Are you going to New Orleans for the ESSENCE Festival Of Culture? Check out these hot spots in the Crescent City

There are specific images and sounds in people’s minds after they consider New Orleans. From the red streetcars and oak trees that fill the city, to the sounds of a brass band, to the majestic above-ground tombs, there are places in the Big Easy that you must see and listen to, whether you’re visiting for the first time or the hundredth.

One of the first places visitors go is Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. Aside from this historic district, if you’re in town to rejoice the thirtieth anniversary, there are other historic sites value visiting^t anniversary of the ESSENCE Culture Festival.

Take a break in a New Orleans city park

If you need a break from the downtown and tourist areas, head to City Park. Located in Mid-City, that is certainly one of the most iconic parks and residential to certainly one of New Orleans’ most recognizable landmarks: the gleaming Anseman and McDonogh oaks. The park is home to the world’s oldest grove of live oaks, a few of that are estimated to be over 700 years old.

City Park is certainly one of the largest city parks in the world, covering roughly 1,300 acres. In addition to the infinite greenery, make sure to head to the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, which is positioned in the park. Admission is free and the garden is open day by day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is just a couple of steps away. It houses a formidable collection of just about 50,000 artworks. Admission to NOMA is $20 per person.

Pro tip: There is Cafe du Monde in City Park. The lines for donuts listed below are normally shorter than at the Riverwalk and French Market.

Tremé Walking Tour

Surround yourself with history when you visit Tremé, certainly one of the oldest African-American neighborhoods in the United States. Historians say the area’s early population was mostly immigrants and free people of color, including refugees from Saint-Domingue, now often called Haiti.

Tremé was incorporated into New Orleans in 1812. While there, visit St. Augustine Church, the nation’s oldest African American Catholic church, and Louis Armstrong Park, named for certainly one of jazz’s most influential artists. You may find out about the city’s often ignored history at the New Orleans African American Museum and the Backstreet Cultural Museum.

Vibe Out on the French Street

It was certainly one of the locals’ best kept secrets. Known as “the local Bourbon Street,” there is not any higher place to surround yourself with the sounds of New Orleans than by getting into certainly one of the neighborhood’s many live music venues.

You’ll know when you’re getting close to the French. It is positioned in the full of life Faubourg-Marigny district. It’s hard to miss the colourful houses that set the tone for what you’ll enjoy in the evening. If there’s one area in New Orleans where you can find good food, good music, and unforgettable moments, it’s the French live music scene.

Tip: 6pm is an awesome time. That’s when the live music starts, before the bars are open for standing room. If that does not hassle you, let’s just say you’ll be there until 10pm

Discover the “Cities of the Dead” by visiting above-ground cemeteries

Cemeteries in New Orleans undoubtedly play a major role in the character of the city. While most graves are underground, New Orleans cemeteries are unique in that the graves are above ground.

No other place celebrates life and death like New Orleans. Visiting these cemeteries is an awesome way to find out about New Orleans’ fascinating history and culture, and the way spirituality is well known throughout the Crescent City.

Some of the best cemeteries to visit for their stunning architecture include: Metairie Cemetery, Lafayette Cemetery #1, Greenwood Cemetery and Mausoleum, St. Louis Cemetery #3, Cypress Grove Cemetery, and St. Roch Cemetery #1.

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is certainly one of the hottest cemeteries to visit. It is the oldest in the city and is where the famous voodoo queen is buried Maria Laveau is buried. Please note that entry to this cemetery requires a ticket and organized walking tour.

Admire the views from the hot tin roof

The Hot Tin rooftop bar is positioned atop the Pontchartrain Hotel on St. Charles Avenue. This historic hotel is a gem of the Garden District. Its advantage is unparalleled views, guests have a 270-degree view of the city skyline and the Mississippi River.

The most fun way to get there’s to take the St. Charles Streetcar. You’ll know you’re on the right track because the streetcar is green, not red. Passengers will cruise through Uptown’s historic Garden District. St. Charles Avenue is a preferred Mardi Gras parade route, so make sure to look up into the trees where you’ll still find beads from the festivities.

There’s a bus stop right outside the hotel. Arrive early, as this intimate, Nineteen Forties-inspired space fills up quickly. Let the staff know you’re headed to Hot Tin. There may be an extended line for the elevator, but take it up to enjoy craft cocktails and views.

Bonus tip: The bar opens at 2 p.m. day by day. The Garden District is usually ignored by visitors. A streetcar ticket costs $1.25 per ride. Stay on the streetcar for some time to make the most of a reduced architectural tour of the area’s stately homes, then head to Magazine Street for more shopping and dining.