United States Louisiana

New Orleans

A vibrant US city known for its jazz music, Creole cuisine, Mardi Gras festival, and rich cultural fusion of French, African, and American influences.

Tips from the community

Carnival 2022 Date: March 1, 2022 One of the most famous carnivals around the world has to be Mardi Gras. Carnival landed on American soil thanks to 17th century French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Sieur de Bienville, who arrived in present day Louisiana on March 3, 1699. When they realized that it was Fat Tuesday (aka Mardi Gras, in French) back home, they dubbed their landing spot Point du Mardi Gras and held a party. The Mardi Gras tradition has since grown into a million-reveler celebration, which includes everything from street parades a lá Rio, to elegant society balls like the Venetians host. While Alabama actually lays claim to the oldest Mardi Gras celebration (d’Iberville and Bienville established their first settlement near modern day Mobile), the largest and most decadent is definitely held in New Orleans. Receiving more than 10 million visitors, this celebration isn’t just an awesome party – it’s a culture and tradition-lain festival where secret societies, beaded indian battlers, fire dancers, and flying beads fill the streets for weeks until the fall of Ash Wednesday when lent begins. If you love beads, battles, and some amazing music, you’ll need to head to New Orleans this pre-lent season.

marisamegan 2 years ago

Essence Festival 2022: TBD For over 25 years, Essence Festival has been taking New Orleans by storm each 4th of July weekend. In 1995, the first festival popped up in the Crescent City. Dubbed as the ‘party with a purpose,’ Essence has long been instrumental in bringing millions of dollars to the city’s economy and creating a conjure of Black culture through music, food, and travel.  When Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans in 2004, the Essence Fest team was on the ground providing aid and helping to rebuild the city. 2004 was the only year that the festival was held outside of Louisiana (it moved to Houston temporarily). Each year, festival goers are invited to celebrate Black culture with performances from artists like Janet Jackson and Beyonce. When concerts aren’t happening, the community gathers at the convention center for celebrity panels, demos, and giveaways from brands like Shea Moisture. At Essence Fest, there is absolutely no shortage of love, pride, or “Sis, you look good” compliments.

briari 2 years ago

Locals have been making music here since the 19th century when enslaved people gathered in Congo Square on the weekends to play music and dance. Big band music traces its roots to New Orleans, where the sizable jazz ensemble and music genre were inspired by the city’s ragtime and blues. The hometown of Louis Armstrong hosts the annual Jazz Fest, a 10-day cultural festival featuring traditional and contemporary jazz plus other music genres the Big Easy is known for, including Afro-Caribbean, blues, bluegrass, Cajun, country, folk, gospel, Latin, R&B, rap, rock, and zydeco.

laurenmack 1 year ago

This vibrant city is an excellent choice for an exciting weekend getaway with your lover. An eclectic mix of rhythm and blues, mouthwatering flavor, and culture- NoLa never seeks to hypnotize travelers with its thriving city scene. Enjoy delicacies from the iconic beignets at Cafe Du Monde or chow down on authentic creole and cajun cuisine, explore multicolored streets and take in historical French architecture. We highly recommend hitting the town for a memorable nightlife experience in the city.

seeker 2 years ago

Famous for its food, music, and parties- this place speaks to my younger self. New Orleans is a city I endeavor to explore with good friends on a generously loose budget. Why it's on my Bucket List: New Orleans has been on my list since before bucket lists were a thing. The appeal used to be about the hedonistic parties, but now it's more about the culture for me. That doesn't mean I'm going there to behave though.

the.vagrant.optimist 3 years ago

New Orleans is famous for some of the best food in the country, old French architecture, and a lifestyle full of pizzaz, but the old roads of the city echo whispers of ghosts, witches, and scary happenings that linger to this day. Embrace the magical Halloween celebrations of New Orleans that transform the entire fall season into one of partying, tour old haunted buildings and hotels, and enjoy crispy beignets every morning at this gorgeous destination.

seeker 3 years ago

New Orleans is an ideal Valentine's Day getaway spot, filled with romance and history. Enjoy a luxurious stay in a French Quarter hotel, indulge in fine dining at a world-class restaurant, take a stroll through the scenic garden district or catch a show at one of the many jazz clubs. With its festive charm and vibrant culture, New Orleans is a perfect destination for a romantic retreat.

