Laissez Les Bon Temp Rouler | New Orleans

You can do a lot of things in New Orleans. The one thing that will take some effort on your part is not having a good time in the Big Easy. Especially around Mardi Gras season. As the locals will say, laissez les bons temp rouler. Let the good times roll!

We were in the Crescent City just a few weeks ago, right before all the official Mardi Gras festivities began. Although, in truth, sometimes it is hard to tell when Mardi Gras isn’t happening in New Orleans. When we were there, we went to at least four different parades. I think my favorite was the Mardi Gras parade dedicated entirely to pets. Yeah, as in perrosy gatosdecked out in Mardi Gras garb and riding floats along one of the main roads of the city with their owners tossing beads to onlookers.

It was a quintessential NOLA moment. A few blocks away, we came across another walking and dancing procession of women wearing tutus, tiaras and heels. They were having so much fun it was impossible not to stop and dance along with them. At almost every turn another group of revelers or musicians awaited passersby to entertain them and to make everyone around them smile. That’s what New Orleans is all about – having fun and making the most of every single moment, whether it is Mardi Gras season or not.

It doesn’t hurt that the food is pretty darn amazing too.

We were there for a conference and stayed at the very urban chic Best Western Plus St. Christopher Hotel in downtown NOLA. Think floor to ceiling windows, brick walls, expansive views of the city, and wood flooring throughout. It was a very modern and open space. So much so that our son almost didn’t want to leave the room the whole time we were there. The fact that he had his gaming station with him might have had something to do with that too.

This year, New Orleans is celebrating its 300th anniversary – 2018 also marks 13 years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the area, leading to a massive reconstruction of large parts of the city. You can feel the spirit of both the old and the new almost everywhere. One of our favorite places is the French Quarter. The architecture takes you back through the rich history of the city, while the shops and restaurants along the way offer you an eclectic mixture of modern and classic fare, from beignets at Café Du Monde to King Cake macaroons at one of the newer shops in the quarter.

I kept calling King Cake, roscas, as in the bread our family eats for Three Kings Day in January.

Regardless if we are there for a few days or just passing through, one of the staples for us in the Crescent City is always Café Du Monde. We have to stop for beignets and hot chocolate every time we are nearby. They have been making this worldwide famous treat at Café Du Monde since 1862, and it’s open 24 hours. You can’t pass up the opportunity to visit this place if you’re ever in the area.

Because Louisiana is so close to Texas, we end up visiting New Orleans at least once a year.

If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, whether you are traveling to the Big Easy or somewhere else, make sure to enroll in the Best Western Rewards program. You will earn 10 points that never expire for every dollar you spend and there are no blackout dates to redeem your loyalty points. The complimentary breakfast that is almost always included in a Best Western stay is also a big benefit for travelers.

Give it a try. You will quickly understand why so many of us have already made Best Western Rewards our favorite program for leisure and business travel.