The French Quarter, Garden District, and Faubourg Marigny have always
been great destinations for visitors to New Orleans, but the city's
revitalized Arts District is giving travelers yet another reason to
come to the Crescent City. This historic neighborhood - filled with
amazing art galleries, fine restaurants, and world-class museums, has
gone from bustling, to abandoned, and back to becoming the center of
attention once again.
The Warehouse
District, known today as the New Orleans Arts District, was originally
established as an industrial area in the 19th century to store grain,
coffee, and produce shipped through the Port of New Orleans. As
commerce, trade, and industry practices evolved over time, the area's
prosperity faded, and the once busy streets became eerily quiet.
The
transformation from an urban wasteland to what many have called "the
SoHo of the South" began in 1976 with the opening of the Contemporary
Arts Center. The 10,000-square-foot complex is still entertaining and
enlightening visitors today with cutting edge-artwork and an eclectic
array of music, theatre, and dance performances.
Through
this opening the art community saw massive potential and promise in the
neighborhood. The abundant and open spaces of the warehouses there were
perfect for creating, storing, and displaying artwork. Today more than
25 galleries call the district home. Most are located on Julia Street,
which is also the scene of an evening gallery hop that hosts a mix of
art lovers and socialites on the first Saturday night of every month.
Museums
also put the roomy warehouses to good use. The National World War II
Museum, one of the most popular attractions in New Orleans, features an
ever-expanding exhibit space where war veterans are on hand to give
tours, answer questions, or just to talk with the many visitors.
In less than three years, the attraction has hosted 1 million visitors.
Other developments include a number of restaurants and cafes serving
everything from stylish gourmet dishes to traditional Cajun favorites.
The original Emeril's was one of the first to call the district home
over a decade ago. Now diners can enjoy South Louisiana cuisine and
dancing at Michaul's, fresh seafood at Rio Mar, delicious sushi at
Rock-n-Sake, and drinks and music at Howlin' Wolf.
For those seeking a cultural travel experience, the New Orleans Arts District alone is worth a trip to New Orleans.
From: http://www.neworleansonline.com/tools/neighborhoodguide/artsdistrict.html
