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New OrleansThe City that Care Forgot
New Orleans is the diamond set at the end of the Mississippi River as it spills into the Gulf of Mexico. It stands unique in America as the only city that strongly preserved its old world Spanish, French and African heritage. Originally built along canals (called bayous), the city is actually an island encompassing 363 miles, and it is the only major American City built below sea level (-4 to -6 feet). Known as "The Big Easy" and "The City that Care Forgot," New Orleans is not only the home of great food and great music, but also the Cities of the Dead, exotic nightlife, voodoo practices, and, most importantly, a unique blend of cultures that created the Creole and Cajun people.
The Creole and Cajun PeopleThe French first settled New Orleans in 1717, based on a land grant given to Jean Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, who named it after Phillipe, the duc d'Orleans. The land was literally a small island surrounded by the Mississippi River, huge Lake Pontchartrain, and swampy land. The thriving port city that emerged became the center of high society in the region. In 1762, all of Louisiana was given to the Spanish court but eventually reverted back to the French government before being sold to the U.S. as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The descendants of the early French and Spanish settlers are still referred to as Creoles, with their own cuisine and style of living. The Cajun culture descended from the French settlers called "Acadians" who originally colonized Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in Canada. Expelled by the British in the 18th century, they fled south, ending up in colonies throughout Louisiana, particularly in the crown colony of New Orleans. Together both cultures create New Orleans' distinctive atmosphere. The accent here is exclusive to the area and sounds nothing like a typical Southern accent. New Orleans itself is pronounced "N'awlins," and directions are never given in reference to North-South but rather by upriver or downriver.
New Orleans also boasts its own unique type of music. New Orleans jazz is brassier than that of Memphis and more upbeat playful than what you'll hear in New York or Chicago. Its roots are in rural Cajun music called zydeco, a happy dance music that uses violins, accordions and washboards. Cajun food is hot and exotic. Often known as "country cooking," it usually involves a roux of fat and flower that adds body and color to the dish. Creole cooking is not as hot as Cajun, but it is very spicy and is famous for its sauces. The two styles are converging into a cuisine that is uniquely Louisiana. And no matter what is served for dinner, a praline, made of sugar, butter and pecans, is a great dessert treat. The DistrictsWhen local folks talk about the different sightseeing events, they often refer to the different neighborhoods, called districts. Each district is distinct from its neighbors and has its own assortment of wonderful sights. The famed French Quarter is at the heart of downtown. The structures there are mostly tightly-knit two-story structures of Spanish-style brick and wrought iron. There, boutiques, art and antiques stores, and souvenir shops are open in the daytime, but at night that the Quarter comes alive with restaurants, gentlemen's clubs and blues bars. This area also includes the Jackson Square shopping area, the dock area for paddleboat and steamship river cruises, and the Aquarium of the Americas. The Garden District is approximately five miles to the east of the French Quarter, bordered by St. Charles Ave. in the north and Magazine Street in the south. Here you will find lovely historic homes that look like dollhouses, with their large porches, fancy trim and wrought iron fencing. The local historical society encourages tours through this district to show off the elegance of a bygone era. The tours also include a stop at the Lafayette Cemetery, one of the Cities of the Dead. Loyola and Tulane Universities are located in the University area, as is Audubon Park, the site of the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium. On the nearby banks of Mississippi River, you can board an air-conditioned J.J. Audubon river cruise. How to Get AroundThe airport is located close to Interstate 10, which is in the far eastern section of town. Airport shuttles and buses, which are far cheaper than taxis, are readily available. The shuttle costs $10 one way to your destination, while a bus to the downtown depot on Tulane Avenue is just $1.50. You can easily tour by bus, or you can use the two streetcar systems. The St. Charles streetcar, more than 150 years old, is a living relic of New Orleans history. Running from Canal Street (at the edge of the French Quarter) to Audubon Park, it is a 13.13-mile stretch that is great for sightseeing. A round trip takes about an hour and a half.
