“Laissez les bon temps rouler” One city which swings like it undoubtedly is New Orleans.  While the good times always roll here, the city lives up to the fullest in the season of its epic carnival – Mardi Gras. French for ‘Fat Tuesday’, New Orleans once the capital of France Territory had the biggest ever celebration this year on the occasion of the city’s tricentennial birthday. Beads, Krewes, King Cakes, and of course Jazz are all over in The Big Easy’s best season.

St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, New Orleans
Saint Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, NOLA

New Orleans, Louisiana(NOLA) is known for round-the-clock nightlife and push its limits during Mardi Gras. Every year around one million people visit New Orleans making it the biggest hosting city for this carnival. The city celebrates with hundreds of parades from January 6th (the twelfth day after Christmas) until Fat Tuesday, when the people eat to the fullest before Lent, religious observance in the Christian calendar begins.

Here is everything Mardi Gras present us. Get ready to experience the craziest carnival in the world.

Parades

The first-ever parade for Mardi Gras started in the 18th century. Since then, parades have become an essential part of celebrations. They are true to the form of merry-making and festivity blended with gifts and music. Watching these parades is such a treat. They are decorated in Mardi Gras colors – green, gold, and purple symbolizing Faith, Power, and Justice. There is at least one parade a day throughout the Mardi Gras season. The famous ones parade in Metairie and Uptown areas.

Mardi Gras Parade decorations
Parade decorations

Krewes

Krewes (Crews) from various societies, organizations, companies, and schools parade thru the streets of New Orleans. The most famous ones are Krewe of Zulu and Krewe of Rex. The groups used to be secret societies and so they cover with masks to hide their identity. That tradition still continues but mostly for the fun. While each parade has a specialty of its own, the famous ones are long and fun to watch. Some famous parades are on the weekend before Mardi Gras, others on the big day.

Watch out for the schedule of the spectacular Krewe parades and get to the location at least an hour early.

Mardi Gras Floats
Float – Decorated platform

Music

No celebration completes without the music. It brings out joy. And in New Orleans, the birth city of Jazz, it is certainly part of the tradition. People marching in parades with the drums and other instruments make the scene so lively and boost us to dance with the rhythm. Jazz is everywhere in the city, it accompanies you on streets, restaurants, and great theatre shows.

Jazz in Mardi Gras Parades
Jazz in parades

Throws

“Throw me somethin’, Mister!” It is very common to see people holding these cards. Krewes throw a lot of goodies to cheer up the crowd. Throws usually are beads like in the English Renaissance era. Other throws include doubloons(coins), masks, balls, lightning gifts, coconuts, cups, and T-shirts. People crave Krewe’s most famous throws.

Mardi Gras Parade craziness
People waving for Throws

Costumes

If you are into Mardi Gras, you are definitely dressed up. People entertain in various costumes and are found all over the city. Costumes are a bonus to acquire the rare throws. If looking for the craziest costumes, go no beyond the Bourbon Street of the French Quarter later in the night.

Mardi Gras is a feast to the eyes
Marching bands followed by decorated long wagons – Its an eye-feast

Flashings

Yes, they do. Of course, it is NOT a Mardi Gras tradition and locals hate it. Usually shows up in Bourbon Street, after parades where people catch up drinks. Krewe of Zulu threw coconuts as gifts at some time but later stopped as it might hurt people. And… guess people never wanted to forget that tradition.

Mardi Gras traditions
Just another beautiful parade

Food

New Orleans Food is so yummy that a trip can be dedicated just to experience its varieties and still can’t be done as your tummy won’t help. Crawfish, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Cajun.. mouthwatering just thinking about them. One of our best experiences is at Napoleon House, a historic restaurant serving classic Creole favorites from almost two centuries. While every item on the menu is a must-try, their Jambalaya is so tasty we couldn’t resist ordering the second one. Also try Sazerac, local’s favorite drink, if you are into them.

Beignets are another must-try in the area. Any store around will do just fine. In Bourbon Street, when it’s time for late-night food after several Daiquiris or Hand Grenade, Po’boy on the street corner is the right choice. Have fun drinking and eating right on street. Yes, it’s completely legal to have drinks on street here. For more traditional dinner choices, another local’s favorite just around downtown is – Bacchanal Fine Wine and Spirits in Bywater. A vintage wine store with a variety of food serving styles and live Jazz music in its own courtyard will live as the best memory forever.

Surprisingly, these places are affordable and reservations are not required. But during Mardi Gras, unless you are early to the restaurant, good luck standing in the line around the corner especially in French Quarter famous restaurants like Coop’s Place.

[Thanks to Conde Nast Traveler‘s Travelogue podcast for the amazing restaurant suggestions, right on time for Mardi Gras]

Don’t be in shock, if a baby showed up in a French Cake when bought. You are rather a in luck as it symbolizes, another blowing tradition.

Bacchanal Wine Store - New Orleans
Bacchanal Wine Store – A Must try restaurant

Things I learnt-

  • Do not drive in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Even public transportation will be tough as the road closures will be all day long. Best to walk and book accommodation close to the famous spots.
  • Do not pick up the beads from the ground when ‘throw’n. Also do not open packed gifts right away. It is just not the tradition.
  • Avoid restaurants that need reservations during Mardi Gras. There are several local cafes with great food options in French Quarter. Just look for Jambalaya or Gumbo and they can’t go wrong in New Orleans 🙂
  • Airbnb is fairly cheapest for accommodation during Mardi Gras with several options in and around downtown.
  • Do not mess up with Police horses in Bourbon Street 😀

What else to do? 

Mardi Gras will not leave much time for other stuff to do around apart from parades, drinks, and food, but if it did, there are tons of places to experience:

  1. Saint Louis Cemetery – If haven’t heard already, cemeteries in New Orleans are so famous for their huge above-ground tombs. Book a private tour to experience them in the best unique way possible – you have to see it to believe it.
  2. National World War – II Museum
  3. Dare to drive on the largest straight bridge in the world – Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. After driving 15 miles over water, it will be hard to believe that there are 10 more miles to see the other end. Try hard not to sleep driving on it.
  4. Frenchmen Street for more authentic New Orleans.

Best time to visit: 

Unless you love Mardi Gras, February is not the right time to experience genuine New Orleans. Late April can be the right time when the place is not too hot or out of the Mardi Gras madness. This can be the time when the prices won’t be on surge too.

Laissez les bon temps rouler – let the good time roll 🙂 

Are you planning to go? If you like to just chill from home, here are some of the other stories you might like:

Although worlds apart, here is another tradition in South India that is similar to this parade which has floats, statues and all.

Check out our state park experiences we visited around Chicago:

Or our mission to wonders of the world:

If you like our stories, next time, get them straight to your inbox.

About Author

“Be a Roman when in Rome” is the first travel quote I heard. Soon I realize every place is unique. Wondering how it is? Well that's why the stories here are for. Enjoy reading them!

With so many lovely places on this earth, different cultures and variety of food, exploring one at a time while leading a crazy IT professional life. In short, call me Explorer, be it places, food or IT. See you around!

You might also enjoy:

Thoughts?