Uh, Marky? I LIVE in New Orleans, not 30 minutes away like you do. And, I must say that some of the things you're claiming to be lies are actually NOT lies. New Orleans DOES have a high crime rate... now, I don't think it's that New Orleans is worse than other places, but as it seems, big cities tend to have a higher crime rate percentage than small ones. There really IS too much crime... you really have to fear for your life riding on Claiborne Avenue and Chef Menteur Highway. And, New Orleans really DOES have the worst education system in the US. It is not true that most students make As and Bs... a GREAT many fail all throughout school. Now... it may not be the greatest place to live, but for a visit, you're bound to enjoy yourself here! You may have heard of the French Quarter here, a place of great fun, with lots of unique shops around (selling things from T-shirts to good food to voodoo stuff). And there are lots of friendly people throughout, visitors (well, SOME friendly ones at least) and entertainers, particularly on the "walk-along" Bourbon Street of the French Quarter. And speaking of Bourbon Street, that's a great place for great fun during Mardi Gras, our own little "Fat Tuesday" celebration of fun and craziness... just hope you don't mind crowds too much! We're also home to the original (now closed) Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken and Biscuits!

Too much crime.

I would not want to live there, but New Orleans has a sleepy charm by day, and a raucous edge by night. It's a town made for surreal happenings - whether they be induced by mind altering drugs, music, or witchcraft.

I was there during the Mardi Gras. Gosh!! It was really a new experience for me. The French Quarter was one-of-a-kind. The nightlife was so wild, fun, and scary at times. Keep your eyes on the "flashing babes", guys! :) The food was marvelous. Yet, the city gave me the creep. Wouldn't want to live there. :P

New Orleans is FULL of culture and has many more attractions other than Mardi Gras (ie New Years, Sugar Bowl, and The Jazz Festival, just to name a few). I enjoyed my visit quite a bit but I would have to admit that I would not like to live there. Oh, and if you will be there for a visit may I suggest the Hilton Riverside!

Was more enjoyable before the casinos moved into town. Great food!!

Would my rating be lower if I'd visited any other time besides Mardi Gras? Probably. But New Orleans gets huge points for being a pretty city and for hosting one of the world's greatest parties!

Although New Orleans can offer a lot of variety to a long weekend trip, the city never advanced beyond the primordial sludge in which it belched to life. Crime, corrupt politicians, pollution, and the countries worst educational record lie just below the festive surface of Mardi Gras

From what I remember of New Orleans, which isn't much even though I've been there a few times, it's an amazing city. What strikes me the most is how different it is from most U.S. cities - you're not going to slip and think you're in Detroit at any point. There's an unmistakable undercurrent of something unique, slightly foreign, and completely out of reach to an idiot tourist like me.