"New Orleans" a New Orleans Travel Page by emilienoelle

I have traveled to New Orleans nine times since 1995. It is one of my favorite cities and having been there so frequently, one of the cities I have come to know fairly well. There is certainly no place else like it in the US, perhaps in the world. I have always felt that part of the city's romance and charm is due to its unique combination of history and culture, both joyous and dark, both which are celebrated on a daily basis with equal weight. Life is a gift, and the people of New Orleans seem to know that better than most Americans. This is perhaps because the city itself serves as a constant reminder that we only live once and should consider doing all that we can with the time we have.

I should mention that although New Orleans has a great deal to offer as far as culture, food, art, music, architecture, and good times are concerned it is not Disney World and people traveling there should keep that in mind. You do not want to talk to people on the street who are offering to shine your shoes or to give you a dollar to answer a riddle. To avoid being a crime victim it is best to try as hard as possible not to look like a tourist. (Don't drag around a map and video camera wearing a t-shirt from Wisconsin.)

There are tons of great things to see and do in New Orleans, but it is best to avoid a lot of the "tourist traps" and save your time and money for the real stuff. One of the things that I would suggest avoiding are the "Haunted Walking Tours" which are rampant in the French Quarter. These are expensive and you would be better off getting a guide book and seeing the places on your own time, avoiding the drama major routines of the tour guides. But, that's just my opinon.