Rebuilding New Orleans

Now is the time to fall in love with New Orleans all over again!

The most celebrated and historic core of the city – including the Faubourg Marigny, French Quarter, Central Business District, Warehouse and Arts District, Magazine Street, Garden District, Audubon Park and Zoo and St. Charles Avenue – not only remains intact, both physically and spiritually, but is thriving. The cultural riches, sensual indulgences and unparalleled service that define the New Orleans experience continue to flourish, as they have for centuries. We are open, fully prepared and eager to welcome all of our visitors again.

The historic and cultural experience that attracts more than 10 million people to New Orleans each year is as rich, charming and welcoming as ever. There are more than 25,000 hotel rooms available, and our famed restaurants and music clubs are humming. The 150th anniversary of Mardi Gras was a coming out party for the city, which is now getting ready for the internationally celebrated New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. It’s no surprise that the New York Times recently named New Orleans the “Comeback of the Year.”

Come see and celebrate for yourself. Your visit right now ensures you the unique, cultural travel experience only New Orleans can deliver. Even more, it means you are taking part in something important, historic and unfailingly patriotic: making way for the ultimate Rebirth of New Orleans.

Check out the article at New Orleans Convention and Visitors Center.

The New York Times put together an Awesome Interactive Graphic that shows the extent of the flooding in New Orleans... definitely worth checking out!

Many things have been said against the rebuilding of New Orleans... a good example is this article at Slate.com. I have to agree that some strong points are made, but one has to ask, "Wouldn't those same strong points apply to cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles that have been rebuilt after earthquakes, knowing that more are sure to come?" At least New Orleans can be upgraded to Category 5 Storm Protection, but what can you do against an earthquake?

This is still a free country, the last I checked, and people have the right to build wherever they want to. I believe the same goes for the federal disaster fund money... a lot sure went to San Francisco in 1989.

I personally do not want to live in New Orleans, though I like to visit frequently. I think that people would be wise to build homes in the out-lying areas outside of the city, where they will be less susceptible to flooding, and commute.

Aside from the negative press about New Orleans, The Big Easy is coming back! Check out NOLA RISES and Discovery's Rebuilding New Orleans.