The unique character of New Orleans is at least partly derived from the fact that it is effectively an island. It takes its nickname "Crescent City" from the great oxbow curve of the Mississippi River, which creates one natural boundary. The other is the huge Lake Pontchartrain, crossed by the world's longest bridge, the 23˝ mile long Greater New Orleans Causeway.
Locals giving directions will describe places as being "towards the river" or "towards the lake", sometimes this is reduced to "lakeside" or "riverside". Likewise, uptown is "upriver" and downtown is "downriver".
The French Quarter
The sign to look for as you come off the freeway is "Vieux Carre" - "Old Square" in French - the name used by many locals. It's the spiritual heart of New Orleans with its well-preserved streets of Creole houses. A residential neighborhood since 1718, people continue to live here and, despite its historic importance, it's anything but a museum.
Jazz, blues, rock, Cajun and blue grass music fills Bourbon Street from its bars and strip joints making it one long year-round party. Just a block away, the relatively tranquil Royal Street is lined with classy antique stores. Also nearby is the green oasis of Jackson Square with the often-photographed St Louis Cathedral.
The Garden District
Created when the Livaudais Plantation was divided into plots in 1825, the Garden District became the American part of the city, as distinct from the French-Hispanic Vieux Carre. Spectacular mansions line many of its broad streets. Best way to see the district is to take the St Charles streetcar from Canal Street to Carrollton. It takes about 45 minutes each way and at $1.25 for a single trip in a historic vehicle built in the 1920s, this is a real bargain.
Faubourg Marigny
Between the French Quarter and the Central Business District Faubourg Marigny is a neighborhood of narrow streets and narrow Creole cottages. Much of the area is quiet and residential, but Frenchman Street in particular buzzes with bars and cafes.
Central Business District
Focused on Poydras Street, which stretches from the Superdome to the World Trade Center, the CBD mixes futuristic glass skyscrapers with historic three-story brick and wood buildings, often in the same block. That's typical New Orleans.
University Area
Uptown in the Garden District is the university area, including Tulane University and Loyola University. Spectacular Audubon Park and Zoo is right opposite Tulane.
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