The Big Easy, a.k.a. New Orleans, is known worldwide for its elaborate Mardi Gras celebrations. The “largest free party on earth,” the Mardi Gras festival draws millions of visitors a year from Canada, the United States and around the world. The Mardi Gras we know today began back in 1856 and has continued to get bigger and better with time. Traditionally, Mardi Gras day is celebrated on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, usually falling in late February or early March. The festivities begin about ten days before Fat Tuesday with parades, street parties, music, food and all out hedonistic behavior leading up to the grand finale with the best party of them all. Mardi Gras welcomes everyone to become a part of the festivities with their own costumes and masks. Don’t forget the beads which are exchanged for favours and if you are wondering just what kind of favours, you should prepare yourself for anything. It is all in the spirit of good fun and maybe a few too many drinks. This is probably not the best time to take a family vacation to New Orleans. The New Orleans Mardi Gras festival is however something everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. The city uses just about any reason you can think of to have a party, hosting a number of other festivals throughout the year including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in April, the French Quarter Festival also in April and the Satchmo Summerfest.

New Orleans is just as famous for its food as it is for Mardi Gras. A vacation here will awaken your senses with rich scents and an array of tempting flavours. Vegetarians and health nuts may have a hard time finding foods to suit their tastes but it can be done. From Cajun to Creole, there are a few things you absolutely have to try while you’re in the city. Gumbo is a staple in Louisiana’s cuisine and is so delicious. The traditional stew comes in all kinds of varieties but typically starts with a vegetable base and most commonly includes seafood but can also consist of chicken, sausage or duck. Crawfish is another fixture in the local diet and is served in tons of different styles. Be sure you don’t say crayfish though, it is sure to receive some odd looks. Other essentials you must try include red beans and rice, Po’boy sandwiches that are to-die-for, jambalaya and muffaletta. You are definitely going to break any diet rules you may have but you are on vacation so go ahead and enjoy.

Believe it or not, New Orleans is not just about eating, drinking and wild behavior. There are plenty of places to explore and activities to fill all your days in and around the city. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the city but the people of New Orleans proved their resilience and tremendous sense of pride by coming back and working towards rebuilding the city together. Hurricane Katrina Tours have become popular with visitors who want to witness the devastation and the reconstruction process. Tours of the famous French Quarter and Bourbon Street are the focus of most visitors’ trip’s to New Orleans and are also great for people watching. History buffs won’t want to miss the chance to visit the site of the Battle of New Orleans where Andrew Jackson defeated the British during the War of 1812 or take a plantation tour to some of the areas most historically significant plantations. Looking for something completely different? Everyone should experience the thrill of a swamp tour, a great way to spend an afternoon. A vacation to New Orleans is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. New Orleans typically enjoys very short mild winters and hot, humid summers. During the summer months, New Orleans can be downright sweltering with an average high of 33˚C without the humidity. Winters however are much more comfortable with an average daily high of around 17˚C so you can expect pleasant temperatures when you make the trip to Mardi Gras. Hurricanes do however pose a threat to the city. The hurricane season generally runs from June to October or November so be sure to check weather patterns before you make the trip.