New Orleans: Neon

The first thing I noticed while walking down Bourbon Street for the first time (on our way to the perfect Clover Grill) was the plethora of wonderful neon signs. I didn't know much about New Orleans before we went, but of course I'd heard of Bourbon Street and its 24/7 party vibe. That translates into a lot of neon—old and new, on and around Bourbon—and I loved it all.

Bourbon Street is basically the Times Square of New Orleans, but I have zero problem being unabashedly touristy when it's my first time visiting a city. Our hotel was located in the Central Business District, so to get anywhere in the French Quarter it was easiest to take a stroll down Bourbon. The street was so named to honor France's ruling family at the time, The House of Bourbon, and not because of the large concentration of bars that reside there—in fact Bourbon Street was a prime residential location prior to 1900.

After taking a storefront tour recently—where it was explained that maintaining neon signs is a very labor intensive and expensive process—I have a renewed appreciation for their beauty. From strip clubs, bars and daiquiri windows, to restaurants, pharmacies and gift shops, neon is somehow always the right choice.