New Orleans – Jazz and the Mardi Gras Carnival
New Orleans, the Big Easy, is one of the most fascinating travel destinations in the Deep South of the United States. It's a city of the deep south, just a stone's throw from the Mississippi River delta and its mouth into the Gulf of Mexico. The vibrant city is famous for its legendary French Quarter, one of the liveliest areas in the United States and the birthplace of jazz. This quarter is home to the Cajun or Creole people, descendants of French settlers in Louisiana, with a unique culinary culture. The quarter is the hub of the Mardi Gras carnival, the most famous street event in the USA. South of the French Quarter is the financial district or the American Quarter as it's called, and the peaceful Garden District.
How many days are needed for a trip to New Orleans?
It's recommended to dedicate two to three full days for a trip to New Orleans.
It's highly advisable to book accommodation in advance in New Orleans, especially in the hotels of the French Quarter
Click here to check availability and prices at New Orleans hotels…
Click here for a list of 8 excellent hotels in the heart of New Orleans…
12 Must-See and Do Things in New Orleans
- Jazz and artist paintings at Jackson Square
- The stunning facade and interior of St. Louis Cathedral
- Irresistible Cajun-style street food at the French Market
- New Orleans Jazz Museum
- History at The Cabildo
- Louisiana State Museum and displays on the hurricanes and Mardi Gras at The Presbytère
- The vibrant nightlife of Bourbon Street (or enjoying Mardi Gras in February)
- The spires of St. Louis Cathedral over Jackson Square
- Upscale shopping and breathtaking city views on Canal Street
- The origins of Mississippi architecture at the Old Ursuline Convent Museum
- Walk along the Mississippi River and the Natchez Steamboat at Woldenberg Park
- A Saints football game (or a Pelicans NBA game) at the giant Louisiana Superdome
What is New Orleans?
New Orleans is one of the most unique cities to visit among the big cities of the South and the entire United States. The city is the spiciest and most seasoned salad of history and cultures that settled in America during the colonial era, with prominent influences from the Spanish, the English, and mainly the French, who originally founded the city in 1718.
Click here to purchase tickets to the Vue Orleans Observatory, click here…
- The city is famous for its rich cultural elements, including the evolution of jazz music that originated here in the early 20th century, its exquisite Cajun (Creole) cuisine, descendants of French settlers in the city, and especially the Mardi Gras festival, held for two weeks around February.
- New Orleans was established on the delta of the Mississippi River, just a short distance from the Gulf of Mexico. Its center stretches in a crescent shape along a bend of the Mississippi River, which is why it is nicknamed the Crescent City.
- A more famous and apt nickname for New Orleans is the Big Easy, perfectly reflecting its laid-back nature.
- About 400,000 people live in New Orleans (before the flood in 2005, the city had about half a million residents) and its metropolitan area has about one and a quarter million people.
Originally, New Orleans was a French city, and its residents spoke French. The city was home to Europeans and settlers from the French colonies in the Caribbean. In 1763, the city was leased to the Spanish, who rebuilt it after two significant fires that struck in 1788 and 1795. The Spanish reconstructed the French Quarter in a Spanish colonial style, but it retained the name French Quarter because the residents still spoke French.
The city returned to French control in 1801 after Napoleon's conquest of Spain. Two years later, the Louisiana Purchase was signed in the city, transferring the most significant territory that doubled the size of the U.S. About nine years later, the city was attacked by the British and was defeated in the Battle of New Orleans, led by General Andrew Jackson, who later became the seventh President of the United States.
Click here for the full mystical tour of New Orleans – haunted houses, voodoo, and vampires…
Hurricane Katrina
New Orleans is located on the delta sediment between Lake Salvador and Lake Cataouatche in the south and the massive Lake Pontchartrain to the north. The many bodies of water surrounding the city are a constant threat, along with the hurricanes that sometimes hit the Gulf of Mexico with great force.
- New Orleans has suffered several disasters throughout its history, the latest being Hurricane Katrina's impact on the city's area on August 29, 2005
- Katrina didn't come ashore in the city itself but struck nearby, causing an unusual rise in the water level of Lake Pontchartrain
- The rise in water level caused a breach in two protective levees, and almost the entire city area was flooded
- As a result, the city was evacuated, and almost two thousand people drowned
- The devastated city suffered further damage from Hurricane Rita about three and a half weeks later. Rita was one of the strongest storms ever to make landfall in the U.S.
