Alabama spars with Ohio State in this year’s Sugar Bowl (Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m. ET).

That’s right, New Orleans will host one of the semifinals in the inaugural College Football Playoff.

Known for Mardi Gras, debauchery and free-flowing alcohol, there are plenty of things for families to do as well. The Big Easy is a cultural mecca with brilliant eats and plenty of jazz.

WHERE TO STAY

  • If you want to go all-out and make this one of those rare and memorable trips, try the Ritz-Carton near Jackson Square. Or opt to stay at nearby Harrahs New Orleans Casino if you enjoy gambling. If you’ve got cash to burn, lucky you — you can probably afford to stay at the four-star W New Orleans in the French Quarter.
  • For a less extravagant visit, but for those that still elect to avoid grungy motels, stay at the Holiday Inn or Hyatt Regency within walking distance of the Superdome.
  • If you have children or generally want to avoid the New Orleans scene, but want to enjoy the food and the game, stay in Metarie, a family-oriented suburb with a collection of decent, moderately-priced hotels. The Residence Inn, for example, is about a 15-minute drive from the Superdome with normal traffic.

RESTAURANT SUGGESTIONS

  • We’ll get to some specific recommendations shortly, but first, here’s a tip: walk into any restaurant in the heart of New Orleans and order any combination of gumbo, po’boy, red beans and rice, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée and bread pudding. Or just go to any grocery store, corner food stand or bakery and pick up a warm baguette, king cake or sno-ball. You really can’t go wrong. Heck, you can diet when you get back home.
  • You know you’ll wander into the French Quarter at some point. Sure, it’s touristy, but why not stop at Cafe du Monde ($) and pick up an order of beignets — or two. (Hint: they taste better the later it is at night.)
  • Mother’s Restaurant ($$), located less than a mile from the French Quarter and a stone’s throw from the Mississippi River, is a quintessential New Orleans eatery with all the staples. Just try to look at this menu for more than two minutes without drooling.
  • Galatoire’s Restaurant ($$$) is one of the most decorated restaurants in New Orleans. Located in the heart of the French Quarter on Bourbon Street, it’s a great place to go if you’ve got one shot at fantastic New Orleans dining. Another (very popular) option in the same price bracket is Dante’s Kitchen ($$$), which serves seasonal, locally-sourced Louisiana food. It offers brunch (first come, first served) and dinner (reservations required).
  • Elizabeth’s Restaurant ($$$) is known for a terrific breakfast, including praline bacon as well as fried catfish and eggs. But for those with a more high-minded pallette, it also offers dinner options like seared duck breast with red wine cherry sauce and panned rabbit with brandy-peppercorn sauce.

THINGS TO DO

  • Check out Jackson’s Square in the French Quarter. A vast collection of fortune tellers, artists, street performers, tap dancers and musicians sit in a park surrounded by rich architecture. In many ways, it’s the heart of an eclectic, off-kilter, soulful and entertaining city. Also consider catching a ride on a streetcar and checking out the visually-appealing Garden District.
  • Want to experience the New Orleans night life in all its glory? Check out Harrah’s Casino and Bourbon Street. The New Orleans Tourism website offers an extensive list of jazz, dance and burlesque clubs, among other options.
  • For those uninterested in the most mainstream tourist attractions who also want to party in a more high-minded atmosphere, check out the acclaimed NOLA Brewery Tour located directly on the Mississippi River.
  • For something more family-friendly, visit the extensive Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, one of the best in the United States. It’s also located off the edge of the French Quarter and on the Mississippi River.

BARS

  • If you decide you’d rather not just wander down Bourbon Street, there are a myriad of nearby options. Bar Tonique is more of a local establishment that combines the mixology and selection of an intimate New York City cocktail lounge with a speakeasy New Orleans type atmosphere.
  • For a dimly-lit atmosphere with live jazz music and well-executed cocktails, check out Three Muses, a gastropub just Northeast of the French Quarter.
  • OK, if you insist on Bourbon Street, check out Fritzel’s Jazz Pub. It’s got everything you want from the location: intimate, dark, live jazz music, decent enough drinks.

GETTING TO THE STADIUM

The Superdome is one of the hardest stadiums to miss. If you’re coming from out of town, just follow I-10 until it approaches a bend in the Mississippi River. The infamous giant roof, featured across every major news outlet in the world during Hurricane Katrina, is visible for miles.

If you’re headed to the stadium from the French Quarter, you can walk, or head North and West until you hit N Rampart or Poydras Street.

Unfortunately, parking around the Superdome is somewhat limited, and you may have to pay a fortune for parking if you’re forced to park downtown, so consider taking a taxi or seeing if your hotel will shuttle you to the stadium.