The New Orlean does not look like any other city of the United States. This is a violent combination of French, African and American cultures. Here you can listen to jazz, visit the Mardi Gra festival and taste Louisian cuisine. To truly enjoy the city, give it at least three days.
How to get
New Orleans is the largest city in the Southern state of Louisian, although it is not its capital. It is located on the banks of the Mississippi River, there are large lakes, reserves and swamps nearby.
There are no direct flights from Russia, it is necessary to make at least two transplants. The flight will take from 18 hours and cost you at least 42,000 rubles (ticket price in both directions).
When it is better to come
The city is beautiful in any season! The average temperature during the year does not fall below +10 ° C. Choosing the time of visiting the New Orleans, it is best to focus on the events and events planned there.
In the spring, rare rains, warm days, flowering parks will wait for you. In early March, the city is noted St. Patrick’s Day. At the end of the month they arrange The Tennessee Williams and New Orleans Literary Festival. In April, the main event is Chris Owens Easter Parade.
Summer is sultry and hot, the temperature is steadily kept at a mark of +30 ° C. But this does not stop tourists. In the middle of the season, several festivals take place here at once – Essence Festival of Culture by Coca-Coladedicated to African American culture, and Satchmo Summerfestinspired by Louis Armstrong, jazz and blues. Due to restrictions, some events were transferred online. The updates can be monitored on the official website.
Autumn is a rich season. The heat slowly subsides, but the days are still warm and pleasant. Festival life is in full swing. At the very end of September, it passes French Quarter Festival. This grandiose holiday is about food, music, art and culture of the quarter. October is rich in music festivals: The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival And The Voodoo Music. Well, of course, do not forget about Halloween.
In winter, despite the plus temperature, you should take with you the clothes warmer. At this time of the year, celebrations are traditionally held Christmas. But the most important event at the end of winter is the festival Mardi Gras. Traditionally, it is celebrated on Tuesday 40 days before Easter, in 2022 the holiday will be held on March 1. It is considered a cultural phenomenon along with a carnival in Venice.
Where to stop
The new Orlean combines various cultures, and some areas of the city are not intended for tourists at all. We recommend that you consider accommodation in the city center.
Here are a few great options:
- India House Hostel – from 3,800 rubles per night for two*;
- Maison St. Charles – from 5,100 rubles per night for two*;
- The Olivier House Hotel – from 7,700 rubles per night for two*.
What to do
Bright and controversial, the new Orleans will definitely remain in your memory. Here jazz is intertwined with modern rock, colorful festivals – with the cult of death, and European streets are combined with real one -story America. Here it is definitely worth spending several days and enjoy the free spirit of the city. And we will tell you what to entertain yourself at this time.
Take a walk on the French quarter
Polish -colored colorful houses with balconies with lace gratings – the visiting card of the city and the main attraction of Louisiana. In the morning, look at French Market – The market, working since 1791. Here you can buy souvenirs, try crocodile meat and local street food. Do not bypass traditional donuts that serve in Cafe du Monde. To avoid the queue, approach the opening at 8 in the morning.
Be sure to study on foot Bourbon Streetand to see the main street of the district is necessary both in the afternoon and in the evening. In the afternoon, friendly musicians and local residents gather here. In the evening, it turns into one big noisy bar. If you want to hear the best jazz in the city, go to The Spotted Cat, And in the oldest Presservation Hall The genre itself was born (due to the Covid-19, the club is temporarily closed).
Do not bypass such attractions as Jackson Square, Saint Louis Cathedral and Lalaurie Mansion.
Be in unusual museums
The museums of the New Orleans are as unusual as the city itself. Most of the exhibitions are concentrated in Warehouse District. Be sure to look at The National Wwii Museum And Ogden Museum of Southern Art.
In the very center of the New Orleans are located Mardi Gras Museum of Costures and Culturewhere bright costumes from the same festival of the same name are collected. On the tour, the history and meaning of the procession will be told in detail. Museum of Death It is an analogue of Hollywood. It contains the largest collection of works of arts of serial killers, ancient funeral things, tomb and coroner, memorable things “Manson’s Coems”, stuffed pets, photographs from crimes and much more.
IN New Orleans Jazz Museum Interactive exhibitions are presented, where you can not only see, but also listen to exhibits, even better knowing the features of this music.
Explore cemeteries
Despite all the vivid cheerful events of the city, there is a rather strange and unusual entertainment for tourists – going to mystical places.
In New Orleans, the cult of Voodoo and death reigns, everything is adored here the mysterious. Local hotels have long brought their “ghosts” to attract tourists. The love of riddles is explained by the fact that different peoples are weaving, and each nationality brought its own traditions, which still remained.
Directly in the city center is located New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. And not far from it, there is Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo religious goods store, where you can buy amulets, magnets, chicken paws or a voodoo doll. Street psychics and fortunetellers who will be ready to tell your fate also work in the city center with musicians. Each tourist has the opportunity to ask personal questions to such “wizards”, and if you are lucky, you can stumble upon a real seer, which, of course, predicts only after payment.
But the mysticism does not end there. Cemeteries are very popular here. The most famous – St. Louis Cemetry, Lafayette Cemetry And St. Patrick Cemetry. The cemeteries are unique in that people are not buried on them underground, since the soil is swampy. Instead, stone crypts are erected. Tourists visit them on their own or as part of excursions. The most popular city tour costs $ 23* (when booking a place on the site there is a discount).
Active rest
If you want to spend time with benefit, go to City park. Here you can rent a bicycle or boat, take part in various festivals and competitions, go fishing or play golf.
To study the other shore, Mississipa use the ferry. Walk on a steamer Steamboat Natchez costs from $ 36* Depending on the selected time and place. During a walk, you will be accompanied by jazz.
New Orleans is a paradise for adventure lovers, so go on a trip to the swamps to alligators! Just a few minutes from the center, tourist companies offer boat walks, during which you can not only see alligators and other animals, but also feed them. The cost of such a tour of $ 45*, you can also issue a transfer service (from the hotel and vice versa).
Try Louisian cuisine
The food of the New Orleans also combines Europe, Africa and America. The Kajun and Creole culture are especially distinguished here, they are clearly reflected in culinary traditions. Do not be surprised if you find here a Spanish dish in an Indian performance – this is the whole new Orleans.
Be sure to try the shrimp in a coal, which are particularly popular. IN Antoine’s Restaurant You can taste the exquisite kitchen, and the institution itself is the oldest among US family restaurants.
Go to the city center in a cozy place Nola Restaurant, And if you want oysters and seafood, you in Bayona. You can try street food on the Network of a fast food cafe Popeyes Louisiana Kitchenthey are in other states.
Dozens of millions of tourists visit the New Orleans annually. This city is no worse than other large megacities. Therefore, if you have the opportunity to visit Louisiana, do not miss a chance.
Photo for Preverty: Unsplash.com
*Prices are valid at the time of publication
Convenient site for finding hotels – Onetwotrip.