Map of New Orleans
Creole and Cajun Cuisine
Creole cuisine is one of the unique culinary experiences in the United States outside the realm of fast food. There are quite a few unique culinary features in the US, such as the lobsters of New England, or ethnic cuisines like Chinese cuisine found in the various Chinatowns of major cities, Cuban cuisine in Miami, and Mexican in California. But such an inherently American characteristic is rare.
- The Creole are descendants of the French settlers who came to the city in the 18th century
- The origin of the word is the common term for the descendants of European settlers in colonies outside Europe (therefore, the French term also includes descendants of settlers in the Caribbean and not just in New Orleans)
- Another French-speaking group in the city is the Cajuns, also known as les Acadiens in French. They are named after their ancestors who came from the Acadian region of Canada after being exiled by the British in the mid-18th century. Acadia is the French name for all the provinces east of the Quebec region in Canada (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, etc.)
- The Cajuns are actually distinct from the Creoles, who are considered descendants of the city's original settlers. However, in terms of cuisine, their dishes overlap, and today it's difficult to distinguish between the groups (after all, they're all Americans now).
Click here for a guided cocktail tour in the French Quarter of New Orleans…
Cajun cuisine is based on cooking with three pots – one for protein (meat, fish, or seafood), one for rice, and one for vegetables. The dishes are often spicy, with a totally excessive use of cayenne or chili pepper.
The dishes identified with the Three Pots are Gumbo and Jambalaya, but there are plenty of other dishes including meat, shrimp, fish, and endless variations of Three Pots compositions.
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras, the colorful and iconic carnival of New Orleans, takes place every year on Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras in French), about two weeks before Shrove Tuesday. It's the last day before Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the forty days of Lent before Easter.
- Mardi Gras is celebrated worldwide in the Catholic world as a religious holiday, and it is the origin of the word 'carnival,' which in Latin means the removal of meat, marking the event where all meat is consumed before Lent begins.
- The carnival in New Orleans, like the Venetian masks carnival, or the carnival of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, has taken on a broader significance beyond the religious celebration and has become a cultural carnival.
- During the two weeks of celebrations, the entire French Quarter of New Orleans turns into one intense street party, attracting an enormous crowd of tourists and curious onlookers.
- The heart of the celebrations is the historic Bourbon Street, but the parades and festivities spill over into all the nearby streets.
The Birth of Jazz
The Cajun cuisine dominates the taste and smell senses of New Orleans, while the local jazz style rules the sense of hearing. Jazz was born in New Orleans in the early 20th century, based on Afro-American music with roots in the rhythms of West Africa. Jazz music emerged from the encounter between the descendants of African slaves and Europeans, blossoming from a variety of styles that were influenced by the two cultures throughout the 19th century.
Click here for a guided night jazz tour through all the musical gems of the French Quarter…
The ragtime, blues, and gospel music style of the descendants of slaves in the southern states gave birth to jazz. This free style was originally based on the rejection of harmonies and chords and playing completely freely on instruments that originated in Europe. Mainly wind instruments like trumpets and saxophones and string instruments such as double bass and violins, and of course drums and piano. Big Band jazz bands, the famous jazz orchestras, began to operate in the city, and music giants such as Louis Armstrong were active in the city.
Click here for an evening jazz cruise on the Mississippi on the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen…
How to get to New Orleans?
How to fly to New Orleans?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) – Named after the local jazz legend, this airport is located on the western outskirts of the city, about a half-hour drive from the French Quarter, depending on traffic. The airport is connected to downtown via bus line E-2, which stops at Poydras Station. It's a small airport with one terminal and 35 gates, well-connected to major airports in the US and Canada.
Click here to buy affordable flight tickets to New Orleans…
How to get to New Orleans by car?
New Orleans is located along the I-10 highway, which runs along the entire southern border of the USA from Los Angeles through San Antonio and Houston in Texas, to New Orleans. It continues on to Jacksonville in Florida. The highway runs close to downtown, intersecting with the major Highway 90 near the Superdome.
New Orleans Streetcar System
New Orleans' public transportation system is one of the city's icons and a convenient way to travel in style within the central districts. The system became immortalized (and a tourist attraction) thanks to Tennessee Williams' famous play 'A Streetcar Named Desire' from 1945, one of the greatest depictions of the deep south in American culture. The play tells the story of Stanley, his wife Stella (Stella!!!!!!), and her sister Blanche and originates from a streetcar line that operated in the city called Desire.
