New Orleans, LA

Explore the city of the dead, where above-ground tombs tell stories of voodoo queen Marie Laveau and other notable New Orleanians. Guided tours are required and provide fascinating insight into unique burial traditions.

One of the nation's oldest urban parks, it's larger than Central Park and home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, centuries-old live oaks, the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, and the charming Café du Monde outpost.

Learn the secrets of gumbo, jambalaya, and pralines from a local chef. Schools like the New Orleans School of Cooking offer hands-on classes that dive into the history and techniques of Creole and Cajun cuisine.

For a more local music scene than Bourbon Street, head to Frenchmen in the Faubourg Marigny. Venues like The Spotted Cat, d.b.a., and Snug Harbor feature fantastic jazz, brass, and blues nightly.

This Tremé neighborhood gem is dedicated to preserving the traditions of Mardi Gras Indians, Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs, and jazz funerals. It's an intimate look at the grassroots culture that defines the city.

This open-air market complex has operated for over two centuries. Shop for local crafts, spices, hot sauce, and art, or grab a bite at the food stalls offering everything from crawfish étouffée to Vietnamese pho.

The oldest neighborhood, defined by its grid of narrow streets, iconic architecture, and non-stop energy. Home to Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, legendary restaurants, and bustling bars.

Famous for its stunning 19th-century mansions, lush gardens, and quiet, oak-lined streets. Take the St. Charles streetcar to admire the homes and visit Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.

Adjacent artsy neighborhoods east of the Quarter. The Marigny is the epicenter of Frenchmen Street's music scene, while the Bywater offers colorful shotgun houses, eclectic galleries, and hip eateries.

One of the nation's oldest African American neighborhoods, considered the birthplace of jazz. Rich with cultural institutions like the Backstreet Museum and just steps from the French Quarter.

A sprawling residential area encompassing Tulane and Loyola universities, the bustling Magazine Street shopping corridor, and the majestic, moss-draped oaks of Audubon Park.