The famous city of New Orleans goes by the name the "Big Easy" and it's known for its lively nightlife, vibrant live-music scene and spicy, Cajun cuisine reflecting its history of French, African and American cultures. New Orleans is most famous for Mardi Gras with the costumed parades and street parties. It's an adventure that everyone must see to believe, but it's enough to simply enjoy this amazing city and to take in all of the the sites and sounds.
The French claimed Louisiana as a colony in the 1690's. Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville was appointed as Director General in charge of developing a colony in the territory. He founded New Orleans in 1718.
Jackson Square
Historic Jackson Square, originally known in the 18th century as "Place d'Armes," and later renamed in honor of the Battle of New Orleans hero Andrew Jackson, is a timeless attraction in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans. Jackson Square was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960, for its central role in the city's history, and is the site where in 1803 Louisiana was made United States territory pursuant to the Louisiana Purchase.
Cafe Du Monde
Cafe Du Monde Coffee Stand was established in 1862 and is a traditional coffee shop that is famous for their cafe au lait, dark roasted coffee, chicory and hot milk, and their beignets. It's nice to people watch or set on the river front and watch trains pass and boats sail by on the Mississippi River.
French Quarter
The French Quarter is a great location to shop and dine and there is always great music. The French Quarter is the city’s historic heart, famous for its vibrant nightlife and colorful buildings with cast-iron balconies. During the 1850's, the French Quarter had fallen into disrepair but it was revived by the Baroness Michaela Pontalba who oversaw the construction of the two apartment buildings, the Pontalba buildings, that flank the main square. She built them on land she had inherited from her father. These apartments still stand and are the oldest apartment buildings in the United States.
Bourbon Street
In 1721, the royal engineer, Adrien de Pauger, designed the the street and named it Bourbon Street which paid homage to France's ruling family, the House of Bourbon. Bourbon Street is a must when visiting New Orleans. There is lively entertainment, great food and Bourbon Street really comes alive at night. It's in the heart of New Orleans' oldest neighborhood, the French Quarter and extends 13 blocks from Canal to Esplanade Avenue.
Royal Street
Royal Street is just one block over from Bourbon Street but it is known for it's refined and elegant galleries and restaurants and the local artists. Royal Street is one of the original streets of the city and it is a of mix of classy antique shops, boutiques, fine jewelry stores, colorful art galleries and world-class hotels and restaurants.
Garden District
Travel up St. Charles Avenue on the streetcar on the way to the oak tree lined streets and historic homes of the Garden District. It has the world famous canopy of oak trees and gardens of hibiscuses, crepe myrtles, and angel trumpets make the Garden District one of New Orleans' most beautiful neighborhoods.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 received its first burials in 1789. It is said to be the oldest cemetery in the city, despite the fact that it is the second grave site in New Orleans. The oldest cemetery, Peter Street Cemetery, still exists below the paved roads of the French Quarter. Many coffins of the St. Peter Street Cemetery are still there and they found this out because of the incident in 2011 when fifteen waterlogged coffins were excavated from someone's backyard. The early New Orleanians developed the city directly on top of the city's first burial ground after the fire in 1788. New Orleans’ high water table caused the St. Louis Cemetery below ground graves to be removed because the coffins popped back up after a heavy rain. So necessity made it so that the deceased were placed inside above ground tombs in the French and Spanish traditions. Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau is believed to be interred in the Glapion family crypt. The cemetery spans just one square block but is the resting place of many thousands with multiple of generations fitting into one tomb. There are walking tours to discover the history of the people laid to rest here.