Click here for a guided tour of New Orleans' legendary cemeteries…
The city's streetcar system consists of five lines marked in different colors, running along major streets and connecting with each other in the city center. The system began operation in 1835 and includes, in part, single cars with a driver, much like in San Francisco, which quickly became an exciting and picturesque tourist attraction.
Click here for the updated map of the New Orleans streetcar system…
When is the best time to visit New Orleans?
New Orleans' weather is similar to Florida's. The city's climate is essentially tropical, with a hot, humid, and relatively rainy summer and a perfect winter.
Click here for a guided tour on an air-conditioned bus through all the main sites of New Orleans…
- The best season to visit New Orleans is in the winter. The weather is perfect with pleasant to slightly cool temperatures (it can also be warm), it might be rainy at times but usually just perfect.
- Late winter, during the two weeks of Mardi Gras, is a must-see in the city when the whole French Quarter turns into one big carnival. Mardi Gras usually takes place in February, about 54 days before Easter.
- The spring season in New Orleans is also highly recommended. The weather is pleasant to warm and it hardly rains. Spring is very similar to fall, which is also a great season to explore the city.
The summer season is the most challenging time to visit New Orleans. The weather can be extremely hot with terrible humidity and afternoon rains.
From late spring, the city is at risk of hurricane impact, so it's wise to be alert and avoid the city if a hurricane is heading toward the Gulf of Mexico.
How to plan a travel itinerary in New Orleans?
New Orleans is what's often called an end destination in the travel world. The vast majority of tourists who visit this attractive city arrive by plane and depart the same way.
Click here for itinerary planning in New Orleans and professional consultation…
- You can also incorporate the city into travel routes in the deep South, including Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana, and take a road trip along the Mississippi River. This is a more advanced southern trip, and there are far more attractive itineraries in the USA.
- You can also embark on a road trip on the I-10 highway towards Florida, including traveling through the southern states of Mississippi and Alabama, and finishing up in northern Florida.
The travel itinerary in New Orleans primarily focuses on the French Quarter of the city. New Orleans is generally divided into three districts worth visiting:
- The French Quarter includes the nearby Tremé and Bywater neighborhoods. This is the main tourist area in New Orleans, centered around Jackson Square.
- The Financial District and the Warehouse District, known as the American Quarter
- The Garden District and Uptown of New Orleans, an area with mansions that also includes Audubon to the west and the university district (Loyola and Tulane)
Click here for a guided tour of the Garden District in New Orleans…
All about accommodation and hotels in New Orleans
Accommodation and hotels are an integral part of a trip and stay in New Orleans. Since it's a vibrant nightlife city with great Cajun restaurants, lively bars, live jazz, and nightlife, it's highly recommended to find accommodation right in the heart of New Orleans.
Click here for a list of 8 excellent hotels in the heart of New Orleans…
The recommended areas to find a place to stay in New Orleans generally fall into four categories:
- Hotels in the southern part of the French Quarter near Canal Street
- Hotels in the northern part of the French Quarter near Esplanade Avenue
- The large urban hotels of international chains in the Financial District
- The motels and business hotels near the New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport
The southern part of the French Quarter, especially near Bourbon and Royal Streets, is the heart of nightlife and fun in New Orleans
- The entire area from south of Jackson Square to Canal Street is filled with dozens of great hotels located right within the unique houses of the French Quarter
- These are private hotels rated three and four stars offering all the fun of New Orleans within a short walking distance.
- This is a very lively area and noisy all night, so if you value peace, it might be wise to stay a bit away from Bourbon Street.
Click here to find accommodation in the French Quarter hotels…
North of Jackson Square in the French Quarter, the hotels are usually much quieter.
- They are also mostly private and housed in large mansions. These are excellent hotels in a central location but with a different atmosphere.
- These hotels are generally much more affordable than those near Canal Street.
The hotels in the Financial District are classic American city hotels.
- The hotels are located in tall towers and typically belong to large international chains.
- In this area, the city's luxury hotels are also found, 5-star hotels like the Intercontinental from the IHG chain or the ultra-luxurious Windsor Court.
Near the New Orleans airport, you'll find a row of good business hotels and motels with a four-star rating. This area is recommended for those arriving in New Orleans by car who don’t want to venture into the city center.
