's I've ever had. Mmmmm....Pecan Crusted Catfish to die for!
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at 2:52PM May 28, 2008
WOW!!! To hell with Bourbon Street and the French Quarter. It's all about Frenchman Street, The Saturn Bar in the 9th Ward and Jazz Festival.
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at 1:38AM May 28, 2008
NOLA is still one of the best places to eat and drink in the country!
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at 9:17PM May 27, 2008
a favorite haunt... only off season though. Haven't been since Katrina...
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at 8:37PM May 27, 2008
I had the best time in French Quarters and at the SuperDome watching the Saints play!
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at 8:10PM May 27, 2008
Fantastic city to travel to. Especially great when you go with friends. Bourbon Street is a must see. Cafe Du Monde is the greatest and Pat O'Briens has the best hurricanes in the world and terrific food too. Can't wait to go back.
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at 9:30AM October 17, 2009
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at 5:32AM September 11, 2008
My favorite city in the US to visit - haven't been back since my wedding here (and Katrina), but the French Quarter is the most
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at 1:10AM August 21, 2008
I loved the French Quarter and Bourbon Street.
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