When I was a kid in school, I was put into the talented art programs in the public school system. You had to be screened and sponsored by a teacher to be apart of this curriculum. My favorite part about my art education at a young age was taking field trips to the Contemporary Arts Center in the Warehouse district in New Orleans. It was always a magical experience because it seemed like we took a trip to New York and we were experiencing an older and more sophisticated event. Every time I would walk into the building I knew that I was somewhere special. I don’t really remember much of the art on display but I do remember the smells of the center and the size of its galleries. I also remember all of the educational shows that they put on in the theater. The CAC is the perfect place to not only experience the warehouse district but to also see some local art or to attend an event and learn about the New Orleans history through its art. The CAC is definitely a must see attraction in New Orleans.

I recommend visiting the CAC not only for the local art but for the architecture of the building itself. This building really represents the heart of the warehouse district. It is also more than a hundred years old and the building is full of the history of the city. My other favorite part about this area of town is that the D-Day museum and theater is just around the corner. So you have a full day of stuff to see that will blow your mind. I recommend getting into this area early because there is more than a days worth of stuff to see. You can take the streetcar from any direction in the city to get into this area.

I recommend that you read the Hotel Monteleone’s review of the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans.

Musee Conti Wax Museum New Orleans

This is a great first stop for visitors of the French Quarter. Most people who come to the city from out of town want to learn the thick history of this land. I would highly recommend the WAX museum because it is a fun and exciting way to learn the stories of our history.

New Orleans history is very intense. It is a significant figure in the beginning of America. The most fascinating piece of New Orleans History that I learned was that of the plans of Napoleon Bonaparte before the Louisiana Purchase. To make a long story short Napoleon was planning to take control of New Orleans and claim it as New France. He then would conquer the rest of the country as New France in the 1800′s. What stopped him was pure luck. Thomas Jefferson had no idea that Napoleon had these plans but he did send over his top negotiator Robert Livingston to buy New Orleans from the French. The luck that saved America from Napoleon was yellow fever. Napoleon had sent thousands of his troops along with his best commanders to take over the Caribbean island Santo Domingo and use the slaves and position to conquer New Orleans. When Napoleon’s army landed in Santo Domingo they met an angry population of people and the yellow fever. This was enough to devastate his army and force Napoleon to release New Orleans. Livingston just happened to be in the right place at the right time and bought, not just New Orleans from Napoleon and the French, but all of the land from New Orleans to Canada for 15 million dollars.

This story fascinated me when I first learned of it because it illustrates how significant New Orleans is to American History. To learn more great history from our great city head on over to the WAX Museum and take a tour. You will not be disappointed. Don’t be one of those visitors who comes here and doesn’t learn the history. I couldn’t imagine visiting New Orleans for the first or second time without learning some of its history.

For more information read the Hotel Monteleone’s review of the Musee Conti Wax Museum New Orleans!

Michael Jackson at the Musee Conti Wax Museum