seeker 1 year ago

New Orleans is one of the most spectacular and vibrant cities across the USA, and the food matches perfectly. Taste freshly cooked beignets and indulge in southern comfort food, from creole cuisine to soul food, with a touch of traditional french cooking, New Orleans encompasses an eclectic mixture of culture that results in some of the most delectable and unique dishes across the world.

seeker 3 years ago

Munch on freshly baked beignets and enjoy this unique cultural experience, New Orleans is fully equipped with beautiful and lively streets, friendly people, and some of the most delicious food the US has to offer. With a rich history and cultural heritage seeping from every picturesque balcony, this sparkling destination has to be on your summer bucket list if it isn't already.

seeker 3 years ago

New Orleans is a city that captures the heart and soul of Louisiana. It is famous for its street performers, iconic jazz music, unparalleled street food and the colorful culture that is steeped in centuries of history. There's nothing like it in the world, so come and experience the unique energy of New Orleans for yourself.

seeker 1 year ago

New Orleans has long been a melting pot of culture, with extensive food culture and creative sensibility that is unique to the city. It is no wonder that so many artistically inclined individuals are drawn to the colorful southern destination, with plentiful galleries and cultural events that are sure to inspire.

seeker 2 years ago

With more than one incredible Jazz fest and other effervescent events hitting the historic streets of New Orleans- true music lovers won't want to miss this destination. New Orleans is a treasure trove of American music culture, a central destination for rhythm, blues, and jazz.

seeker 2 years ago

The next destination on my bucket list - I've never been to New Orleans so my husband gifted me beignet mix, chicory coffee, and a small voodoo doll keychain for Christmas as his way of telling me we were finally going this year.

tarahchieffi 3 years ago

Getting ready for an amazing Wanderfest day, setting up with some great women whose energy and excitement makes the cold so much easier to bear. Bundle up and come add your awesomeness to the collection!

leemullennola 2 years ago

I'm at Parasol's, a great local dive bar and restaurant, and had my first Ferdi Special, delicious!

kwalker 2 years ago

Cold and windy and well worth it to share this space with so many beautiful women

leemullennola 2 years ago

It's always a party in NOLA. Don't miss the Creole cuisine and beignets.

laurenmack 3 years ago

It’s beautiful…. ESP this time of the year when they have Jazz fest❤️

pahadi_globetrotter 2 years ago

I want visited this fascinating place for the jazz history and woodoo

ste.divita 2 years ago

Love the energy in the room with all the Wanderfest women

leemullennola 2 years ago

New Orleans Guides

New Orleans Articles

  • The Best Cities in the US For Architecture Lovers

    One of the most unquestionably enticing elements of travel is feasting your eyes on the buildings that populate your favorite cityscapes. Beyond New York City’s soaring skyline, San Francisco’s famous Golden Gate Bridge, and Savannah’s iconic oak trees lie city streets lined with skyscrapers, mansions, monuments, and more.  Architectural enthusiasts enamored with rich histories, intricate […]

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  • The Blonde Abroad’s Guide to a Weekend in New Orleans

    Welcome to the weird, wonderful, and truly one-of-a-kind streets of the Big Easy. Even if you’ve been all over the United States, you’ve never been anywhere quite like New Orleans. Often lost in the so-called flyover country, Louisiana is an undiscovered gem for countless travelers. A world away from California, New York, Florida and other […]

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  • The Best Festivals For Black Travelers in 2023

    Community and Blackness go hand-in-hand. Simply put, it’s not easy living in a world where your culture is constantly appropriated and commodified without credit. As a response, we’ve collectively begun carving out spaces of boldness and Blackness designed by us, for us. While joining Black travel groups and following inspiring Black travel bloggers bring us together, […]

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  • 10 Best Carnival Celebrations Around the World 2023

    Are you ready to let loose, dance in the streets, and immerse yourself in the vibrant colors and cultures of carnival celebrations around the world? With so many festivities to choose from, it can be tough to decide which one to attend. Luckily, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll take a look at […]

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