Near the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans is a city in Louisiana on the Mississippi River. Nicknamed the "Big Easy," it's known for its nonstop nightlife and energetic music scene. New Orleans welcomes its visitors in a grand way to experience Caribbean, Spanish, French and African cultures colliding in a brilliant explosion of flavors, emotions and sounds.

New Orleans is also the birthplace of jazz, every year thousands of people flock to New Orleans' streets to spend the holidays, especially during the Jazz Festival, to enjoy the lively atmosphere, colorful history, delectable cuisine, and wonderful music.

Delicious food, firework displays, unique parades and one-of-a-kind parties, make New Orleans an ideal destination for any major holiday. From Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day to Halloween and New Years Eve.

There aren’t many places in the USA that wear their history as openly on their sleeves as New Orleans. The place has a familiar, lived-in, cosy feeling that’s easily accessible to all. As a result of its visible history you'll find a constant, open, dialogue with the past, stretching back hundreds of years.

Things to Do and See

• Hop on the St. Charles Avenue, Canal Street or Riverfront streetcars (trams) to explore the more than 300-year-old city
• Admire the architecture in over 20 historic districts, more than any other city in the USA
• See mansions on St. Charles Avenue, opulent estates in the Garden District and a revolving carousel bar at Hotel Monteleone. In the heart of the French Quarter
• Visit the 18th century St. Louis Cathedral, the USA’s oldest continually operating cathedral
• Tour the area aboard the Natchez steamboat or the Creole Queen paddle wheeler
• A must-stop is Preservation Hall, dedicated to preserving the New Orleans Jazz tradition
• Visit the National World War II Museum and the Presbytere and Cabildo state museums

A cultural tour of the area should also include a sampling of the New Orleans cuisine, made up of favorites like the po-boy sandwich, king cake, gumbo and the fried French pastry known as a beignet.

Music is everywhere, people live to eat and every day is a party here in the birthplace of jazz, which is also home to Creole cuisine, centuries-old Spanish oak trees and clacking streetcars. With a unique combination of city life, swamp tours, festivals, historical significance and revelry during Mardi Gras, New Orleans has the recipe to captivate everyone.

A music lovers’ paradise that’s home to Jazz, Zydeco, R&B and Soul, New Orleans has produced its share of musical giants, from greats like Louis Armstrong to contemporary acts like Trombone Shorty, Jon Batiste, Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr.

Contact MBK Travels today or visit us at our travel store to book your perfect holiday package to New Orleans.