If you're looking for an afternoon away from the French Quarter, head to this bit of manicured nature, located Uptown. The park is a well-tended rendition of primeval Louisiana forest, with oak and magnolia trees and a public golf course surrounded by walking and biking trails (call 504-212-5290 for tee times). The zoo, across from the park, qualifies as one of the city's hidden treasures: Compact yet remarkably well-designed, it has the usual lions, tigers, and bears, along with an outstanding swamp habitat dedicated to southern Louisiana's indigenous wildlife, including white alligators, as well as the now-endangered traditions of human swamp-folk, such as trapping and hunting.

Park open daily. Zoo closed on Mondays.

Usually associated with half-nude debauchery and flammable rum drinks, Mardi Gras gets a bad—if not completely undeserved—rap. Despite its Girls Gone Wild reputation, Mardi Gras is more than simple "boobs for beads" transactions; if that's your goal, head for Bourbon Street with the out-of-towners. Locals congregate in neighborhood bars on hidden side streets and along the parade routes on Uptown stretches of St. Charles Avenue. Fat Tuesday itself always falls on the day before Lent begins—in late February or early March—though the Mardi Gras season starts on January 6, the 12th night of Christmas. But the carnival spirit never quite leaves the city. Head over to the recently relocated Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World, near the Convention Center, for a tour of the studios where artists sculpt the famous sparkling parade floats. The tour also includes time to roam the warehouses, where larger-than-life visages of Louis Armstrong sit next to 15-foot papier-mâché bullfrogs (1380 Port of Orleans Pl.; 504-362-8211; www.mardigrasworld.com).

After Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest is the city's biggest celebration, when dedicated music fans pack the infield of a local horse-racing track for hundreds of national and local acts performing on half a dozen stages. Jazz, funk, rock, and world music groups rule the stages, while soul-soothing power choirs rock the gospel tent. Over the years, national touring acts (Dave Matthews, the Roots, Buddy Guy) have infiltrated the lineup, which routinely showcases New Orleans legends (the Meters, Dr. John, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, miscellaneous Marsalises). The concession booths take festival food way beyond funnel cakes and nachos, with transcendent roast-pork po'boys and creamy crawfish Monica. As always, Jazz Fest falls during the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May.

Abutting the convention center, this reclaimed industrial area crackles with energy and is home to hip restaurants and contemporary art galleries. Repurposed warehouse space has given birth to a mini museum district. The newly constructed Ogden Museum of Southern Art is its showpiece; affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, the Ogden has the largest collection of Southern art in the world, dating from the 1730s to today (925 Camp St.; 504-539-9600; www.ogdenmuseum.org). Across the street is the comprehensive National D-Day Museum, founded by the late historian Stephen E. Ambrose as "America's National World War II Museum" (945 Magazine St.; 504-527-6012; www.ddaymuseum.org). The cavernous Contemporary Arts Center hosts a hodgepodge of events, including dance, theater, and music (900 Camp St.; 504-210-0224; www.cacno.org). Currently, most museums maintain a partial exhibition schedule—the better to maximize weekend visitors—so call ahead before hopping in the cab.