Written by locals, Fodor's travel guides have been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for 80 years. New Orleans is an incredible, vibrant, bursting at the seams, melting pot of a city. Whether travelers are visiting for the music or food, to get to the know people or party all night long, or all of the above, Fodor's New Orleans 2015 is the guidebook that makes every trip the trip of a lifetime. This travel guide includes: · Dozens of full-color maps · Hundreds of hotel and restaurant recommendations, with Fodor's Choice designating our top picks · Multiple itineraries to explore the top attractions and what’s off the beaten path · Major sights such as Bourbon Street, Garden District, Jackson Square, St. Charles Avenue Streetcar, Audubon Park, City Park, French Market · Side Trips from New Orleans including Plantation Country and Cajun Country · Coverage of The French Quarter; Faubourg, Marigny, Bywater, and Treme; CBD and Warehouse District; The Garden District; Uptown and Carrollton-Riverbend; Mid-City and Bayou St. John

After Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the surrounding region in 2005, the city debated whether to press on with Mardi Gras or cancel the parades. Ultimately, they decided to proceed. New Orleans’s recovery certainly has resulted from a complex of factors, but the city’s unique cultural life—perhaps its greatest capital—has been instrumental in bringing the city back from the brink of extinction. Voicing a civic fervor, local writer Chris Rose spoke for the importance of Carnival when he argued to carry on with the celebration of Mardi Gras following Katrina: “We are still New Orleans. We are the soul of America. We embody the triumph of the human spirit. Hell, we ARE Mardi Gras." Since 2006, a number of new Mardi Gras practices have gained prominence. The new parade organizations or krewes, as they are called, interpret and revise the city’s Carnival traditions but bring innovative practices to Mardi Gras. The history of each parade reveals the convergence of race, class, age, and gender dynamics in these new Carnival organizations. Downtown Mardi Gras: New Carnival Practices in Post-Katrina New Orleans examines six unique, offbeat, Downtown celebrations. Using ethnography, folklore, cultural studies, and performance studies, the authors analyze new Mardi Gras’s connection to traditional Mardi Gras. The narrative of each krewe’s development is fascinating and unique, illustrating participants’ shared desire to contribute to New Orleans’s rich and vibrant culture.

For a limited time, receive a free Fodor's Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel e-book with the purchase of this guidebook! Go to fodors.com for details. Written by local experts, Fodor's travel guides have been offering advice and professionally vetted recommendations for all tastes and budgets for 80 years. New Orleans is a vibrant, bursting-at-the-seams melting pot of a city that famously inspires indulgence. This is the place to eat, drink, listen to jazz or R&B, take part in a parade, and immerse yourself in the atmosphere. Whether you come for Mardi Gras or the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival or any other reason, a visit to this unique destination is never the same trip twice, but always memorable. Sugar-dusted beignets are a must, cocktail hour is anytime you want it, and the street musicians will have you dancing on the sidewalk. This travel guide includes: •ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE contains a brief introduction and spectacular color photos that capture the ultimate experiences and attractions throughout New Orleans •EXPANDED COVERAGE: New hotel and restaurant recommendations have been added in up-and-coming neighborhoods throughout New Orleans. The “Under-the-Radar New Orleans” feature will help visitors live like a local and see the quirky not-for-tourists side of the city. •ILLUSTRATED FEATURES: A Mardi Gras feature, including a parade schedule, helps revelers plan their time. A colorful primer on New Orleans music provides basics about making the most of your Jazz Fest experience and how to best enjoy local music year-round. Features on New Orleans cuisine and cocktail culture identify the best eats and drinks. •INDISPENSABLE TRIP PLANNING TOOLS: Neighborhood orientation pages with maps, top reasons to go, and information for making the most of your time, make planning a snap. Easy to use, atlas-style dining and lodging maps makes finding everything easy. •SPECIAL EVENT COVERAGE: Mardi Gras in February or early March and Jazz Fest in April are two of the biggest annual events. •DISCERNING RECOMMENDATIONS: Fodor's New Orleans offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their visit. Fodor's Choice designates our best picks in every category. •COVERS: New Orleans, Plantation Country, Cajun Country, the French Quarter, the Garden District, Fauborg Marigny, Bywater

New Orleans is an incredible, vibrant, bursting at the seams, melting pot of a city. Whether you’re visiting for the music, the food, to get to the know people, or to just party all night long (maybe all of the above) Fodor’s New Orleans is the guidebook that will help make sure that you have the trip of a lifetime, every time you go. Expanded Coverage: Includes new hotel and restaurant reviews throughout New Orleans, as well as in select destinations in Plantation Country and Cajun country. Discerning Recommendations: Fodor’s New Orleans offers savvy advice and recommendations from local writers to help travelers make the most of their time. Fodor’s Choice designates our best picks, from hotels to nightlife. “Word of Mouth” quotes from fellow travelers provide valuable insights. TripAdvisor Reviews: Our experts’ hotel selections are reinforced by the latest customer feedback from TripAdvisor. Travelers can book their New Orleans stay with confidence, as only the best properties make the cut.

Provides concise information on New Orleans from accommodations and travel to restaurants and sightseeing, and includes features on Mardi Gras, Southern cuisine, and New Orleans music.

Provides concise information on New Orleans from accommodations and travel to restaurants and sightseeing, plus a walking tour of the French Quarter

Provides concise information on New Orleans from accommodations and travel to restaurants and sightseeing, plus a walking tour of the French Quarter