New Orleans is a vibrant city known for its eclectic mix of cultures and personalities. Its varied flavor is a mix of French, African, Caribbean, and Southern American influences due in part to colonization and trading. With its own unique dining styles, accents and even dialects, New Orleans is widely known for its uniqueness throughout the United States. New Orleans has been nicknamed "The Big Easy" due to the laidback, fun-loving lifestyle of its citizens. Although it is now a culture-pot of multiple nationalities all with their own unique tastes and lifestyles, there are few places on earth where people can claim to have blended so well together. No matter your heritage or lifestyle, you are always welcome in New Orleans as long as you have a taste for life . The weather in New Orleans does not vary to any extremes. Although chilly in the winter, temperatures continue to remain above freezing levels. The spring and summer months are warm and inviting and the autumns are simply beautiful. New Orleans is famous for more than its citizens. It boasts the title “The birthplace of Jazz” and the famous festival “Mardi Gras” calls New Orleans home. The city boasts a population of around 288,113 people, all living within the limits of this beautiful city.
New Orleans was founded in 1718 by Jean Baptiste La Moyne, the French colonizer. It began as a small trading post and soon grew into a city in its own right. From its earliest beginnings, New Orleans has been dipped in legend and mystery.
Jean Lafitte is only one of the many legends harbored within the pages of the history of New Orleans. His legend tells tales of both bravery and treachery. He was a renowned pirate in the Gulf of Mexico but he became a hero to many after he fought in the battle of New Orleans. It is difficult to say whether he was a traitor to his morals or whether he was simply a man with strong views about what he believed was good and what he believed was good for his pocket. He was not only a pirate and a hero but he was also a local legend even in his time. Stories of him sailing the coast of New Orleans providing food and clothing to the poor are in abundance. He was more than simply a pirate to many people of New Orleans and he remains an icon. Whatever his character or the perception of his character by others may be, his legend adds to the already fascinating history of this great city.
The mix of cultures, flavors, and music is almost intoxicating and any visitor entering New Orleans will be in for a treat. The people of the city enjoy music and entertainment but the lifestyle isn't a chaotic race from one party to the next. The rhythm of the city is a deep, slow beat that enchants the soul and one can literally spend hours travelling from one side-street to another in order to experience it.
The city is humble and extravagant, poor and rich, slow and yet excitement awaits you at every corner. When night falls, the city comes to life. This is a city of fun and adventure and a visitor can spend many nights travelling between different restaurants as well as music and dance spots. Some interesting venues will have you dancing while waiting for your laundry to dry all at the same time. The city is not all fun and games. While it is a city steeped in historical significance and cultural diversity, New Orleans is also a respectable city and visitors can learn much from their variety of museums and heritage centers. With hurricane Katrina having affected New Orleans the way it did, the city is still regaining the vigor it once had. Efforts are continually being made to help those who lost everything they had during the tragedy and there are areas you can visit, even today, where evidence of this event is still apparent.
Interestingly enough, New Orleans has the lowest unemployment rate in the entire country - only 6.5%. Companies are employing more people at a higher rate compared to previous years where layoffs were high.
Job opportunities are more prominent now than ever before. Former employees are now also taking the opportunity to start their own businesses. While Hurricane Katrina did affect the city's economic sector, it is fast rebuilding itself into a stronger community and companies are looking to expand and grow within the city. There are various job opportunities available in the city, from a career in sports management to a place in the corporate world. Whether you are planning to become a professional or simply open a restaurant, New Orleans is an exciting city full of opportunity. There are various places you can go to find jobs, other than applying at government agencies. Job seeking companies have been established where they will seek out the perfect position for you. Websites are also available for those seeking employment in the city. As Employment rates rise and companies seek out new blood to inject into their corporations, more opportunities are and will become available to those seeking employment in the city.
Since New Orleans offers such a wide range of cultural diversity and population types, the food you will experience in this city will be unlike any other. Every population group has its own variety of cuisine although there are also dishes that combine the flavors of the various cultures to provide a truly unique New Orleans experience.
One of the typical New Orleans dishes is the "po-boy," which, although stemming from French influence, has been transformed into something truly “New Orleans”. The Po-boy in the simplest terms is a sandwich. Usually made with French long bread, it is filled with a variety of toppings, including seafood such as crab, oysters, and shrimp. The choice of topping will also affect the choice of condiment, of which mustard is one. A popular Po Boy restaurant in New Orleans is called "Mother's Restaurant," where you can taste a selection of New Orleans' finest. Gumbo is another traditional New Orleans dish and probably the most popular. This warm, hearty soup is made of almost anything in the cook's imagination. Since the beginnings of the city, preparing food has always been more than an occupation. It is part of the traditions and culture. The Bourbon House seafood and Oyster Bar is only one of the exquisite restaurants in New Orleans. Although it is based on Bourbon Street, the notorious drinking and party-street of New Orleans, it is also one of the only places you can visit to enjoy the cuisine without being drawn into the party atmosphere of the street. This restaurant not only serves traditional New Orleans food but it is also privy to a few culinary secrets of its own. This is definitely a must- see for visitors to the city.
