7 reasons I’m in love with New Orleans — and you should be, too
Editor's Note
Ask anyone who knows me about how much I love New Orleans, and they'll tell you my eyes light up and I can talk about the magic of the city for a solid half-hour without taking a breath. Can you blame me, though? There's no other destination in the world quite like it.
Just stepping foot in this resilient, diverse and collaborative city can give you a deeper sense of purpose and belonging. It's a city that's upbeat and steeped in tradition, playful and downright delicious. It's New Orleans, after all.
If you know, you know — and if you haven't been, well, you'll probably end up booking your flight before the end of this article. Here's why I'm so obsessed with the vibrant city of New Orleans.
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The food is incredible
I could write an entire novel just about how amazing the food is in this city. From the classics like jambalaya and po'boys to more modern crazes from Turkey and the Wolf, you're going to want to bring your stretchy pants.
It's not a trip without beignets from Café du Monde or Morning Call, and don't you even think about leaving without a muffuletta. Some of my other favorite restaurants include Galatoire's, Restaurant R'evolution, Willa Jean and GW Fins, among others.
Like I said: I could write a novel about the food alone.
The people are so welcoming
I have yet to find another place on the planet where the people welcome you into their city with open arms (and probably a steaming cup of gumbo). Everyone is so happy to have you here and celebrate all of the things that make you unique.
Come as you are and be unapologetically yourself.
Related: The first-timer's guide to New Orleans
It's full of opportunity
New Orleans is full of opportunities to give back to the city that gives so much of itself to everyone who's ever been there.
In fact, my alma mater, Tulane University, has a built-in service-learning element in its curriculum. Every student must complete community service hours before they graduate. For me, it was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the city and the people who made it so amazing, especially in the years after Hurricane Katrina while the city was rebuilding. As a student, I tutored students in English in a nearby charter school.
If you're interested in more opportunities like this, I recommend looking into other notable programs such as Grow Dat Youth Farm and Habitat for Humanity.
The music moves you
(A jazz band plays on Bourbon St. Photo by Simplyphotos/Getty Images)
If you haven't heard how incredible New Orleans' music scene is, well, where have you been all this time? With venues like Tipitina's, Maple Leaf and virtually all of Frenchmen Street — not to mention street players on every corner — there's music floating around pretty much everywhere.
New Orleans is music.
You can catch a cheap show any night of the week, but if you're a music fanatic, head there for Jazz Fest. It's more than two weeks of nonstop music ranging from rock to jazz and everything in between from some of the biggest names in the business to New Orleans' locals. (The festival in 2022 will happen from April 29 to May 8.) Oh, and please, whatever you do, don't forget the Crawfish Monica.
The cityscape is beautiful
Few cities are as unique and beautiful to explore than New Orleans.
Find me a park more picturesque than Audubon or City Park, and I'll buy you a plate of the "World's Best Fried Chicken" from legendary Willie Mae's Scotch House. If parks aren't your thing, have a picnic on the water with your friends at The Fly to watch the sunset. It doesn't hurt that the weather rarely drops below 40 degrees here, so you'll definitely be able to sit outside all year long.
The architecture, too, is stunning. Walking around New Orleans is like taking a stroll in Europe — and also the Caribbean. You almost forget you're still in the U.S. The French Quarter is the original part of the city and has a striking mix of French and Spanish design elements. Head uptown to the Garden District by taking the streetcar along St. Charles and feel like you're in a classic film.
And yes, there's Mardi Gras
Come one, come all, to the greatest show on Earth. Mardi Gras is even more fun than you've likely heard, but you're going to want to pace yourself. It's a marathon, not a sprint, as any Tulane grad will instantly remind you. It's five days filled with parades, music, food and yes, copious amounts of booze.
Get out your craziest outfits and join the fanfare for a week.
You can't beat the mindset
There's a feeling you get when the plane lands at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) that you're just supposed to be here. In NOLA, life slows down a bit and the world becomes a little more colorful. Life is meant to be celebrated here, so stop and smell the crabmeat — and have a Sazerac while you're at it.
See you at the airport.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.