If we are being completely honest here, I did not expect to write about New Orleans for my second article. I have heard countless amounts of rumors about why to NOT visit New Orleans, so I was extremely surprised by the fact that I actually really enjoyed my time there. New Orleans, to me, was not a place but rather an experience.
And being a girl that prefers to stay in bed on bar nights, believe it or not, the infamous Bourbon Street was even a place of awe for me. Regardless of where you come from or what your interests are, New Orleans is a place that has something for anyone. So here are thirteen reasons why I believe everyone should visit New Orleans, and my experiences when encountering them.
1. The people are weird but beautiful.
Right from the start, as I was walking up to the hotel room, my first impression of New Orleans came from two men who were dressed up like magicians with their faces painted black and white to mimic the look of a skull/skeleton. And needless to say, they were not the “weirdest” people I encountered while in New Orleans. I will admit that, at first, I was intimidated to talk to anyone that wasn’t dressed “normally,” but soon realized that just because these people were different didn’t mean I had to fear them. After setting my judgment aside, I began to admire their ability to express themselves and envy their lack of holding back.
2. The food is AMAZING.
OK, who doesn’t look forward to trying new foods when visiting a new place?! I already knew that I would not be disappointed with the food in New Orleans, but I did not expect for it to blow my mind. From fried catfish to having my first Poboy, I can honestly say that there was not a bite of food that didn't leave my taste buds begging for more.
3. The buildings take you back in time.
Being from the Chicago area, I have always admired the unique architecture of a city or town. And although New Orleans did not consist of tall skyscrapers and a sky-deck, the buildings themselves date all the way back to the Civil War. The rich and unique culture of these historically beautiful buildings was personally my favorite part of New Orleans.
4. The nightlife is beyond entertaining.
I don’t just mean the party type of nightlife. Regardless of what time of night it is, the streets are always busy and there is always at least one place open that is not a bar. My personal favorite late-night adventure was going to Café Du Monde for some delicious beignets. I was by the fact that we had to wait in line even at 12:00 a.m.
5. Bourbon Street.
I was told by many people that Bourbon street was gross and the people there were freaky. And although I am not twenty-one yet, I just couldn’t resist and went anyways. The street was lined up and down with so many different kinds of bars and restaurants, and everyone had to-go drinks in their hands as they walked to their next location. Some people even stopped in the middle of the street to take shots, or wave their hands for people on the balconies above them to drop down mardi-gras beads. Although it was definitely wild and I’m pretty sure I stepped in something that was not water, it was more fun than it was gross.
6. The French Quarters area.
Also known as the Vieux Carre Historic District, French Quarters is the central tourist attraction of the area. With so many different restaurants, beautiful hotels, and cute shops, the French Quarters area is sure to have something for everyone. My personal favorite experience of French Quarters was stopping by to admire the dog paintings displayed at Rodigue Studio.
7. The history.
This is another one of my favorite qualities of New Orleans. There was always something new to learn about the history, from the ghost stories to the historical buildings and museums. Learning about the foundation of New Orleans made walking down the streets even more exciting. And since a lot of people in NOLA enjoy dressing on a daily basis, walking along-side these people made it feel like I was walking back in time.
8. Ghost tours.
As a lover of ghost shows and supernatural stories, the ghost tours really sparked my attention. Signing up for one of these tours is not hard at all, as they have people walking all around the busiest streets holding up signs. Although I, unfortunately, was not able to find the time to personally go on one of these tours, I was able to speak to someone who leads them. She explained that the tours consisted of visiting all the oldest building in the French Quarters area including an abandoned mansion that was supposedly haunted.
9. SO many unique shops.
All along the French Quarters area are streets filled with so many different kinds of shops. From typical boutiques and gift shops to a mask and vampire shop, each and every shop was filled with so many different products to purchase as a way to remember your unique experience in New Orleans.
10. St. Luis Cathedral.
Another one of my favorites! The inside of the Cathedral was breath-taking. But besides its beauty, originally built in
11. Jackson Square.
Located right in the front of the Cathedral is the National Historic Landmark, Jackson Square. Being the site where Louisiana was officially made United States territory in accordance with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, I was surprised by how little people were actually in the park. I know that people tend to steer away from reading up on their history when on a vacation or trip, but if only they knew the significance.
12. The Music
One of the most significant factors in creating the New Orleans experience is obviously the music. Not only do they have the House of Blues located in the French Quarters area only a few blocks down from Bourbon street, but the streets are always filled with joyful tunes played by local musicians! Walking along the French Quarters area, you are sure to hear lots of diverse music from jazz to rock and roll and much more. My personal favorite musical experience was seeing a group of locals playing outside the Cathedral. Hearing it from far away, you would have never guessed that the band consisted of young boys.
13. The Atmosphere.
The combination of the food, the people, the history, and the music create a kind of atmosphere that is like none I have ever encountered. To best describe my experience, being in New Orleans felt like I was living in a giant movie set. As a lover of museums, New Orleans was not only fun but also refreshing.
As it is one thing to see historical pieces displayed on a platform behind a glass wall, and it is one thing to witness them in real life. Being the main reason why I believe everyone should visit New Orleans at least once, it is something you cannot personally understand without witnessing it for yourself.
