Visiting New Orleans: Five unusual tourist attractions

New Orleans is a melting pot of cultural influences: European, Caribbean, African, and more. The largest city in Louisiana, New Orleans has plenty to offer tourists looking for adventure, relaxation, music, wine, and great food. But a big part of what makes New Orleans unique from many other Louisiana cities are the many strange attractions that can be found all over the city. Listed below are five unusual destinations in The Big Easy.

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1. St Louis Cemetery No. 1 is New Orleans' oldest cemetery and arguably the most famous. All of the graves in this cemetery are colorful above-ground tombs.

Many famous New Orleans residents were buried here, among them, Marie Laveau, New Orleans' Voodoo queen. Her tomb is littered with offerings and covered with X marks drawn by admirers who believe that if they do so, Marie Laveau will grant them a wish from beyond the grave. The actor Nicolas Cage also purchased a plot here, and had a large pyramid-shaped tomb erected on it.

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2. The Carousel Gardens Amusement Park's centerpiece is an antique, 19th century carousel, one of 100 left in the United States and the only one left in the state of Louisiana. The carousel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Children of all ages will enjoy riding one of its 54 carved animals or any of the park's 17 rides.

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3. Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World is where more than 80 percent of Mardi Gras floats are made. Visitors can tour the facilities and view works in progress, try on outrageous Mardi Gras costumes, and learn about the traditions surrounding the famous annual parade.

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4. The Pepper Palace in the French Quarter is a store that sells all things spicy: hot sauce, salsa, pickles, and even habanero-flavored pralines.

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5. The Steamboat Nanchez is the only authentic steamboat left on the Mississippi River. Guests can go on a cruise and enjoy listening to live jazz music while dining on Creole food and local beverages.  

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Three must-visit eco-adventure destinations in Colorado

"Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints," or so the saying goes. Ecotourism is defined as travel to a pristine, natural area for the purposes of:

• Education

• Support for the area's conservation efforts

• Providing sustainable benefits to the community

• Appreciation for and sensitivity towards biodiversity and local culture.

Being an eco-tourist is no more difficult than being a regular tourist, and can be more meaningful and memorable.

Colorado, with its acres of lush forests, hundreds of miles of nature trails, and 42 state parks, is frequented by eco-tourists all over the world. Listed below are three of Colorado's eco-adventure destinations.

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1. The Colorado Trail runs for 438 miles, traversing the Colorado Mountains and passing through seven national forests, five rivers, and several elevation changes. The Western part of the trail is the most pristine, and trekkers are treated to beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and forests and wildflowers. The Colorado Trail Foundation's team of volunteers offer supported treks for hikers wishing to hike the trail in segments.

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2. Rocky Mountain National Park offers breathtaking views of mountains, more than a hundred lakes, montane forests, and grasslands. The park is surrounded by three national forests and has four distinct ecosystems. Wildlife viewing is a popular activity. Some of the animals that call the park home are elk, mule deer, mountain lions, otters, and large yellow-bellied marmot squirrels. The park offers a "Rocky's Junior Training Program" for budding eco-adventurers.

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 3. The Hallam Lake Nature Preserve in Aspen is a 25-acre nature preserve and environmental center. The preserve, which features a nature trail through wetlands, aspen forests, and wildflower meadows, offers eco-friendly activities like bird-watching (the area is home to golden eagles and the great horned owl,) nature crafts, and classes on organic gardening and herb cultivation.

All three destinations accept volunteers to help with conservation, allowing eco-tourists give back to the environment and the community in return for the chance to experience the wonders of nature in one of the country's most beautiful states.  

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