If you are looking for sure fire entertainment, visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras, which begins on January 6th. Although this season of frivolity is always present in the undertones of the city, seeing the carnival in full gear is something truly amazing. Colorful clothing and masked parades fill the streets and music can be heard from every corner of the city. There are float parades entertaining visitors and residents alike and no one is a stranger during Mardi Gras.
Festivals and frivolities are not the only form of entertainment the city has to offer - although it is offered in abundance. There is a more serious side to the city as well. When visiting the famous French Quarter, you can truly get a feel of the colonial Heritage of the city. Cathedrals and art galleries are abundant in this area and well suited for the more solemn tourist. For those interested in the history of the city, many museums are situated in the French Quarter, including The Historic New Orleans Collection, the Hermann-Grima Historic House and the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. Guided tours are available at most of the museums and they can range from lectures, informing visitors of the history of the battle of New Orleans, to guided tours of Indian burial grounds and ghost tours. Whatever your penchant for entertainment, you will be sure to find it in this city.
Depending on your tastes, New Orleans has a variety of sightseeing locations for visitors to feast their eyes on. One of the most famous places to investigate when visiting New Orleans is the French Quarter in which the Jackson square, a beautiful historical park, is situated. In the earlier days of New Orleans, the town was centered on this square and it now stands as a mark of historical pride. Jackson Square was named after General Andrew Jackson, who later became the seventh president of the United States.
Another famous sightseeing event is a ride on a riverboat. Whether it is through marshland or just another river, lugging along sipping a cocktail and watching the afternoon fade to evening is something not to be missed. Mardi Gras is another one of the sightseeing events that should not be missed. Although it is portrayed as a gaudy event where beads are exchanged for the view of a woman's breasts, it is actually a beloved festival where the citizens of the city get a chance to celebrate while donning extravagantly bright clothing without care or consideration. During this time, the city truly becomes alive and it is a treat to see such an event.
The nightlife in New Orleans is arguably unrivalled in the entire world. For those looking for afterhours entertainment, there are a host of pubs, clubs, and restaurant venues to enjoy a night out on the town. For tourists looking for a good old fashioned drink-fest, Bourbon Street is the way to go. This street hosts a variety of pubs where drinking and partying till the early hours of the morning is not only accepted but encouraged.
Although the flashy lights and the gaudier atmosphere is not a favorite among the locals, younger tourists looking for a night out make this street a very popular place to visit in the city. Columns Bar is more suitable for those looking to experience a night out on the town without the unruly atmosphere that most nightclubs elicit. You can enjoy a cocktail or two in this classier bar situated in the French Quarter of the city while admiring the beauty of this historic location. Whatever your predisposition and wherever you are situated in New Orleans, you will have no problem locating a suitable venue for your night out on the town. Whether it is a more tranquil setting with glorious views and crisp, fresh air or crowded clubs with music loud enough to be heard across the pond, New Orleans has something to offer everyone.
There are various popular places in New Orleans that will satisfy even the most dedicated shopper. Whether you are looking for something new and exciting or you have a penchant for antiques, this city has something to offer everyone. The French Quarter is one of the places in the city where you can find the most extraordinary variety of shops. From antiques to boutiques, there is something for everyone in this beautiful and historic place.
Magazine Street is another place where you will find great shops that offer a variety of goods. From clothing stores to antiquities and book stores, this street offers a little of everything to the aspiring shopper. Art galleries can be found littered across the city and a visit to one, especially within the French Quarter, is well worth the journey for those interested in art and beauty. New Orleans has no dress code and it probably never will. The eclectic nature of the city forbids any one type of look, so individuality reigns free. The shops cater to individuals of all colors and creeds; hence sometimes even the strangest items of clothing might be seen on the streets of New Orleans.
Various spas and salons are situated around the city for those looking to treat themselves to a massage, wax or hair treatment. Belladonna's Day Spa is one of the more popular ones in the city and visitors are treated to what they call a nourishment of the mind, body, and spirit. With a relaxing atmosphere and well-trained staff, they have been at the forefront of health and beauty in New Orleans long enough to establish a very diverse and esteemed clientele base. Not only do they specialize in beauty treatments but they also have their own range of products. All of these are available in their store or on website.
Spa Atlantis is another popular spa in the city and they offer a wide range of body, nail, and hair treatments aimed at pleasing anyone lucky enough to walk through their doors. Whether you are looking for a day of relaxation or some quick beauty tips, New Orleans has a selection of health and beauty experts around the city who will cater to your every need. Every tourist should take some time off the sightseeing to experience a day of deliciously greedy pampering before they set off to explore the wonders of the city once again.
