Local writers cover every inch of the Big Easy, from Bourbon Street to Mardi Gras, in this exciting guide. Authoritative reviews profile Creole and Cajun cooking in depth, from crawfish étoufée to gumbo file. The full gamut of nightlife in this city that never sleeps is covered: bars, bowling alleys, arenas, clubs, Cajun venues, zydeco haunts, and more. Here too are such tantalizing diversions as Cajun Country swamp tours, River Road plantation jaunts, and the scenic beaches of the Gulf Coast. Visitors learn not only where to stay, play, and dine in style, but also how to peel a crawfish, scarf an alligator sandwich, and uncover the heart of this fabled town. This edition features new sidebars, photographs, and listings; updated maps; and a new culture chapter for context.