■ PARTY TIME

NOBODY celebrates Mardi Gras like New Orleans, but New Orleans doesn’t have a Hogsmeade section. If you want to both get your party and your Harry Potter on, head to Universal Orlando (above) which kicks off a massive Mardi Gras celebration on Feb. 12. Through Apr. 23, expect a full slate of concerts, parades and, of course, plenty of food and drink (universalorlando.com).

■ ELECTRIC AVENUES

GO ahead and take Manhattan, but do it quietly, with the new, all-electric Chevrolet Volt, now being rented by Hertz in New York City. To reserve the Volt or other enviro-friendly vehicles, sign up at hertzev.com.

■ NEED A HUG?

SPEAKING of interesting things coming out of Detroit: A local nonprofit, Inside Detroit, is hoping to set a record for the world’s largest group hug, to be held Feb. 12 during the city’s annual Motown Winter Blast celebration. Learn more at insidedetroit.org.