A second streetcar line runs across the Riverfront. The cars, which travel a 1.9-mile route, are referred to as the "Ladies in Red." They connect the Jackson Square area to the newest West Side commercial developments along the river. If you are planning a full day of bus and streetcar hopping, consider buying a visitor's pass from the hotel or in a local shop. It costs $5.00 for one day or $12 for three days. If you are driving your own car, park at your hotel or at a Park-and-Ride area outside of the downtown district, and then do your sightseeing by bus. Downtown parking can be hard to find and costly. ShoppingTypical of a tourist center, New Orleans has a large variety of shopping areas. The French Quarter boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries do big daytime business, as do the shops at River Walk where you will find all of the well-known national chain stores. Within walking distance of the French Quarter is the Jackson Brewery, located at the end of St. Peter Street and on the river. It houses fifty restaurants and shops, many of which feature art, antique and craft items made by local artisans. Magazine Street boasts six miles of galleries, boutiques, jewelry stories, and antiques dealers.
Cooking ClassesFor culinary delights, the famed New Orleans School of Cooking holds classes in two locations, an old molasses warehouse at 524 St. Louis Street, in the heart of the French Quarter, and at the Jackson Brewery on Decatur St. For a modest $20, you will receive informative and entertaining lessons in Cajun cooking, and, when the class is over, you get to eat the food that has been prepared, along with plenty of draft beer. Elsewhere in both buildings there are shops where you can buy everything you'll need to try the dishes at home. HolidaysBy far, the most popular time to visit New Orleans is during the twelve days of Mardi Gras, which starts around January 6th and ends on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. This is a time of parades, parties and masked balls that can best be described as a fun frenzy. However, if you can't visit during these times, you can still get a taste of the elaborate decorations by crossing the river by ferry to Newton Street where there are wonderful displays of classic floats and costumes at Mardi Gras World. Other lesser-holiday celebrations include St. Patrick's Day in March, French Quarter Festival in the spring, and the Jazz and Heritage Festival in May. October includes several Oktoberfests, and all of December is celebrated as Creole Christmas with parades, pageantry and the Garden District shimmering with lights and decorations. ClimateBecause New Orleans is on the Gulf of Mexico, the weather remains relatively warm all year. Snow and ice rarely travel that far south, but the middle of spring and fall are known for their rainy seasons. Summers can be extremely hot and humid even though the city benefits from coastal breezes. Hurricanes present the only important weather hazard in New Orleans. The Gulf Coast is in hurricane season from June until September. The city hasn't been hit head-on by a hurricane for many years, but any tropical storm visiting Eastern Texas or Mississippi can cause torrential rain and possible flooding in New Orleans. Whether you are visiting for a family vacation, the Cajun food, or the frenzied fun of Mardi Gras, you won't be disappointed in the wonders and charm of this city. Written by: Carla Lee Suson |
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New Orleans LinksNew Orleans Travel – NewOrleans.SearchingCities.com offers tips on finding the best Hotels, Restaurants, and Attractions in the New Orleans Area. Also offers complete coverage of the annual Mardi Gras Celebration. http://www.new-orleans-sightseeing-tours.com A listing of New Orleans most elegant downtown hotels: http://www.neworleanstophotels.com/goto.shtml New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network http://www.soulofneworleans.com New Orleans Metropolitan Commission and Visitors Bureau http://www.nawlins.com The Music, Culture and Food of New Orleans http://www.gumbopages.com/neworleans.html Visitors Guide and Webcam of Bourbon Street http://www.neworleans.com The New Orleans Connection http://www.neworleansla.com Experience New Orleans has information about attractions, hotels and tours http://www.neworleansweb.org/ Order King Cakes on-line for a taste of New Orleans http://www.kingcakes.com/ New Orleans Restaurants has information about restaurants and food, and coupons http://www.neworleansrestaurants.com/
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