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What Should I Know About New Orleans?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

New Orleans, Louisiana is one of America’s most fascinating cities with a rich history of different cultures and intrigue. It is known worldwide as a center of music, arts and revelry. A large portion of the city was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, although the city is making a slow recovery with promises of new innovations and attractions for the future.

Originally a French-owned port city, New Orleans was ceded to the Spanish in 1763, and then retaken by the French and sold to America as part of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. With such a complicated history of use, the city is home to several unusual ethnic groups. Cajun people are descendants of a group of Canadian settlers that were expelled from their native lands and moved into the area after the treaty of Paris in 1763. Creole residents are those who have a mixed ancestry of all of the local groups from the settlement era: French, Spanish, Native American and African. Both Creole and Cajun cultures have considerable influence on the city.

A building in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
A building in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

As a major port city, New Orleans has a long and fabled history with pirates and pirate culture. It is not coincidental that the famous Disneyland ride Pirates of the Caribbean starts out along the Louisiana bayou. Popular walking tours are available to guide tourists through pirate and voodoo sights around the city.

The city is considered architecturally significant, particularly for its beautiful French Quarter. Other than a large fire at the end of the 18th century, the area has remained largely untouched by disaster since its founding in 1718. This section of town contains stunning examples of ironwork and architecture, some dating back to the early days of the city. The French Quarter is popular with tourists, and contains the incredibly lively Bourbon Street, a center of food, drink, music and fun.

Many homes in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina.
Many homes in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina.

New Orleans is considered one of the best cities in the world for after-dark entertainment. The Mardi Gras festival, held each year, draws enormous crowds determined to celebrate as loudly and raucously as possible. One of the birthplaces of jazz music, the city also hosts the Jazz and Heritage Festival yearly, one of the best music festivals in the country. On nearly every night of the year, there is sure to be something to do in the city.

Voodoo culture is popular in New Orleans.
Voodoo culture is popular in New Orleans.

The cuisine of the area is an eclectic mix of local and foreign-influenced styles. Perhaps the best known local dish is gumbo, a thick stew of meat and vegetables often served in a hollowed-out roll of bread. French doughnuts called beignets are served with traditional chicory-flavored coffee as a popular breakfast treat. The city is also home to the po’boy sandwich, a mound of fried meat served on traditional Louisiana French bread.

Gumbo might be the best known food in New Orleans.
Gumbo might be the best known food in New Orleans.

In 2005, the city was devastated by the results Hurricane Katrina, a category five storm. Because of structural deficiencies in the levees, over 80% of the city was flooded when the protection systems failed. Over 1500 people died during and after the storm, many due to inadequate rescue preparations on the part of the US government. As of 2008, the restoration of the city is not yet complete, though many residents and politicians speak positively of the new buildings and commercial opportunities to come.

New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana.
New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana.

Travelers to New Orleans should be aware that the city has a high incident of violent crime. While tourist areas are considered extremely safe, low-income neighborhoods in the city have some of the highest murder and drug rates in the country. Visitors to the city should be aware of the areas they are traveling in and take proper safety precautions.

The Louisiana Purchase Treaty was signed April 30, 1803, transferring claim to the property from France to the United States.
The Louisiana Purchase Treaty was signed April 30, 1803, transferring claim to the property from France to the United States.

Despite the destruction of the hurricane and the controversial plans of the rebuilding efforts, New Orleans remains one of the greatest United States cities. For those who love music, architecture and history, the city is a wonderful vacation spot. If you plan to visit the “Big Easy,” prepare yourself for a wild ride through history, entertainment and culture that just may make you want to stay forever.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Drentel

New Orleans is not a place that is catering to young kids. I wouldn't take young kids to New Orleans just as I would not take them to the Florida party spots for spring break. New Orleans tourism is big business, but it is primarily concentrated on adult activities. There are many better places for family vacations than this party city.

And the violence is yet another reason you don't want to take your family vacation there. When I think of the city, I think of Mardi Gras, which can be a lot of fun for adults, and I also think of poverty. There are a lot of poor neighborhoods there.

Sporkasia

@Animandel - I understand your concerns about New Orleans travel when you have children to keep entertained. New Orleans is definitely not Disney World. However, I think this city is a great place for children to experience history.

The article refers to the role pirates played in the city's history. There are still many interesting pirate-related attractions in the city. You can find some really good nature attractions just outside of the city. Alligators are usually a big hit with children of a certain age.

All and all, I would say that New Orleans is a great place for a history lesson, and it is a place all of us should experience at least once in our lives.

Animandel

I have always wanted to visit New Orleans, but I have yet to get to the city. When I was younger some of my friends went to New Orleans on spring break and I was supposed to go with them, but I had to back out at the last minute because I got sick. At that time, the main reason I wanted to go was to party with my friends.

Now that I have a husband and kids I am once again considering making plans for a visit to The Big Easy, but I worry that because of the crime rate and the destruction from the hurricane this may not be the best place for a family vacation.

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    • A building in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
      By: Calee Allen
      A building in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
    • Many homes in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina.
      By: Brian Nolan
      Many homes in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans were destroyed during Hurricane Katrina.
    • Voodoo culture is popular in New Orleans.
      By: Phimchanok
      Voodoo culture is popular in New Orleans.
    • Gumbo might be the best known food in New Orleans.
      By: cobraphoto
      Gumbo might be the best known food in New Orleans.
    • New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana.
      By: qingwa
      New Orleans is the largest city in Louisiana.
    • The Louisiana Purchase Treaty was signed April 30, 1803, transferring claim to the property from France to the United States.
      By: ビッグアップジャパン
      The Louisiana Purchase Treaty was signed April 30, 1803, transferring claim to the property from France to the United States.
    • The most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the United States is held in New Orleans.
      By: WideAwake
      The most famous Mardi Gras celebration in the United States is held in New Orleans.