New Orleans: to go or not to go.

I recently planned a trip to visit a good friend who lives in New Orleans. While I was excited to see my friend, I was hesitant because I wasn't sure what the city would be like two years after Katrina. This would be my fourth trip to New Orleans, so I was pretty familiar with the city. But would I recognize it?

As it turns out, New Orleans today is not that much different from the New Orleans that I had visited in years past. To be sure, evidence of Katrina is all around, but you have to look closely to spot it. The touristy areas of the city, the French Quarter in particular, look a lot like they did before. Of course, there are many areas of the city that are still in bad shape, but these aren't places that most tourists would ever visit.

So, why aren't more tourists going to New Orleans? I think, like me, people aren't sure what to expect. But don't let that stop you from going. The city relies heavily on tourism and really need people like us to keep coming. If you've been thinking about visiting New Orleans, especially if you've never been, I highly recommend it. It's really an amazing, unique place and definitely worth the trip! — Jill, Senior Designer