Every city has a center where most of the activities take place. From that perspective, the Bourbon Street in New Orleans is the hub of all activities. The place has everything-from shops, hotels, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and a lot of other fun and attractions. Located at the heart of the city, the Bourbon Street is a place where local people gather to have fun and celebrate all the important events and festivals.

Bourbon Street on Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bourbon_Street

This famous street in New Orleans has a rich history in itself. Originated in the early eighteenth century, the street was called Rue Bourbon. Gradually people from different parts of the world and also from the U.S started opening their business in the area. It was mainly the Creole, Spanish and French who started setting up bars and restaurant and other shops on the sides of the streets. Over the next few decades, it became one of the most attractive places for visitors.

The most important and fun event that is celebrated on the street is the Mardi Gras. This is when the street is flooded with colors, dance, songs and a whole lot of fun. The city also looks colorful during other festivals such as Christmas Day, New Year, Easter and Thanksgiving Day or any major event.

Bars are the main attraction of the Bourbon Street. You will come across dance bars, music bars, voodoo shops, gift shops, music stores and other interesting outlets on both sides of the street. You would also come across some of the best authentic cuisine available in the local restaurants.

History and activities of the street

http://www.helium.com/items/1240348-bourbon-street-rue-bourbon-new-orleans-burlesque-mardi-gras-red-light-district

Attractions of Bourbon Street

http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/North_America/United_States_of_America/Louisiana/New_Orleans-793014/Things_To_Do-New_Orleans-Bourbon_Street-BR-1.html

Fun and celebrations a Bourbon Street

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60864-d143295-Reviews-Bourbon_Street-New_Orleans_Louisiana.html

New Orleans is one of the most visited cities in the US. This is because it is full of charm, character, great night life, amazing architecture, superb cuisine, and lively music. In other words, it is the photographer's paradise!

New Orleans travel is not complete without visiting Bourbon Street (http://www.planetware.com/pictures-/new-orleans-bourbon-street-us-la-bour.htm) that is situated in The French Quarter. Known for its famous bawdy and raw night life this street is full of jazz clubs, shops, restaurants, one can find a lot of friendly tourists to mix around with.

Pictures of Bourbon street (http://goneworleans.about.com/od/nightlife/ss/Bourbonstreet.htm) are famous because of the color, mood and excitement they tend to capture. The typical pictures of Bourbon are of the street signs, scores of wild tourists, strip clubs, bars and of course the wild characters you find there.

One of the most photographed areas is the outdoor courtyard with the Flaming Fountain. Pat O's serves the best of "Hurricanes" that are a choice of most tourists.

Photographs of the nightlife on this popular street are usually neon lit. Bourbon Street on Mardi Gras is an experience. There are the wildest things to do and see. Rick's Cabaret, and Tony Moran's Restaurant, are the places to visit. Catching beads on Bourbon Street is very exciting - all you have to do is catch the eye of somebody on a balcony!

In modern times, Bourbon Street, New Orleans has acquired the reputation of a vibrant night life scene with all its clubs and partying till dawn. But, on the other side of it all lies its history dating back to 1718. While it is indeed impracticable to go over the 3 centuries of Bourbon street history in a short article such as this, we can offer you glimpses into more recent events that have lead to the modern day Bourbon Street.

In the context of New Orleans travel, this discussion will enhance your experience for sure. For in depth information on Bourbon street history, please visit:

http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/fq/bourbonstreet.html
http://goneworleans.about.com/od/tours/a/historyofno.htm

Bourbon Street is the birth place of Jazz and in the 1900s acquired fame as the red light district. The period between 1940 and 1950 witnessed a flurry of activity resulting in a series of night clubs and neon lights springing up in the immediate vicinity of Bourbon Street adding to the fame it had already acquired.

The 1960s witnessed an effort to clean up the place of the infiltration of the French quarter by all those associated with prostitution, liquor and the associated entertainment. In the more modern times, particularly in the post Katrina days, Bourbon street is still in the process of at least partially shedding its image as a red light district.

The Mardi Gras Parade, the Jazz festival, the Food and Wine celebration all contribute towards this effort.

Bourbon Street is most famous for it's hosting of the Mardi Gras Parade, the Irish-Italian Parade, and the gay festival known as the Southern Decadence Parade. There are numerous smaller events that also occur like the Food and Wine Festival celebration.

Bourbon Street became famous due its provocative and rule-breaking events but these 13 blocks, located in the heart of New Orleans' French Quarter, deserve a better reputation than being known as a place to flash your breasts and get a string of cheap beads. If your quest for Bourbon street history continues, you can gain more knowledge from:

http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/louisiana/bourbon-street