Click here to check availability and prices at New Orleans hotels…
Map of the Best Areas to Stay in New Orleans
Jackson Square in the French Quarter
Adjacent to the cathedral is the Cabildo – the historic City Hall and courthouse, and on the other side is the historic Presbytere building. Near the square are some of the city's must-see sites, such as the French Market, the ground zero for Creole (Cajun) food, the Jazz Museum which tells the story of the music that was born in the city, and the Natchez steamboat that sails on the Mississippi River.
Click here for all the information on visiting sites around Jackson Square in the French Quarter…
The French Quarter
The heart of the district is Jackson Square, where the iconic St. Louis Cathedral stands. Bourbon Street runs through the district and is the focus of the Mardi Gras carnival celebrations associated with the city. It's a lively street filled with bars, jazz, and nightlife. The Creole character of the district's residents is reflected in fine Cajun cuisine and a foreign feel at the heart of the American South.
Click here for all the information about traveling in the French Quarter…
What is the French Quarter of New Orleans?
The French Quarter is the main point of interest when visiting New Orleans. It is called the French Quarter by Americans, in reference to the American Quarter, which is the financial center slightly to the south.
- Residents of French descent call it Vieux Carré, and it is referred to by Spanish rulers as Barrio Latino, the Latin Quarter
- The border between the French Quarter and the American Quarter is the wide Canal Street, the most elegant avenue of New Orleans
- The district is bordered to the east by the Mississippi River, and its center is the large Jackson Square, where the cathedral dedicated to Saint Louis is located
- The quarter was originally built in the 17th century when the city was established by the French in 1718. In the years 1788 and 1795, a large portion of the French residents' wooden houses were destroyed in two major fires, and the Spanish rulers of the city rebuilt the quarter in a colonial Spanish style
- Today, the houses in the quarter are subject to strict preservation laws aimed at maintaining its unique character
Click here for a guided tour of the French Quarter + Voodoo sites…
The French Quarter is the tourist hub of New Orleans. It is the main part of the city tour, featuring mythical sites and streets such as Bourbon Street, Royal Street, and Decatur Street.
This neighborhood houses some of the most famous sites in New Orleans, such as the large French Market, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Steamboat Natchez.
Click here to buy online tickets (skip the line) for the Steamboat Natchez cruise…
This is the district that every February becomes the focal point of the city's famous carnival, Mardi Gras. Its streets saw the rise of jazz at the start of the 20th century.
Sports Events and Teams in New Orleans
The New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are a strong team in the NFL, the professional football league of the USA. The Saints were founded in 1967 and reached their peak in the first decade of the 2000s. The team played an entire year outside of New Orleans following the impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 (the team's home stadium, the Superdome, was damaged in the storm and housed about 20,000 refugees from the flooded city during one of New Orleans' tragic events), and in 2009, they won the Super Bowl for the first time in their history. In 2012, the team was involved in a performance-enhancing drug scandal and faced fines and suspension of some team members, but since then, they have mostly recovered and often manage to qualify for the playoffs.
The Superdome is one of the most impressive sites in New Orleans. It's located near the financial district, right close to downtown. The indoor stadium seats 73,000 spectators and underwent extensive renovations after Katrina's damage. Saints games are very popular, so it's wise to get tickets well in advance, especially if you want to catch playoff games.
Address: Sugar Bowl Dr. 1500, New Orleans. Get off at the Union Passenger Terminal train station, or at the Poydras stop on the yellow streetcar line.
Click here to purchase tickets for Saints games on the team's website…
The New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are the basketball team of New Orleans in the NBA league. The team was founded in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina in 1988 under the name Charlotte Hornets and played there until moving to New Orleans in 2003 (a new team, the Charlotte Bobcats, was established in the city). About two years later, the Hornets played for two years in Oklahoma City, following the impact of Hurricane Katrina. In 2013, the team changed its name from the Hornets to the Pelicans (and Charlotte's Bobcats reverted back to the name Hornets).
The Pelicans aren't a strong team and are rather sparse in achievements. Every few years, they manage to reach the playoffs but don't progress much further. The team plays at the New Orleans Arena or the Smoothie King Center, which accommodates just over 18,000 spectators. The arena is adjacent to the Superdome on the southern side of the football stadium.
Home stadium address: 1501 Dave Dixon Dr., New Orleans. Get off at the Union Passenger Terminal train station, or at the Poydras station of the yellow tram line.
Click here to purchase online tickets for Pelicans games…
