HotelTonight – Ninth Ward New Orleans Hotels
New Orleans is a magical city. It is filled with wonder, mystery and memories for those who visit there. I've been traveling to New Orleans for years, dating back to when I was a child and my parents used to visit distant relatives there. Ever since then, I've looked for any opportunity to go back and found many of them. These days, I have a job that takes me to the Crescent City with some regularity, and quite honestly it's one of the best aspects of my work. Unfortunately, I fell into a trap for the first few trips there where all I did was work, have dinner nearby and then fly home. I changed all of that recently. I've been carving out 24 hours for myself whenever possible. I use those 24 hours to explore a neighborhood. This gives me an opportunity to see things on a deeper level. For my most recent trip, I chose to explore the Ninth Ward. I had heard about it but not really seen it. I wasn't concerned about lodging, as I travel with my HotelTonight app. I'd find a Ninth Ward New Orleans hotel when I was ready.
The Devastation
Everyone who has any familiarity with New Orleans remembers the utter destruction brought down upon it by the infamous Hurricane Katrina. In 2005, this terrible storm hammered the entire city of New Orleans, but the Ninth Ward was hit particularly hard. I remember seeing video of the area after the storm cleared out, and it seemed as though there was nothing left. To see it now is nothing short of stunning. Every part of the area has either been rebuilt or is being rebuilt presently. The people who lived here are quite involved in this effort, and it's the ultimate expression in community.
The Park
I didn't know that there was any type of developed green space in the Ninth Ward these days, but there is. I stumbled upon a beautiful, green park that was filled with gorgeous trees, water features and of course happy people who were out walking around and enjoying the outdoors. I spent hours taking it all in, talking to locals and asking about life there these days. They didn't mince words--life has been tough in recent years, but it's getting better every single day. That was encouraging to hear.
The Food
It seems to me that places that have been through a lot tend to have some incredible restaurants. The Ninth Ward certainly qualifies as a place that can put a lot of history in every plate it serves to the public. I went to a place that specializes in seafood, and the shrimp that I had tasted so fresh that I wondered if it had been caught that day. The restaurant itself was homey, welcoming, understated and extremely friendly.
HotelTonight – Ninth Ward New Orleans Hotels for You
After such a wonderful meal and an uplifting day, I opened my HotelTonight app and booked a Ninth Ward New Orleans hotel room in seconds. I couldn't wait to relax and reflect on seeing a community fighting to regain its foothold. I would be going to bed inspired.
