Plan My Trip: New Orleans

Mardi Gras is here! Okay well not exactly, but earlier this week, the city residents celebrated Twelfth Night, the celebration of the Epiphany and the Three Kings’ arrival, which is the day that officially kicks off the Carnival season. So I’m heading down to New Orleans tonight to do some reporting on how best to celebrate like a local, and naturally, I need your help. I’ll be in town for four days meeting up with some of the krewes, but I’m always up for suggestions and recommendations.

What’s the advice you’d give a Mardi Gras virgin? What are the ways the locals experience the festivities? What should you not do while you’re there, so as to avoid being a total tourist? Let me know. And stay tuned for updates from my visit!

Photo: A rainy day on Bourbon Street, by Divemasterking2000 via the Intelligent Travel Flickr pool