Nashville – Music

This southern city has made a name for itself as the center of the music industry, earning the title Music City, USA. Though Nashville is most popular for country music, all styles of live music can be heard around the city, even just walking around downtown in the middle of the day. Music Row, located in mid-town Nashville, is home to hundreds of record labels, recording studios, and music publishers.

Places of Interest

Don’t miss the historic Ryman Auditorium, located right downtown. Once home of the Grand Ole Opry, the beautiful Ryman began as a church. Its wooden pews and stained-glass windows provide the perfect setting for an intimate concert by your favorite artist. The venue offers backstage tours that will fill you in on the history of the building, and all the music legends that played there. The Country Music Hall of Fame downtown tells the story of country music through its large collection of music history’s artifacts.

The main downtown street, Broadway, is lined with lively honky-tonks such as Robert’s Western World, where artists perform on stage every evening. Next door, Jack’s Bar-B-Que cooks up some of the best barbecue in town.Try the beef brisket sandwich and sample the many styles of barbecue sauce while you sip on a glass of sweet tea. Pop in to the Hatch Show Print, the historic print shop that created the iconic style of Nashville and the music scene, and check out the letterpress equipment, and buy some prints and postcards to send home. Also on Broadway are plenty of western-wear shops where you can pick up a pair of cowboy boots before heading over to the Wildhorse Saloon on 2nd for some country line dancing lessons.

Not far from downtown, Centennial Park hosts the only full-scale replica of the Greek temple, the Parthenon, in the world. Built in 1897 for Tennessee’s Centennial Expo, the Parthenon was chosen to represent Nashville’s status as the Athens of the South, because of its many universities, like Vanderbilt, Belmont, and Fisk.

Nashville’s other historic sites include civil war battlefields, the Belle Meade Plantation, and the Hermitage, which was owned by President Andrew Jackson, is now a museum and point of architectural and historical interest. If you can afford it, you can even stay at the Hermitage Hotel, a 5-star luxury hotel recently voted as one of the top 10 hotels in the country. Another lodging option for country music lovers is the Opryland Hotel, located right next to the Grand Ole Opry.

Where to Eat

Nashville is a major center for culinary adventures, with everything from traditional to trendy at all price points. The list of places to try goes on and on, but here are a few top picks: The Pancake Pantry is a great spot for breakfast where you just might spot your favorite country music star, but you may want to save this treat for a weekday – on weekend mornings, the line to get in wraps around the corner. If the line there is too long, head down the street to Noshville for some great food, and pick up a black-and-white cookie on your way out. Rotier’s serves up some of the best burgers in town, Mafiaoza’s in the 12th South neighborhood makes the best pizza you’ll find, and both are inexpensive options.

Finally, the Loveless Cafe, though located a bit far from downtown, is absolutely worth the drive. Enjoy the biscuits with some honey or jam, and some of the best southern fare in town. The Loveless Cafe is a popular spot for weekend brunch and dinner, so there will be a bit of a wait. The grounds have plenty to keep you busy, though, from the smoke house to shops where you can purchase jam, antiques, and other souvenirs.

Santa Fe is famous for its commitment to design, blending the traditional architecture of the Pueblo Indians and the Spanish with a kind of quirky modernity. The city purposely encourages architecture and monuments that fit this style, creating a vibrant look that is replicated nowhere else. Santa Fe is smaller and more spread-out than America’s congested coastal cities, and like most old Spanish towns was built with a central Plaza that remains a major hub of commerce and activity. Santa Fe’s prized Barrio de Analco Historic District contains some of the oldest buildings in the United States, such as the colonial Palace of the Governors and the centuries-old San Miguel Mission.

Santa Fe’s original inhabitants, the Pueblo people, are still a powerful presence in the area. Native American artwork and culture is one of the city’s huge draws, and a treasure trove of items are on display in a number of museums such as the Institute of American Indian Arts, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, and the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian. You can even take a day trip up to the northern town of Taos and visit the historic Taos Pueblo, a millennium-old adobe village in which the residents still live in their ancestral dwellings and practice their indigenous religion (and keep in mind that they will immediately eject you for showing any disrespect).

