French Quarter
New Orleans' Most Famous District!

French Quarter, New Orleans' most famous district, was established by convicts and prostitutes from France who were freed on the condition of relocating to Louisiana. The area of the city where they settled, called the Vieux Carre' is now known as French Quarter. Today, on a journey through French Quarter, one can find historical houses, simple cottages, rustic iron gates and the 24 hour French Market containing cajun spices, creole tomatoes and other fresh produce and local crafts. The poboy, a New Orleans original sandwich, is believed to have been created in a French Quarter restaurant to feed transit strikers.

Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street is the place to be to experience the rich and colorful music of New Orleans. The home of America's Jazz Ambassador, the late Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong, the Satchmo SummerFest celebrates this New Orleans native who popularized the scat singing style and pioneered the use of solo performances in jazz. Satchmo SummerFest, held in August, features brass band, big band and Dixieland jazz sounds.

In addition to the music of Satchmo, the music of other New Orleans native musicians from Wynton Marslis to Allen Touissant can be found in historic French Quarter venues such as the House of Blues. The French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival both feature performances by world class musicians in an area surrounded by booths offering authentic New Orleans cuisine.