New Orleans is unlike any other city in the United States. Founded in 1718, it carries layers of French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influence that can be felt in everything from its architecture to its street music. The French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in the city, is full of iron-laced balconies, gas lamps, and narrow streets that echo with the sounds of live jazz. While Bourbon Street may grab headlines, quieter corners like Royal Street offer galleries, antique shops, and impromptu performances from talented local musicians.

Food in New Orleans is a celebration. Whether it's beignets dusted in powdered sugar at Café du Monde, gumbo served over rice in a neighborhood café, or charbroiled oysters from Drago’s, each dish tells a story. Creole and Cajun cooking traditions run deep here, shaped by centuries of immigration, trade, and cultural exchange. Even local sandwiches have star power; the muffuletta, piled with Italian meats and olive salad, is a lunchtime favorite that originated right in the French Quarter.

Music pulses through every part of the city. It’s not unusual to hear a brass band parading down the street or stumble upon a second line funeral, where sorrow turns into celebration. Frenchmen Street, just a short walk from the Quarter, is a hotspot for live music that ranges from traditional jazz to funk and blues. Historic venues like Preservation Hall keep the roots of New Orleans jazz alive, offering intimate, no-frills shows that focus solely on the music.

Quirky traditions and local pride run deep here. Mardi Gras is the most famous celebration, but locals will tell you that events like French Quarter Fest and Satchmo SummerFest offer a more laid-back way to enjoy the city’s rhythm. Even cemeteries in New Orleans have character, with above-ground tombs nicknamed "cities of the dead." Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, New Orleans always offers something unexpected around the corner.