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NEW ORLEANS An improbable city surrounded by swamp and bordered by the Mississippi, New Orleans is unique for its cuisine, culture, architecture and dialect The city is famous for jazz bars, Mardi Gras and Creole cooking, but dig a little deeper to discover so much more. This humming city has half a dozen nicknames and a reputation for a good time, but there is plenty to take your time over—with much of it within walking or cycling distance as the flat geography makes these an ideal way to tour the neighborhoods. Everyone makes a beeline for the French Quarter, home of the most iconic buildings and streets, as well as Jackson Square—a park and National Historic Landmark celebrating the site of the Louisiana Purchase. Some of the city’s finest hotels and restaurants are here. Make a daytime visit to Bourbon Street, and in the evening, head for neighboring Royal Street to get a sense of that famous late-night-cocktail jazz vibe and maybe catch a gig at the Preservation Hall. Or take a stroll over to Frenchmen Street, packed with bars and eateries, where the music spills out onto the sidewalks. In the day, take a streetcar to the beautiful Garden District for some incredible Southern mansions, as well as the best shopping and art galleries, including that of acclaimed New Orleans artist Terrance Osborne. Stop at Casamento’s Restaurant for some seafood gumbo, soft shell crab or oyster loaves. Must-sees Do not pass up the impressive National WWII Museum, which details the United States’ contributions to World War II. The multimedia exhibits blend the personal experience of servicepeople with the industrial efforts at home, and there is a wide array of artifacts to see. For a change of pace, stop at the historic Longue Vue House and Gardens. Or visit the expansive City Park, which has everything from an art museum and sculpture garden to an amusement park with a quirky wooden carousel, miniature golf and the world’s largest collection Clockwise, from above: Trolleys representing two of the city’s four streetcar lines; typical French Quarter building facade; Creole cuisine; local New Orleans musician 130 VIKING.COM EXPLORE MORE

CITY GUIDE of mature live oak trees, draped with Spanish moss. The city boasts a diverse selection of tours that are sure to pique your interest. Choose from swamp excursions, steamboat cruises and walking tours of historic cemeteries, or sample local foods during the course of a guided bicycle ride. Shopping There are plenty of charming stores for picking up some mementos, like Faulkner House Books, the Hové perfumery and the Louisiana Music Factory record shop. Visit Potsalot Pottery for some pretty ceramics or Aunt Sally’s Praline Shop for a delicious sweet treat. Open in the evenings, the Frenchmen Palace Market is great for browsing for unique handmade items made by local artists. Or stop by the covered French Market for stalls selling clothes, souvenirs and accessories, and while there, try some authentic Creole dishes. Gastronomy No one goes hungry in New Orleans, and the food is reasonably priced compared to other major cities, even in the best restaurants. Local specialties range from the simple red beans and rice to Creole and Cajun favorites like gumbo, jambalaya, barbecue shrimp, blackened fish, oysters and étouffée (a spicy shellfish stew served with rice). There is also an enticing sundry of sandwiches and local desserts on offer, including bread pudding, king cake and beignets (doughnuts). In addition to Creole and Cajun cuisine, many local dishes are influenced by Southern, Caribbean, African, Spanish and French traditions. Head to the French Quarter to sample some of the best food, and look out for the varied street food options too. Go online: Learn more about Mississippi River voyages at vrc.com/videos. EXPLORE MORE VIKING.COM 131