Many visitors see Mardi Gras as one magical night of parades and partying in the French Quarter surrounded by drunk tourists. For locals, it’s nearly a full week of closed roads, odd hours, and people everywhere. Festivities start weeks in advance, and from the Thursday night before the first parade all the way through to Ash Wednesday, New Orleans is a sea of beads, parades galore, and a whole lot of fun!
Anyone who has lived in New Orleans has their own bit of advice on how to survive Mardi Gras, but the best I have heard, is: Mardi Gras is a marathon, NOT a sprint. Five days of partying and walking miles every night is indeed a marathon, and one that requires rest. Reminding yourself of what lies ahead will keep you from burning out too quickly.
If you’re celebrating Mardi Gras, get out your walking shoes. Unless you’re lucky enough to live on the parade routes, you’ll be walking a lot over the course of the weekend.
As an ambitious newcomer I thought I was going to make it to every parade, but that dream quickly died. It’s important to pace yourself and pick which parades seem most fun to you -- each one is unique and worth seeing. (Tip: Be sure download a parade tracker mobile app, it’s a time-saver!) As a proud local, or a very smart visitor, you’re allowed to skip a parade and sagely stay in. Though the parades may start at 5 or 6 o’clock and only travel a few miles, remember they are full of people celebrating and drinking and moving slower than snails, often running hours behind.
This may surprise most people, but Mardi Gras is really a family affair with most locals sticking to the uptown area, staking out viewing spots along St. Charles or Magazine Streets for barbecue and burgers. Although you should expect to see lots of costumes, college students, and a few questionable actions and clothing, the atmosphere is mostly tame and family-friendly.
When at a parade, the key tactic for catching the best beads, a coveted shoe from muses, or coconut from Zulu, is dedication and EYE CONTACT! Don’t ask me why but it works. Also, if you have children with you, get them to the front and they will walk away with more beads than they can carry! Something else that is very popular for kids are seats built on top of ladders. They are placed along the parade route so children can be up above the crowd (this may be difficult to visualize, but it’s worth looking up on the web!). After the parades you can look through your catches and keep the best beads or hang them up to decorate your porch or a tree.
As fun as Mardi Gras is, there are few drawbacks. Most businesses and services are closed on Monday and Tuesday, so be sure to get to the grocery store before then. Also, ask neighbors or co-workers for any tips about your neighborhood during Mardi Gras -- parking and driving are sometimes tricky if streets are closed.
Mardi Gras is unique, fun, and sometimes a little complicated, but this is New Orleans. Expect the unexpected, enjoy the craziness and fun, and pace yourself … it’s a marathon, not a sprint!
Want to learn more about other cultures' holidays? Check out our Cinco De Mayo blog and find out what the celebration is really about!