Jackson Square and the French Market are major landmarks from which narrow streets branch out, leading to Bourbon Street’s open-air music venues and bars. To start, head to the French Quarter and let the gaiety take you on a journey.
Visiting New Orleans is a chance to join the effervescence. IMAGE: Cheryl gerber Fetes for All Seasons Queers and dandies, of course, are among the colorful characters too, led by natives like Truman Capote, Lillian Hellman, Big Freedia, and so many others whose legacies are inherent to the homegrown community. New Orleans celebrated its 300th year in 2018, and over three centuries it’s played home to legends that span every kind of archetype-from pirates and heroes, to artists and chefs. It’s a collective atmosphere, a blend of food, music, heritage, and revelry that feeds the senses and inspires the soul. But there’s no single experience that can explain the magic of the Crescent City. One could try to summarize New Orleans through a particular place or dish or sight. Sampling fresh beignets at Café du Monde. Charles Avenue in a vintage 1920s streetcar. Whether it’s music, food, cocktails, or culture, the Crescent City is ready to show you a good time.
