Bourbon Street, New Orleans

The city of New Orleans is famous for many things. The Mississippi River that for years has been a source of revenue for its inhabitants, Mardi Gras, the delicious cuisine and the French Quarter are all a part of what makes New Orleans great. It is in the south east part of the state and is in the Orleans Parish. Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville was part of the French Mississippi Company that founded the city in 1718. He gave the city the name after the Duke of Orleans, Philippe II. New Orleans had been under the control of both the French and Spanish before it became part of the United States. The architecture of the city's buildings reflects these combined cultures.

The heart of the city is the French Quarter and it is here that visitors will find one of the most famous streets in New Orleans. Bourbon Street has an eight block area that encompasses many of the tourist attractions. This section is called "Upper Bourbon Street''. The journey down Bourbon Street starts at Canal Street and goes downriver, running parallel to the Mississippi River. The street ends at Pauger Street in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood. The name of the street came from the House of Bourbon; they were the Royal Family of France at the time of the founding of New Orleans.

Many cultures are brought together on Bourbon Street. Visitors find restaurants, gentlemen's clubs, shops and boutiques on this street. The upper part of the Bourbon Street is where the gentlemen's strip clubs are. When the tourist moves on to the center of the street they will find the bars. The Famous Door, The Cat's Meow, Razzoo and many others line Bourbon Street.

Residents live on Bourbon Street from Dumaine to Pauger. There are a few businesses that exist on this part of the street, but they are usually visited by locals. Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is a bar that displays the French influence on the city.

Bourbon Street while pretty quiet in the daytime is a scene of many parties at night. This is especially true during Mardi Gras and other festivals. When Mardi Gras is celebrated there are thousands of people walking this stretch of the French Quarter. The laws in New Orleans allow open containers of alcohol as long as they are in plastic containers. Several other festivals that are part of Bourbon Street include the French Quarter Festival and the Southern Decadence.

Restaurants on Bourbon Street are famous for their Creole and Cajun cuisine. Galatoire's that has been serving delicious meals since 1905 can take hours in line before a table becomes available.

Hotels such as the Bourbon Orleans and the Dauphine Orleans offer great accommodations in the heart of the French Quarter. Guests enjoy the view of the busy Bourbon Street from the wrought iron balconies that are a part of the Spanish architecture.

The Cabildo, St. Louis Cathedral and the Presbytere are in the vicinity of Bourbon Street and are open for tours.