From the local’s laconic drawl to the pre-Lenten bacchanalia of Mardi Gras, New Orleans has something for any traveler, at any speed. Although the rebuilding continues, the Big Easy’s famous districts are all open for business, along with the watering holes, jazz joints, ghosts and gumbo. For tips on how to get the most out of this capital of all things gastronomic, syncopated and laid-back, check out our suggested itineraries in New Orleans. Our must-do, can’t miss, have-the-time-of-your-life highlights include:

Day 1: The City
The French Quarter is the heart of the Crescent City, where you can start the day with a cafe au lait and a bignet - or maybe a jazz brunch if you’ve slept in late. Keep the food theme going with a New Orleans cooking class. To continue your tour around the city, take a walking tour of the Garden District that features some of the city’s grandest old homes. You can also get an overall view of the effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans - and of the stellar efforts the city’s made to rebuild. To see a lot of the city pick up a VISITicket Power Pass, which will get you onto over two dozen tours for no extra cost, and onto many others at a hefty discount.

Day 2: The Netherworld
New Orleans is rife with mysteries, ghosts, and voodoo. Wander among the crypts and tombs of the eerie St. Louis Cemetery, or haunt the haunters on a ghost tour of the French Quarter or the otherwise staid and stately Garden District. If you prefer your ghoulies from the ranks of the blood-deprived you can hunt some infamous local vampires on a New Orleans vampire tour.

Day 3: Greater New Orleans
Despite its charms, there are several reasons to get out of New Orleans. There are pre-Civil War plantations dotted all around the Mississippi River Delta, including the Oak Alley and Westbank plantations. Dodge gators, snakes and raccoons on a bayou swamp boat tour, or combine the bayou with a plantation tour. And finally, you can get out on a historic New Orleans steamboat ride.

This is just a sample of our recommendations. Read the complete set of suggested itineraries in New Orleans, or browse all of our New Orleans tours and things to do.

–Bruce Melendy

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 25th, 2007 at 11:04 am and is filed under Destinations, Suggested Itineraries, Travel Inspiration, USA, Canada, Mexico. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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