The sounds of jazz are everywhere in New Orleans, from trumpeting in the streets to clubs scattered throughout the city.
Music's in the air —
The sounds of jazz are everywhere in New Orleans, from trumpeting in the streets to clubs scattered throughout the city.
Rob Carr/Getty Images/File
Scout out the best spots in town to get a magnificent view of the mighty Mississippi River.
The mighty Mississippi River —
Scout out the best spots in town to get a magnificent view of the mighty Mississippi River.
Marianna Massey/Getty Images
No doubt that Cafe du Monde is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city, and there's good reason: those beignets (and the coffee). Bite into one and get covered in powdered sugar.
Covered in powdered sugar —
No doubt that Cafe du Monde is one of the most popular tourist spots in the city, and there's good reason: those beignets (and the coffee). Bite into one and get covered in powdered sugar.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images
Collect a pile of napkins if you head to the Big Fisherman on your visit. You'll need them. Check out this freshly boiled crawfish being poured into a bin at the store.
Fresh fish all over town —
Collect a pile of napkins if you head to the Big Fisherman on your visit. You'll need them. Check out this freshly boiled crawfish being poured into a bin at the store.
Alex Brandon/AP
Then-presidential candidate and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama ate gumbo with restaurant owner Leah Chase during his visit to Dooky Chase's Restaurant on February 7, 2008.
Gumbo fit for a President —
Then-presidential candidate and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama ate gumbo with restaurant owner Leah Chase during his visit to Dooky Chase's Restaurant on February 7, 2008.
EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images
It's the mission of Sylvester Francis, right, to teach about the culture of the Mardi Gras Indians at the Backstreet Cultural Museum in Treme.
The culture of Mardi Gras Indians —
It's the mission of Sylvester Francis, right, to teach about the culture of the Mardi Gras Indians at the Backstreet Cultural Museum in Treme.
TIMES-PICAYUNE /LANDOV
Order a Sazerac at an old school hotel bar like the one at the Monteleone Hotel.
An old school Sazerac —
Order a Sazerac at an old school hotel bar like the one at the Monteleone Hotel.
Monteleone Hotel
Music and culture thrive in the neighborhood. Here local musicians play at a jazz funeral in 2012 for bass drumming legend "Uncle" Lionel Batiste, who lived in Treme.
Treme is alive —
Music and culture thrive in the neighborhood. Here local musicians play at a jazz funeral in 2012 for bass drumming legend "Uncle" Lionel Batiste, who lived in Treme.
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Tours of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina are controversial. But going there with someone who knows the area and history can be the most effective way to understand the human and natural causes of the catastrophe.
Evidence of Katrina —
Tours of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina are controversial. But going there with someone who knows the area and history can be the most effective way to understand the human and natural causes of the catastrophe.
ELLIS LUCIA/Times-Picayune /Landov
To see the city at its most magnificent, visit during Mardi Gras with people who can help navigate this enormous party. Here's a float in the Rex parade as it turns onto Canal Street.
... and there's Mardi Gras —
To see the city at its most magnificent, visit during Mardi Gras with people who can help navigate this enormous party. Here's a float in the Rex parade as it turns onto Canal Street.
Rusty Costanza/Getty Images