Location: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Summary: Sightseeing New Orleans by coach, Segway, and on foot with Uncle Dave, exploring post‑Katrina neighbourhoods, enjoying the French Quarter, and learning about the city’s rich French and Creole history.
We explored New Orleans in several different ways during our visit, including a coach tour, a Segway tour, and plenty of walking around. The Segway tour was especially enjoyable and took me through parts of the city I hadn’t seen before. Some of these areas were heavily damaged when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. Many homeowners had no insurance and simply left, abandoning their destroyed houses. Seeing ruined properties still standing beside newly rebuilt homes on the same street was a strange and sobering experience.
I have always enjoyed the French Quarter and the market area, and this trip was no exception. Uncle Dave and I spent time wandering through the streets, taking in the atmosphere, and eventually stopping for a couple of cocktails at Bubba Gump’s restaurant and bar.
New Orleans history
New Orleans was founded by French colonists and named after the Duke of Orleans, who served as Regent for Louis XV from 1715 to 1723. The city’s French and Spanish Creole heritage is still very much alive in its distinctive architecture, vibrant culture, and multilingual traditions. It is famous for its cuisine, its music, particularly as the birthplace of jazz, and its annual celebrations and festivals. Mardi Gras, the city’s most iconic event, dates back to French colonial times.
The city is located in southeastern Louisiana, straddling the Mississippi River. It is bordered by St. Tammany Parish to the north, St. Bernard to the east, Plaquemines to the south, and Jefferson to the south and west. Lake Pontchartrain, part of which lies within the city limits, sits to the north, while Lake Borgne lies to the east.
Fun Fact
New Orleans is home to the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world. The St. Charles Avenue Streetcar has been running since 1835 and is still in service today, making it older than the famous cable cars of San Francisco.
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