Five Reasons to Add New Orleans to your Travel Bucket List

2/11/2021

1. The Food

New Orleans is well known for its delicious and varied food options. From Michelin star restaurants to po-boy sandwiches on the go, quality eats are around every corner. One of the more famous foods is King Cake, popular during Mardi Gras. King Cakes are traditionally a brioche-based cake covered in icing and sprinkled with purple, green and gold sugar. 

2. The Music

Walk the streets of New Orleans, particularly Bourbon Street, and it’s not uncommon to hear jazz music pouring out of local clubs and restaurants. New Orleans is known as the birthplace of jazz¹ – and the wild, jubilant, smooth sound is everywhere. There is even a Jazz Museum with interactive exhibits and musical performances². 

3. The Architecture 

The streets in the French Quarter of New Orleans are iconic. The cast-iron balconies and walled courtyards are worth the visit alone. But what many people don’t know is that almost half of the buildings that residents call home in New Orleans were built before World War II³. The city and especially the architecture are filled with history and stories of the city’s past. 

4. The Festivals

New Orleanians know how to celebrate. Of course, Mardi Gras is an extremely popular festival in New Orleans typically bringing in 1.4 million tourists. But there’s also an annual Satchmo Summerfest, honoring the legacy of Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong one of the most influential people in jazz. And a festival celebrating the city’s most iconic neighborhood, French Quarter Festival, is held in the fall and highlights the food, music, and art of the area. 

5. The People

The thing that most makes New Orleans worthy of a visit is the people themselves. The laid-back vibe of the south permeates throughout New Orleans and its people. The city’s residents have a rhythm and style all their own. New Orleans is a large city, but its nickname “The Big Easy” is well-deserved with its easy-going and slow-paced nature that encourages appreciating the moment and those you’re with. 

Sources:

^{1: https://www.neworleans.com/things-to-do/music/history-and-traditions/birthplace-of-jazz/
2: https://www.neworleans.com/listing/new-orleans-jazz-museum/35480/
3: https://www.nola.gov/nola/media/HDLC/Guidelines/03-TypesStyles.pdf}