New Orleans (The French Quarter)

For one reason or another, despite having been through the state of Louisiana a few times, it wasn't until May 2015 that we finally made it to New Orleans. From what I hear, waiting as long as we did after Hurricane Katrina, which hit in 2005, was probably a good idea. Much of the devastation has been repaired, although from what many say, New Orleans might never be the same as it was before disaster visited the city. Well known for its distinct French and Spanish Creole architecture, cross-cultural and multilingual heritage, and famous for its cuisine, music, and annual celebrations and festivals, the city is often referred to as the "most unique" in the United States.  With so much to see and do, the one week we spent there only gave us a peek of all it has to offer. One of the most captivating (and famous) areas in New Orleans is The French Quarter (known locally as "the Quarter" or Vieux Carré), with numerous hotels, bars, and nightclubs as well as eclectic cottages and apartments. This neighborhood is vibrant and colorful, never sleeps, is filled with the smells of regional cooking, the sound of music floating out of half-closed doors, and something catches your eye everywhere you turn. Notable tourist attractions in the Quarter include the flamboyant Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the French Market, and Café du Monde, just to name a few. The pictures below are from the French Quarter. (More to follow in posts on The Garden District, Plantation Houses, and a Swamp Tour we took.)