If you’re anything like me you’ve seen the shows featuring New Orleans and you’re dying to visit and see if for yourself. A city rich in culture from its delicious food to decadent night life, it has it all. Though it’s not just the beignets you should discover (though definitely do, they’re delicious), there’s a whole array of fascinating points of interest you should check out to learn something new about the Mardi Gras capital of the US.

Bourbon Street, New Orleans

Bourbon Street isn’t named after the drink

Contrary to popular belief, the famous Bourbon Street in the French Quarter isn’t named after the liquor despite the cities party reputation. It got its name back in 1718 when the cities founder – Frenchman Jean Baptiste Le Moyne’s engineer, Adrien de Pauger, named Bourbon Street after the French Royal family who was ruling at the time, the House of Bourbon.

Delphine LaLaurie's Royal Street Estate

The most haunted city in America

There’s no lack of mysterious and supernatural legends walking the streets of New Orleans. The popular American Horror Story show directed by Ryan Murphy loosely delved in to the horror surrounding the tale of Delphine LaLaurie at her Royal Street estate, but there’s a whole history of restless souls, ghouls and spooks throughout the area. Will you be brave enough to explore?

New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum

The home of Voodoo in the US

A world of famous priestesses, mysteries and zombies, the often misrepresented world of voodoo has long been associated with New Orleans. The roots are found in West African Vodun, an age-old religion in Benin, Ghana and Nigeria carried over to the US by slaves brough to the south. If you’re interested in anthropology and understanding more of the local religious practices, there’s plenty of tours available to satisfy your curiosity of the surprising to some, wholesome practice of Voodoo.

Marigny Opera House

The first city in the United States to host Opera

Nowadays New Orleans is known for its jazz and blues scene, but back in the day (I’m talking about waaaaay back in the day) the Crescent City became the first place in the US to document an opera performance. In 1796, locals were treated to a performance of ‘Sylvain’ and it wasn’t long before it was known as the Opera Capital of North America.

New Orleans Mardi Gras

Let the good times roll

Lastly, New Orleans’ motto is ‘laissez les bon temps rouler’ loosely translated in English as ‘let the good times roll’ which is certainly fitting for the lively, vibrant and carefree nature you’re sure to experience on your visit.

 

I could go on about all the wonders of New Orleans, but it truly is a place you need to experience yourself. If you’re looking for your adventure, view all trips to New Orleans here.

 

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