New Orleans is not a place I would settle in, but it's one of the most interesting places I've ever visited in the U.S.

- Setting for Gabriel Knight I: Sins of the Fathers. The most atmospheric game I've ever played. It was basically a tour of New Orleans (St Johns cemetery, Lake Ponchartrain, Tulane, etc.)

- Yes, food. Even though Antoine's, Commander's Palace, Mothers are touristy, they're the best touristy food I've ever had. Then there's the usual suspects like Cafe du Monde beignet's, jambalayas, crawfish etouffees, gumbos, po-boys and mufulettas.

I also wandered out to Metarie (which I learned was pronounced Meta-ree, not Me-taree). It's a suburb.

America doesn't really have any other destinations quite like it.