New Orleans is not just a party town, but one filled with history. There are fun things for families to do, as well as the single folks who want to party down in the French Quarter. If you and your family are visiting New Orleans, you should be sure to check out my top five recommended places that cost very little or nothing at all.
Café Du Monde
Start your day at Café Du Monde with a cup of rich hot coffee and a couple of orders of beignets. The coffee is strong and guaranteed to wake you up. The coffee served at Café Du Monde is Community Coffee and it is a New Orleans tradition. The flavor is known all over the south to be a rich and bold cup of coffee that leading national brands cannot compare to.
The beignets are also a New Orleans tradition and one your entire family will fall in love with! Beignets are simply a small fried piece of dough that is fried like a doughnut and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Served up hot with Community Coffee is the way to start your day off on the right tracks.
French Market
The French Market has something for everyone! You can find just about anything under the sun in this public market that dates back centuries. Enjoy homemade pralines, fresh fruits and vegetables or find a trinket to bring home to remind you of your time in New Orleans. You can also enjoy music from local jazz bands playing in the market too!
Jackson Square
Jackson Square is located in the heart of the French Quarter and worth a visit to see the magnificent architecture of the surrounding historic buildings, including St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo. This landmark was named in the honor of Andrew Jackson for his heroic efforts during the Battle of New Orleans. You will also run across the various street artists working along the sidewalks.
Festivals
Carnival time or Mardi Gras is not the only festival in the big city. New Orleans plays hosts to many festivals throughout the year. The best part about festivals are they are free and contain lots of enjoyment from southern cooking to one of the many styles of music, such as Swamp Pop, Jazz, Rock and Roll or Blues.
The French Quarter Festival is held in April each year. The Satchomo SummerFest is held in August and the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival and the Voodoo Festival are held in October of each year. Check with the Chamber of Commerce when planning your trip to find out about more festivals in New Orleans.
The Arts
Inspiring artists will not want to leave the city without visiting some of the many galleries in New Orleans. Take a stroll down Julia Street and you will have your pick from many galleries. Be sure to stop in and walk through the Sculpture Garden, which is free every day of the week. The New Orleans Museum of Art is free each Wednesday.
Source: Resident of Louisiana