Santa Fe is a haven for artists–so many art galleries line the streets that it’s possible to spend day after day just browsing their impressive collections of paintings. Everywhere you turn, there are sculptures of animals or saints on display for the public. Those with an interest in literature can find monuments and museums dedicated to the many famous writers that have lived in the area, including such figures as D.H. Lawrence and Cormac McCarthy. A fan of modern art certainly shouldn’t miss one of the biennial exhibits put on by SITE Santa Fe, which are some of the best-known modern art shows in the country. The city is also home to the world’s largest collection of pieces by Georgia O’Keeffe, perhaps the most famous artist to have fallen in love with New Mexico. Anybody with even a passing interest in her work owes it to themselves to drop by the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum at least once during their stay.

New Mexico’s dry weather has always been appealing to those with certain health problems. Despite being located in the middle of a desert, Santa Fe sits at a high enough altitude that plenty of snowfalls in the nearby mountains, supporting a strong skiing industry in the winter. During the rest of the year, the beautiful natural landscapes of New Mexico are the perfect backdrop for sports like hiking, horseback riding, and hot air ballooning. For those who prefer the pursuits of the mind, the famous Los Alamos National Laboratory is less than an hour away from Santa Fe, and the city hosts numerous public science lectures and conferences throughout the year.

Of course, you haven’t had the real New Mexico experience until you try the food. The most important ingredient is always the red or green chile (not to be confused with the “chili” you’ll find in Texas or Arizona). New Mexicans love green chile so much that they put it on just about everything, so you’re bound to run into it at some point when staying in Santa Fe. You can find five-star food at two-star prices in many places around the city if you know where to look, so try asking some of the locals instead of relying on newspapers or the Internet. You’ll definitely thank yourself later when you’re enjoying that freshly-made green chile sopapilla!

The Space Needle is definitely the most recognizable landmark in Seattle, located in the tourist-oriented (but beautiful) Seattle Center. Of course, there’s never a time to visit the Space Needle when it isn’t crowded, but if you don’t mind the long lines you can take a trip up the elevator and get a great view from the observation deck. For the quintessential Space Needle experience, make some reservations at the SkyCity restaurant and enjoy a meal as you rotate 500 feet above the ground, taking in a panoramic view of the city. The food here is excellent, if somewhat pricey–and those who arrive late will find themselves to be out of luck!

Any tourist should be aware that while there are many public transportation services, a car is still the best way to get around. Watch out for traffic jams, though, as this is one of the most congested cities in the nation. On the plus side, hotel rooms are easy to get, even deep within Seattle’s downtown area (although look for prices to rise the closer you get to the center). Seattle is known for having cloudy and rainy weather for much of the year, so summer is probably the best time to visit if you plan on doing anything outdoors. On the other hand, if you love snow sports like skiing, winter is a great time to show up, with the weather in this part of the country still remaining relatively mild.

Seattle is heaven for outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and sailing. There are many beautiful wilderness areas surrounding the city, as well as numerous large parks within such as Green Lake Park (where anyone can take a walk around the lovely lake in the center) and Discovery Park (the largest park, with several scenic hiking trails). There are also many options for visiting the park at the base of Mount Rainier, one of the Pacific Northwest’s largest mountains and a constant presence visible from anywhere in the city. Seattle is surrounded by water, so don’t miss the high-quality seafood and gorgeous views of the ocean. A lover of boats can also have a great time viewing the watercraft at the pier, or even charter a ride and cruise around Puget Sound taking in the sights.

If you’re going to Seattle in the summer, you can’t miss at least a part of Seafair. Seafair is a summer-long celebration made up of a series of festivals, large and small, that all take place in different neighborhoods. It begins in early July of each year, always starting off with the funny antics of the Milk Carton Derby on Green Lake. Most of the parades and spectacles are perfect for families with young children, incorporating events such as boat races and public appearances of whimsical characters like the Seafair Clowns and the Seafair Pirates.

Seattle is well-known for having a number of street fairs and open markets, often with live entertainment. One of the biggest draws is certainly Pike Place Market, one of the country’s oldest farmer’s markets. You can spend all day browsing the antique stores, craft shops, and other unique locations, then stop for a meal at one of the small family-owned restaurants in the area. If you’re going to be doing your own cooking, pick up some fresh vegetables or fish from the market.

The performing arts are huge in Seattle. If you’re a fan of high-brow entertainments like the ballet, opera, or orchestra, it’s likely that a delightful performance will be taking place during your stay. Seattle is also one of the foremost cities in the United States for live theater, so you’ll definitely have the chance to take in a show. You can’t miss the smaller-scale entertainments here, either–Seattle has a lively independent arts scene, from black box theaters to slam poetry events. Because of acts such as Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Pearl Jam, the city is famous for being the home of the “grunge” rock movement, and continues to have an important influence in the world of alternative music. Fans of indie rock can find performances taking place every night in both more conventional and underground venues. Take a look around, and you’ll be surprised at what you can find!

