Bourbon Street is a historic street strategically located at the heart of the French quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana and ranges some 13 blocks from Canal St. to Esplanade Avenue. The street is also commonly referred to as “Rue Burbon. The name Bourbon Street is honor of the House of Bourbon which was the ruling French Family at the time the city was founded (MobileReference, nd). The street is endowed with folk lore and beauty that dates as far as 1789 when New Orleans was first founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville.
As one of the oldest streets in the oldest cities in America, Bourbon Street stands out because of its rich history, moving tales and iconic buildings. However it is the array of exciting activities that makes Bourbon Street most famous: All-night partying, city walk sightseeing, people-watching and shopping with a variety. Indeed Bourbon Street is the French Quarter’s liveliest and wildest thoroughfare. Its air is always permeated with rhythmic sounds of jazz, dixieland and sultry, and country western blues.
The Upper Bourbon Street, an eight-block section, is the most popular section of Bourbon Street especially because of its richness in tourist attractions.
Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop at the corner of Bourbon Street and St. Phillip Street in a creole cottage is a favorite stomping ground for both foreignres and natives (MobileReference, nd). The walls of this bar and restaurant is famous for its drawings of legends, mystery and early days of New Orleans. Other famous points of Bourbon Street include The Royal Sonesta hotel, the Old Absinthe House, and the Galatoire Restaurant.
The intersection of Bourbon Street and St. Anne Street ushers in the section of Bourbon that serves as home of New Orleans’ flourishing gay community. It features such famous clubs as The Bourbon Pub, which is New Orleans’ largest gay nightclub. And that’s Bourbon Street for you.
Reference:
MobileReference. (nd). New Orleans Sights. United States, MobileReference.
