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Unveiling the Allure of Urban Exploration

Who says travel is limited to far-flung destinations? Sometimes, the most captivating adventures lie in the heart of bustling cities. Urban exploration, or UrbanX as it’s frequently called, is all about seeking the extraordinary in the seemingly mundane. And where better to embark on this thrilling journey than the enchanting streets of New Orleans, marred by storms, urban expansion, and sometimes blight. Though to my eyes, the decay is part of the cities charm. New Orleans is one of those few major cities where people will quite literally abandon places, just pack up and leave a building or house to fall into disrepair and acton onto itself. That’s where the thrill of urban exploration comes in, getting to see things time has forgotten. Whether that be warehouses, amusement parks, hospitals, mansions, and even city infrastructure, New Orleans has old and abandoned in spades.

The Beauty in Abandoned Buildings

As an amputee traveler with a penchant for urban exploration, I find solace and inspiration in the forgotten corners of the city. Areas that at this point are home only to bugs and street art. I stumbled upon what looked to be an abandoned airport turned warehouse with some of the most amazing street art. When I say I stumbled across this building, I mean quite literally. I took a wrong exit off the freeway and there it was, stretching its beige bricks up to the sky with nary a car in its parking lot.

After we decided we were significantly brave enough, we decided to go into the open, main area, which frankly looked like the remnants of an old warehouse. We crept further and further into the building until we heard other people. That’s when 2 brave women turned into 2 scared little girls and we high tailed it back to the car.

A Street Art Tour that Set the Tone for the Rest of the Trip

After my minor foray into lawlessness, I mean what’s a little breaking and entering among friends. Though is it really breaking if the door is hanging open and the building is empty? Okay, leave me to my delusions! Next up on this urban adventure was a guided street art tour, which lasted about 2 hours and included a walking tour of The Bywater neighborhood. During the tour we even stopped to refuel at the St. Roch Market.

The tour is across city streets and is wheelchair accessible, though it bears noting all together we covered a couple of miles. The highlight for me was hearing about the artists signature styles, which really came into play during later explorations. One of my favorite was (the controversial) Muck Rock, which I was exposed to at that very first building we explored. This tour also includes a trip to see one of Banksy’s more famous artworks, and one of the few that remain in the city.

Street Murals: A Canvas of Vibrant Stories

New Orleans is a city that wears its creativity on its sleeves, its walls, its sidewalks, and everywhere in between; and its street murals are a testament to the vibrant soul of the community. The walls were alive with stories waiting to be discovered; every mural became a portal to a different world, captivating my senses. I followed a path of koi fish through The Bywater neighborhood streets and marveled at the political commentary plastered high upon city walls. Everywhere you looked, the city was alive with color and solo-expression, each piece offering a unique meaning in the eyes of the beholder.

Well know artist Banksy came to New Orleans in 2008, creating 14 paintings around the city, from the Lower Ninth Ward to Uptown but all but by the time I visited, there were 3 remaining. I was able to view 2, one in the Marigny neighborhood (the Rain Girl/Umbrella Girl) and one off of Clio street (the Gray Ghost). Though it bears noting the only one that remains in its original location in 2024 is the Rain Girl or Umbrella Girl.

With the value of his pieces skyrocketing, original works have been either scavenged and sold, or painted over by rivals. In the case of the Gray Ghost, the entire wall was removed, though fear not; the building owners will reinstall the piece upon completion of renovations. Two additional Banksy’s removed from their original locations and are now on display at the Habana Outpost restaurant on Esplanade Avenue (The Simpsons) and the lobby of the International House Hotel on Camp Street (The Looters).

New Orleans’ Abandoned Electric Company

Armed with all that knowledge about street artists and their preferred styles, my travel companion and I hit up local cafes and well, talked to locals. They recommended at a jaunt to the abandoned electric company, a place where time truly stood still, and nature intertwined with human remnants, leaving a building to fall onto itself. Amid the eerie ambiance, I marveled at the haunting beauty that lay within these forgotten walls, capturing the essence of resilience and the passage of time. Not to be disappointed, the art began as soon as we made it past those gates. Note: This is an abandoned building and there are locked(ish) gates. Trespassing is illegal, and you enter at your own risk. Okay, disclaimer aside, this was spectacular.