Ref : Seattle Guide

Hollywood offers a glimpse into the lives of the celebrities we admire on the big screen (and small screen!). The historic Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard takes you back to Old Hollywood. Rather than pay for the tour, read up on the history before you go, and consider catching a movie in the theater. Outside the theater (meaning it’s free to explore), visitors flock to find out how they measure up to their favorite celebs—literally. Place your own hands or feet into the imprints left by such legendary celebrities as Marilyn Monroe and John Wayne, and see what they mean about big shoes to fill. Even if you’ve been before, it’s worth a return visit to see the new additions, like the Harry Potter cast and Kobe Bryant. When it’s busy (and really, when isn’t it?) expect to see street performers and celebrity impersonators: Charlie Chaplin, Spiderman, Elvis, and more. Be warned that most will expect a tip if you want to take a photo. Near Grauman’s Theater is the Kodak Theater, home of the Academy Awards, which is worth a tour.

On Hollywood Boulevard outside the Grauman’s Theater, you’ll find the Walk of Fame, where celebrity stars cover the sidewalks. Watch out for scams in this area – many people will try to sell tours, tickets, and maps of the celebrity houses, many of which are not accurate. [There are some tours of celebrity homes in Beverly Hills, but often the most you can see is a gate or fence. A drive around Beverly Hills on your own will allow you to view the multimillion dollar homes of the area.]

The Hollywood sign is an icon of Los Angeles, but it can be difficult to find, so get directions before you go. It’s a bit of a hike to get right up to the sign, but another option is driving up part way and stopping to take pictures from there. The Griffith Observatory also offers great views of the Hollywood sign.

You can’t visit LA without checking out some beaches. Don’t worry if laying out in the sun and swimming aren’t your thing – Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach have plenty more to do. Santa Monica Pier is a boardwalk with rides, food, and great shopping nearby. Venice Beach has an eclectic mix of people (great for people-watching), as well as shops, street vendors and performers, parks, and even a gym. Many people ride bikes and rollerblade on the sidewalks along this beach. Venice Beach gets very busy, and there are some sketchy people hanging around, so be careful if you go. Check out the Venice Canals nearby for a less touristy area with fancy homes and Italian-inspired canals. Huntington Beach is another, slightly farther away option, that is a nice beach with shops and restaurants nearby.

Universal Studios and Disneyland are great stops for travelers with children and without! They each take up a substantial amount of time, so trips to either should be planned in advance. Universal Studios warrants about a full day, while Disneyland could take several. Highlights at Universal Studios are the backlot tours, which takes you around the film sets for movies like Jaws, and the Jurassic Park water ride (especially on hot days). Universal Studios has more to offer adults and older children. Disneyland is a vacation in itself, with two separate parks and many rides and attractions. Universal Studios has a promenade called Universal City Walk, and Disneyland has a similar area called Downtown Disney which offers the same. No ticket is necessary for either of these, and Downtown Disney is a great place to watch the nightly Disneyland fireworks show.

Finally, find out if your favorite show is taped in the LA area, and you might be able to attend a live taping. Some popular shows filmed in Los Angeles are Desperate Housewives, Conan, the Tonight Show, and American Idol.

Where to Stay

To experience the character of this city, a B&B close to downtown is the best accommodation option, but for a serene and secluded getaway, check out the Inn at Middleton Place, located right along the Ashley River. It’s a bit of a drive from downtown, but a stay at the Inn includes access to the historical Middleton Place, which has beautiful gardens, stables, and a museum.

Historic Places

Charleston is known for its many churches and its long history. The city played an important role in both the American Revolution and the Civil War. Fort Sullivan and Fort Sumter were the setting for battles of the Revolutionary War and Civil War respectively. Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, is accessible by ferry from Liberty Square, where you can visit an education center to learn about the Battle of Fort Sumter before you take a tour of the island.

The Battery (or Battery Park) offers great views of Fort Sumter, antebellum homes, and a scenic park along the promenade. Museum Mile on Meeting Street downtown, is where many historic churches, buildings and museums are centralized. Check out the 300 year old Powder Magazine, South Carolina’s oldest public building.

