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Step 1
Get a copy of all parade routes at any hotel--you don't even have to be staying at the hotel, the maps are there for the taking. This should be the first order of business when making any Mardi Gras plans. Keep in mind that the festivities aren't limited to one day--it's a month-long event that culminates in a final day of debauchery. Plan your time carefully to observe the maximum number of parades and parties.
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Step 2
Locate the best Mardi Gras bars in the city. It should be relatively easy if you're staying at one of the hotels in the French Quarter. Regardless, New Orleans has a public transit system that can get you to there. There are bars throughout New Orleans, but the most famous are mainly found in the French Quarter. Stick to the hot spots there and you're sure to have an incredible time.
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Step 3
If you have as good a time as you hope, your party will split up and get lost. Establish a plan of action for when you're separated from your group. There are a lot of people in New Orleans celebrating Mardi Gras on a given year, so it's easy to become separated from your friends in the rush of the crowd. Because cell phones are difficult to hear, choose a meeting place ahead of time (preferably off the street) and a plan to keep everyone accounted for.
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Step 4
Enjoy the food. There is nothing that marks a true celebration quite like good food, and there is no shortage of excellent food in New Orleans.
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Step 5
Take in the sights. There is a lot to see and experience in this fabulous city. Don't come all the way to New Orleans and manage to see no more than the bars on Bourbon Street. While there is much to be said for enjoying the celebration, it would be a shame to miss the experience.
