Riverboat cruise on the Mississippi
New Orleans is a vibrant city filled with jazz music, great food and friendly people. After Hurricane Katrina threatened to demolish this amazing city, its people fought back and worked hard to reclaim New Orleans. There is never a dull moment. People come here to listen to music, eat gumbo and wander the streets of the French Quarter where there's always a street performer or ghost to catch their attention.
Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street is the most famous street in New Orleans. Running the entire length of the French Quarter, Bourbon Street is home to bars, restaurants, tourist shops and strip clubs. Since drinking alcoholic beverages on the street is allowed, many bars offer beer and "Hurricanes" in go cups, turning the length of Bourbon Street most evenings into one giant outdoor bar. Most buildings on Bourbon Street have balconies and it's common for people to throw beads down from the balconies to the throngs of revelers below.
Steamboat Natchez
The Steamboat Natchez offers daily sightseeing and jazz dinner cruises on the Mississippi River. The Steamboat Natchez is one of only two authentic steam powered sternwheelers remaining on the Mississippi. The Natchez has an authentic steam calliope and the steamboat offers complimentary calliope concerts on the shores of the Mississippi before sailing to lure passengers to her.
Steamboat Natchez
Toulouse Street and the River
New Orleans, LA 70130
steamboatnatchez.com
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Founded in 1789 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Louis Cemetery No. I is the burial place of New Orlean's infamous Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, Revolutionary and Civil War Soldiers and local politicians. New Orleans cemeteries are known for their elaborate above ground tombs and this French Quarter cemetery features great examples of the different architectural styles of tomb building. The cemetery is said to be haunted by the hundreds of thousands of souls who rest in this relatively small area.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
1000 Howard Ave., Ste. 500
New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 596-3050
Garden District
The Garden District is a short 10-minute trolley ride from the French Quarter but feels a world apart. The District was once home to gigantic plantations. The plantations are gone, but many of the homes still stand. The Garden District is also home to the St. Louis Cemetery and Audubon Park. Famous residents of The Garden District include author Anne Rice and actor John Goodman. There are many guided tours of The Garden District or just take the St. Charles trolley and explore on your own.
Cafe Du Monde
No trip to New Orleans is complete without beignets and chicory coffee at Cafe Du Monde. Cafe Du Monde opened its doors in 1862 and remains open 24 hours a day except for Christmas and during hurricanes. It was said that the day Cafe Du Monde reopened after Hurricane Katrina was the day New Orleans came back to life. The cafe serves only beignets, coffee and soft drinks and is busy all day, every day.
Cafe Du Monde
800 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 525-4544
cafedumonde.com
Ghost Tour
If you love a good ghost story, a New Orleans Ghost Tour is for you. Haunted History Tours will take you to the sites of grisly murders, unexplained sightings and the homes of famous New Orleans residents past and present. Bring a camera to try to capture your own ghost photo.
Haunted History Tours
Rev. Zombie's Voodoo Shop
723 St. Peter Street
New Orlean, LA 70116
(504) 861-2727
hauntedhistorytours.com
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas is a great destination for families and adults. Located right on the Mississippi River, the aquarium features interactive touch tanks, a giant 400,000 gallon reef exhibit and sea otters.
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
1 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 565-3800
auduboninstitute.org
Mardi Gras
New Orleans is best known for Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras is celebrated in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday, usually in the beginning of February. Mardi Gras is New Orleans' most busy and festive time with parades, celebrities and plenty of beads tossed to revelers in the streets. For some information on the history of Mardi Gras and to see where the actual Mardi Gras parade floats are created, Mardi Gras World has year-round exhibits.
Mardi Gras World
1380 Port of New Orleans Place
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 362-8211
mardigrasworld.com
New Orleans Streetcar
The New Orleans streetcar has been the main mode of public transportation in the city since the nineteenth century. The streetcar system features the St. Charles, the Canal Street and The Riverfront lines, offering visitors and locals an inexpensive and fun way to get around the city.
Hurricane Katrina Tour
Hurricane Katrina has been called the most devastating natural disaster on American soil. After the hurricane passed over New Orleans, its levees holding the Mississippi River at bay broke and New Orleans was tragically flooded. New Orleans has regained her status as a world-class city and has worked hard to rebuild. Tours take visitors to the Ninth Ward, the neighborhood hardest hit by Katrina and other places of interest.
Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office
Toulouse St. at the Mississippi River
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 569-1401
graylineneworleans.com
