The tragedies that have befallen NOLA these last few years are well documented. But equally true that to visit the city is to experience a vibrant, unique culture that can not be denied or ignored and is a lot of fun.

Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras (1380 Port of New Orleans Place, 504-527-0391, www.mardigrasworld.com) is where they make and house all the wonderful Mardi Gras floats. These floats are massive and even a bit frightening up close. All the more reason to take the tours of the cavernous and imagine yourself tossing beads to celebrating revelers.

Praline Connection ( 542 Frenchman Street, 504-9433934), an African-American owned creole food spot is an Crescent City institution and one of the anchors of Frenchman Street. The food is rich and flavorful, and is served by a staff outfitted in black fedoras, white shirts and red ties.

Once your full you must visit one of the many great music venues on Frenchman Street, including the Blue Nile (542 Frenchman, 504-948-2583), which is more of a young party crowd, and Sung Harbor, which has more mature, sit down and savor the music vibe. At both spots local musicians like …

New Orleans conjures up images of gumbo, jazz and, of course, Mardi Gras and the ever popular Essence Music Fest. But there’s much more to the city than good food, good music and good times: it's full of culture and is rich in African-American history. The next time you’re in the Big Easy to party, take a moment and visit a few of the city's historical sites that mark our important contributions to society.

Treme is one of New Orleans’ oldest neighborhoods – not too far from the French Quarter – and, in the 19th century, was home to the city’s free people of color. There sits Congo Square, located on the south end of Louis Armstrong Park. The Square was a place where both slaves and free blacks came together to socialize, dance and play music.

St. Augustine’s Church, also in the Treme neighborhood, was founded by the city’s free people of color in the early 1840s. Free blacks began to purchase pews in advance of the church’s 1842 dedication. Whites organized and attempted to out buy …

Join BlackAtlas Travel Expert Nelson George as he takes you on a trip through New Orleans.