How to Enjoy a Gay Pride Festival in New Orleans

One of the world's great party cities, New Orleans plays host to a wide array of gay-pride festivals and events throughout the year.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Costume
• Computer with Internet access
• Camera
• Accommodations
• Event schedule
• Map of New Orleans

1. Find a festival. New Orleans hosts several gay-pride events; you can find one that fits your schedule and idea of a good time online at Web sites such as Gay New Orleans (see Resources below).
2. Set an itinerary. Most festivals have a rigorously planned schedule, which you can usually find online at the event's Web site.
3. Book accommodations. New Orleans relies on tourism, so there's plenty of lodging options, including a number that cater to the gay community. The French Quarter alone has dozens of gay-friendly bed and breakfasts. You can find these online in the New Orleans section of MyGayWorld (see Resources below). They are usually heavily booked when there's a gay-pride event in town, so reserve a space well in advance.
4. Pack accordingly. Gay-pride festivals are celebrations of individual rights. As such, there is typically no set list of items that you should bring. Events during Mardi Gras and Halloween are naturally big on costumes, however, so you'll want to make sure you have something to wear.
5. Get there. All of the major airlines fly into Louis Armstrong International Airport, as do discount carriers Southwest, Jetblue, Airtran and Expressjet. The Crescent City is a major railroad hub, and Amtrak provides service in all directions.
6. Check out the gay scene. If there's a pride festival going on, the gay nightspots will be the happening places. There are 15 gay clubs in the French Quarter alone, and many more in other neighborhoods. Despite the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina, these areas can still put on a great party.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring a camera.
• Many events require tickets. While they are usually available at the door, some must be purchased in advance, so do a little research before you leave.
• Practice safe sex. Always.
• Pickpockets thrive at major events, so keep your wits about you.