Everybody who has been to Disneyland would not miss New Orleans Square built in 1966, a replica of New Orleans' French Quarter. Walt Disney was clearly affected by the beauty and richness of the French Quarter, one of New Orleans' favorite tourist spots.

The French Quarter dates back to the French and Spanish eras and hosts many popular hotels, bars, and clubs, notably around Bourbon Street. Originally founded as a military-style grid of seventy squares in 1718 by Jean Baptiste Bienville, New Orleans has since chartered the course of modernization that it was laid upon.

The Spanish influence, which lasted for four decades, left in its course the semi-fortified streetscapes, plastered brick houses and walled courtyards used as gardens, graceful wrought iron balconies, and architectural curvilinear shapes that are still apparent in the area. The economic contributions of the French Quarter cannot be put aside; cotton and sugar as well as tourists brought by steamboats were the area's biggest economic resources. The influx of local and foreign immigrants alike saw its way into the area creating a diverse mix of culture.

In the 1920s, the French Quarter saw the emergence of jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong, Jolly Roll Morton, and King Oliver, to name a few. Visual artists and writers soon followed suit, making the French Quarter a creative hub in all of New Orleans and in the United States as well.

Fortunately, the French Quarter was spared from Hurricane Katrina's fury in 2005. The historic heart of city suffered wind and rain but no significant flooding occurred, and damage was basically minimal compared to the other areas that were greatly affected by the storm. The French Quarter was generally good to go after clean up and refurbishment; its shops, hotels, clubs, and museums were opened shortly thereafter.

Some of the favorite tourist spots in the French Quarter include Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the French Market and its many offerings, and Preservation Hall.