Few American cities pack in so much food, music, nightlife and history. New Orleans covers a 365-square mile-stretch of former swampland – most of it, as the world now knows, below sea level. The oldest and most scenic parts of the city are compact and perfect for strolling, with cafes and quirky shops providing pleasant distractions.
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The French Quarter, which is the city’s most famous neighborhood, is a vibrant commercial and residential hodgepodge, with wrought-iron balconies, courtyards, and meticulously restored homes.
The lively Jackson Square, with St.Louis Cathedral in the background, – an attractive and lively meeting place. At the center stands a statue of General Jackson on a rearing horse. Outside the park, there are plenty of artists waiting to draw your portrait or caricature, or "read" your fortune. .
Bourbon Street is synonymous with sin. The name has noting to do with bourbon, despite the string of bars that line this legendary street; it is named after the French royal family of Bourbon. One bar after another proffers vats of lethal concoctions such as “Hurricane” (which I can testify is potent! Half a cup and I was already tipsy) …, most often to the accompaniment of blasting rock or blues… The balconies above the sidewalks literally sag from the weight of drinking revelers, throwing beads down to the pedestrians below.
“You haven’t really experienced New Orleans until you walk down Bourbon Street after dark. It is loud and crazy, but great people-watching. You have to see it to believe it. Stay nearby but not on Bourbon Street, so you can get away from the craziness when you feel like it." - Rhonda (Fodor’s New Orleans 2007).
