Located in the southernmost region of the state of Louisiana, New Orleans (NOLA) is a place like no other. Spread throughout the city you will find incredible ethnic diversity encompassed by antique, French architecture. From sunrise to sunset, live-street performances of Jazz and Blues melodiously fill your ears wherever you travel.

Before I went on this brief, yet eye-opening journey, I spent much time researching the area. More specifically, I read about the best places to eat, see performances and wander about. The list I created included: The French Quarter, French Market, Café Du Monde, The Napoleon House, Bourbon Street, Felix’s Restaurant and Jackson Square.

The most frequently visited destination in New Orleans is the French Quarter. The famed French Café, Café Du Monde, was a highlight to my every day routine. Whether sitting down or ordering to go, I was quickly served an order of fresh beignets and café au lait. Du Monde perfectly balanced the amount of steamed milk with chicory coffee in order to produce a tasty, hot beverage. The dazzling combo provided me with instant gratification, but left me craving more.

For future reference, wearing comfortable shoes is so important because I found myself walking about 7-10 miles a day. However, with everything in walking distance, a lot can be explored in short durations of time. Seeking out street performances was not a problem. On every corner, especially in Jackson Square – a monumental garden in front of the Saint Louis Cathedral – artists of all types display their talents. The diverse array of art was overwhelming at first, but I soon came to appreciate every piece. Additionally, Jackson Square and the Cathedral hosted a talented duet of violinists accompanied by an entertaining group of hula-hoopers. Although, a man dancing robotically to “OG”, while covered in all metallic spray paint, was my favorite performance.

Traditional food dishes such as jambalaya, crawfish Etouffee, red beans and rice and muffulettas were only a handful of the things I tried and enjoyed. Moreover, for my first meal in NOLA I had the “Bayou Sampler Platter” at Felix’s. The three delicious, yet spicy, dishes presented were crawfish etouffee, jambalaya and red beans on rice. Alongside, my parents and I split an order of half a dozen “On the Half-Shell” oysters which were incredibly flavored with local spices and herbs.

Extending from the end of the French Quarter to the hotel district, there are some of the most lively and unique streets which can only be compared to France. The streets are composed of art galleries, coffee shops, historic bars, dining, antique shops and stunning architecture. My favorite restaurants were Pat O’Brien’s and The Napoleon House, located in the French Quarter. Both provided terrific meals and historic architecture with outdoor seating. Dining at The Napoleon House was something special. After learning that the French revolutionary leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, sought out shelter in that very building, embracing NOLA history and tradition was at its high.

For a four-day vacation, NOLA had a lot to offer. Its cultural diversity is evident throughout the entire city. There was not a day that went by without a buffet of delicious, traditional foods. Much of its rich history remains evident and it is a popular tourist destination across the globe. It was truly an eye-opening experience to be embraced in such a culturally rich atmosphere.