Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras WorldIn Algiers Point, on the west bank of the Mississippi
River, stands a unique studio museum showcasing the famous New
Orleans' Mardi Gras. The museum is actually the working studio of
foremost carnival float designer, Blaine Kern, for whom producing
floats and props for the city's annual Mardi Gras is a full-time
job. Visitors can watch Kern and his team design and construct the
giant sculptures of everything from cartoon characters to
mythological figures and animals that will eventually parade
through the streets.The CabildoThe entertaining and informative Cabildo on Jackson
Square in New Orleans' French Quarter explores the history of
Louisiana from the first European explorations to the post-Civil
War Reconstruction era from a multi-cultural perspective. The
museum is the flagship of the Louisiana State Museum facilities and
is housed in an historic building, dating to 1799, originally
serving as the Spanish city council offices. Two major historic
events took place in the Cabildo building: the Louisiana Purchase
Transfer ceremonies in 1803 and later a landmark Supreme Court
decision was handed down here that legalised racial segregation.
The Cabildo takes pride that five American presidents have visited
it.D-Day National WWII MuseumThe unique D-Day National World War II Museum was
founded in 2000 by historian and author Dr Stephen Ambrose and has
become regarded as a highlight of any New Orleans sightseeing tour.
Situated in New Orleans' Warehouse District it depicts the June 6,
1944 invasion of Normandy, the Home Front during World War II, and
the D-Day Invasions in the Pacific. Exhibit galleries include text
panels, artefacts, and personal account stations where visitors can
listen to the stories of war veterans. A panorama exhibit recreates
a Normandy beach landing; there are also regular film
shows.Audubon Aquarium of the AmericasNew Orleans' state-of-the-art Audubon Aquarium,
situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, is regarded as the
best in America with highly entertaining exhibits. Underwater
tunnels allow visitors to marvel at a Caribbean Reef and a
re-creation of the Gulf of Mexico, complete with sharks. There is
also a walk-through Amazon rainforest and an exhibit displaying the
inside story of swamp life. The Aquarium features every type of
aquatic creature from jellyfish and sea horses to sea otters and
penguins. The Aquarium's 'sister' attraction, also run by the
Audubon Institute, is the excellent New Orleans city zoo, situated
in Audubon Park further uptown.French QuarterRegarded as the heart and soul of New Orleans, the
French Quarter is the historic part of town covering about 90
square blocks radiating out from Chartres Street and Jackson
Square. The Quarter, or Vieux Carre, was established in 1718 as a
French military outpost, which was later taken over by the Spanish,
merging into a freewheeling culture incorporating slaves, pirates,
mercenaries, call-girls and various freemen of every colour and
creed. Today the area looks and feels much as it did before
Hurricane Katrina, with its wrought-iron railings and tall
doorways, and clubs, bars, Cajun-seafood restaurants and shops all
a-buzz. By day it is one of the best people-watching spots in the
world, and the focus for visitors to New Orleans. By night the area
becomes a giant street party throbbing with jazz music and a
world-class dining district. The most famous street is Bourbon
Street, where prostitutes literally mingle with priests, and bars
stay open all night.Hurricane Katrina TourIn the wake of one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit
the United States, Gray Line Tours offers a three-hour bus ride
around some of the hardest hit areas in New Orleans, including
Lakeview and Gentilly, and is aimed at gathering support to rebuild
the city. To respect the privacy of the locals, buses will not
allow tourists off the bus to take pictures, but will pass around
pictures of the storm and its destruction, and guides will describe
the events before and after the storm hit the city, as well as
explaining the significance of the levee system.Preservation HallHistoric Preservation Hall is New Orleans' most
popular jazz venue, where the famed Preservation Hall Jazz Band
serves up first-rate music six nights a week in the French Quarter
building (originally built as a residence in 1750). On Sundays the
Olympia Brass Band performs instead. No seating, food or drinks are
available, but crowds flock here simply for the music between 8pm
and midnight.Louis Armstrong ParkLouis Armstrong Park is a 32-acre sanctuary of green
trees and jazz melodies in the heart of the historic old quarter.
Inside you'll find Congo Square, the meeting place of slaves in the
19th century. The Visitors' Facility also has exhibits and an
indoor performance venue. Occasional free Sunday afternoon concerts
are a highlight in the park.The Audubon InsectariumIf it walks, crawls or flies, find it at the Audubon
Insectarium. Set in Custom House, the historic, white marble
columned structure in Canal Street, this is the largest
freestanding insectarium in the United States, devoted to over
900,000 species of insects. View thousands of live bugs and mounted
specimens. The Cooking Show and Cultural Café offer culinary
adventures; witness the art of cooking with these creepy criters
and sample the treats, or opt for more traditional fare in the
insect-themed café.Besthoff Sculpture GardenView the priceless sculptures that make up the superb
Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden. The Sculpture Garden
provides a unique opportunity for visitors who treasure the arts,
with a world-class collection of modern and contemporary sculptures
presented in an exquisite natural setting. Next to the Sculpture
Garden is the New Orleans Museum of Art and City Park, with
centuries old oak trees, lagoons, a small amusement park and
Storyland, a charming fairytale playground.
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