Guide to New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

New Orleans, or the Big Easy, has a reputation for partying, fun and wild times although Hurricane Katrina caused severe destruction in 2005. However, typical of the vibrant city and it’s multicultural community, hope sprung from the horror and the city’s spirit has risen again.

Top reasons to visit New Orleans

Explore the eerie mysteries of Louisiana’s swamplands, with alligators lurking along the Spanish moss-shaded bayous.

Mardi Gras - Lousiana’s Fat Tuesday is famed for it’s exuberant celebrations, including masked dancing, Cajun country rituals and wild parties.

Learn about Creole culture, cuisine and language - including Voodoo, Ghost Tours and The Cities of the Dead

Witness the French Quarter and Bourbon Street’s jazz musicians, parades and parties

Take a steamboat along the Mississippi River

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Main areas of New Orleans

French Quarter

The beautiful French Quarter (Vieux Carre) began in the early 1700s, with elegant stucco buildings belonging to the gents, plantation owners. Explore this elegant and vibrant areas whilst enjoying the fun of Jackson Square, Esplanade Avenue and Decatur/Bourbon/Chartes/Royal Streets.

Outside the French Quarter

Home to the Garden District, uptown and Central Business District (Gallier Hall, 2 Canal St, New Orleans Cotton Exchange).

Carrollton-Riverbend

Shopping area with Blue Cypress Books, Yvonne La Fleur

Treme (Faubourg Treme)

Louis Armstrong Park, Congo Square, St Augustine Church

Bayou St John

Pitot House

Faubourg Marigny

New Orleans Centre for Creative Arts

Bywater

St Vincent De Paul Roman Catholic Church, Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Centre and Ashe Cultural Centre

Top Attractions in New Orleans

• Napoleon House - old New Orleans colonial elegance, exuding romantic charms amongst the flickering lamps.
• Bourbon Street
• St Louis Cathedral
• New Orleans Mint
• Aquarium of the Americas
• The Bayou
• French Quarter
• Audubon Zoo
• Saint Louis Cemetery, Metairie Cemetery
• Haunted Walks of New Orleans
• New Orleans Botanical Garden

Eating in New Orleans

No visit to New Orleans is complete without trying the local Gumbo and Cajun/Louisiana delicacies at Coop’s Place, Mr. B’s Bistro or Gumbo Shop.

Recommended Restaurants - The Ruby Slipper, Camellia Grill, Croissant d’Or, Cochon Butcher, Commander’s Palace, Oceana Grill, Galatoire’s, Arnaud’s, Napoleon House and Central Grocery.

Nightlife and Entertainment in New Orleans

• Bars - Golden Lantern, Goldmine Saloon, Aunt Tiki’s Mayfair Lounge, Mick’s Irish Pub, Hi Ho Lounge, Le Roundup, Finn McCool’s, Parish
• Brewery/Craft Beer - The Bulldog, Avenue Pub
• Clubs - The Hookah, Funky 544, Cafe Negril, Maple Leaf Bar, Blue Nile, Dragon’s Den, VASO New Orleans
• Coffee - Cafe Envie, Cafe Beignet, Cafe du Monde
• Karaoke - Cat’s Meow, Kajun’s Pub, Igor’s Buddha Belly
• Live Music - Generations Hall, Champions Square, The Warehouse, Candlelight Lounge, Lakefront Arena
• Museums - Louisiana State Museum, National World War II Museum, Confederate Museum
• Art - New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), Ogden Museum of Southern Art

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