There is no other city in the world where you can enjoy such variety of music in the streets. From the obvious Cajun/Zydeco to the dixieland Jazz, and everything between it. On almost every street corner you can find a band or a singer with a guitar. And every bar or pub has a band playing. Just stay away from the karaoke/cover band strip on Bourbon Street. Oh and if you ever see a parade following a street band, join in and get in to the groove... You might end up at the cemetary... paying your regards to some funky dude that just died. And you'll be drinking on his tap!

Decatur was once called Levee Street until 1870 when it became Decatur. This street was named after Commodore Stephen Decatur in the United States Navy who became a hero because of his tactics against the Algerian pirates at Tripoli on the northern coast of Africa.

The French Quarter was originally the city of New Orleans during its foundation as a French military war post. The French Quarter offers an amazing view to allure and intrigue visitors with its wrought-iron balconies, multicolor architecture, and easy-going personality. It has a main street for everyone's interest. Decatur Street is the main street which has the St. Louis Cathedral looming above the Jackson Square with the bronze statue of Andrew Jackson. Restaurants such as the Italian delicatessen Central Grocery Co., Cafe Maspero, Hard Rock Cafe, and Cafe du Monde are down the street. Tourist shops are not hard to find here, especially one store which is near the French Market which has magazines, brochures, and tourist attractions for the taking. There's a Mega Virgin Records store with books, movies, and music near the Jax Brewery. The Jackson Brewery and the Jax Brewery are the same thing. Jax Beer was made here, thus being Jax Brewery.

Near Mega Virgin Records, Ripley's Believe It or Not shop is on the corner near a coffeehouse. This shop is next to the House of Voodoo, a shop for the paranormal enthusiasts with t-shirts, cups, and everything else as a souvenir from love and voodoo kits to Mardi Gras beads. The back of the shop is a sight to see. The back wall has a scene of a New Orleans' cemetery. The shop has a restroom, but I doubt you'd want to you use since a skeleton (who wasn't a customer) eternally occupies it. The shop Jazz Funeral, further down from the Brewery, has its own eerie carriage with a skeletal driver. And he makes a great postcard to send home to friends.

He would not leave his parking post unless he could get another couple to hop in so he could make his minimum fare. So we waited, and waited, and waited . . . finally, we were joined by another young couple and were relieved to begin our tour. By the way, there are blankets on the seats that came in very handy, as dusk was setting in, and let’s remember that it’s December.

He was difficult to hear because he did not turn around occasionally, so you can see his lips moving. We did catch a few notable facts, which I give you below.

1. At one time, the French Quarter was all of New Orleans. As the city grew, it extended beyond those boundaries. Several major streets make up the square, and they are Bourbon (most famous), Royal, Chartres, Decatur, Rampart, Dauphine, and Burgundy. On foot, we did the first four.

2. The French Quarter is less than a mile long and only half a mile across; try telling this to your feet as you amble along. It has become synonymous with the city of NO.

3. Royal Street had me literally jumping out of my seat; it is a mélange of galleries, funky and elegant shops, antiques, and ambulant musicians. In days of old, a streetcar used to run along this street. Behind St. Louis’ Cathedral was the area where Jackson plotted his battle plans. Also on Royal is famous haunted Lalaurie House.

4. Chartres Street is not as posh as Royal but has its own merits (a lot of bookshops, which sends me straight to heaven). Here you will find the nation’s first pharmacy, which is now a museum. We entered when we were on foot and did not stay for the tour. Remember Paul Prudhomme? Lines used to form around the block for a table at his restaurant. It’s still there, but there are no lines. New Orleans’ oldest playhouse is on Chartres, on the corner of Jackson. The Cabildo, now part of the Louisiana State Museum, was the site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase.

5. Decatur used to be considered dangerous at one time, but they fixed that. The Jax Brewery is an important shopping anchor together with the Canal Place Mall. This is where you can find the House of Blues, the Hard Rock Café, and the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company among other well-reputed places. The first Café du Monde is also there, across the street from Jackson Square.

Your guide might be able to point out all the houses of ill repute, which can be on any of these streets.