16 Lies the Guidebooks Are Telling You About New Orleans

4. Yes, we have recovered.

Katrina happened more than 10 years ago, and although some areas have not fully recovered yet, most of the city is better than it ever was. Lots of entrepreneurs have since started successful small businesses and we actually have more restaurants and bars than ever before.

5. The French Quarter’s architecture is not French. It’s Spanish.

6. We don’t go to Café du Monde for beignets every morning.

There are many other places to get beignets and coffee with much less of a line.

7. If you’re basing your trip on the movie The Big Easy, you know nothing about New Orleans.

8. This is not the place for you to get authentic Cajun food.

Our food is Creole, a blend of the various cultures of New Orleans including Italian, Spanish, African, German, Caribbean, Native American, and Portuguese. If you’re looking for true Cajun food, you’ll need to venture out of the city towards Lafayette for dishes like boudin, alligator, and jambalaya.

9. Yes, you can bring your kids here.

We have museums, a great zoo and aquarium, and plenty of parks. Your kids can come to Mardi Gras too, there are tons of family-friendly neighborhoods where they can enjoy some completely age-appropriate parades.

10. The Streetcar Line isn’t just for tourists.

Many of us locals use it too. It’s a great way to see everything for $1.25.

11. We’re not just about the liquor.

New Orleans is a great city for wine bars, there’s a good one in almost every neighborhood. Two favorites are Swirl in the mid-city neighborhood and WINO in the Warehouse District.

12. Don’t even try to make it work here in the summer.

You’re going to sweat. The heat and humidity is stifling and you’re going to have to spend the entire time drinking Pimm’s Cups at the Napolean House Bar.

13. Jazz Fest isn’t just about jazz.

It’s more about local musicians and big stars — along with very large crowds, heat, and little to no shade. The best decision you could make when it comes to Jazz Fest is to buy the Big Chief VIP package so you can enjoy simple luxuries like clean bathrooms, shade and refreshments.

14. The French Quarter is actually a residential neighborhood and real people live behind those pretty doors and windows.

It’s not just for show.

15. Yes, a decent amount of Girls Gone Wild videos have been shot here, but there’s more to us than nudity and drinking.

You will find very few locals engaging in that sort of behavior on Bourbon Street. Very. Few.

16. We don’t tend to eat Lucky Dogs, unless we’ve been drinking all night and are suffering from impaired judgment.