Welcome to New Orleans, the most extraordinary, vibrant city in America and one of the most celebrated cities in the western world. Otherwise known as the Crescent City, or the Big Easy, New Orleans is a city everyone should experience at least once in their lives.

New Orleans's diverse and vibrant culture, with its Old World architecture, its lively music scene, and its cuisine, the product of an exotic mixture of influences, all reflect the city's complicated mix of cultures, ranging from Native American to French, Spanish, African, and Carribbean.

To get the most out of your New Orleans vacation it makes sense to plan your visit in advance. If it is your first visit you may like to book one of the many excellent city tours. Book your hotel online, reserve a table at one of the many top restaurants in New Orleans, reserve tickets for a show or concert, or rent a car.

New Orleans Attraction Guide

The first stop for most visitors to New Orleans is the French Quarter. You could spend days wandering along its cobbled streets, admiring the beautiful architecture, and browsing in the antique shops. Then head for some of the other districts - the Garden District and the Arts / Warehouse District are full of fascinating attractions.

Whatever your interest - architecture, jazz, blues, fine dining, shopping for antiques, or perhaps enjoying Mardi Gras or one of the many other festivals - you will discover that nobody ever gets bored in New Orleans.

From the French Quarter to the Garden District and the Arts / Warehouse District, New Orleans contains enough to last a lifetime. You should make sure not to miss the following:

French Quarter: A large network of cobbled streets full of picturesque houses with delicate wrought iron balconies, the French Quarter is the beautiful, pulsating heart of New Orleans. Visit the antique shops, go on a culinary tour or relax in one of the many music clubs.

French Market: On the banks of the Mississippi River right in the center of the French Quarter, the French Market has an extensive flea market and farmers' market, as well as all kinds of intriguing shops and restaurants.

Audubon Zoo: One of the country's top-ranked zoos, Audubon Zoo contains over 1500 animals, from white alligators to white tigers.

New Orleans City Park: Located right in the center of the city, the New Orleans City Park is a popular place to relax, wander through the gardens, have a picnic, or even take a boat ride. It is also home to the New Orleans Museum of Art.

New Orleans Museum of Art: The premier art museum in the city, the New Orleans Museum of Art has a collection of over 40,000 objects.

National D-Day Museum: America's national museum devoted to World War II, the National D-Day Museum is full of fascinating artifacts illustrating D-Day and the war in the Pacific.

St Louis Cathedral: In the heart of the French Quarter overlooking Jackson Square, St Louis Cathedral, with its triple spires, is the oldest cathedral in America.