Of all the destination vacation available, there are a handful of venues that are consistently among the top picks of various travel websites and magazines. The New Orleans French Quarter is among the long-term top picks and continues to be a prime destination vacation dreamed of by many tourists.
If you've always wanted to explore the French Quarter of New Orleans, there is no time like the present. Being among the top picks means that many travelers visit the French Quarter every single year, and there are plenty of great travel deals to be had in the region as well.
As popularity of the French Quarter continues to thrive, many travel agencies, airline services, and hotels offer excellent rates. There are also a wide selection of all-inclusive package deals available, as hotels in the region try to attract visitors. Competition in the area keeps prices affordable and discounts rolling.
Bourbon Street
One of the United States' most famous roadways, Bourbon Street is more than just a way to get from one place to another. This historic street is the main location with which most Americans are familiar in the city of New Orleans. It is the primary path for the Mardi Gras parade every year and home to many shops, restaurants, hotels, and markets in the French Quarter of the city.
Running the length of the French Quarter, Bourbon Street is lined with historic buildings, many of which feature the trademark balconies for which the neighborhood is so known. If you're lucky enough to be in town during Mardi Gras, these balconies offer some of the best views of the festivities.
Upper Bourbon Street is perhaps the most popular section, with many tourist attractions calling the eight-block section home. Home to many famous bars, restaurants, strip clubs and dance halls, Bourbon Street continues to be one of the biggest draws for tourists in the Big Easy.
French Market
Stretching from the Mississippi River to Jackson Square, the French Market includes a series of buildings and flea market-style stalls. Designated as a market in 1791, the French Market is one of the city's oldest open-air markets and continues to be a huge attraction for tourists.
Some of the original structures still stand in the region, though renovations completed throughout the 20th century and continuing into the 21st century have enclosed much of the open-air market to make it more hospitable and attractive for visitors all year.
The Market contains some of the city's finest restaurants, in addition to standard flea market fare. Free music events are often held at the French market, attracting New Orleans natives and tourists from around the globe.
Jackson Square
This open park, named in honor of Andrew Jackson after the Battle of New Orleans, encompasses an entire city block and is surrounded by historic buildings dating back to the 18th century. One of the most famous of these historic sites is the St. Louis Cathedral.
The Cabildo, the historic city hall for New Orleans, is now a museum featuring a number of exhibits of interest to tourists. The Presbytere, originally designed to house the cathedral's priests and administrators, stands next to St. Louis and has also been transformed into a museum.
Other facilities surrounding the square include residential apartments, restaurants and shops. Jackson Square is also home to the historic Jax Brewery which has been converted into a mall containing businesses, restaurants and specialty shops.
Jackson Square has been a cultural center in the city of New Orleans since the early 1920s. Traditionally, painters, caricaturists, and other artists have worked in the park on weekdays and weekends alike. Since the 1990s, other public performers and artists, including musicians, tarot card readers, fortune tellers, street performers, and mimes have joined the Jackson Square artists, giving the area a street fair atmosphere on a daily basis.
If you visit Jackson Square, a trip to the Caf du Monde is in order. This bakery and coffee shop is open 24 hours and has been in operation continuously since the 1800s.
Historic Hotels and Guest Houses
If you're planning to explore the French Quarter, securing accommodations in the neighborhood make your day trips easy. Having your hotel room within easy walking distance of any of the areas you plan to visit makes for simple and inexpensive vacation explorations.
The French Quarter is home to a wide range of visitor accommodations, including everything from huge historic hotels to small guest houses that only have a couple of rooms for rent. The variety of housing arrangements make it possible for anyone to find suitable accommodations within just about any vacation budget.
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