Islands and Around

Since Charleston consists of a group of barrier islands, there are a few great places to enjoy the beach. Folly Beach is a good suggestion for a beach day. Located  a short distance from downtown Charleston, it has its own little beach town. Right off the coast is Morris Island Lighthouse, one of the best-known landmarks of South Carolina. On Johns Island, you’ll find the Angel Oak, a large southern Live Oak tree estimated around 1500 years old, making it one of the oldest Live Oak trees in the world.

Shopping and Dining

Downtown Charleston is great for shopping and dining. Walk along the palm tree lined cobblestone streets and check out the Market, a covered outdoor marketplace where you can see (overpriced) handmade crafts and souvenirs. Gilligan’s is a popular restaurant right near the Market, where you can try the South Carolina specialty, She-crab soup. Another option is Jestine’s Kitchen, which has amazing southern food at a great price. It gets very busy for dinner, so be prepared to wait.

Charleston – Trivia

One last note about Charleston – it consistently places near the top of the list of the most haunted cities in the United States. Whether you enjoy ghost stories and ghost hunting, or just like to hear tales of characters from the city’s past, look into taking a walking tour of Charleston’s haunted places, which often include graveyards, jails, and dungeons. Many of these guided tours are available at night for an extra spooky way to spend an evening in Charleston.

Day and Night Life

Day and night in this city are like… well, night and day. Daytime brings lounging by the gorgeous hotel pools, gambling, or wandering through shops or exhibits inside some hotels – anything to escape the desert heat. As the day cools off, the night heats up with live entertainment at one of the famous Las Vegas shows, or dancing and drinks at one of the many nightclubs.

One of the biggest draws to Vegas is the chance to strike it rich playing poker, blackjack, slot machines, and more. Vegas is the iconic destination for a weekend getaway with friends. Choose any of the hotels on the Vegas Strip, and you’ll be near the most famous sites Las Vegas has to offer. No matter which you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy much of what the others have to offer by exploring them during the day. One part of the hotels you won’t have access to is the pool, so if a dreamy pool is essential, plan to stay at Mandalay Bay, the Hard Rock Café (a bit off the strip), or Caesar’s Palace.

While the major draws to Las Vegas are the casinos and nightlife, there are plenty of family-friendly options for your Vegas vacation. Hotels like New York, New York (which has a scaled down skyline of NYC), the Stratosphere, and Circus Circus offer roller coaster rides and arcades that kids and thrill-seekers will love. At the Mirage Resort, visit Siegfried and Roy’s Secret Garden and dolphin habitat, where you’ll find tigers, leopards, and Bottlenose Dolphins. This exhibit is a bit pricey at $17 per adult and $12 per child, but in all, it’s a great experience. Also check out the Luxor Pyramid, guarded by the sphinx statue. Inside, there are educational exhibits (which are currently about the human body and the Titanic), but again, these can be expensive.

The Venetian and Paris hotels are a few favorites that transport you right to Europe. At the Venetian, wander the streets of Venice, take a gondola ride along a canal, and admire the changing skies of Italy while you shop at upscale boutiques and designer stores. At the Paris hotel, visit a half-scale model of the Eiffel Tower.

Even after dark, there are good options for families, like free shows outside of several hotels. Of note are the Bellagio fountains, choreographed to lights and music. Shows start every 15 minutes once it gets dark, and those are the most impressive shows to watch. Treasure Island Hotel features pirate battles on Buccaneer Bay, and the Mirage has an erupting volcano every hour of the evening.

Live Shows

And finally, a trip to Las Vegas is not complete without attending at least one live show. There are concerts from long-running Vegas entertainers, Celine Dion, Barry Manilow or Elton John, and comedy shows from Jerry Seinfeld to Carrot Top. Some typical Vegas-style shows are the Blue Man Group, Cirque du Soleil, and stunts and illusions from Criss Angel. Tip: discounted tickets are often available last-minute on the day of the event or a few days before, so check with some of the ticket sellers if you’re willing to take your chances – after all, it is Vegas!

The Metrorail system is a fast and easy way to get around Washington DC. For under $10, you can get an all-day unlimited travel pass. Be sure to keep a copy of the Metro schedule and map handy.

