There is much more to New Orleans than Bourbon Street, alcohol, and tourist traps. I encourage you to do more research before writing off the city and its surroundings. There's fabulous food, and not just in the French Quarter. If you like live music, you'll find a lively scene. History is everywhere in New Orleans, unlike in newer suburban areas like the Bay Area. You can learn about local black culture and history. Though oppressed and circumscribed in many ways, blacks in the south accomplished a lot in metropolitan areas like New Orleans. Search for smaller museums and historical sites to learn more.