Welcome to New Orleans, a city renowned for music, architecture, history, museums, and fabulous cuisine. The city was named after the Duke of Orleans, who reigned as Regent for Louis XV from 1715 to 1723 and the French influence is still quite apparent. The many French Creole locals along with folks from a variety of backgrounds have made this city famous for such vast differences as a large Catholic population all the way to a strong belief in voodoo. Made famous for its annual Mardi Gras and known as the birthplace of jazz, there's much to see and do in this beautiful city.
New Orleans is divided into parishes rather than counties and has a vast difference in socio-economic conditions. Visit Bourbon Street and wander from club to club with a drink in your hand to hear the music that helped make New Orleans famous. Possibly visit the French Quarter where you can see a heavy influence of Art Nouveau in the architecture. The St. Louis Cathedral in the square is a favorite due to its beauty and location, whereas Canal Street shops that sell voodoo items are plentiful. One of the best ways to get around the city and see the best highlights is on the New Orleans City Hop On Hop Off Bus Sightseeing Excursion.
Street performers can be found just about everywhere as can restaurants with the famous French Creole cuisine. A ride on a streetcar can take you past some of the most beautiful homes you've ever seen and New Orleans also has the largest, above ground cemetery in the U.S. In fact, films such as Interview with a Vampire and A Love Song for Bobby Long both used this cemetery as a backdrop along with many other films and television shows. And, yes, they do celebrate death with jazz musicians and street dancers along with the hearse.
Sports fans can visit the world's largest fully domed sports center and television buffs can visit Harry Anderson's Magic Shop. The city can be confusing though since most directions depend upon whether you want to visit above Canal Street, or below it. Excursions are popular due to this unusual divide. For example, bus excursions that run continuous loops are one way a visitor can see what they want without getting lost. With the ability to hop off at the open air market, and hop back on for Bourbon Street is a distinct advantage over getting lost no matter how beautiful the surroundings.
Whatever you choose to do, you've selected a charming, diverse, energetic, and fun city to visit. There's no other place in the world quite like New Orleans, enjoy!
Fun Fact: New Orleans is known for being the most haunted city in the world.
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