Two years ago on Christmas Eve, my family and I flew into New Orleans to spend the holiday season there. When we arrived, we found that the only restaurant that was open serves predetermined courses from its Christmas menu. We still had to dine in even though the food was not good. After dinner, we checked into our hotel and slept with a bad first impression on New Orleans.

We spent the next few days in New Orleans in the French Quarter, and it completely crushed our initial doubts about the trip since the unpleasant dinner. French Quarter is an area filled with cute shops, galleries, restaurants, and beautifully decked-out streets. Not to mention it is also close to nature. A lot of talents gather in the French Quarter to showcase their passions, including paintings, photography and music. These artists contribute strongly to the free-living and ambitious vibe of French Quarter. It’s incredibly inspiring to interact with local artists and street musicians, whether it’s conversing about their aspirations or enjoying their performances. Another element that adds to the local culture is their history that blends French, Spanish, Creole and American styles together. This mix is most prominently reflected on the architecture of the buildings, the local food and the local people.

Due to its unique culture, we were able to make the most out of the area despite minimal planning prior to our trip. My family and I enjoyed exploring the area and finding new surprises in unexpected corners. I felt as though the minimal planning for this trip was very fitting with the local culture because everything in the French Quarter seems to move with the flow, and the people seems very approachable and free spirited. It was a very different form of relaxation for me.