Local Favorite Attractions in New Orleans

The summer, two of my friends and I drove down to New Orleans, to basically see the destruction of Katrina. We left mid November, and came back at the very end. Visiting New Orleans frightened us and installed fear, more then anticipations, but soon we learned that New Orleans has a very welcoming scene and we felt right at home.

Our first day there, we all agreed that we had to visit the Aquarium first, and it's was a very good choice. It is located right on the Mississippi River, by a giant walk-way down from the French Quarter. Once you walk inside you will be overcome with anticipation, as you walk in to a tunnel surrounding you will aquatic life. You may see fish, stingrays, sharks, blowfish, and an occasional scuba diver that is taking care of feeding them. As you continue you walk through doors into a room that is simulated to feel and look like the rainforest, down the exact temperature. Not only do they have the aquatic life that lives in the Amazon, but they also have birds and other types of animals. When you continue to walk you come across penguins, seahorses, shrimp, sharks and any type of fish you could possible think of. Finally, they have a room set aside for jellyfish. You walk in and it's all dark with the glow of the jellyfish giving off the only light.

Our next stop was the French Quarter. We really didn't know much about it except for that we knew Mardi Gras happens there every year. During the day the French Quarter is basically like any other busy city main street. There are lots of shops, and voodoo stores, to occupy your souvenir craving. During the night is when the true French Quarter comes to life. All around you is music, and laughing. The restaurants and bars are endless, you could pick what kind of food you were craving and there would be at least two of those kinds of restaurants in walking distance. It has a very fun kind of atmosphere to it, and you feel as though you could let loose and no one would mind.

The Audubon Zoo was one of my favorites. They had every animal you could possibly want at a zoo and then some. Also they have old Aztec statues as decoration and it just makes you feel like you're in India, Africa, ect. They have many attractions that you can attend, including: kids observation activities, animal rides, and you also have a chance to witness a feeing of an alligator.

We then had a personal friend takes on a tour of the hurricane Katrina damage, and to the levy that was broken during the storm. We opted to go for a friend to take us then to pay for a tour because we were told that you can get a better experience if you go yourself. We saw a lot of the damage that was still not cleaned up, and where the levy was fixed which they have a memorial by now. If you would like to take a tour during your visit, be careful which tour line you chose, they can be fast, and don't allow you to fully experience the point of the tour. Also, do not let someone take you for a tour for less price, or for free unless you see their tour guide card stating they are a licensed tour guide.

Our final attraction for our visit was a Haunted Tour. It starts out in the French Quarter and takes you all over. If you are big into history this is the perfect tour for you, because not only do you get a firsthand look at the haunted building, you also learn it's history. As you walk, the tour guide will stop you to explain a building and it's history as far back as when New Orleans was in its first few years. No, we did not see any ghosts but to learn about this history we did, it was well worth the tour. Be careful, these tours are given out at night, stay close to your group, and listen to your tour guide when he gives you directions.

A lot of the hotels in New Orleans will make you pay a fee to park your car in their garage. A lot of people think that this is just a trick to get more money, but it's not. It is worth the extra money to park your car, a lot of cars do not stay in good shape if left on the streets, and is not watched by security. You are still responsible for damages, but the chances of something happening are slim to none. Also, when you take your car to the streets, park your you're car in the garages they have for walking shoppers.

We left New Orleans feeling satisfied, we got to do most of the things we were itching to do. Besides all it's attractions and beautiful scenery, New Orleans has a very warm, welcoming atmosphere. You will feel at home in no time.