New Orleans has a certain je ne sais quoi; it has such a
cool feel to it, and such unique history and architecture. And despite being
devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, its tourism industry is booming. If
you’re planning on taking a vacation to see The Big Easy, make sure you get to
see some of the most popular sights. There are a lot of tours that you can take
to explore the city, the swamps, and even the creepy cemeteries, and tour info
is available online.
The French Quarter
Probably the most famous area in New Orleans, the French
Quarter is quite a sight. The beautiful, French-inspired buildings house all
sorts of eclectic shops and restaurants. But the French Quarter is most famous
for its variety of jazz clubs. New Orleans has a rich musical history and is
the epicenter of all things jazz.
Mardi Gras
Although Mardi Gras has become infamous nowadays, it really
is a wonderful tradition. Rather than partaking in the Bourbon St. version of
Mardi Gras, you can head over to St. Charles and see all sorts of
family-friendly festivities. There are a number of parades and other activities
to provide hours of entertainment.
Cemeteries
Be sure to check out the spooky tombs and crypts that occupy
the cemeteries in New Orleans. Because the city is below sea level, settlers
discovered that they couldn’t bury their loved ones below ground. So instead
they built these elaborate tombs; coffins that are surrounded by carved stone
and sculptures. It is really quite interesting to walk through the crypts and
see it all.
Plantations
A visit to New Orleans wouldn’t be complete without checking
out the amazing plantations. These plantations were home to wealthy Southerners
who used slaves to work their fields. They built gorgeous, enormous homes that
were basically castles of the South. Quite a few of these stately homes have
been restored and are historic landmarks.
Swamps
New Orleans is basically a city in the middle of swampland.
There are a few national parks that are very close to the city, most of which
are just miles and miles of swamp. You can’t really explore these swamps
without going by boat, so boat rentals and tour-boats are readily available. Tour info is often available at your
hotel, or you can book a tour beforehand to guarantee your spot. On a swamp
tour you can see all sorts of native wildlife like alligators, herons, and all
sorts of fish. If you’re visiting in the summer though, you might want to
prepare yourself for a muggy, hot ride. And bring plenty of bug repellent!
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