Mardi Gras parade

“In New Orleans, culture doesn’t come down from on high, it bubbles up from the streets.”

— Ellis Marsalis

No place anywhere on Earth is like New Orleans. When Ellis Marsalis appeared on the World Footprints podcast he echoed his quote above. James Carville told us that New Orleans is a place that just gets up in your skin. You’ll find their stories below.

Visit New Orleans, it is an ultimate place. There is so much more to New Orleans than Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras and the stories below touch on a variety of aspects that showcase the richness of The Big Easy.

You can learn about New Orleans‘ contribution to our rich American history (the full narratives), the music from jazz to zydeco, museums and food–ah, yes, the food!

Visit New Orleans, it is so big that it is known by many names:

  • The Big Easy.
  • Crescent City.
  • NOLA
  • Birthplace of Jazz.
  • The Hollywood South.
  • N’awlins.
  • Crawfish Town.
  • The Paris of the South.

Let the good times roll and you enjoy these stories about NOLA, a city that speaks to our heart and soul.


Laura Plantation House. Photo: Kathleen Walls

Ladies of Laura: A Southern Plantation Run by Women

By Kathleen Walls

We think of southern ladies of yore as deferring to their gentlemen about anything concerning business. Not so with the ladies of Laura Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana.   Read more

New Orleans History
Gondola-ride-in-the-New-Orleans-Museum-of-Art-Sculpture-Garden. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick

Top 8 Free Things to do in New Orleans

By Tonya Fitzpatrick

Let’s face it; travel can be expensive. But, when you know where to go, you can explore new destinations at a fraction of the cost. One of our favorite places, New Orleans (aka The Big Easy), can be pricey to visit but is filled with rich culture, historic buildings and … Read more   Read more

New Orleans Budget Travel Family Travel
Economy Hall

Uncovering the Hidden History of a Free Black Brotherhood

Join us as author Fatima Shaik uncovers the rich hidden history of a free Black brotherhood that was almost lost forever.   Read more

New Orleans History
Front of Museum of Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans

Walking through the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience

In this episode, Kenneth Hoffman, Executive Director at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, gives us a guided tour and explains in depth how Jews in the American South influenced and were influenced by the cultural heritage of their local communities. Tune in to learn more about the Museum … Read more   Read more

New Orleans Insights History
Exterior of Vue Orleans. Courtesy of Vue Orleans.

Vue Orleans: A Love Letter to New Orleans

See New Orleans like you’ve never seen her before atop a 34th floor observation deck and experience the richness of New Orleans history as cutting-edge technology immerses visitors into the spirit and soul of the city. Experience a love letter to New Orleans inside the new Vue Orleans.   Read more

New Orleans Experiences History
New Orleans - The Rebirth Brass Band

Take Me To The River: New Orleans – a celebration of music history and legacy

The music of New Orleans is not just considered a birthplace of jazz music but carries various styles of music. It is a unique global collaboration that gave birth to an exceptional musical genre that was never experienced tradit   Read more

New Orleans History Literature & Music
Second Line | Judy Cooper and the Prince of Wales in a Second Line

Dancing in the Streets: A History of the Second Line

In this episode of World Footprints, Tonya and Ian Fitzpatrick visited The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC) in the French Quarter to meet with two amazing guests, Judy Cooper and Eric Seiferth, who help us understand the history and traditions of the Second Line.   Read more

New Orleans Events & Festivals History
Exterior of Dooky Chase restaurant in New Orleans. PHoto: Tonya Fitzpatrick

Beyond New Orleans French Quarter

Remembering Chef Leah Chase (Jan. 6, 1923 – June 1, 2019). The spirit of New Orleans is showcased in the people we met and the places we visited for this show.  At the time of this taping the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the ongoing recovery of the Big Easy … Read more   Read more

New Orleans Experiences History
Museum of Free People of Color in New Orleans photo by Tonya Fitzpatrick

New Orleans’ Hidden Black History

New Orleans has been the backdrop of many dark chapters in American history, but perhaps none so shocking as the slave rebellion of 1811.  We will explore the history of America’s largest slave revolt with author Daniel Rasmussen who organized his research in his book, American Uprising:  The Untold Story … Read more   Read more

New Orleans History Literature & Music
Crowd enjoying some music at French Quarter Festival. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick

New Orleans’ French Quarter Festival 2012 – Hour 2

World Footprints broadcast center at the Hard Rock Cafe in New Orleans.  From left to right:  Mark Romig, Kelly Schulz, Tonya Fitzpatrick, Ian Fitzpatrick, Ed Cole.  (c) World Footprints Media In the second hour of our French Quarter Festival 2012 broadcast we will keep the good times rolling, Mark Romig, … Read more   Read more

New Orleans Volunteer Travel Events & Festivals Literature & Music
French Quarter Festival - Banana Foster at Brennan's. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick

New Orleans’ French Quarter Festival 2012 – Hour 1

In our first hour of the 2012 French Quarter Festival broadcast we will celebrate our 5th anniversary of LIVE broadcasts from New Orleans by sharing sound bites from the previous years. You’ll recognize prior guests and the comedy relief they offered on past shows; guests like Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and … Read more   Read more

New Orleans Events & Festivals Food & Drink
New Orleans street entertainer.

A Taste of New Orleans

New Orleans has so much to offer and we’ll introduce a few more of the New Orleans treasures including indie soul singer/songwriter Theresa Andersson who stops by to talk about how life in New Orleans has influenced her music and how she merged the culture of New Orleans with that … Read more   Read more

New Orleans Food & Drink
New Orleans - Natchez ferry in NOLA. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick

New Orleans’ French Quarter Festival 2010 – Hour 2

World Footprints Radio continues with its special broadcast from New Orleans during French Quarter Festival 2010. Stevie McKee will talk about the 7th Ward and Faubourg Treme, an historic neighborhood recently made famous by HBO. Then we’ll be rockin’ with the “Mick Jagger of the Marsh” and Rockin’ Dopsie, Jr. … Read more   Read more

New Orleans Events & Festivals Literature & Music
New Orleans Katrina Deli. Photo: Tonya Fitzpatrick

New Orleans’ French Quarter Festival 2011 – Hour 2

Mardi Gras Indian costume in the New Orleans African-American Museum.  Photo:  Tonya Fitzpatrick World Footprints returns to New Orleans for our signature broadcast from Jackson Square for French Quarter Festival! During this hour we will share more “must see” museums, including the New Orleans African-American Museum.  We’ll also speak to … Read more   Read more

New Orleans Events & Festivals History
Team World Footprints during a LIVE broadcast during French Quarter Festival in New Orleans.

New Orleans’ French Quarter Festival 2011 – Hour 1

Photo: (c) World Footprints MediaThe FQF crowd at Jackson Square in New Orleans.  Photo:  Tonya Fitzpatrick World Footprints returns to New Orleans for our signature broadcast from Jackson Square for French Quarter Festival! During this broadcast we’ll introduce you to All-Star musicians, Trumpeter Connie Jones and Clarinet player Tim Laughlin. … Read more   Read more

New Orleans Events & Festivals Literature & Music