NEW ORLEANS--The Big Easy

NEW ORLEANS

New Orleans! Let's get trashed on Bourbon Street! Yeah!

Okay, if you're into that sort of thing. But you'll find New Orleans is much more than getting drunk on Bourbon Street. Let me give you a different perspective of this great city. New Orleans offers culture filled with history, food, music and a flavor you can't find anywhere else.

History

To understand New Orleans is to know a bit about its history. Native Americans inhabited the area for thousands of years until the French established New Orleans as a city in 1718. Spain took control over The Louisiana Territory a few decades later only to transfer the territory back to France. The historic Louisiana Purchase put the area into America's possession, nearly doubling the size of the US.

New Orleans had the largest port in the South. It became vital for exporting cotton and other goods. Slavery and the Civil War was an integral part of the growth and culture of the city.

This is just a morsel of the rich culture of New Orleans, but it may help you understand why the city is such a cultural melting pot. When you drive through the city, you will see influences from Native, French, Spanish, African, German and Irish people.

Tours

If you're interested in learning more about New Orleans history, I suggest taking a few of the city tours. New Orleans offers a variety of scenic tours. You can choose from Haunted historic tours, music tours, food tours, swamp tours and so much more. There are even drinking tours to try a variety of cocktails to make your trip even that much more fun! Some historical tours take you through the town and give you a combo of history, famous sites and various restaurants all on the same tour.

I've personally taken many New Orleans tours. I took a swamp tour where I rode in a swamp skimmer. I learned about the swamp and its importance to the eco-system. The guides feed rescued alligators that swim right next to the boat! I especially enjoyed the Haunted Tours that take visitors to famous haunted locations throughout the city. It included walking through famous graveyards with an EMF meter!! There are so many options including self-guided, bicycle, walking, bus and private tours. The variety of themes for each tour seems endless. You’ll find that many of the tours are wheelchair accessible as well.

The red double decker tour bus is something I always recommend for new visitors to New Orleans and beyond. The Hop On Hop Off bus tours take you all over the city. If you plan your day with the bus schedule in mind, you'll have 18 stops you can get off, enjoy the area, and get back to the bus and onto the next destination with ease. But you don't have to plan it all in one day. There are various packages to choose from.

You can schedule tours as you walk through the French Quarter. In addition, a quick check online works as well. Viator.com is another great place for tours. Viator.com has partnerships with banks and credit card companies. Check with your financial institution, You may get back a percentage of what you paid for your tour. If you want to experience New Orleans, tours are a great way to go!

The French Quarter

You might be surprised to learn that many New Orleans locals don't go to the French Quarter to hang out on the weekends unless they're hosting someone from out of town. Many locals feel the quarter is overpriced, too crowded and they have so many other great spots to wind down in.

Either way, when visiting New Orleans, I absolutely recommend going to the French Quarter. Bourbon Street buzzes with people and the vibe of the area is magnantic. Trolleys or street cars are located in various areas of the city so you can get right to Canal Street. It only costs $1.25 one way (cash only). Get a Jazzy pass for more options or download the Lee pass app. In addition, you can purchase trolley passes at various local stores like Walgreens.

The French Quarter has so many things to see and do. Vendors, shops, restaurants and bars with incredible food and music. You don't have to go inside these venues to hear the music. It's everywhere! A brass band will form on the side of the street. Kids are in the streets playing tunes with no more than a bucket and drumsticks! It is an atmosphere unmatched and definitely worth experiencing. Bring cash for tips!

While in the French quarter, don't forget to stop by the French Market. The Market Shops of the Colonnade has a variety of vendors. Clothing, food and souvenirs will catch your eye. There are mass market items like t-shirts and jewelry. However, you'll find unique items crafted by local artists. Then take a stroll to the historic Jackson Square to rest, people watch, listen to live music and enjoy street performances.

Restaurants and bars

One of my favorite things about New Orleans are the restaurants and bars around the city. I have stepped into so many bars that didn't look like much from the outside. Once inside, I was dancing to some of the best local music, eating great food and sipping on stiff and tasty drinks. The entertainment in these bars are phenomenal. These local musicians play jazz, brass band, blues and funk. What I truly love is the old New Orleans Jazz equipped with the harmonica and even a washboard. It is something everyone who loves music and good times should experience.

New Orleans offers over 1800 bars and restaurants with fantastic foods of all genres. It’s more than Soul Food, though it is my favorite food to eat when I visit. One of my favorite bars is the River Shack Tavern on River Road off of the Mississippi river. It resides in an old building built in the early 1900s, and has an electric vibe when you walk in. Its eclectic design and live local bands will excite your senses. I especially love the alligator sausage tray and the fried oysters. Well drinks are $3 during happy hour!s

So look up reviews for places before you venture out. But check out some of the famous places to get a bite like Li't Dizzy's–incredible soul food or Parkway–some of the best Po’ Boys ever and Superior Seafood--Fantastic local seafood. There are so many choices, you'd have to visit the city several times to get a handle on the options.

