French Quarter (Orleans Parish, Louisiana)

New Orleans is full of so much culture. It is a melting pot of the various societies that have inhabited and ruled the delta at various times through history. Between the Native Americans, the Spanish, the French, the Americans, and the slaves relocated from the Caribbean, an incredible mix of architecture, music, spiritual beliefs, food, and everything else that makes New Orleans what it is has come to be over the last several centuries.

No place in the city is as rich with this shared culture as the French Quarter. Originally settled by the French in the early eighteenth century, this area was is the oldest part of the city proper. 

The streets of the Quarter have names like Royal, Dauphine, St. Phillip, Chartres, and of course, the famous Bourbon Street. Much like many thousands of others who have visited this area, I have partied pretty hard on these streets over the years and across multiple visits to New Orleans. Unfortunately, I've rarely taken the time to appreciate the rich diversity that lines these streets and give the Quarter that character so uniquely New Orleans.

As I wander these cobblestone streets, I'm amazed at the variety of shops and bars on each block. From French coffee shops to Pharmaceutical Museums to strip clubs, the Quarter has it all. Add to that, the towering spires of St. Louis Cathedral overlooking Jackson Square and the river beyond, and this area is a traveler's dream.

The corner of Bourbon and St. Phillip is home to another celebrated gem. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar is purported to be the oldest structure still standing within the Orleans Parish. Originally built as a blacksmith sop and still containing a forge within, the building now serves as a piano bar and common stop along many of the ghost and vampire tours that wind through the area. I have been here a few times and while the character of the old structure is worth checking out, I really wish they would clean their tap lines every few decades.

Another amazing thing in and around all of New Orleans are the random works of art, each celebrating some aspect of the city. Along the Market Area, near the river, a number of jazz-oriented sculptures and statues adorn various fountains and walkways. In addition, a golden statue of the mounted Joan of Arc overlooks the area. There is so much to take in here.

After spending an hour or so wandering around during the early morning hours, I finally decide to return to my hotel. It seems I've strolled about 2.9 miles. It's always easier to walk around during the morning, as this area is party-central and once the frat-boys wake, the streets are hard to push through. If you have never been, make sure you visit the French Quarter at some point in your life. It is an experience you will not forget.