Bourbon Street, New Orleans, happens to be one of the most lively and energetic streets in the world. It boasts a very vibrant nightlife, wonderful historic sites, and cultural diversities. It is situated at the heart of the French Quarter, which attracts millions of tourists every year. Whether it is a Mardi Gras tour, a colorific weekend get-a-way or just to see what there is to see, Bourbon Street is where all must feel the pulses of New Orleans. Below we lay out in full what you need to know of everything that is going on alongside with attractions, historical facts and practical travel information.
Brief History of Bourbon Street
It got its street name from the French royal house of Bourbon. The street itself goes back into early 18th century, when it was still essentially a residential area, but already so long changed over into a pretty lively commercial quarter. By the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, it had become a neighborhood of barrooms, jazz clubs, and brothels. All that today make it so well known in its role to be the ‘thumping’ artery of New Orleans’ nightlife.
It is time to party here; yet many old, great, and interesting historical buildings mark its presence also. The antique flair goes out and mingles with contemporary experience to turn out the street being ‘beautifully’ pleasant place for whoever finds him/her strolling in the streets of New Orleans.
What to Expect on Bourbon Street
Bourbon Street is in a very peculiar way electrifying, a place that isn’t like anywhere else when one talks about combining history, culture, and fun. Here is what you find when you actually do get there.
- Bars and Night Clubs Alive
This is because Bourbon Street is the hub of bars and nightclubs due to live music, mainly for the jazz, blues, and rock. The city becomes ravaged at night by partygoers that spill out onto the sidewalks to carry on their cocktails and live shows. To be either a high-energy club or something low-key, it has something for everyone. - Historic Architecture
Though Bourbon Street is surely lively enough for today’s partygoer, historic architecture abound: French Colonial buildings, Creole townhouses, and beautiful ironwork balconies. Spend some part of your time lingering over at one place and soaking in the charm of historic structures and designs.
Street Performers and Entertainment
This street is also popular for bars and clubs and street performers like doing musicians, magic artists, ballet dancers, or whatever an artist of that street who would come to spice out the atmosphere-a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
- Parades and Events of Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras, the other nongraphic celebration occurring unrelated to the Bourban Street event, is one of the internationally recognized bashes that takes place at the very end of a winter or what would be even an early season spring, through which so many pass through it because of parades, costume parties, and others general enjoyment of the same spectacle. The ecstasy is quite contagiously infectious while coincidentally finding that Bourbon Street happens to one of the sizzling hot places for the show. - Delicious food and drinks
There is Bourbon Street, which is yet another thing you’ll love in New Orleans. It is one of those places that can serve you the best-tasting food ever. Beignets, jambalaya, gumbo, crawfish, and po’boys are some of its specialties. There are very many bars and restaurants here through which you’ll be able to obtain house drink Hurricane as well as internationally popular cocktail Sazerac. Do not forget to snack at the same time while getting into the scenery.
Popular Attractions on Bourbon Street
Some of the places that one cannot miss in the surrounding vicinity of the Bourbon Street and its French Quarter include:
Old Absinthe House This is an iconic bar which dates way back to the 1800s, claimed to be among the oldest houses in Bourbon Street. It houses the drink absinthe.
- Pat O’Brien’s Bar Pat O’Brien’s is probably most known for the hurricane cocktail, but it’s a fun bar with both an indoor and outdoor court.
- The Tropical Isle – One of the more popular bars, more for the Hand Grenade cocktail that’s strong and colorful, very popular with the Bourbon Street regulars.
-St. Louis Cathedral-Not on Bourbon Street per se, but just one block off of it and stunning unto itself, being one of the critical French colonial sites. - The French Market– Walking distance within a few blocks from Bourbon Street proper, the French Market also displays local artists that sell their artworks as well as other souvenirs, along with food vendors, which would really make happy mouths through its multitude of flavors that would characterize its city culture.
How to Get To Bourbon Street While Traveling
Here are some helpful hints on how to get the most out of going to Bourbon Street:
Always something happening: There is nothing dull about the atmosphere on Bourbon Street. It gets crowded on weekends, and even more so with the Mardi Gras or festivals and parties. Much better atmosphere would be available if it happened in the morning or early night, less racketing.
Cacophony: that is music and people and what kind of celebration or happening is going on on the street, it’s great, but too messy for people who would be there only to experience a more peaceful time of silence.
- Be Safe: It is just like any happening nightlife city, so it is of prime importance that one’s sense of safety keeps alert toward the environment. Keeping proper care to one’s belongings and also avoiding alcoholism too would do the best.
- Dress well: Now one can go for casual dresses also; however, people should remember that they have to go for a round of a couple of miles because they need to wear good footwear. This practice actually gives a boom for Mardi Gras parades.
- Look for Special Events: There are events happening on Bourbon Street all year long. These include Mardi Gras, live music festivals, and more. Look at the event calendar prior to your visit to plan.
Faq’s About Bourbon Street, New Orleans
1. Is Bourbon Street safe for tourists?
Bourbon Street is pretty safe for tourists, at least if one knows what’s going on. Just be aware of his surroundings at night. It just makes sense to stay in places that are lit up, keep an eye on belongings, and just use common sense.
- When should one go to Bourbon Street?
This visit time should be decided on what you want. If you are a party animal of festivals and a time when the street becomes quite crowded with enjoyment, then there is no bad time to visit this place, just go there when it is at Mardi Gras, mostly in February or March. For quiet time, try to get there at daytime or during the weekdays. - Is there a dress code on Bourbon Street?
No dress code, but dress casual and comfort. People many wear costume and Mardi Gras, but come one now and have at it. - What should I eat on Bourbon Street?
Everything you could imagine New Orleans favorites-gumbo, jambalaya, po’boy, crawfish, beignet. There is also plenty that has specific Hurricanes and Sazerac’s available. - How do I get to Bourbon Street?
There’s also the iconic Bourbon Street of the French Quarter as a background. Here are within walking distance of hundreds of other local attractions accessible as far as by taxi, streetcar and ride sharing services.
Culture in New Orleans throbs with history, music, food, and wild nightlife on Bourbon Street. A tourist stay can be brief or just for the festivals, but the stay becomes an easy-going one, and memories are in the offing for one to last for a lifetime on Bourbon Street. Come, let’s start planning your visit. Soak up all the sounds and sights, and become a part of the boisterous spirit of one of the world’s most legendary streets!
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