How to have a memorable Mardi Gras in New Orleans, or just a great trip to beautiful NOLA.
A week ago I celebrated Mardi Gras, unfortunately I was unable to make it to New Orleans this year so I had to celebrate in the city of Chicago. In memory of my first blog post being about my trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras I have decided to make a list of tips to have a great Mardi Gras in New Orleans, or just things to do and food to try when visiting New Orleans.
Tips for Mardi Gras:
*Book a flight with a budget airlines many months ahead OR if you can get enough time off from work – drive
*Even harder than finding a fairly priced flight – the hotel. Book a hotel as many months ahead as possible or you will end up spending 4x more than usual. AirBnB’s, and Couchsurfing are also options but I do NOT recommend hostels.
*Prepare to party and drink a lot, and don’t bring personal items out with you that you don’t positively need : an ID, yes, some cash, a cell phone. Leave the credit card behind.
*Watch the parade further away from Canal street, if you go towards where the locals are watching you’re more likely to get more beads and have less of a crowd.
*You can have a memorable experience without visiting Bourbon Street, but it’s an interesting experience
*Be careful wandering around at night – self explanatory
*If you want beignets and the line at cafe du monde will take hours just go to the place next door, delicious and you aren’t wasting your entire trip waiting for a pastry.
Things to do/see:
*The parades occur several times a day, and you are allowed to drink out on the street in New Orleans, so grab a drink and watch from the streets, shout for beads and other trinkets; it’s really fun
*Visit the awesome above ground cemeteries
*Visit a bar and listen to some Jazz
*Embrace your inner red neck and go on a ‘gator boat
*Go on a Hurricane Katrina Tour
*Check out the Voodoo Shops
* You have to check out Jackson Square and the French Quarter just to take a picture at the very least
EAT:
*Go to Mother’s and have a Po Boy – it’s the best thing you will ever taste, or you could check out Johnny Po Boys
*Buy some pralines from Southern Candy Makers
*Try to find the lucky baby in a King’s Cake
*Eat anything and everything you can get your hands on: There are some outdoor open barrels of crawfish you can buy, and sample a couple
*gumbo or jambalaya from the gumbo shop is really delicious
*Try some oysters, a good place is the Acme Oyster House in The French Quarter
In my opinion New Orleans is one of the most amazing city in the United States, the food is amazing, there are so many different things to do, the people are courteous and friendly, I am in love with the architecture and overall, it’s just a really fun place. I recommend everyone visits New Orleans at least once whether it be for Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest or just for a random weekend. It won’t disappoint. Some people hate New Orleans and I have heard from some people that they think it smells (??) but the fun you will have is worth it. 😉
Runaway Blond 