To be fair, it was also the first time I'd seen Bourbon Street in the daylight. The streets of the French Quarter were still wet from overnight street cleaning. There were more people working to set up the Super Bowl LIX festivities than tourists roaming.

Following a terror attack on New Year’s Day in New Orleans’ French Quarter, city officials assure that security measures for Sunday’s Super Bowl are robust and comprehensive. I’ve visited Bourbon Street numerous times in the last couple decades and never seen a security presence like this one.

Approximately 2,000 law enforcement officers will be present for the Super Bowl, New Orleans Police Department Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick told reporters Wednesday. No vehicle traffic will be allowed on the Bourbon Street, and the city will block intersections leading to the most popular areas, Kirkpatrick said.

The bag checks started Wednesday on Bourbon Street, and they weren't what I was expecting. Why it matters: All eyes are on security measures in New Orleans as the city hosts the Super Bowl and a presidential visit.