New Orleans is one of the most celebrated cities of the American South, and the largest city in Louisiana, as well as the state's top visitor destination. The city has a reputation for historical roots, hot and muggy weather, great food, great music, and great times. Despite being hit hard by catastrophic design failures of its federally constructed levee system during Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans is still the tourist hot-spot it always has been. Jazz music still rules the city's streets and there's still a bit of Mardi Gras all year round.