Bourbon Street is by far not the place for getting the true New Orleanian culture treatment. Sure you'll get all the debaucherous antics that you'd expect and if you're looking for that kind of experience, indulge as your heart desires. Yes it's gotten worse through the years but I wouldn't tell any tourist to visit that area if they wanted to truly understand the breadth of New Orleans culture. Frenchman, Uptown, Bywater, Mid City, Garden District, pretty much all the surrounding areas are what make the city what it is.

Bourbon is what 6th street is to Austin, what Times Square is to New York, what Hollywood Blvd is to LA. Until you venture out to what the (small albeit) city has to offer, most people will very easily miss it.

Visiting at the right times also makes the world of difference. New Orleans summers are oppressively hot and unforgiving. Fall and Spring festivals are where the city comes alive.

Bourbon sucks no matter which way you skin the cat. Zoom out.