Faithful to its reputation, New Orleans is a city with the most diverse hospitality and hotel scene in the United States. With the contemporary meeting the antique in this extraordinary city, you can expect most hotels in the city to react accordingly. Lavish Parisian suites can be found as easily as minimalistic apartments that scream contemporary. Anything is possible in New Orleans. The International House is only one of the many hotels in the area. Situated in the Central Business District, it is probably one of the more neutral hotels in the city. Neither too flashy nor too simple, it is comfortable and yet stylish.
The Renaissance Arts hotel is another of the more creative themed hotels in the area. Adorned with artworks by various artists from and around the city, the hotel combines beauty and design to create an interesting stay for anyone booking into this hotel. Chimes Bed and Breakfast is one of the homier hotels in the city. The owners and their children live just upstairs and they designed the B&B to give their visitors a sense of warmth and hospitality. Depending on your taste, you can find a suitable hotel anywhere in the city. The residents are friendly and accommodating and they have built their reputation on their gracious hospitality. Like themselves, their hotels are reflections of their individuality and style.
Hurricane Katrina destroyed most of the public school system in New Orleans, but the efforts to rebuild and get children back to school have been phenomenal. Lots of people banded together from all over the world to help the city of New Orleans recover from this awful disaster. There were only nine schools out of the hundreds that were back in operation a year after the disaster. The government was unable to make education a main focus while so many other things begged for their attention. In 2003, the Recovery School District of Louisiana was formed to help get the displaced 62,000 children back in school. Progress has been quite slow and by 2006 only 20,000 students had been returned to schools in their districts. In 2008, the number of students who had been successfully returned to schools was below 40,000. The recovery of schools in New Orleans is an ongoing process, but progress is made every day.
The University of New Orleans brings in around 12,000 students every year to the city. They have both undergraduate and graduate programs to offer. The five colleges offer various programs and include distance learning as an option for their students. Tulane University, located in New Orleans is a well respected research college. Tulane is one of New Orleans seven private colleges. Another private college, Xavier University, is the only predominately black Catholic school in the United States. There are fifteen colleges available to students in New Orleans. The private schools, community colleges, and universities offer a wide selection of programs to college age kids who desire a bright future.
The Regional Transit Authority is the main mode of transportation in New Orleans. It provides buses and streetcars to take in the sights of this wonderful city. As in most cities there is an abundance of taxi cab services in the city. During Mardi Gras which brings in thousands of visitors every year, the fares of these cabs double in price. A celebration of food and fun, it is easy for travelers to shell out more money to get from point A to point B.
Amtrak is another option available in New Orleans. This Amtrak system has three ongoing routes. The St. Charles streetcars have frequent stops every ten to fifteen minutes. At $1.25 per ride, the streetcars are the most economical transportation choice. They are a vintage treat for visitors traveling around the city. People line up to ride them, and watch them coast down the street without falter. They are the only national monument that is still mobile. The street cars had a long road to getting back to their regular routes after Katrina hit. The transportation system in New Orleans seems to have literally weathered the storm. Visitors can take the street cars and see the city just like they could before the storm destroyed it, enjoying the original charm. The ferries in New Orleans are another good choice of travel for visitors. The ferries transfer people and cars across the Mississippi River year round. With lots of folk lore and cemeteries surrounding the city of New Orleans there are over a dozen ghost tours you can go on. If you are in the mood to be scared then one of these tours is the best way to see New Orleans. Tour guides will be happy to lead you through one of the Cities of the Dead. Despite tragedy that struck during Katrina, New Orleans still calls to people to visit and welcomes them with open arms.
City Hall is located at 1300 Perdido Street. The City Administrator's office oversees 18 divisions of city government from this location. All information regarding licenses, deeds, records and public operations are also found at this address. The Mayor's office is also located here. The central office of the Health Department, found at 1300 Perdido Street oversees three clinics and various health programs covering the homeless, expected mothers, newborns, dental and other programs. The Health Department covers the city and all of Orleans Parish.
The police, fire and emergency response units handle public safety. The city's police department is divided into eight districts. The fire department has 12 stations covering six districts 24 hours daily. A Special Operations Division of the fire department oversees HazMat, water and urban search rescue, and the fire station at Louis Armstrong International Airport. EMS and ambulance units are under the jurisdiction of the Homeland Security office in the city cooperating with both police and fire personnel. The New Orleans library system is operated from the central library near the Civic Center at 219 Loyola Av. The library is home to several learning centers and the city archives. There are 13 branch libraries operated within the city.
The New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation handles the promotion of the city. This office oversees all special events, five golf courses, the Civic Center and three stadiums for national sports franchises. New Orleans no longer has a central park maintenance system. Instead, it was replaced by local nonprofit efforts to create green spaces in vacant lots and abandoned areas. City Park is owned by the city but maintained and operated by the State of Louisiana. The Regional Transit Authority maintains transportation in the city. The RTA operates bus, rail and ferry services throughout Orleans Parish and the city.
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