Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
February
Despite indulging in winter mountain getaways, many Americans dread
February for its long, dark nights and frozen days. For foreign visitors, this
can be the cheapest time to travel, with ultra-discount rates for flights and
hotels.
Mardi Gras
Held in late February or early March (on the day before Ash Wednesday), Mardi Gras
(Fat Tuesday) is the finale of Carnival. New Orleans' hedonistic celebrations
(
www.mardigrasneworleans.com
)
are legendary as colorful parades, masquerade balls
and plenty of feasting rule the day.
March
The first blossoms of spring arrive - at least in the south (the north still
shivers in the chill). In New England's mountains, it's still ski season.
Meanwhile, the Spring Break masses descend on Florida.
Baseball Spring Training
Throughout March, Florida hosts MLB's spring training 'Grapefruit League'
(
www.floridagrapefruitleague.com
): 15 pro baseball teams train and play exhibition
games, drawing fans to the Orlando, Tampa Bay and southeast areas.
St Patrick's Day
On the 17th, the patron saint of Ireland is honored with brass bands and ever-flowing
pints of Guinness. Huge parades occur in New York, Boston and Chicago (which goes
all-out by dyeing the Chicago River green).
National Cherry Blossom Festival
The brilliant blooms of Japanese cherry blossoms around DC's Tidal Basin are celeb-
rated with concerts, parades, taiko drumming, kite-flying and 90 other events during the
