Travel Guide - New Orleans

Thought of as being the birthplace of jazz New Orleans is the type of city that was built for enjoyment. From the minute you get there you will be swept up in an atmosphere that is hard to ignore, and it is one of fun and good times. In fact there is so much to do here you will be wishing you had more time to spend having a great time.

Go to New Orleans and you will instantly be aware of just how much is crammed into the sometimes narrow streets. You can begin your day by taking a stroll around the many shops and boutiques that this unique destination has to offer you. With a real mixture of designer labels, thrift stores and shops selling all manner of weird and wonderful objects anyone who likes shopping will be in their element. If you want to get yourself a few vintage items you must head for Magazine Street which has some of the most amazing boutiques in the world.

If shopping is not really your thing then why not take a trip to the Audubon Nature Institute which is a series of museums and parks that are all based around the theme of natural history. One place of particular interest is the Audubon Centre for Research of Endangered Species which is a real eye opener and a must for anyone with an interest in endangered species. Or you can visit the Audubon Zoo which has some fantastic exhibits and is great for young and old alike.

After all that you will no doubt be hungry, and in New Orleans you can get almost anything you want from American burgers to Cajun dishes you can take your pick. The only limit is your appetite! Wander around this vibrant city and you will find restaurants and street vendors alike all wanting you to sample their goods. If you have a sweet tooth you will want to drop into Southern Candymakers who have a selection of out of this world chocolates and pralines all at reasonable prices.

No visit to New Orleans would be complete without a trip to a bar to experience the music and atmosphere of what this city was built on. There are so many bars to choose from that you could stay for a year and only just manage to work your war around them. Bourbon Street is the place to go if you really want a slice of typical life in New Orleans, so why not stop off at the Cat’s Meow or Rick’s Cabaret to dance the night away.

If you want to visit New Orleans during one of the city’s most famous times Mardi Gras then you must go there around the 6th January when Mardi Gras officially begins. Be warned though during this time New Orleans is packed out so you must book in advance and be ready for some serious partying!

So for a trip where you will have the time of your life mixing days spent wandering round a beautiful and interesting city before hitting the town at night New Orleans is for you.