Top Things to Do in New Orleans During Mardi Gras

The city’s streets are closed for parades throughout the night, and New Orleans police officers ride on horseback to thin out the heavy crowds. Getting around town is possible, but it’s best to plan ahead!

Beignets (crispy square donuts covered in powdered sugar) and King Cake are must-tries. You’ll also find mouthwatering Creole cuisine and soulful music.

Experience the Parades

The dazzling parades that roll through New Orleans are one of the city’s most beloved traditions. During Carnival season (which lasts for more than a month and includes the weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday), local krewes design extravagant floats, dress their members in flamboyant costumes, and throw a plethora of beads and trinkets to the cheering crowds. From the classic Krewe of Rex to the all-female Krewe of Muses, each parade offers a unique theme and spectacle that will delight anyone who takes part or observes.

To see a parade in full, it’s best to plan to spend several hours in the area. Almost all the parades head down St. Charles Avenue and into the Central Business District, so you’ll need to plan accordingly if you want to experience them. Most of the time, there are upwards of 20 - 30 floats in each parade, plus plenty of marching bands and entourage.

Be sure to bring a water bottle with you to avoid dehydration while you’re on the parade route. Also, be mindful of where you’re walking if you’re near a parade, as some revelers take their throwing of beads and other trinkets very seriously and can get aggressive in the process. Don’t pick up any throws off the ground, either; locals consider it bad luck. The person who finds the baby in their slice of king cake will have good luck for the rest of Mardi Gras.

Discover the City’s Music Scene

A visit to New Orleans isn’t complete without experiencing the city’s legendary music scene. Whether you’re dancing the night away or sipping on a refreshing cocktail, jazz, blues, roots, funk, rock, R&B, reggae, and rap will envelop you in its sounds. It’s all there to be experienced, with bands playing at legendary venues like Preservation Hall and Tipitina’s, or at local dives, like the Mother-In-Law Lounge on Claiborne, Vaughn’s in Mid-City, and Maple Leaf Bar uptown.

Another way to experience the musical energy of Mardi Gras is to attend one of the many parades. These dazzling procession are put on by krewes, local social clubs that spend the year designing spectacular floats and throwing beads and trinkets to crowds.

Be sure to catch the parades of mega-krewes Endymion and Zulu, as well as Krewe of Rex in downtown. For a more intimate viewing experience, grab a spot on a balcony at a bar or restaurant, such as the second floor of the Cat’s Meow Karaoke Bar in Bourbon Street. Some bars offer ticketed balcony parties with food, drinks, and beads included in the price of admission.

In addition to parades, locals love hitting Frenchman Street for a more laid-back party vibe with a local flair. You can find a variety of venues featuring live musicians and tasty craft beer. Just be sure to keep your valuables secure, pickpocketers are abundant during this time of year.

Relish the Local Cuisine

Mardi Gras is the perfect time to indulge in all of New Orleans’ culinary delights. Whether you sit down to a meal on a white-lined tablecloth with crawfish etouffée or share a beignet with someone special in the Cafe du Monde, you’ll enjoy the local cuisine that makes this city so unique.

The French Quarter comes alive with a roaring atmosphere during Mardi Gras and is the best place to see the celebration in full force. You can visit some of the country’s most famous watering holes, shop for trinkets that specifically celebrate Mardi Gras, or find antiques and Louisiana delicacies.

Despite the city being so focused on Mardi Gras, it is still very family-friendly. However, the parades are crowded and some of the best viewing spots fill up hours in advance. So, if you want to get the best experience possible, make sure to reserve your hotel room well in advance.

During the festivities, you’ll find that many locals dress up in costumes. It’s not uncommon to see people in wigs, masks, and extravagant attire as they stroll through the streets. It’s a truly magical sight! New Orleans is also incredibly inclusive and celebrates its LGBTQ community with their own krewes, balls, and parades. This makes Mardi Gras a true city-wide celebration of everything that’s great about New Orleans. So, take advantage of this incredible event and have a blast!

Take a Stroll around the French Quarter

Mardi Gras parades roll all over town, from the colossal Endymion floats to the political satire of Krewe du Vieux. To make the most of your experience, it’s best to stay in the downtown area (often referred to as “Uptown”) close to the parade route. This is where the majority of spectators watch the parades. However, it can be quite crowded here, so to get the best view opt for a local bar with a balcony or purchase tickets to one of the purpose-built grandstands on either side of the street.

Afterwards, you can enjoy the city’s vibrant culture, shopping, and dining scene. Try the local cuisine, including gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and crawfish etoufee. And don’t leave without trying a king cake! This is a special brioche-style cake with a hidden figurine of an infant. Whoever finds it in their slice must throw the next party!

After the parades, head to Jackson Square where you’ll find plenty of street performers, from mimes and knife jugglers to tarot and psychic readers. Jazz music fills the air and the spirit of Mardi Gras is truly alive and well here. For a more in-depth look at the history and traditions of this unique festival, head to the Mardi Gras Museum. Here, you’ll learn about the elaborate floats and costumes as well as the secret societies that organize the parades.

Embark on a Walking Tour

Walking tours are a great way to get the lay of the land when visiting a new city. They offer a unique perspective and often include amusing stories or legends that are not easily accessible otherwise. There are a number of different types of walking tours that cater to all interests and fitness levels. For example, art and architecture enthusiasts can take a stroll through a destination’s artistic districts to admire stunning buildings while learning about the area’s history and culture. Those who are interested in spine-tingling tales can opt for ghost walking tours that explore a place’s haunted past.

During Mardi Gras, guests can join a walking tour that highlights Carnival traditions and gives them the opportunity to learn all about the world-famous event from an expert guide. From a behind the scenes look at parade floats at Mardi Gras World downtown by the Convention Center to a visit to a French Quarter Grande Dame’s where you can sample a King Cake and see classic memorabilia, these tours offer an in-depth view of this magical time of year.

In order to successfully promote your walking tours, it is important to lead with value and focus on creating memorable experiences for your guests. This will increase the likelihood of people spreading the word and recommending your tours to their friends and family members. As a result, more people will be able to experience the magic that is New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

Conclusion

Mardi Gras isn’t complete without parades, and the city offers an array of dazzling spectacles. The most popular events are those organized by krewes, local social organizations that design their own floats and costumes. Be sure to catch parades by the Krewe of Rex, Endymion, Bacchus, Zulu, and others to experience a range of themes and styles.

Bourbon Street, which runs through the heart of New Orleans, also hosts a number of parades. This is the ideal spot for visitors who want to be in the thick of things and enjoy the atmosphere of the city’s most vibrant district. Be sure to visit the bars that line this popular stretch, such as Erin Rose and Bourbon Vieux, which offer balconies overlooking the action.

During Mardi Gras, it’s important to secure a spot for watching the parades ahead of time. New Orleanians often reserve spots hours in advance, so it’s best to arrive early. It’s also important to bring a jacket, as it can get quite cold at night during the festival. In addition, be prepared to be pelted with beads and other throws from the floats and participants. However, remember that picking up these items off the ground is considered bad luck by many locals. If you’re not comfortable getting hit with beads, try to stick to the paved sidewalks or neutral ground sides of the streets. Restrooms can be difficult to find during parades, but port-a-potties are typically available for a fee.