The Big Easy: New Orleans, LA

Happy almost Fat Tuesday blog friends! It is finally Mardi Gras season and with that I would like to introduce you to the great city of New Orleans, a.k.a The Big Easy. Each year there are dozens of parades in New Orleans leading up to the big day of Fat Tuesday falling on March 8 this year. Beginning February 20, days are packed with several parades booked back to back where all ages can enjoy whether your on St. Charles Avenue with the family, catching beads from a Central Business District balcony or enjoying the floats on Canal before a night in the French Quarter.

If you are planning on heading over to the city of NoLa for a great escape be sure to check out the 2011 Parade Schedule here. Aside from being notably known for being home to the annual celebrations of Mardi Gras, New Orleans is also famous for its cuisine and birthplace of jazz music. The largest of the city's many music festivals is the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, commonly known as Jazz Fest. This seven day music festival is one of the largest music festivals in the nations, and I suggest if you can't make it out to New Orleans for Mardi Gras you must visit this city for Jazz Fest April 29-May 8, 2011.

While you are in New Orleans, be sure to venture over to the French Quarter and experience the vibrant architecture and unique feel of their intimate culture. The French Quarter, also known as Vieuz Carre - or the "Quarter" to locals, sits on a crescent in the Mississippi River and is New Orleans' oldest neighborhood. Full of architectural distinctions, delicious restaurants, and historical sites, the French Quarter is a must do. Check out some of my favorites within the Quarter:

1. Brennans Restaurant (best restaurant in town)
2. Bourbon Street (great nightlife)
3. French Market (fantastic flea market)
4. The Shops at Canal Place (designer boutiques galore)
5. Cooking Lessons at New Orleans School of Cooking

Aside from these hip spots, New Orleans is world-famous for its beignets which are square-shaped fried pastries that could also be called "french doughnuts." The best of the best are sold by street vendors or local cafe/coffee shops. You also have got to try po' boys, etouffee, red beans and rice, jambalaya, and/or gumbo while you are in NoLa.

After a long day of eating, drinking, and of course shopping,  my suggestion for the best place to stay is Hotel Monteleone located in the French Quarter. This hotel is a historic landmark and a member of Historic Hotels of America. It is said that the French Quarter begins in the lobby of the Hotel Monteleone. Quaint restaurants and specialty shops line the cobblestone streets around this hotel that lead to Jackson Square, the Old French Market and the River Walk. It is promised that each guest will discover New Orleans history around every corner.

New Orleans is a vibrant city for all ages - full of culture, history, and adventure! Take a walk on the wild side and venture over to the Big Easy.

Until next time, happy Fat Tuesday!