How to Experience Mardi Gras

Don't be afraid to reach out those hands and catch some beads at parades.

Mardi Gras is an exciting event that occurs in the city of New Orleans and commonly falls around the end of January or in February. Mardi Gras usually spans two weeks leading up to the final day of celebration before Lent, known as Fat Tuesday. During this time, parades are a daily occurrence and a central experience of the Mardi Gras season. Experiencing this Cajun-fueled bash means dedication and pre-planning to ensure you enjoy all that Mardi Gras has to offer.

Instructions

1. Reserve hotel accommodations ahead of time. Hotels in New Orleans book up swiftly for Mardi Gras, so grab a place as soon as you know you are attending. Hotels along

   St. Charles Avenue, Napoleon Street and in the French Quarter are your best bets for being close to the Mardi Gras festivities.

2. Eat at local restaurants. Part of Mardi Gras is enjoying the fare offered in New Orleans, and many restaurants will have specials during this time. There also are traditional crawfish boils to enjoy.

3. Bring your own drinks with you when going to the parades. Both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are allowed on the street in New Orleans (provided they aren't in glass containers), so save some money and pack your portable cooler. This is an easy way to keep you refreshed while you hold down your spot for prime bead-catching at the parades.

4. Arrive early at the parades and set up a spot on the sidewalk. Plan to arrive two hours prior to when the parade is set to start in order to get a prime spot. Set up chairs, your cooler and even a food table. During the parade, you can sit and have a cold beverage and work your way up to the floats when you want, then take a break from the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds and head back to your spot when you need to rest.

5. Stick your hands up and holler for some beads. Mardi Gras floats are packed with those precious beads and goodies, and you don't have to be on the front row to catch them; throwers will be sure to toss them all over the crowd.

6. Don a costume for Fat Tuesday. The final day of Mardi Gras is essentially like Halloween, and walking around the city and enjoying all the costumes is half the fun of the day. There are no limitations to what kind of costume you can wear, so don't hold back.

7. Walk to Bourbon Street after the parades on Fat Tuesday. Once the parades are done, most of the crowds head downtown to Bourbon Street to close out the celebrations, and attending is a must for anyone wanting the full Mardi Gras experience.You can also bike or drive to the festivities, although parking is very limited and Bourbon and the neighboring streets will be blocked off.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to experience the best of Mardi Gras, plan to attend from the weekend prior to Fat Tuesday through the final day. This is the time that festivities are at their peak.

• While the parades are child-friendly, Bourbon Street boasts a more adult crowd. If you have children with you, opt to visit Uptown to enjoy festivities at local restaurants and in the streets.

• Keep in mind that while the city does tend to get a little crazy during this time of year, you still need to remain responsible and safe in order to have a good time. Stick to areas with crowds such as St. Charles Avenue or Napoleon Street and drink responsibly.

References

• Mardi Gras New Orleans: Tips And Recommendations