""Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez"" New Orleans by goingsolo

New Orleans Travel Guide: 4,164 reviews and 7,170 photos

Mardi Gras, New Oreleans 2004

In 1699 two French brothers, Iberville and Bienville, decided to try their luck colonizing the New World: in 1704 Iberville built a fort at Lake Pontchartrain, now called the "Old Spanish Fort", and wanted to establish a town on Bayou St. John near the river portage. Bienville preferred the Mississippi River end of the portage, so in 1718 he started building a town at what is now Conti Street. From 1721 to 1722 Bienville teamed up with two French engineers to design a city street plan, making New Orleans one of the first planned cities in America. This plan, which has remained to this day, featured a central square (now called Jackson Square) surrounded by a grid of city blocks.
1762, the Spanish took control of New Orleans for the next 38 years, introducing the first streetlights, newspaper, theatre and police force. in 1788, there was a major fire in which almost the entire French Quarter was burned down; over 850 structures, including the St. Louis Church, the rectory, the prison and other government buildings were destroyed. This is the time period in which the city gained it's Spanish architectural flavor. In 1794 there was another fire. It destroyed the area from Canal Street to Orleans and from the river to Bourbon Street. The Spanish then introduced building codes requiring the use of brick, tile and slate.

The United States purchased Louisiana in 1803, and overnight, Americans began flooding the city. Thanks to cotton and sugar, New Orleans became one of the richest, fastest-growing cities in the U.S. However, New Orleans began to decline during the latter part of the 1800's and into the 1900's, partly due to the ravages of yellow fever epidemics in the 1850's and the Civil War in the 1860's.

In 1810, New Orleans was established as the largest city in the South and the 5th largest city in America. Louisiana would become the 18th state on April 30, 1812, and barely a month later, Congress declared war on Britain. A few weeks after Mardi Gras in 1814, rumors filled the city that the British were going to attack New Orleans.
General Andrew Jackson. quickly organized a defense of the city. He imposed martial law and enlisted the aid of not only the free people of color in New Orleans, but the nearby Choctaw Indians and the pirate Jean Lafitte as well. On December 23, 1814 Jackson attacked the British troops who were camped along the banks of the Mississippi. The battles raged back and forth for many days, but finally on January 8, Jackson’’s army prevailed.
In 1812, the steamboat NEW ORLEANS arrived in port and ushered in a new age for the city, and a new period of prosperity. The aristocrats of the city filled their lavish mansions with the finest Persian rugs, crystal chandeliers, and the best French wines that money could buy.
However, luxuries aside, New Orleans was not a place for the weak. Located below sea level, in a hot and humid climate, it was a place of oppressive humidity from June to October and was infested with mosquitoes. The city was often hit with terrible cholera and tropical illness epidemics and was labeled a ““damp grave”” for those foolish enough to live there.
In 1832, New Orleans was savaged by a cholera epidemic and in addition, between 1817 and 1860, there were 23 outbreaks of Yellow Fever. The most serious epidemic of yellow fever hit the city in 1853; over 8,000 people died before the cool months of Fall arrived.
In 1860, New Orleans had been an American city for just over 50 years before it found itself at war. On February 4, 1861 Senator Judah P. Benjamin announced to Congress that Louisiana had seceded from the Union. The state would stand alone for three entire months until it joined the Confederate States of America. When the war began, it would be General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and his regiment of Louisiana men who would open fire on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. The war in New Orleans came early and the city spent the greatest amount of the war under Union control, despite being located so far into the enemy territory of the Confederacy.
Congress re-admitted Louisiana to the Union in June of 1868. The period from the end of Reconstruction to the depression of the 1890’’s was marked by social and political upheaval, a failing cotton market and the loss of the major ports. It would not be until World War I before New Orleans would again be considered a major shipping port.
Today, New Orleans is an intriguing blend of Creole and Cajun, African and Hispanic past and present. The neighborhoods of New Orleans are filled with beautiful homes dating back to the 18th Century, mixed with newer styled houses and apartment buildings. The French Quarter is where one will find the majority of shops and bars, while the Garden District is known for its beautiful neighborhoods. There are several parks and lakes to spend a relaxing day at, and the mighty Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico are the two main waterways used for business and pleasure. The majority of the year the weather is pleasant, and the people are for the most part, friendly.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Very laid back and friendly. Loved the jazz!
Cons:Has some seedy areas so use caution walking at night
In a nutshell:A great place to visit for a long weekend

Last visit to New Orleans: Feb 2004
Intro Updated Apr 30, 2004
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Reviews (37)

Mardi Gras body art Things to Do (7)

People really go all out for Mardi Gras. There are numerous costume stores selling masks and constumes, but some people... more travel advice

Bead throwing every night Things to Do (7)

In the evenings on Bourbon Street, people stand on the patios and throw beads to passersby more travel advice

Mardi Gras Things to Do (7)

The major parades pass through downtown along Canal Street and St. Charles. The sidewalks are packed with spectators... more travel advice

French market costume shop - New Orleans

French Market Shopping (2)

the French Market has lots of touristy shops with the usual kitsch, plus some shops featuring local arts and... more travel advice

Hotels (2)
See All Ritz-Carlton New Orleans
Restaurants (7)
See All Brennan's Sunday brunch
Transportation (2)
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Favorites (2)
See All The Mississippi River
Local Customs (3)
See All French Street names- sometimes

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Comments (6)

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BuickMackane Feb 4, 2005 at 4:31 PM

I like Hand Grenades better than Hurricanes, too!
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dshinkle Aug 19, 2004 at 4:56 PM

but a darn fun time.
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manuelEB May 7, 2004 at 9:17 PM

Don't "go solo" to Mardi Grass!!! Take with you!!! (-; Great intro to NO.
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rwlittle May 2, 2004 at 5:49 PM

Great details in your notes, you provide a lot of info! Let me add to the chorus of voices recommending Johnny Po-Boys, and Cafe du Monde! :)
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cromette Sep 9, 2003 at 1:47 PM

I think we stopped in Seaport Cafe for lunch one time. You're right. Nice place.
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Jmill42 Mar 25, 2003 at 2:51 PM

You didn't like the Hurricanes?????????