New Orleans, Louisiana

BACKSTORY: My first visit to New Orleans was for Jazzfest in 2001. I was pretty excited to hit "The Big Easy" and take photos of the amazing architecture and colorful atmosphere. As fortune would have it, I had dropped my camera the month before on a trip to New York City. Unbeknownst to me, the drop had ruined my camera's ability to autofocus on anything more than a few feet away. I had a lot of blurry photos...and a good excuse to return the following year. For those who have never attended Jazzfest, if you are going because you want to hear jazz, then I would suggest skipping the festival and spending your time in the French Quarter at some of the clubs. Jazzfest is officially titled "New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest," which allows it to book just about any kind of music act you can think of. Held at the Fairgrounds outside of the French Quarter, it is a massive event that draws tons of revelers who want to hear music and party. I returned to New Orleans in 2003 for a conference, and then not again until 2015, ten years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged its way through the city. The French Quarter seemed very much like I remembered it...the same sights, smells, and people. If you want to visit this unique city, get ready to lower your level of tolerance or you could be in for a rude awakening. Truly anything (and everything) goes here. Don't wear expensive shoes if you plan to walk on Bourbon Street; you never know what you might be stepping in.

August Restaurant

Bienville Street

Chartres Street

Conti Street

Decatur Street

Dumaine Street

Esplanade Avenue

LAURA PLANTATION

Louisiana State Museum Archives

OAK ALLEY

Poydras Street

Rampart Street

Riverfront Area

Royal Sonesta New Orleans

Toulouse St.