New Orleans Post Katrina- 10 Years Later

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We can't believe it's been a DECADE since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans. In honor of one of the largest rebuilding efforts in our country's history, we've listed 10 (mostly hopeful) facts about the Jazz Capital of America!

New Orleans tourism has rebounded

While Allen Alongi, sales coordinator at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, cautions "We are growing but [we] won’t plateau soon," he nonetheless positively adds, "The numbers speak for themselves; tourism has definitely been better than ever in 2015 since the storm." Last year the city welcomed 9.5 million visitors, compared to 3.7 million in 2006, the first full year after the storm. And some statistics even show gains when compared to the years before Hurricane Katrina. In 2004 (Katrina hit in August 2005), hotel revenue clocked in at about one billion; last year, it was nearly $1.37 billion. Hotel rooms have also increased by several hundred since before the storm, and more than 10,000 since right after the storm. After closing due to Katrina-inflicted damages, the Hyatt Regency  received a $275 million makeover and reopened in October 2011 with an additional 1,200 rooms.

Population numbers are still down

The city suffered a mass exodus not only of businesses, but also of residents, post-Katrina. Although many of both have returned, the city's population is down 18 percent compared to 2004 statistics.

The city is all about southern hospitality

New Orleans has long been know as one of those lovely below-the-Mason-Dixon-line towns that embraces Southern hospitality with gusto -- and this has been the case before, during, and after Hurricane Katrina. "If our southern hospitality wasn’t already a standard, the hurricane brought more people together than ever before," Alongi explains. "Sharing meals with families on completely different ends of the spectrum, borrowing out some valuable gasoline so our neighbors could use their generators for light, and helping neighbors pick up debris from their yards...those things united us like never before."

New Orleans was ranked the third friendliest city in America this year by Travelzoo.New Orleans' quaint, historic bed-and-breakfasts -- many of which are run by local couples and families -- are perhaps in large part to thank for this positive ranking.

The storm created new attractions

One silver lining to the storm is that it led to the creation of numerous attractions. Alongi says, "People want to see all the old and new, but mainly they want to experience something that no other city in the country has encountered." Post-Katrina additions include the Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum and the riverfront Crescent Park.

New Orleans is the second most popular destination for bachelor parties

After Vegas, New Orleans is the second most popular locale for bachelor parties. Legal drinking in the streets, bars that are open all night, infamously strong hurricane cocktails, and top-notch sports teams like the Saints -- what's not to love?

It is home to the 2015 James Beard award winner for best chef in the South

The New Orleans food scene is thriving. Famed longtime staples such as Commander's Palace, which serves NOLA classics (like turtle soup) atop white tableclothes, remain, and a slew of top-rated newbies -- including Cochon, Purloo, and Sylvain -- have joined the culinary ranks since Katrina. This year, Alon Shaya of Domenica was named the James Beard Best Chef in the South.

Crime is still high

New Orleans' high crime rate has never been a secret; in 2014, it ranked ninth on the list of America's Murder Capitals. Though murder rates have declined each year since 2012, 2015's first quarter saw a significant uptick -- a whopping 73 percent (!) -- compared to the previous year's. 

And you can still booze in the streets

On a lighter note, New Orleans is also notorious for its outdoor booze-fests. As long as your drink is not in a breakable container, you're good to go. If you're celebrating something, you can even star in your own Second Line parade behind a brass band if you pay the necessary permit fees and police escort fees.