New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind destination in the United States. Famous for our Creole and Cajun cuisine, jazz music and brass bands, historic architecture, Nicknamed the "Big Easy," it's known for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. Embodying its festive spirit is Mardi Gras, the late-winter carnival famed for raucous costumed parades and street parties.