Do you think that people outside of New Orleans(and Louisiana) should look at New Orleans in a different perspective? (Metairie: how much, neighborhoods)

[Blackandgold51]

Like for example; Instead of people looking at New Orleans like it's just a city that's just all about Jazz and Parades(Mardi Gras and 2nd Lines) why don't people, such as visitors, outside on New Orleans start looking everywhere else arond the city instead of just focusing on the central core areas of the city and see that New Orleans is a lot more than just Parades and music. Like go out to the East Of New Orleans and go uptown to Audobon Park plus go out to the lake at the LakeFront and look at different areas of the city and not just go to the city because of bars and parties and see that New Orleans is just like any city. You know what I mean?

[annie_himself]

Many people do. But it's the medias fault.

[southseeker]

Agreed. You can make that argument about any city though. As a tourist and visitor to any city, you are swayed towards "tourist designated attractions". I always hated that because you never get to go beyond that unless you were willing to make time and effort to do so.

[annie_himself]

I also hate that part of being a tourist in any city. I love to just explore and wander around.

[SunJoaquin]

We were just there.

We did do nightclubs (including Mid-City Rock 'n' Bowl and Chickie Wah-Wah) and the FQ/French Market.

But we also shopped Magazine Street, visited a couple of cemeteries in Metairie (and ate at Deanie's there on the day that the Ironman Marathon divided the city), drove up to the North Shore to see Mandeville, Abita, Slidell), spent time at Lake Ponchartrain (although you can't drive along most of it), and the small Fort St. John caught my eye, so we pulled over and walked around to learn a little piece of history we didn't know. We visited churches in various areas, shopped F&F Botanicals, and drove many neighborhoods.

I realize that we're not typical tourists. But when we visit another place we want to explore everything about it.

[mhounit]

It also depends on how much time you have to visit . If you're only there for a day or two , most people do the usual " tourist " thing .

[SunJoaquin]

Judging by discussions with other tourists, I'd say the average time spent is 4-5 days. And if time is spent at festivals, little is left for much of anything besides the main attractions. The Quarter itself takes a couple of days to really see it.

Next trip down I will want to see the zoo and take a Westbank drive, with maybe a swamp tour.

New Orleans has a lot to offer, and I think it's a very beautiful place, myself.

[mhounit]

I guess I'm one of the few that isn't impressed with the zoo .

[annie_himself]

I'm impressed with the aquarium, never been to NOLA zoo, but BR Audobon zoo is pretty nice after the expansion.

[Empidonax]

During a visit earlier this year, we had a lot of fun exploring a lot of different places in the city. The French Quarter is lovely and historic, but we really enjoyed walking around the edgy and youthful Faubourg Marigny, as well as the tranquil but close-in Algiers Point neighborhood. We walked all around the CBD, the larger Garden District, Irish Channel, Uptown in general, and the City Park area. There weren't quite as many tourists in these last three areas, but there were a few, especially in NOMA and in the area west of Tulane. We happened to be in NOLA during New Years week and the Sugar Bowl, so these places outside of the Quarter were a welcome refuge for us. My favorite features of the stay overall were NOMA and Audubon Park.