Few places in the country, or the world for that matter, can rival the energy, history and attractions that this marvelous city has to offer. A blend of French, Spanish, African and English, the Big Easy is an antique-lovers dream. The number and quality of shops reflect a city who has kept its active trade industry fully intact since the 18th century. Even post-Katrina, the city’s 200 antique stores bounced back – making it still the place to visit for antiques. Located in the French Quarter, are blocks upon blocks of elegant shops, many containing museum-quality furnishings and decorative arts. Several blocks also contain items ranging from china and glassware to silver jewelry to vintage war artifacts to textile and ceramics.

New Orleans also has a strong literary vibe – claiming such writers as Truman Capote and William Faulkner, and several literary festivals: the Tennessee Williams, and the Saints and Sinners and Words & Music. The mother of all festivals, of course – is the Voodoo Festival at Halloween and Mardi Gras. New Orleans also possesses several impressive museums, which include the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Confederate Museum, and the Museum of African American History.

New Orleans is known for its house museums with period furnishings of amazing quality: the 1858 Women’s Opera Guild Home, the Pilot House Museum, the 1826 Beauregard-Keys House, and the Creole-style Gallier townhouse. Other historic sites include the Cabildo, the Cathedral of St. Louis, and the Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre. From its historic district, haunting culture, spicy foods and lively nightlife, come to New Orleans and you’ll see for yourself why the expression the big easy, suits this town very well.