New Orleans, Louisiana, rich in culture and driving distance from St. Pete, is a perfect summer break travel destination. With a fascinating history and beautiful culture, NOLA has something for everyone. The city’s plan follows the course of the Mississippi River, providing easy navigation with different cultural sectors connected by streetcars.

The central business district, located right outside the French Quarter, offers a mixture of boutique hotels, skyscrapers, shops, classic restaurants, and various tourist attractions. For a moody vibe in the business district, check out the Eliza Jane Hotel. The Eliza Jane is located minutes away from the lively Bourbon Street, artsy Frenchmen Street, and the French Quarter.

Frenchmen Street is packed with classic NOLA restaurants such as Dat Dog and Willie’s Chicken Shack and is known for the live jazz music you’ll find on nearly every street corner. Louisiana Music Factory is a record store for Frenchmen with a vast collection of records, CDs, posters, and all things music related.

The Garden District is known for its oak-covered historic homes, antique stores, and boutiques. For a relaxing day of food and shopping, consider stopping at Turkey & The Wolf for sandwiches, Parish Parlor for ice cream, and Century Girl Vintage for unique antiques.

The much-debated beignet controversy between Cafe Du Monde and Cafe Beignet is not something that one can leave New Orleans without taking part in. I found my experience at Cafe Beignet to be enjoyable, but try buying an order of beignets from each cafe to compare. To skip the line at Cafe Du Monde, take the streetcar to the New Orleans Museum of Art and go around the statue garden for another location.

New Orleans’ vibrant culture makes the city a pinnacle of the South, so be sure to enjoy the art, nature, and history.