As a completely unique aggregate of Cajun culture, jazz and blues music, incredible cooking, and more, post-Katrina New Orleans struggles to regain its place as a destination of choice for travelers. For those who may have been wondering, the Big Easy is definitely open for business. The list of tourist attractions is lengthy but here are a few top-shelf choices.
Despite its worldwide reputation as a tourist attraction and party central during Mardi Gras, the French Quarter is an actual neighborhood dating back more than 200 years. Some fifth-generation families call this historical area home. You can, of course, hit the bars and t-shirt shops on Bourbon Street but don't forget to head out to Jackson Square. Musicians, psychics, artists, jugglers, and other enterprising souls ply their trades for loose change. Royal, Chartres, and Decatur streets house an array of interesting shops, and the closer you get to Esplanade, the more residential and historical it becomes. Sliced any way you like, the French Quarter should not be missed.
New Orleans' residents bury their dead above ground for good reason. The city is technically below sea level in the midst of a swamp, where it rains a lot, and it was discovered that traditional methods of below ground burial didn't work well. Bodies and caskets tended to bob back to the surface. This disturbing fact gave rise to the "condo crypt" style of placing the dead in family vaults that look like miniature buildings. The first city cemetery in this style was St. Louis No. 1 in 1789. At that point, it was located outside the city walls. Since then, more cemeteries and an ever-growing city has resulted in these historical plots of Spanish moss draped land dotting the New Orleans landscape. Keep in mind that some cemeteries are in rough sections of town. Use caution when visiting and consider going with a tour group.
While it might be true that New Orleans is primarily an adult playground, there are plenty of choices to keep the youngsters entertained as well. One choice is the Louisiana Children's Museum, which uses interactive exhibits to bring to life educational lessons in an interesting way. They'll explore the anatomy and function of the eye, shop in a miniature Winn-Dixie grocery store, climb the rock wall, discover the thrill of navigating a barge on the mighty Mississippi River, and much more.
Louisiana Children's Museum
420 Julia St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
504-586-0725
lcm.org
