The Holidays are over, but winter fun is just beginning – and when we say winter fun, we mean sunshine, good music and some of the most unique cuisine in the world. In other words: New Orleans.

Few cities offers an amalgam of cultures as rich as New Orleans. Spanish, French, British, Native American, African, Caribbean, it’s all here. Here’s your guide to making the most of it.

The French Quarter  

The French Quarter, or Vieux Carré, the heart of New Orleans is “where it’s at.” Shops, restaurants, non-stop nightlife, and world-famous creole architecture all in a roughly 1 square mile block. Don’t miss the magnificent Jackson Square (aka Place d'Armes). From here, take a cruise along the Mississippi River, or try a beignet at Café du Monde.

The Food

Speaking of beignets, no trip to New Orleans is complete without eating some gumbo, jambalaya, bouillabaisse, and oyster Rockefeller. There are plenty of awesome food spots in the Central Business District and the French quarter. Our advice: skip haute cuisine. This is New Orleans, and it’s about authentic food prepared from age-old recipes. To try a nice local selection, hop on the Saint Charles Street trolley, and head over to uptown’s staple Jacque Imo’s.

The Garden District

On your way uptown, get off the trolley at Jackson Avenue and take a walk through this block. Known as the Garden District, this lush neighborhood is one of the best-preserved (and still owner-occupied!) collections of Southern mansions in the States. Remember Princess And Frog? This where Tiana and Charlotte play in the opening scenes – and this neighborhood is just as Disney-picturesque as it was in the 1800s.

The Jazz

Jazz is everywhere in New Orleans – it was born here. To explore the club scene yourself, take a walk down Frenchmen St into Marigny. Or, to plan ahead, check out this list.

The Bayou

Unlike Florida’s Everglades, Louisiana’s Bayous (gigantic wetland expanses swarming with alligators) are not designated national or state parks, however there are several wildlife refuges. If you’re into wildlife viewing, take a private tour on an airboat to see birds, snakes, alligators, turtles and other wildlife.

All of the above should easily keep you occupied on your first visit. Savvy Travels!