New Orleans (2)
I visited New Orleans 2013 Christmas and 2014 new year. In December or January in New Orleans, we did not really need a big coat, a sweater or two seems sufficient. Different from many other cities in US, News Orleans has rich cultures influenced by Spanish and French Colonial time and slavery period. As a result, New Orleans is sassy and characteristic, and it constantly smells like alcohol, cray fish, Jazzy, and Cajun spice (Cajan refers to a special ethic group in US whose ascendants are combinations of French and black people.). The city is quite big, you can always book bikes, segway tours or just take buses around.
1. Jazz
2. French Quarter: some buildings date back 1700s and 1800s. In the old days, rich planters lived in the French Quarter while their plantations were far located in the remote area of New Orleans. Nowadays, most of the French Quarter are restaurants, souvenir shops, night clubs (targeting different audiences), and upstairs are owned by fraternities. During Mardi Gras and new year, these upstairs are the best locations for throwing beads at people walking in the French Quarter. Many buildings in the French Quarter remind you of Europe, elegant porches and colorful flowers. Many old movies are filmed here. Stars like Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt own houses on the French quarter.
3. Cajun culture and food: You pretty much have to order etouffee and po boy. Also, make sure visit famous Cafe Du Monde; the waiting line is long, but it moves fast. Cajan food is advantageous, you can find pretty interesting menu. One of the best restaurants in News Orleans is Commander’s place, located near Garden District, where all the expensive houses are, including many stars’ house. 
4. Attending Mardi Gras: The whole city is supposed to be drunk and partying during Mardi Gras. There is a Mardi Gras float factory tour which New Orleans people are very proud of themselves.
5. Plantation. Do you feel you are walking into Gone with the Wind?!
6. Swamp: the best season to see alligators is summer; but in the winter, you can see these cute, wild boars, begging for mash mellow 😛 The large size of swamp is very impressive and it also maintains an interesting ecosystem; however, we really do not have many swamps left in the world 🙁
7. Katrina: The hurricane almost destroyed the city. Schools closed, hospital closed, many people moved out of the city. There are Katrina tours where you can see empty buildings, and water lines. In News Orleans, the tomb is above grounds. During Katrina time, the water broke the dam, one of the very first stops for the rescue team is to move/process the tomb, so the bacteria did not spread.
8. Cruise and port of New Orleans: It is cool to watch Mississippi goes into the Gulf of Mexico. Mississippi is so calm and innocent looking, but it can be 200 feet deep near New Orleans and make a perfect port, bringing in a lots of revenue for the city of New Orleans.