Few countries boast as many must-see cities as the USA does. There are the skyscrapers of New York or Chicago, the famous monuments of Washington DC, the glamour of Los Angeles and the character of San Francisco. If you want to experience something different, however, head down to Louisiana, look for the best bed and breakfast in New Orleans that you can afford and find out why Southern hospitality is so famous.
The city known as the Big Easy has a fascinating history. The French founded it along the banks of the Mississippi back in 1718 and named it after the duke who was their country's regent. It became a major port over time and when the USA obtained Louisiana, it got this city too as part of the deal. Today it has one of the country's busiest airports and is a major tourist destination.
Other cities are associated with famous landmarks. Paris, for instance, is synonymous with the Eiffel Tower while the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building are as New York as they come. New Orleans doesn't have famous landmarks as much as it has famous neighborhoods or streets, such as the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Here the idea is not to hop from sight to sight but to step back and experience the stunning architecture, the historic mansions, the streetcars and the mysterious cemeteries. It's not for nothing that the city's nickname is The Big Easy.
If you love food, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. The city is famous for dishes such as gumbo and jambalaya, rice with red beans and crayfish. It's a mixture of French sophistication and the down-to-earth smokiness of Creole flavors, with some Spanish, Italian and Chinese thrown in for good measure. In between all that eating, take some time to catch a Saints game or to cruise along the bayous.
For many, the main reason to visit is the local sounds. Jazz, Dixie, zydeco and the Delta blues are all typical of the city that gave the world Louis Armstrong. The nightlife is legendary and even more so are the music festivals, including the world's most famous jazz festival.
The most famous local music festival is the one known as Jazz Fest, the premier of all the world's jazz festivals. If it's a mad party you're looking for, though, come in February for Mardi Gras, rivaled only by Rio de Janeiro's Carnival. High season is between February and May, when temperatures are more comfortable. In summer, the heat and the humidity can be hard to bear but you won't have to face crowds of tourists or inflated prices.
Many tourists prefer staying in or near the French Quarter, where most of the action takes place. St Charles Avenue is a popular choice too, since the streetcar travels down this street. If you want to get away from the tourist areas, try accommodation establishments in Marigny or other less central neighborhoods. Some of these, like the Lower Ninth, were hard hit by Hurricane Katrina and will welcome your help in rebuilding them.
The public transport system is excellent and makes getting around a breeze. In fact, it's usually easier to use public transport than to try and navigate the streets by car. Getting to New Orleans is easy too, with Louis Armstrong International Airport having connections to a large number of destinations.
The city known as the Big Easy has a fascinating history. The French founded it along the banks of the Mississippi back in 1718 and named it after the duke who was their country's regent. It became a major port over time and when the USA obtained Louisiana, it got this city too as part of the deal. Today it has one of the country's busiest airports and is a major tourist destination.
Other cities are associated with famous landmarks. Paris, for instance, is synonymous with the Eiffel Tower while the Statue of Liberty or the Empire State Building are as New York as they come. New Orleans doesn't have famous landmarks as much as it has famous neighborhoods or streets, such as the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. Here the idea is not to hop from sight to sight but to step back and experience the stunning architecture, the historic mansions, the streetcars and the mysterious cemeteries. It's not for nothing that the city's nickname is The Big Easy.
If you love food, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven. The city is famous for dishes such as gumbo and jambalaya, rice with red beans and crayfish. It's a mixture of French sophistication and the down-to-earth smokiness of Creole flavors, with some Spanish, Italian and Chinese thrown in for good measure. In between all that eating, take some time to catch a Saints game or to cruise along the bayous.
For many, the main reason to visit is the local sounds. Jazz, Dixie, zydeco and the Delta blues are all typical of the city that gave the world Louis Armstrong. The nightlife is legendary and even more so are the music festivals, including the world's most famous jazz festival.
The most famous local music festival is the one known as Jazz Fest, the premier of all the world's jazz festivals. If it's a mad party you're looking for, though, come in February for Mardi Gras, rivaled only by Rio de Janeiro's Carnival. High season is between February and May, when temperatures are more comfortable. In summer, the heat and the humidity can be hard to bear but you won't have to face crowds of tourists or inflated prices.
Many tourists prefer staying in or near the French Quarter, where most of the action takes place. St Charles Avenue is a popular choice too, since the streetcar travels down this street. If you want to get away from the tourist areas, try accommodation establishments in Marigny or other less central neighborhoods. Some of these, like the Lower Ninth, were hard hit by Hurricane Katrina and will welcome your help in rebuilding them.
The public transport system is excellent and makes getting around a breeze. In fact, it's usually easier to use public transport than to try and navigate the streets by car. Getting to New Orleans is easy too, with Louis Armstrong International Airport having connections to a large number of destinations.
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