The bulk of visitors arrive during the Mardi Gras festivities in winter. Immediately, guests are struck by the mixture of cultures that make up this unique Creole society. French colonialism and the American south blend to create an almost dreamlike environment that has captured popular attention in books, film and tourism. Here, you can boat along the Mississippi Delta in search of alligators or stroll along ancient cobblestone streets and sample some local Cajun cuisine. Known for its European-style architecture and all-around mysticism, no visit to New Orleans is complete without a visit to Bourbon Street in the famous French Quarter. You may also want to visit the less busy Frenchmen Street, where like Bourbon Street, you can eat, drink and listen to some of the best Dixieland jazz, blues and Zydeco music in Louisiana and the country.
The biggest carnival in the country is undoubtedly Mardi Gras, which runs for two weeks during Lent. It’s colorful and crazy with parties and parading in the streets, music blaring from just about every corner, and people dressed up in little more than beads and masks. However, the celebrations don’t stop after Easter. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival begins the last weekend of April through the first weekend in May. Come and enjoy local, national and international artists as they perform in the biggest jazz festival at the place that perfected it, or help celebrate the city’s contributions to American literature at the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival in October. Three miles southeast of the French Quarter are some of New Orleans most beautiful homes. The Garden District also features boutique shops, cafés and is the home of the 19th century Lafayette Cemetery, known for its above-ground tombs. Not only a music and arts town, New Orleans is the home of the Saints. You can catch the NFL team at the Superdome, which also plays host to the ever-popular Sugar Bowl college football game on New Year’s Day.
10 out of 10 every time!
Jason Bercan
05/23/2021