Bourbon Street

• Spend time on Bourbon Street, the historic French Quarter street with a crude reputation due to burlesque clubs and all-night partying. The street encompasses 13 blocks and includes an array of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. Mardi Gras is the most popular event on Bourbon Street. The carnival celebrations occur the day before Ash Wednesday. Popular practices include wearing masks and costumes, dancing and parades. Prepare yourself for a day of debauchery at one of the biggest parties of your life.
  
  

Houmas House Plantation and Gardens

• The mansion and gardens offer visitors a view of the way life was in the early 1800s when the Houmas House was the largest sugar plantation in the world. Each of the mansion's 16 rooms include a museum-quality collection of antiques and artworks. Or, enjoy eating at one of the mansion's fine restaurants, including Latil's Landing Restaurant, which was built in 1775.
  
  

Jackson Square

• Jackson Square has been a National Historic Monument since 1960 and remains a favorite site for visitors. The artists, restaurants, museums, merchants and the square itself are of the most popular destinations in the French Quarter. Live music is a huge component to the square, as musicians set up to play for tips. It has also been a gathering place for painters. The famous landmark is surrounded by historic buildings including the Lower and Upper Pontalba Apartments, which are the oldest apartment buildings in the United States.
  
  

Self-Guided Jazz History Audio Tours

• The New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park offers two self-guided jazz history audio tours, the Jazz Walk of Fame and an 11-stop tour of jazz history sites in New Orleans. Both tours allow you to learn about jazz history and gain an appreciation for its history and influence. All you need is a fully charged cell phone to enjoy the self-guided walking tour narrated by park rangers. Pick up a map at the French Quarter Visitor Center.
  
  

French Market District

• The New Orleans French Market, "America's Oldest Market," has existed on the same site since 1791. The French Market District encompasses six blocks on the riverside of the Lower French Quarter. The district includes shopping, restaurants, cafes, a farmer's market and a flea market. You can also enjoy public art, scenic walkways and an array of annual festivals. The special events that occur in the New Orleans French Market District include the Creole Tomato Festival French Market Christmas Tree Lighting and the Boo Carré Halloween and Harvest Festival.