NEW ORLEANS TRAVEL GUIDES

"Everything in New Orleans is a good idea. Bijou temple-type cottages and lyric cathedrals side by side. Houses and mansions, structures of wild grace. Italianate, Gothic, Romanesque, Greek Revival standing in a long line in the rain. Roman Catholic art. Sweeping front porches, turrets, cast-iron balconies, colonnades- 30-foot columns, gloriously beautiful- double pitched roofs, all the architecture of the whole wide world and it doesn’t move."
- Bob Dylan

TRAVELING TO NEW ORLEANS

New Orleans needs to be experienced to be understood.  Known best for its round-the-clock nightlife, its vibrant live music, and for the festival of Mardi Gras, the city provides another layer of culture with beautiful gardens, lovely architecture, and delicious cuisine.  Here are our favorite travel books for the "Big Easy".

A5 RECOMMENDATIONS

Frommer's Easy Guide to New Orleans

The latest from the Frommer's travel book series is the EasyGuide, a series of concise guides with opinionated recommendations on specifically what (and what not) to do in a particular city.  The New Orleans EasyGuide is an excellent book for those who want to really explore this vibrant city.  The author of the book, Beth D’Addono, is a well-known local journalist.  The guide includes tips for both Mardi Gras and Jazzfest.

111 Places in New Orleans That You Must Not Miss

Everyone knows about the French Quarter, but those who want to experience the true New Orelans might enjoy the 111 Places That You Must Not Miss guide.  111 Places provides unique insider-type ideas not normally found in other travel guides, with recommendations on hard-to-find restaurants and bars, quirky shops, legendary music venues, cultural landmarks, and more. 

The New Orleans Cookbook

Those lucky enough to have visited New Orleans know that one of the pleasures of this city is to eat.  Our favorite cookbook has 288 authentic and reliable recipes that showcase the true flavor of Cajun and Creole cuisine.   This is a great book for those preparing for a visit, and for those simply who like this type of food.  Written by Rima and Richard Collin.

 Zeitoun, by Dave Eggers

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept through New Orleans, in what was one of the worst natural disasters ever to hit the United States.  Zeitoun is the best-selling story by Dave Eggers chronicling the story of a Muslim Syrian-American who was caught in the aftermath, unfairly arrested, denied basic rights, and detained for weeks.  Named as a New York Times Notable Book and a San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year, among other awards.  Click here for our review on Zeitoun.

 The Last Madam, by Christine Wiltz

One of the better ways to understand the rich and dark history of New Orleans is through the colorful life of Norma Wallace, who arrived in 1916 at the age of fifteen to ultimately become one of the most prominent and influential figures in the city’s underworld.  Her ambition took her from streetwalker to madam of a legendary brothel where she flourished hosting many of the city’s most powerful figures, ultimately running a successful restaurant business before her death in 1974.  Christine Wiltz’s story provides a deep insight into the corruption and charm that helped shape this fascinating city.