Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, New Orleans (must see)

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar on Bourbon Street is one of the city's most storied landmarks, a tangible piece of history that doubles as a popular watering hole. Touted as one of the oldest surviving structures in New Orleans and reputed to be the oldest continuously operating bar in the United States, this building harks back to the early 18th century. The bar's namesake, Jean Lafitte, was a pirate and privateer who, along with his brother Pierre, purportedly used the location as a cover for their smuggling operations.

Constructed sometime between 1722 and 1732, the building is a rare example of French Colonial "briquette-entre-poteaux" architecture (brick between posts), surviving fires and battles that have reshaped the city over centuries. Its thick-walled, weather-beaten façade and dimly lit interior, with a fireplace and candlelight providing much of the illumination, offer an ambiance that seemingly transports patrons back to the era of pirates and privateers.

Frequented by locals and tourists alike, Lafitte's combines the allure of historical legend with the charm of Old New Orleans. The bar, aside from its drinks and unique atmosphere, is an informal museum of sorts, with its architecture and mystique speaking volumes of the past. It is this blending of lore and architecture, the promise of ghosts, and the glow of flickering lights that make Lafitte's a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the essence of the Crescent City's storied past.