Bourbon Street, New Orleans

As long as you are not a "holy roller" you have to at the bare minimum walk up and down Bourbon St one time in your life. Do it after it gets dark, but before midnight any day of the week, Saturday preferred. If you do not like crowds then go on a weeknight in between festivals or a few days after Mardi Gras. You have to just see the freaks, drunks etc. Maybe join in and pick up a Hurricane from Pat Obriens to drink as you walk the street. Watch the bull riders at the Bourbon Cowboy (if you can stand the country music) they will change the music based on the response from the crowd though. Sit in the courtyard at Pat Obriens and have a Hurricane and watch the rats run the perimiter (they won't hurt you) Or just people watch. It is all sort of like strolling the Ramblas in Barcelona with more bars/drunks/strip clubs/ freaks. If you are really adventurous come on a holiday and dress up for it. For example, near St Pats day dress up in green hair and clothes, wear some green flashing beads etc and you will have the time of your life! ENJOY!

Quite possibly the the epicenter of what the average Joe considers to be THE unique New Orleanean experience, Bourbon Street is where dining, debauchery, jazz and gaudy tourist shops converge. Needless to say, this bar-lined street in the Vieux Carre is lined with bars and several "I've been to Orleans t-Shirts" and Mardi Gras beads. For all you history buffs:

New Orleans in the Forties and Fifties was often heralded as "The Most Interesting City in America." Bourbon Street was its epicenter, and it became world famous for its concentration of nightclub shows featuring exotic dancers, comics, risque singers, and contortionists, backed by live house bands. Along a five-block stretch, over fifty acts could be seen on any given night. The street gleamed with neon lights as barkers enticed tourists and locals into the clubs to see the featured attractions whose photographs were prominently displayed in the large windows outside.

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It's tradition....need I say more?

If you are one of those travelers who loves to experience a city for what it is and not for who you, individually are, then flashing is for you. Granted I wouldn't have done it if I were sober I couldn't have left New Orleans without my 5 seconds of shame.

Now, I caution you....Males if you try flashing your .... stuff then the police will get you as soon as your hands hit your zipper. Trust me, I stood around and watched. Guys you can lift up your shirt but I wouldn't even put your hands on your pants...That's how jumpy the cops were.

I'm proud of my beads that are in my travel shelf. I earned them, damnit!

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As soon as I got to New Orleans I had to see Bourbon St. for myself. And let me tell ya, it was everything they said it would be. Unfortunately, it had just rained but you just have to see it for yourself.

Supposedly, after talking to some natives, Bourbon St. is nothing like it was pre-Katrina but it sure was enough to shock me.

It's available for your pleasure at any hour. I enjoyed it more at night when all the lights stick out. However, I would not recommend it if you're traveling with the youngin's...unless you wanna explain hoes and bums to the kids. However, just walking up and down at night is more than enough entertainment for your trip. In fact, grab a drink from one of the walk-up bars and have a drink while watching the street come alive.

*If you decide to flash (which I really recommend...I did it and I'll never forget it!) please be safe. Feel free to stand and watch for a while and then you can decide whether you like the spot. There are going to be old men watching and lots of boys. And, yes, women are just as curious. Just be sure you're not by people who are gonna grab. Have a girlfriend back ya up like mine did! And boys, if you even think about flashing your under area...the cops are waiting just for a hint and they'll come up to ya and get in your face...so BEWARE!!

This area its plenty of nice Jazz live places, nices bars and restaurants.

There are pretty Balconys where girls show her bubies for get any Collars.

Pat O Briens its a nice place for lunch or dinner , with nice music and good hurricane.

Find one of the restaurants that opens out onto Bourbon Street, wait for a table near the road, and when it opens up grab it. Having a nice leisurely lunch, plus a beverage or two, while watching all of the going-ons of Bourbon Street is a good way to spend an afternoon.

Bourbon Street is one of the most overrated places I have ever been to. Everyone you talk to tells you about how great it is and after visiting the street myself, I wonder what their definition of a great time is.

Bourbon Street is rank. It absolutely Stinks of urine and stale vomit. It is sticky when you walk along the pavement or sidewalk. Avoid this place at all costs.

See the website link below for other travellers' reviews.

New Orleans must popular place to be. Almosts lively especially during Mardi Gras and the 4th of July. You find alot to drink plenty of places to go dancing. But it will get very crowded during Mardi Gras, Essence festival, Jazz Festival. It will be so crowded you can barely move which can be a drawnback for going down there during this times but it is still alot fun.