The most famous city in the American South, the City of New Orleans is Louisiana's most popular tourist destination that offers hot muggy weather, great music and food, a rich history, and a delightfully diverse culture. Even after the hurricanes of 2004, the Port of New Orleans is still a lively and entertaining destination where jazz music rules and Mardi Gras lasts all year. People who love fun love the Port of New Orleans where they find tasty Creole food, plentiful alcohol, all types of music, historic swamps and plantations, streetcars, and a host of museums and attractions. Called the "Big Easy," the Port of New Orleans is popular with adults, but it also offers many activities for families and children and for those interested in the arts and culture. For complete details on the many things to see and do in the Port of New Orleans, please visit the city's tourism website.

Grandeur of the Seas at New Orleans

Photo by Len Turner

The Port of New Orleans has a humid subtropical climate with short mild winters and long hot and humid summers. Most of the rain falls during the summer. Hurricanes are a serious threat to the Port of New Orleans area, and the city's low elevation makes the threats more serious. On very rare occasions, the city has a light snowfall. Temperatures range from an average muggy high of 33 °C (91 °F) in July and August to a comfortable dry average low of 6 °C (43 °F) in January.

French Quarter at night - New Orleans

Photo by Falkue

The frequent first stop for visitors to the Port of New Orleans is the Café du Monde, where chicory coffee and beignets are the perfect way to start the day. From the cafe, visitors can watch the city awake as carriages line up across the street. Established first in 1862 in the French Market, the café is open all day every day except for Christmas. The menu offers dark roasted coffee and chicory, beignets, milk, and fresh orange juice. Beignets are French-style square donuts covered with powdered sugar. In 1988, the café began serving iced coffee and soft drinks as well.

Jazz in the French Quarter - New Orleans

Two members of the Paulin Brothers Brass Band busking in the French Quarter, New Orleans. Taken January 2007.
Photo by Infrogmation

The Port of New Orleans' French Quarter may be the best-known tourist area in the United States. One way to get to know this area is to take a Historic New Orleans Tour to learn about the history, the individual buildings, and the unique architecture of the neighborhood. Walking tours of the French Quarter are the best way to get the information from the city's best-qualified and best-informed guides. There are many tours available outside the French Quarter as well. The New Orleans Swamp Tour is a cruise of the Barataria-Terrebonne Estuary and its collection of creatures from alligators to crawfish. The Oak Valley Plantation tour is the best way to learn about Creole culture and history. You can even take a Hurricane Katrina tour to learn about the disaster and the miraculous recovery efforts. Other popular tours take you to the garden district, the St. Louis Cemetery #1, famous jazz spots, haunted sites, and voodoo!

Aquarium of the Americas - New Orleans

As seen from Algiers Ferry in the Mississippi River. Canal Place is highrise to center right. Taken May 2007.
Photo by Infrogmation

Dusk is the best time to take a walk on Bourbon Street. It's too dull during the day and too exciting at night to see the sights. Bourbon street is loud, gaudy, and sometimes offensive, but it's also an interesting and exciting place to be. At dusk, the music has started, but the obnoxious drunks aren't in full bloom yet. Visitors find wonderful restaurants and clubs with great music. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is the oldest building in the Port of New Orleans, and it's a wonderful place to have a pre-dinner drink. Pat O'Brien's is the famous spot for great Hurricane drinks. When in the Port of New Orleans, visitors can't miss Preservation Hall where they'll enjoy true New Orleans jazz.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Photo by Brad Coy

The French Quarter is home to six museums operated by the Louisiana State Museum. The Cabildo focuses on the history of New Orleans. The Presbytere is devoted to the long Mardi Gras tradition in the Port of New Orleans. The Arsenal covers areas of local interest. The 1850 House depicts life as it was in 1700s New Orleans. The Old U.S. Mint and "Madame John's Legacy" are also well worth the visit.

New Orleans French Quarter Fest 2009

New Orleans French Quarter Fest 2009. Taken 8 April 2009, 18:58:48.
Photo by Ray Devlin

The Port of New Orleans' St. Louis Cathedral overlooks Jackson Square and is one of the best-known landmarks in the city. It has been for centuries the spiritual center of New Orleans. The structure is rich with history and tales of the romantic and mysterious past of New Orleans. Residents have worshipped here since 1727.

Woldenberg Park and downtown New Orleans

Taken 9 June 2011, 19:39:04
Photo by Reading Tom

Travelers who want to see the Port of New Orleans by sea can find a list of scheduled cruises on the Cruise Compete website.

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