With all the museums around town, it’s easy to spend several days just strolling through a few and attempting to absorb as much as possible. The Smithsonian is made up of 19 museums and the National Zoo and admission to the museums is free. While most travelers will not have time to check out all 20 Smithsonian spots, a few should definitely be included in your itinerary. Some of the more popular ones are the Natural History Museum, Air and Space Museum, the American History Museum, and the National Zoo. When bad weather threatens to ruin the day, the Smithsonian museums are the place to head. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum offers a somber look at an important part of world history, which everyone should understand.

The many memorials in Washington DC are an important reflection on United States history, and should not be missed. The National Mall is the center for monuments and memorials in Washington D.C. Around the Mall are the Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, FDR, WWII, Korean War Veterans, and Vietnam Veterans memorials, so you can visit them all in the one go. The Washington Monument is one of the best known features in the capital’s cityscape. The Monument stands at over 555 feet tall, and visitors can reserve tickets in advance to ride the elevator to the top for great views of Washington DC.

Arrange a White House tour in advance by contacting your local member of congress or senator. They arrange tours of at least ten people, but smaller groups can ask to join another group. Capitol tours are available to the public, but reservations are recommended. Other suggested tours are the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world, the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where you can see how money is made, and the Supreme Court, where some of the country’s most important court cases are tried.

Washington DC can provide days of inexpensive entertainment and education, with its system of free museums, and outdoor memorials. A trip to the capital is the best way to learn all about the United States system of government and history.

San Francisco

San Francisco is well known for its fog, steep hills, great food, and eclectic mix of people. The City by the Bay has so many sights to see and foods to taste, so tourists should plan to stay for several days (and still not expect to see it all!). Luxury hotels such as the St. Francis Hotel and The Fairmont are popular choices for accommodations with great locations.

Transportation Options

With public transportation options like MUNI, BART, and the famous Cable Cars (which will increase in price to $6 starting July 1), tourists can get almost anywhere in the city (and even explore the greater Bay Area), without the hassle of navigating the steep one-way streets and trying to find parking spots.

Places of Interest

San Francisco is divided into many neighborhoods, of which some are like enclaves of the various cultures represented in San Francisco’s population. Some examples of these cultural zones are Chinatown, Little Italy, and Japantown, which are great neighborhoods to visit when you are searching for some great multicultural foods. The Mission District, where you can see one California’s Spanish missions and find cheap (and huge) burritos, and the Haight, where you can visit the center of San Francisco’s hippie movement in the 60s, are other unique places to explore.

In Chinatown, stop by one of the many restaurants for some dim sum, and then find the tiny Ross Alley that leads to the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie factory to see how fortune cookies are made and try some that are freshly baked. A quick stop by this place is all that’s necessary, since it’s just a tiny shop. A note of warning: this place charges 50 cents to take photos and gets pretty crowded.

Pier 39 and Fisherman’s Wharf are very popular tourist attractions with shops, street entertainment, and great seafood restaurants with a view of the bay and the Bay Bridge. One San Francisco specialty not to miss is cioppino or clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, which can be found at most restaurants on Fisherman’s Wharf.

Tucked away in the back of Fisherman’s Wharf, the Musée Mécanique is a hidden gem that both kids and adults will enjoy for the the penny arcade that has functioning antique arcade games.

The Pier 39 area along the Embarcadero is also where you can hop on a ferry to Alcatraz, and take a tour of the famous prison island, which once held Al “Scarface” Capone and was the setting for movies such as “The Rock.” The famous San Francisco sea lions can be viewed on Pier 39 West Marina (just follow the sound of their barking), and are best viewed during winter.

The Golden Gate Bridge is an icon of San Francisco, and one of the most famous bridges in the world. Walk or drive across the 1.7 mile bridge to get great photos of the bridge with San Francisco in the background. Those who drive across the Golden Gate Bridge must pay a $6 bridge toll when coming back into San Francisco. On the San Francisco side, the Presidio has a small beach which makes the perfect spot for a picnic.

Whether you want to drive down Lombard, the crookedest street in the world; go shopping in Union Square; or take a walk in Golden Gate Park, San Francisco has something to offer. San Francisco has so many districts, cultures, and landmarks that visitors usually want to return to this diverse and unique city to experience even more.

Napa Valley : Vineyard

Napa Valley stands for great vineyards and awesome wine from California and features in almost all of the “Top 100 must-visit places in the world” lists. Napa, as it is often referred to,  is unarguably one of the most famous wine growing regions in the world. Vineyards and wineries are all about the benevolence of nature; commitment to quality; passion for perfection; architectural splendor; serial wine tasting, and last but not least,  great deals on good wines. With the fame and popularity of Napa in ascendance, free wine and tasting tours are fast becoming a relic from the past. There are now very few wineries which offer free wine tours and they are literally far between, maybe even 20 miles between two.

