Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street may be more famous (or notorious) than New Orleans, itself. Contrary to a lot of opinion, it is NOT named after the Kentucky Whisky. When the city was founded, it was named after the French Royal Family, the "House of Bourbon", which produced a number of French kings, including Louis XIV, The Sun King.

The Kentucky Whisky, Bourbon, had no connection however, with naming of Bourbon Street. It is named after Bourbon County, Kentucky. Now, why the county was named Bourbon...?

At any rate, Bourbon Street was a prestigious residential street during the early days of New Orleans. For the past century, particularly since World War II, it has had an entirely different reputation, which is now more closely related to that Kentucky Whisky. Intermingled here are traditional jazz clubs, strip joints, restaurants, bars of every type, and the ubiquitous souvenir shops.

Bourbon St. during the day is much like any other French Quarter street. Reeking with the aromas and stenches of the previous night's partying, it is quiet, with delivery trucks, and bar and restaurant owners, who are busy hosing down the sidewalks. At twilight, however, as the lights come on, it comes alive with crowds of partygoers and the curious. There is a cacophony of music emanating from the various bars and clubs, as barkers try to entice people inside their respective establishments.

During Mardi Gras, however, the street is closed to vehicles for five days, and it seem as if the party goes on forever. Twenty-four hours a day, you can get a first hand view of Bourbon Street from several locations. These Bourbon St. Web Cams let you see first hand what Bourbon St. is really.

The first location is the Mike Anderson's Restaurant Web Cam, looking down Bourbon Street. This location is closer to Canal Street, and will have slightly thinner crowds than other locations.

One of the more popular Bourbon St. Web Cams is the one located at The Cat's Meow. Looking diagonally across the intersection, you get a true image of what Bourbon Street crowds are like. Remember that Bourbon Street is closed to vehicles at night, and becomes a pedestrian mall.

A third location is the Web Cam at the Tricou House Restaurant, 711 Bourbon Street. It warns of possible adult content, but keep in mind, this is a view of a public street. The warning may be just so much hype.

You might want to bookmark these, because you will find it absolutely fascinating to observe the Bourbon Street Wildlife at different times of the day or night, during the different seasons (check it at Mardi Gras, New Year's Eve, or during the Sugar Bowl or Super Bowl).

Lagniappe

Girls Gone Wild: College Co-Eds Mardi Gras (2000)
Not all girls (flashers) get caught by the police. Many got caught on video. VHS, DVD