A New Orleans artist sells his wares by Jackson Square. Photo / Megan Singleton
New Orleans is as lively and buzzing as ever. Eight years on from Hurricane Katrina, the businesses are thriving, the visitors are coming in their droves and the music makes this city like none I've ever been to.
Stay in the French Quarter
You'll spend most of your time exploring
the French Quarter so staying in a quaint, boutique hotel here just makes sense. I've visited four times and only stayed once in the heart of the action. Sure, it can be noisy if you have a street-front window, but for ease of stumbling home after a great night of music, food and wine, you can't beat it. Here are five that I liked.
See live music at Tipitinas
Bourbon Street is the most famous street in New Orleans, packed with revellers of an evening enjoying the music and hurricane cocktails. Frenchmen Street is where tourists and locals wander from bar to bar to hear jazz, blues and everything in between. But the real secret is Tipitinas, the understated final venue of Professor Longhair which showcases the best of the best in this local neighbourhood.
