NOLA Ranks Among Top 10 Cities, Reminding Us of This Popular Guide

“When we finally reach the French Quarter, I’m convinced that we did indeed travel the full width of eternity, perhaps into outer space. That’s because New Orleans is not part of this world. It exists in its own galaxy.…” – NOLA City Guide, Chicagoings.com.

For those of us in the states, New Orleans is the farthest we can travel without leaving home. It’s not a matter of distance but culture. The city is soaked in the blood of Africa, France, England, and colonialism. It’s a true melting pot, blending worlds to make a new one.

Our New Orleans city guide was one of the most popular itineraries Chicagoings.com has ever published. With that in mind, I wasn’t surprised when Travel + Leisure ranked the home of beignets and Sazerac No. 7 in the world — ahead of Rome, Italy and Barcelona, Spain.

Recall to mind that je ne sais quoi only found in NOLA with a feature article on the city and another on southern cocktails, both written by Kari Herrera (me!).

Where Chicago Goes: The Everyman’s Guide to NOLA

The drive tests my patience. 14 hours of sticks and cattle lead the way down I-55 from Chicago to New Orleans. Without reliable Wi-Fi, I find it surprisingly difficult to keep myself entertained. My husband and I tease each other, read a little, sleep a lot, shuffle through playlists, and grab some grub from Central BBQ in Memphis. Before you know it, we’ve hit The Causeway. When we finally reach the French Quarter, I’m convinced that we did indeed travel the full width of eternity, perhaps into outer space. That’s because New Orleans is not part of this world. It exists in its own galaxy. It is the farthest you can travel without leaving home.

I collaborated with the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (thanks, Sarah!) and a small group of well-informed locals to create this guide full of both legendary enticements and local haunts. If you’ve lived in the city all your life or just visit occasionally, this is for you — yes, YOU! … (more).

8 Southern Cocktails to Master for Summer

The sun is hot and the days are long. These drinks call for the breeze behind a rocking chair, on a wooden porch in front of rolling acres of farmland. Prohibition? That’s a Yankee’s game. Keep that southern joy of life with these 10 smooth cocktails … (more).