If you’re looking for a fun time without major flight times, it doesn’t get much easier than The Big Easy. New Orleans is where the jazz is cool, the jambalaya is hot and every day is a party.
Of course, the city’s annual Mardi Gras celebration is the party to end all parties. For two weeks each winter, Bourbon Street explodes in a kaleidoscope of parades, street entertainers, colorful beads and elaborate masks. All the while, brass marching bands fill the air with the sounds of ragtime and dixieland. Would you expect anything less from the birthplace of jazz?
So much of New Orleans is a feast for the eyes. The French Quarter is famous for its unique architecture of colorful walls and elaborate iron balconies, existing just as it did during Spanish rule two centuries ago. Take a walk down Royal Street where window shopping becomes an art form at its elegant antique shops and art galleries. Historic Jackson Square feature street-corner painters, tarot readers and specialty shops, plus St. Louis Cathedral – the oldest cathedral in the U.S.
Save room in your New Orleans feast for pleasing your palate with the tastes of Creole and Cajun cooking. Like the city itself, New Orleans cuisine is a delicious melding of French, Spanish, Cuban and African traditions, plus a host of others tossed into the cultural stew.
The gay or lesbian vacationer in New Orleans can truly relax and have a great time. The attitude of this city is to enjoy life and let yourself be who you are. The locals love to dress in costume, throw all types of parties and put on parades. New Orleans has long been a site of GLBT tolerance in the South and the gay and lesbian community is very visible and thriving. While Mardi Gras, in February or late March, can be considered the party to end all parties, Southern Decadence, held Labor Day Weekend, draws hundreds of thousands of LGBT partiers. However, any time of the year, gay nightlife is exciting in New Orleans.
The French Quarter, which is considered the heart of New Orleans, is also the center of gay nightlife. Many night clubs and bars are within walking distance to enjoy. Additionally, gay neighborhood bars can also be found in the areas known as Marigny and Bywater. Along with the ever exciting bar scene, New Orleans boasts plenty of gay-owned and definitely gay-friendly fine dining opportunities, also located in the French Quarter area.
Shopping in New Orleans ranges from the funky boutiques to the top of the line nationally known names, something for everyone. Additionally, theater productions, drag shows and cabarets are easy to find. Halloween is another major time to party in the New Orleans gay and lesbian community. Project Lazarus House, a hospice for patients with HIV/AID, stages a blow-out party annually. Gay and lesbian vacationers in New Orleans are welcome and invited always! |