Festivals

New Orleans has world famous festivals that celebrate every aspect of life. I enjoy coming during October–Halloween is a blast in New Orleans by the way. Every October I’m making it to the Funk Fest. The live music, food and vibe are the best, really. Funk Fest moved from the Jazz Museum to the Spanish Plaza on the downtown riverfront. Which enhances the atmosphere because you get to see the Mississippi River in the background! I've danced and talked with so many strangers at these festivals. Other fun festivals include: Po’ Boy, BBQ, Jazz, Gentilly and Shrimp are some of my favorite festivals. Some festivals charge a fee to get in, some are like street fairs, open to everyone. Whatever the festival, show up as you are and be open to having a great time even if you're there just to observe.

I haven't been to Mardi Gras yet, but the Krewe of Boo is a Halloween parade that gives a taste of what the Mardi Gras party is like. It's a family festival with floats, dancers and people in costumes. The krewes (people riding and sponsoring the floats) toss treats and yes beads!

Museums

The World War II Museum in New Orleans is one of the best museums you'll ever visit. This museum thoughtfully explores virtually every aspect about the war and what was like during that time in history. It is a massive campus with interactive exhibits and replicas of bunkers, planes and it even has a replica of Anne Frank's loft. Expect to spend the majority of your day if not the entire day with this experience.

The World War II museum is not the only attraction, however. It all depends on what you want to learn about. On my trip in 2024, I went to a museum almost every day. Check for hours. The majority are closed on Sundays and Mondays. I went to the Jazz Museum also known as the Mint because that is another museum within the Jazz museum. The Mardi Gras Museum gives you a history of Mardi Gras and how the floats are created all year long for the main event. The Laura Plantation is about an hour outside New Orleans, but it is the best of all the plantations I've visited. It gives an extensive and realistic glimpse of the lives of the people who lived pre civil war. The historic buildings are still intact including slave quarters. Guided and self-guided tours are offered to guests. Another all day event.

Places To visit

If you need some ideas on sites to see in New Orleans, I'll list a few.

Congo Square–The Birthplace of Jazz where enslaved and free people of color gathered on Sundays for fellowship, music and to practice African rituals. The site is still used for cultural events, festivals and ceremonies. It continues to be a site for voodoo practitioners. Southwest corner of Armstrong Square.

Armstrong Square–Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, New Orleans Municipal Auditorium. New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park

Audubon Park–Visit the Tree of Life. A massive 300 plus year old tree next to the equestrian center

Audubon Zoo–Next to Audubon Park it's a well-organized, beautiful campus with exhibits of animals in their habitat

The Fly–A walkway on the Mississippi on the edge of Audubon Park

Magazine Street– Near Audubon Park has a unique series of specialty shops and restaurants

City Park–One of the largest parks in the country with a forest, various walking trails, The New Orleans Museum of Art, Botanical Gardens. Equipped with an amusement park and many more attractions.

Wheelchair Accessibility

Remember, this town is over 300 years old. Though a good portion of the city is wheelchair accessible, there are some places that are not. Many older buildings do not have wheelchair ramps. Before going to an attraction, call ahead and ask about their accessibility. Rest assured, many people in wheelchairs and scooters navigate New Orleans everyday.

Pedestrians and Bicycles

Most of the streets in New Orleans have bike lanes and cross-walks. Be wary. Everyone does not look out for bicyclists and pedestrians. That coupled with the one-way streets and street parking can make it dangerous because it’s difficult for motorists to see you.

Regardless of the reason, always, always look both ways before crossing streets and roads. If on a bike, look out for opening car doors in bike lanes. Remember, they may stop for you at home, but they may not stop for you in New Orleans. Use common sense and extreme caution.

This is just a glimpse of all the things New Orleans has to offer. This article is just a taste of the flavor that is New Orleans. I've vacationed there for 3 years in a row and I find so many new and interesting things to do and experience when I visit. Yes, Bourbon Street and the French Quarter are must-see things to do when you go. But there are a plethora of museums, bars, restaurants, natural wonders and of course music and food that will make your vacation to New Orleans an unmatched experience. My suggestion is to go with an open mind and to have a fun-loving attitude. You'll fit right in. Besides, it's difficult to shock in New Orleans, so come as you are. Get out there and plan your New Orleans adventure! Who dat?!

River Shack Tavern

River Shack Alligator Sausage and Fried Oysters

Me at Superior Seafood seriously enjoying my meal

Me at Li'l Dizzy's Cafe

Li'l Dizzy's southern eatin'