Additional Coverage:
- I’ve been to all 50 states. There’s still just one city I love visiting most. (businessinsider.com)
New Orleans: A Journalist’s Love Letter to the Crescent City
Having traversed all 50 states and countless cities, this journalist consistently finds herself drawn back to one singular destination: New Orleans. It’s a city that, to her, embodies a magical dynamism, a captivating blend of history, culture, and flavor that is simply unparalleled.
Her deep affection for New Orleans is rooted in three fundamental pillars: its unmistakable character, its resilient spirit, and its world-renowned cuisine.
A City Teeming with Charm and Character
New Orleans is an inherently walkable, vibrant, and colorful metropolis. From the pastel hues of shotgun houses in working-class neighborhoods to the grand mansions with sprawling porches, and the stucco townhomes of the French Quarter adorned with intricate iron balconies reflecting French and Spanish influences, the architectural artistry is striking. Ancient oak trees draped in Spanish moss further transport visitors to another era.
For those with a passion for history, a wealth of Black-owned tours delve into the origins of jazz, the pivotal moments of the Civil Rights Movement, and the enduring vitality of Tremé, widely recognized as America’s oldest Black neighborhood. Following a historical journey, visitors can immerse themselves in live music at venues like Kermit’s Tremé Mother-in-Law Lounge or Blue Nile, explore vibrant art at StudioBE, or indulge in a cocktail at the globally acclaimed Jewel of the South, known for its unique concoctions such as the sour peach Negroni.
Vibrant Celebration, Soul, and Resilience
It’s difficult to find a city with more innate spirit. While Mardi Gras in February is synonymous with parades, music, and festivities, the city’s celebratory pulse can be felt on any given day. A random Tuesday might bring the unexpected joy of a brass band performance, beads playfully tossed from a balcony, or the simple pleasure of sipping a cocktail in the lively French Quarter.
The legacy of Voodoo also thrives, particularly at the Marie Laveau House of Voodoo. This establishment, part shop and part museum, offers insights into the life and practices of New Orleans’ legendary Voodoo queen. The city’s historic cemeteries, such as Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, with their intricate labyrinths of above-ground tombs, offer profound narratives of centuries past.
Congo Square stands as a powerful testament to resilience, a place where enslaved Africans gathered centuries ago to dance, socialize, and preserve their culture through celebration and defiance. Today, events like the NOLA Reggae Fest continue to honor this heritage of music and dance.
Beyond its celebratory spirit, New Orleans possesses a profound resilience. Visits to the Lower Ninth Ward, where empty homes still stand and rebuilt levees bear witness to Hurricane Katrina’s devastation, highlight the community’s unwavering determination.
Organizations like Sankofa Community Development Corporation and Lower 9 Resilient exemplify the neighborhood’s commitment to rebuilding and forging a new future. The people of New Orleans embody the strength to return, survive, and rebuild, always accompanied by music and joy.
A Culinary Journey Through New Orleans
Dining in New Orleans is an experience in itself, offering everything from authentic down-home Louisiana cooking to James Beard Award-winning international cuisine, such as the Senegalese tasting menu at Dakar NOLA. One thing is certain: visitors will not leave hungry.
A quintessential New Orleans experience is a crawfish boil. This traditional delicacy features crawfish boiled with Cajun spices and served alongside potatoes, corn, sausage, and other vegetables, typically spread across newspaper-covered tables with various dipping sauces. The ritual of eating crawfish-twisting the tail, peeling the shell, and savoring the spicy juices-is a delightful, if messy, adventure.
Gumbo, a Louisiana staple, finds its iconic expression at Dooky Chase’s, where classic Creole gumbo, rich with smoked sausage, chicken, shrimp, ham hocks, and blue crab, offers a taste of history in a bowl. And no visit to New Orleans is complete without indulging in the famous beignets at Café du Monde, served hot and generously dusted with powdered sugar, a delightful mess that is part of the charm.
New Orleans: An Irresistible Call Back Home
After extensive travels across the nation, the character, spirit, and flavors of New Orleans remain indelible. The city itself feels akin to a gumbo-Creole at its heart, yet richly seasoned with African, Caribbean, French, and Spanish influences, all harmoniously blending into something truly distinctive and unforgettable. With its charming cafés, vibrant brass bands, and world-class cuisine, New Orleans is a city that consistently calls this journalist, and many others, back for more.
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- I’ve been to all 50 states. There’s still just one city I love visiting most. (businessinsider.com)