Lodging in Napa Valley

There are plenty of lodging options in and around Napa Valley, but weekend rates could be double or more than double the cost of weekday rates. During extended weekends like Memorial Day, even modest rooms in motels (modest by all standards) can be priced around $200 per night. Finding good accommodation at great prices on weekends is like spinning a web of deception. Full gas tank, camping equipment, and a picnic anytime  approach would hold you in good stead. Having GPS in your car will help.

Places of Interest

If you are staying in Napa, downtown or nearby, a visit to Vallergas Market in Redwood Plaza can feed you and equip you for your leisurely drive(s). They have a great salad bar, olive bar and a soup bar, apart from the fresh sandwiches and cold-cuts.  Every hotel/ motel has a “preferred” winery tour suggested list and restaurant list handy, and some also have discount coupons. Do pick them up  – you don’t know when you might need them.

Wineries are wineries, so look out for those which have a story to tell. In a day, two or three wineries can be covered at  a leisurely pace. Remember you are on a break and not here to break “how many wineries you can see in a  day” or “how many wines can you taste in a day” records. If you have two or more days on hand, structure the tour by regions: Yountville and about, St Helena and about, and Calistoga and about.

Robert Sinskey Vineyads in the Yountville neighborhood, Baringer Vineyards in St. Helena, and Sterling Vineyards in Calistoga fairly represent their respective regions and have distinct feel, wines, architecture and character to them.  Booking your tour ahead of time works very well, as the best tours in these three vineyards are almost always sold out.

Food and Wine

Lunch at Robert Sinskey Vineyard Kitchen is recommended; Baringer has a great store for wines and accessories; Sterling has a defined and very well choreographed approach to wine tours.

The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone is a suggested option for an early dinner. To mark a special occasion, the Napa Valley Wine Train is an expensive but exclusive option: good food, great wine, heritage ambiance and arguably the best views of the Napa Valley from comfort of your own lounge seat.

If want to have a relaxing getaway and let your hair down, spend a weekend wine tasting in Napa Valley.

Aerial View Of Downtown New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, though devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, is a thriving cultural mecca with great live music, arts, and food. To fully embrace the vibe of New Orleans, check out a Bed & Breakfast, like Auld Sweet Olive – where you stay in a gorgeous New Orleans-themed rooms on a historic property, not far from the French Quarter. Staying at a B&B is also a great way to meet friendly people and get recommendations on places to check out.

The New Orleans Streetcars are a wonderful way to get around the city. Driving in New Orleans is not bad, but parking is tough to find and can be expensive. The Streetcar costs $1.25 or $5 for all day, which is a good deal. The Riverfront line goes along the Mississippi River and and the French Market, which has a farmer’s market, a flea market, and plenty of art shops to find souvenirs.

A trip to New Orleans is not complete without a stroll around the beautiful French Quarter to admire the architecture and sample the cuisine. Walk down the famous Bourbon street, grab a Hurricane (a New Orleans cocktail specialty) at any of the walk-up bars and continue on your way, go people watching, or stop for lunch at celebrity chef, Emeril’s restaurant, NOLA. Lunch at NOLA is great because the restaurant is less busy than dinner-time, and you can get a 3-course lunch for $20. The best local flavors are Cajun and Creole, especially seafood. Crawfish, gumbo and jambalaya are some of the many specialties of New Orleans.

Not far from Bourbon street is Jackson Square, which features a large statue of Andrew Jackson on a horse and the picturesque St. Louis Cathedral and its pristine gardens. St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in continuous operation in the United States. Horse-drawn carriages are available in front of Jackson Square for a ride around town. Along the square, artists set up street shops selling art work, often with jazz or New Orleans themes.

Across the street from Jackson Square is Cafe du Monde, a 24-hour cafe that sells primarily cafe au lait (coffee with milk) and beignets – French donuts covered in powdered sugar – a great snack any time of day.

Finally, to gain a perspective on the destruction Hurricane Katrina has caused in the city, take a drive around the Lower Ninth Ward in St. Bernard Parish, where much of the damage occurred The unique charm and spirit of New Orleans has carried on through the recovery of the city, making it a great place to experience.