As one of the most resurgent cities on the planet, New Orleans isn't just bouncing back from the horrors of Hurricane Katrina... it's bouncing back with style. Much of the commercial centre was unaffected by the natural disaster and with people returning to the area in droves, tourism is once again thriving. Dubbed the 'big easy' due to its laid-back atmosphere, New Orleans has rediscovered its celebratory spirit that had once established it as America's party capital. As a notable centre for jazz and the blues, and the home of a world famous Mardi Gras festival, much of the city's attraction comes in its vibe. However, there is some serious sightseeing to be enjoyed along with great shopping and fine restaurants. Temperatures range from about 9°C in December and January to 32°C in August. It takes about 14hrs to reach New Orleans from the UK.
| Dubbed the 'big easy' due to its laid-back atmosphere.... |
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The party capital of the USA is thriving once more, making New Orleans a hotspot for all types of tourists...
New Orleans is a centre for partying and as a consequence it has real appeal to young travellers, whether couples or singles. Older travellers will be particularly drawn to the area's steep history and despite the exciting vibe many areas of New Orleans are quiet and comparatively relaxed. Indeed there's plenty to keep families entertained with lots of lush parks and fascinating museums.
What to do...
Despite the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the downtown area of New Orleans remains very much intact and this will be the centrepiece of any visit. However, for those who want to learn more about Katrina and the role it has played in New Orleans the city does offer a Catastrophe Tour, in which you can board a bus and witness some of the devastation left behind in the residential areas.
Nevertheless the main tourist centre has survived and as such there are many delights to experience including the French Quarter, which is often regarded as the heart and soul of New Orleans. Originally a French military outpost, and maintaining remnants of that era with tall doorways and wrought iron railings, the Quarter is now a modern hubbub of restaurants, bars and museums. This is the place to be when dusk falls too as the area comes alive with the sounds of jazz and the blues. Among the leading nighttime venues are Donna's Bar and Grill, the House of Blues (opened by Dan Aykroyd and his partners) and Jean Lafitte's Old Absinthe House. The French Quarter is also home to the Cabildo, which examines the history of the first European explorations, and many of the city's leading shops such as the A&P Market and Collectible Antiques.
When it comes to eating in New Orleans you will be spoilt for choice. With such a mixture of cultures, and Cajun food particularly thriving, it's a chance to set your taste buds alive with the flavours and tastes to be enjoyed. If you're eating on a budget, Angeli en Decatur is worth experiencing with its mixtures of pizzas, sandwiches and pita rolls. For something more upmarket, Arnaude, in the French Quarter, offers traditional Creole cuisine, while Peristyle is ideal for romantic dining with soft lighting and a beautiful old bar.
Public buses are the most cost effective way of getting around and there's plenty to pack in including Preservation Hall, the area's most popular jazz venue and the National D-Day Museum, which examines the infamous 1944 invasion of Normandy. It's also worth making a trip to Audubon Aquarium, which has many entertaining exhibits to keep both the young and old interested such as underwater tunnels and a chance to walk through the Amazon.
New Orleans also has a world-renowned reputation for its Mardi Gras festivals and gay and lesbian scene. The Mardi Gras takes place every February, but the carnival atmosphere can be enjoyed all year round at Mardi Gras World - a museum that acts as a working studio for the most famous float designer Blaine Kern.
