Why is New Orleans a Popular Destination?

Nearly three centuries after its founding, New Orleans remains one of the most vibrant and popular cities in the United States. The city’s culture is a delightful melange of influences including African, French, Spanish and Caribbean. The architecture, music and art of New Orleans have made the city an inviting destination for locals and tourists alike.

This bustling Louisiana hub is known for its unique Creole cuisine, jazzy nightlife, lively parades and towering Victorian homes. Most of all, it is the history and spirit of this remarkable city that keeps visitors coming back. Here are just eight reasons why New Orleans is such a popular destination.

1) Spectacular Festivals

One of the best aspects of spending time in New Orleans is catching one of its charming festivals. The two longest-running are the Mardi Gras Carnival, celebrating the day before Ash Wednesday, and the French Quarter Festival, held during the last weekend of April.

The types of festivities, however, extend far beyond these events. Festivals celebrating specific cultures, such as Cinco de Mayo and Vietnamese New Year, can be found in this city that truly embraces its cultural diversity.

The famous New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is held for two weekends every April at Fair Grounds Race Course. This festival brings together some of the best jazz, gospel and blues musicians in the country for a dazzling musical experience.

2) Tantalizing Cuisine

New Orleans is the birthplace of Cajun and Creole cooking, and those who take the time to explore its restaurant offerings are in for a delicious experience. Typical dishes include po’boy sandwiches stuffed with shrimp, crawfish étouffée and flavor-packed gumbo.

The renowned Cafe Du Monde near the French Market is an ideal place to enjoy a beignet and a café au lait while people watching in the heart of the French Quarter. During Mardi Gras season, treat your taste buds to a king cake to partake in this centuries-old tradition.

3) Historic Attractions

From the French Quarter to Garden District to Tremé, New Orleans is full of attractions that showcase its historic charm and culture.

Start your journey in this Crescent City by taking a plantation tour or a guided walking tour of the French Quarter such as French Quarter Phantoms. While in the area, be sure to visit Jackson Square and the iconic St. Louis Cathedral, visit one of the oldest residences in town at The Historic New Orleans Collection or take a ride on the St. Charles Streetcar line.

For those seeking a more off-the-beaten-path experience, consider getting a good dose of culture by exploring Tremé or exploring Les Kilomètres De Créole Louisianais, self-guided driving tour created by the Treme Creole Gumbo Festival founders.

4) World-Class Museums

New Orleans is home to some of the finest museums in America. The National World War II Museum is a must-see attraction that chronicles the events of WWII through vivid exhibits and interactive galleries. Also popular with visitors is the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, which celebrates historical and modern works from Louisiana and beyond.

If you are looking for something more whimsical, check out The Audubon Aquarium of The Americas located along the Mississippi River. Its 200,000-gallon Great Maya Reef exhibit is one of a kind! For history buffs, take a stroll through The Historic New Orleans Collection and learn about some of the city’s most important moments in history.

5) Art Galleries & Music Scenes

From famous historic jazz clubs to gritty street performances, music saturates nearly every corner of this unique city. On any night in New Orleans you can find jazz, blues, funk, rock and pretty much any other style imaginable at local clubs throughout town.

Thanks to its population mixture of African, French and Spanish cultures, each year New Orleans hosts vibrant celebrations during events such as Black Storytellers or Juneteenth festivals or Mardi Gras Indian Celebrations or Voodoo Fest Foundation public art projects.

In terms of galleries and creative spaces, New Orleans has some amazing attractions like the Antenna Contemporary Arts Gallery or The Jung Center for inspirational experiences. Aspiring artists should definitely visit Intuit: The Center For Intuitive And Outsider Art for unique works from self-taught and emerging artists in the region.

6) Beautiful Outdoor Escapes

When it’s time to take a break from all these amazing attractions and immerse yourself in nature, there’s nothing like heading outdoors in New Orleans! Explore the peninsula’s spectacular bayous fed by the slow-moving Mississippi River or take an airboat ride through Lake Park Recreation Complex’s acres of protected wetlands. Make sure to add a trip to Fontainebleau State Park or Jean Lafitte National Historic Park & Preserve to your plans!

7) The Unique Relaxation Balance

After all those hiking trails fatigue sets in so easily in those warm summer days; but at the same time anyone would miss out just not to explore all that New Orleans offers. In this city you can easily find spots like Lafayette Square where you can sit on a bench, watch street performers and listen to live music! It’s amazing how many unique activities you can do easily due to the countless sites around town – like a bowl of traditional crawfish or listening to free concerts at Congo Square or take pictures at some weird spot as an alligator head wall that depict drawings by locals ages ago!

8) An Authentic Sense Of Community

One thing that makes New Orleans so special is the way everyone feels like family no matter where they come from or how long they’ve been here – neighbors talking on their balconies with beer cans in their hands, locals offering pastries out of their window or restaurant owners inviting everyone inside to sit down for dinner; hospitality runs deep here! You can tell by just walking around seeing how people interact with each other. Whether you’re headed here on vacation or planning a move here for a phase in life, it’s easy to feel that sense of little community from this big city!

New Orleans has become an iconic destination for locals and tourists alike thanks to its thrilling festivals, delectable cuisine, historic attractions, unique culture, world-class museums, art galleries and music scenes and breathtaking outdoor escapes as well as its sense of community that has grown over time turn this city into such a desirable travel spot!