The nickname The Big Easy, refers to the city’s laid back lifestyle, music, and cultural heritage!
We stayed in New Orleans a few years ago prior to boarding a cruise ship down the Mississippi River into the Gulf before reaching it’s new homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida. We spent a few days here before the cruise staying on Bourbon Street right in the heart of the French Quarter. It was a convenient place to be in the heart of all the action, however, it was a very loud and if you enjoy a good night sleep it would be wise to stay further away in one of the quieter areas of town and head over to visit and enjoy the fun.
Unquestionably one of the most distinctive cities in the World, New Orleans was established at great cost in an environment of conflict. As a result, the people of New Orleans evolved a unique culture and society, while at the same time blending many heritages. Its citizens provided a special contribution in making New Orleans the birthplace of jazz, finding lots of great jazz clubs is just a short walk from the French Quarter down Frenchmen Street, which has the highest concentration of New Orleans best live music. If you are interested in learning the history of jazz head over to the New Orleans Jazz Museum
One of the hot spots located in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter is called Pat O’Brien’s, a prime destination for tourists who may not know its past as a popular speakeasy. Pat O’Brien’s signature drink, the Hurricane, was invented in the 1940’s during World War II when manufacturing replaced distilleries, making whiskey scarce. To obtain a single case of whiskey, bar owners would have to order 50 cases of rum. The abundance of rum inspired employees at Pat O’s to create a new cocktail, and the Hurricane, a rum based drink, was born. The daily “Dueling Pianos” show is a crowd favorite. At Pat O’Brien’s, Hurricanes are made with a mix of rum and Hurricane mix from the original recipe crafted in the 1940s. The drink is served in a distinctive glass stamped with the Pat O’Brien’s logo. For tourists, these glasses are sought after souvenirs of New Orleans.
Of course it’s also the home of the famous Cafe du Monde, a must visit when in New Orleans for the best beignets anywhere. The official doughnut of Louisiana, their beignets are always served fresh, hot, and cooked to order. They have a crispy outside and a soft, sweet center. Served in an order of three, beignets are topped with powdered sugar and are best paired with a cup of café au lait. A can’t miss treat here!
There are other popular spots in New Orleans to visit such as Garden District. In the charming Garden District, oak shaded streets are lined with a diverse mix of homes, from single-story cottages to the grand historic mansions and lavish gardens of St. Charles Avenue, on the Mardi Gras parade route. Leafy Lafayette Cemetery is filled with ornate, 19th-century tombs. Boutiques and antique shops sit alongside fine-dining restaurants, casual cafes and local bars on and around Magazine Street.
Known as one of New Orleans’ most recognizable landmarks, Jackson Square is a National Historic Landmark nestled in the center of the French Quarter. The landmark earns its name for the bronze statue of Andrew Jackson located in the center of the square. Jackson Square is also the location of an open-air artist colony, where artists display their work on the outside of the iron fence. Visitors even have the opportunity to see the artists at work and perhaps have their portrait drawn by one of the many talents utilizing Jackson Square as their studio.
You can discover the distinctive culinary scene of New Orleans through some iconic establishments such as Antoine’s, established in 1840, standing as the city’s oldest restaurant offering a journey into Creole cuisine in a timeless setting. Napoleon House, housed in an 18th-century building, charms with its relaxed atmosphere, serving classic Creole dishes like Muffulettas and renowned Pimm’s Cup cocktails. Tujague’s, a culinary institution since 1856, presents authentic Creole cuisine, celebrating its rich heritage in the French Quarter and then there is Cafe Sbisa, established in 1899, which blends old world charm with modern twists in refined Creole dishes, offering a taste of New Orleans history in every bite.
And we can’t forget the New Orleans Po’ Boys, we had one for lunch each day we were there, piled with lettuce, tomato with fried shrimp. You can also get it filled with roast beef, oysters or whatever you choose, these po-boys are stuffed and slathered with sauce or mayonnaise, and then served between two pieces of crusty French bread, truly the greatest sandwichs ever made and taste best in New Orleans!!
A nice area to stay with a variety of Hotels is the South Market District, an area with restored theaters such as the Saenger, the Orpheum and the aptly named Joy that host incredible acts and Broadway shows. With close proximity to both the French Quarter and the Garden District, a stay here is a win-win. The South Market District encompasses a five block area across Loyola Avenue from the Superdome and Smoothie King Center. The site connects the Central Business District, historic Warehouse/Arts District and the Sports/Entertainment District. You are only about a mile from the Julia Street Cruise Terminal.
In New Orleans, exceptional experiences await you at every turn. Whether you are into Art, a history buff, or just looking to experience the city’s rich history and culture on a deeper level, you’ll find a variety of attractions that are sure to interest you, there’s nowhere else in the world like it, this is truly a one of a kind city and a reason it was named the number two travel destination in the U.S., second only to Charleston by Travel & Leisure.
There’s always a reason for a costume when in New Orleans, whether you’re visiting during Mardi Gras or any time of year. There are lots to shops to visit for all your costuming needs, wigs included.
New Orleans Streetcars a unique and fun way to explore the city. Before you start your streetcar journey, it’s important to know how to get started in the first place. If you’re paying with cash, correct change is required, or we bought a multi day Jazzy Pass. One, three, and 31-day unlimited ride “Jazzy Passes” are all available and are definitely the most cost effective way to utilize the bus and streetcars over the course of a day or an entire trip.
Rumbling down the ”neutral ground” or middle of St. Charles and Carrollton avenues for more than 150 years, the St. Charles Streetcar has become a symbol of the charm and romance of New Orleans. The dark green St. Charles streetcar is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world. Vintage streetcars still runs along a 6-mile crescent from Carondelet at Canal Street in the Central Business District through the oldest and most majestic section of Uptown New Orleans, around the Riverbend to Carrollton at Claiborne Avenue. Swaying along St. Charles Avenue through a tunnel of Live Oaks, the streetcar passes dozens of antebellum mansions, Loyola and Tulane universities, breathtaking Audubon Park , fine hotels, restaurants, and bars.
The red Canal Streetcar Line takes locals and tourists to work and play each day on a 5.5-mile route from the foot of Canal Street through the Central Business District and into the Mid-City area. The line ends at City Park Avenue at the historic cemeteries or “Cities of the Dead.” Some of the most interesting architecture in the city is right here and a great place to walk around and explore.
Want to spend a leisurely day in City Park, or browsing around the New Orleans Museum of Art? Hop on any of the Canal Streetcars that say CITY PARK/MUSEUM on the front window sign. The final stop on the City Park spur is the New Orleans Museum of Art . It’s filled with treasures from Degas, Monet, Picasso, and many others, and is home to a magnificent sculpture garden you can wander through for free.
Six vintage red streetcars operate along the popular Riverfront line which will take you from the quaint shops of the French Market to the Audubon Aquarium and beyond. Shopping, dining, and sightseeing are easy with a streetcar ride away. The Riverfront Line also passes by the Outlet Collection at the Riverwalk, the Harrah’s Casino, and the shops at Canal Place.
Take a ride on the Rampart/St. Claude Streetcar. In 2016, streetcars rolled on this line for the first time since 1949. This line rattles by St. Louis Cemetery, where Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau’s tomb can be found, and Louis Armstrong Park, home to Congo Square where you can discover good food and clubs.
