11 Reasons New Orleans Is Better Now Than Ever

When you take a look at the numbers, it seems as though, in some ways at least, 10 years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is better now than ever before. For example, according to a report from The Associated Press(AP), the city's tourism statistics are almost as high as they were 10 years ago, and in some cases they're even stronger. According to the report, 3.7 million people visited New Orleans in 2006. In 2014, that number more than doubled: the city accommodated 9.5 million visitors last year.

"It's a fantastic time to go there," Diana Schwam, author of the travel guidebook Frommer's EasyGuide to New Orleans,told AP. ”The post-Katrina energy that has emerged is insane. It's just really fun and exciting."

Both the city's classic mainstays and the newly emerged attractions (according to AP New Orleans has 600 more restaurants compared to 10 years ago) are big draws for travelers looking to experience the culturally diverse and historic area. Speaking of its history, some long-term residents who were fortunate enough to return to New Orleans (according toNPR the city has 110,000 fewer residents than before the storm hit) say that one downside to the "rebirth" is that the culture there has changed.

"You can't even hear the same dialect that you used to hear," Stan Norwood, a barber and leader of a community group in the Freret neighborhood, told NPR. "The drag? The New Orleans drag? It's hard to find," he said.

Additionally, the extent of recovery varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. As NPR also points out, many residents never returned to the Lower Ninth Ward — the neighborhoodhit hardest by the storm — but in other areas like the French Quarter, many new residents have settled in. So, by no means is the city "back to normal" — no doubt, it's been forever changed — but the rebuilding process has certainly added some new colors and flavors to its character.

Here's a look at some of the new and improved aspects that add to an atmosphere and experience that's better than ever before.

Destroyed by the flood and then entirely rebuilt, the historic St. Roch Market is a must-see according to AP. Supplying the community with local produce and prepared foods from the most talented chefs in the city, the market is and always will be considered a classic centerpiece of downtown New Orleans. 

Katrina's destruction affected many historic buildings, but for some, like The Roosevelt Waldorf Astoria, a silver lining emerged as reconstruction began. Paradigm Design Group (PDG) took on the iconic hotel's restorations and uncovered original tile mosaics and murals that had been forgotten before the storm. The mosaic floors, which date back to 1893 (when the establishment was known as the Grunwald) have been restored to their original brilliance and renowned Art Deco pieces by Paul Ninas that were previously hidden by sheets of plywood are on display for all to see. 

Classic eateries, like Antoine's (175 years old this year), Arnaud's, Galatoire's, Broussard's, Commander's Palace and Pascal's Manale, that originally helped New Orleans earn its status as a premiere food destination are booming. And with 600 more restaurants than it had in 2005, the city's dining scene is growing not only in size, but in diversity too. Extending beyond cuisines traditionally associated with New Orleans, restaurants are venturing to serve Vietnamese, Philippine, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Mexican, Russian and Israeli fare, according to the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOCVB). 

New Orleans has no shortage of bars, lounges, taverns, saloons and beer gardens to choose from, but since Katrina, the NOCVB says in particular, the city has seen prolific growth in the number of craft cocktails and draft microbrews offered at local watering holes. Plus, over the last 10 years the city's popular "Tales of the Cocktail" event (held every year in July) has grown from a small gathering into one of the world's most popular cocktail festivals. The NOCVB says the event drew 18,000 visitors to the city last year and generated $12.8 million.

It's no secret that New Orleans has entire streets and neighborhoods dedicated to live entertainment and nightlife, but the jazz and live music scene here now extends well beyond the most popular locations like Bourbon Street and the French Quarter. Those in search of more venues should visit Frenchman Street in the Faubourg Marigny or the St. Claude corridor, which the NOCVB says is adding new live performance bars and restaurants almost monthly. Plus, don't forget about the the old favorites, like Tipitina's, Preservation Hall, Snug Harbor, The Howlin' Wolf, The Maple Leaf, d.b.a. and The Spotted Cat.

Adding to its reputation as "The Gateway to the Caribbean," in more recent years New Orleans has grown to become one of the top 10 ports for cruise ships heading out to or stopping in from both the eastern and western ends of the Caribbean. The NOCVB says the Port of New Orleans has blossomed into a busy hub catering to both large and small vessels and an operation point for major cruise lines including Carnival, Norwegian and American Queen. 

There's no shortage of things to see and do in New Orleans, and post-Katrina there are now also more places than ever for visitors to stay. According to the NOCVB, since August of 2005 the city has added more than 4,000 hotel rooms in addition to the re-openings and renovations of many original establishments.  To put it simply, lodging for guests has hit an all-time high. And with so many options, from historic luxury hotels and quaint bed and breakfasts to independent boutiques and well-known brand-name hotels, any traveler will feel right at home in The Crescent City.

Offering previously inaccessible panoramas of the city, Crescent Park is a 20-acre greenspace situated on the banks of the Mississippi River, just outside the French Quarter. Then, there's also New Orleans' most recently developed park, The Lafitte Greenway. Currently under construction, it's on track to be finished by the end of 2015. The new park will feature bicycle and pedestrian paths and serve as a recreational link between nearby neighborhoods.

The world's oldest continuously operating streetcar line is still booming and will soon be running on new, extended routes that will venture into the Faubourg Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods. That's not the only way to get around New Orleans, though. According to the NOCVB, since Katrina many more transportation options have been established within the city, including Uber. You can also explore the city by pedi-cabs — mainly within the French Quarter, Faubourg Marigny, Warehouse District and Central Business District areas — or opt to rent a scooter or bike and take advantage of more than 100 miles the city has dedicated to bike lanes. 

A new addition to New Orleans' National World War II Museum, the $35 million "Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center" was designed to house six World War II era airplanes and also displays military weaponry and industrial requirements undertaken during the war. Also new to the museum is the "Campaigns of Courage" exhibit: a 31,000-square-foot-pavillion with interactive demonstrations of the average American's experience fighting in the war.

10 years after Katrina, the New Orleans community is dedicated to improving residents' quality of life and developing new, exciting experiences for visitors. A few incredible projects that are currently under instruction include, an $825 million renovation of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport; the Four Seasons' redevelopment of the New Orleans World Trade Center at the foot of Canal Street ; and even more hotel, restaurant and retail options thanks to a $700 million redevelopment plan for the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. The CVB calls this growth a "construction renaissance of new amenities."