Once we entered the 1st floor we were greeted with an eerie representation of what happens to metal in salty, ocean air without human intervention. It rusts, and badly. I mean, this place was a walking tetanus infection! Excitedly we wondered on and up the first flight of stairs, making sure to stay close to the railings just in case a stair gave out. Not exactly sure how that would have helped, but it made sense at the time. There were so many levels, and even more artwork!

We were able to apply our newly acquired street artist knowledge to identify many of designs adorning the walls. Not going to lie, that felt pretty cool knowing who had created what, based on styles and obscure signatures. Once we got closer to the center of the building we were greeted by a very creepy site, water filling the main level, past stairs and ladders and platforms. It was said the water came in with Hurricane Katrina and no-one bothered to remove it. Seems plausible to me.

Stunning floor to ceiling windows stretched up several stories and bathed the building in warm light. I actually can’t say which I enjoyed more: the building itself or the artwork. The heavy, rusted beams became a type of artwork in my eyes, setting an impossible stage for the brightly painted murals. A couple of my favorites were the lovers embrace and the skeleton & man encounter. Come to thing of it, I never did find out who the artists were who created these pieces.

The Thrill of the Hidden Alley Way

In my hometown of Houston, TX an alleyway is a place for dumpsters, trash cans, and garages rather than secret cafes and shops. In the New Orleans, it’s an entirely different story, and frankly a whole different type of urban exploring. Every time I saw a populated alley or a lovely hidden garden nestled behind a bring walkway it gave me a mildly illicit thrill to wonder about them, as it felt like they were places that weren’t open to the public. One of the most well known such alley is called Pirate’s Alley and it is the embodiment of every French Quarter fantasy you’ve ever had.

If secret gardens are more your speed, look no further than the walls of many of the smaller hotels in the Quarter. Or, if you plan to visit in April, you can buy tickets to the Patio Planters garden tour which offers entry to five courtyards of traditional French Quarter homes. If your timing doesn’t line up, fret not for you can typically find a courtyard or two or three or four to venture into, some contain bars and coffee shops.

A Culinary Adventure in the Heart of the French Quarter NOLA

Urban exploration is not just about buildings and art—it’s about embracing the entire tapestry of a city. In NOLA, that meant indulging in a gastronomic journey that left my taste buds dancing. Acme Oyster House in the French Quarter became my go-to spot, where the flavors of chicken sausage gumbo filled my senses and the ambiance of the bustling streets added an extra sprinkle of magic. There was even a Man Vs. Food episode filmed here!

Though I guess I’m biased because Acme, specifically the French Quarter location, has been my favorite cajun restaurant since I lived in New Orleans. Even then I would brave the (very) long line to gain entry into the little dining room. But fret not, the line tends to move fast. They are open from 11am to 10pm and people start lining up as early as an hour before they open. If you’re looking to combine eating, walking, and a bit of NOLA history, why not try a food tour! We did 2 different tours: the New Orleans Food Walking Tour and the Famous Hotspots Walking Tour . The first tour took us to predominantly hole in the wall type eating establishments, while the second tour featured some of the French Quarter’s most famous restaurants.

Unleashing Your Inner Urban Explorer

Are you ready to dive into your own world of UrbanX and unleash your inner urban explorer? New Orleans will beckon you, inviting you to wander through her streets, discover hidden treasures, and let your curiosity guide your path. From abandoned buildings to captivating street art, culinary delights, and immersive cultural experiences, the city promises unforgettable adventures. Even if the idea of scrambling through an abandoned building is about as appealing to you as getting a tetanus shot, the city of NOLA offers both a feast for the eyes and the belly! Many areas are highly walkable, or rollable should your need be, with plenty of little shops, cafes, bars, and cafe shops hidden among corner. So, embrace the thrill, embrace the city, and let a little bit urban exploration fuel your wanderlust.