When you go to New Orleans, whether it’s for Mardi Gras or just for a weekend getaway, there are some things you need to bring- like your wallet and your sense of adventure- and some things you should leave at home (like your diet!) New Orleans is steeped in culture and tradition, but there’s enough to see and do there to please almost everyone. And, to get to all those attractions and restaurants that everyone is raving about, a New Orleans car rental is a good way to go.

A good way to start a trip to New Orleans is with a visit to the New Orleans School of Cooking. You’ll learn how to make all those delicious Louisiana favorites, such as shrimp Creole, gumbo, and jambalaya. Easygoing instructors work a lot of local history and plenty of fun into each lesson, and the pace is slow enough even for novice cooks.

If you want to party while you’re in New Orleans, then you’ll want to visit the French Quarter. If you plan to imbibe and have a designated driver, a New Orleans car rental is a great way to get there. To see all that the French Quarter has to offer, there are guided tours of its nightspots (New Orleans’ Original Cocktail Tour is one of the most well known).

To get a feel for New Orleans, you should take a day or two to just wander around the French Quarter, or just relax in a cafe somewhere. No matter what you choose for entertainment, it’s a great place to visit- and a New Orleans car rental will make your trip that much easier.