Ready for the ultimate party of the year? Mardi Gras is quickly approaching and if you’ve never been, well, WHERE have you been?!? It’s SO much fun! Do yourself a favor and book your trip there right now. I’ve got plenty of ways you can save on that.
And I’ve also got plenty of tips for you on how to make the most of your Mardi Gras experience because it is chaotic and can be overwhelming. You don’t want to miss out or waste your time. While some people bring kids to the Mardi Gras parades, I prefer to leave Reese out of the melee. There are other kid-friendly ways to celebrate Mardi Gras that I’ll tell you about at the end of this post.
Got your flight booked and your room reserved? Great! Now on to my top 5 Tips On Going To Mardi Gras For The First Time.
Tips On Going To Mardi Gras For The First Time: Pick your parades first
There are so many different and fun parades that roam through New Orleans during this celebration. That’s good news because you really can’t see them all. So, choose the ones that spark your interest most and then get there early to get a good spot. What makes a good spot? That depends on your point of view. Some people want a place where they can sit down while others want a place close to the bathrooms. Incidentally, bathrooms are scarce so finding a spot near one isn’t a half-bad idea.
Tips On Going To Mardi Gras For The First Time: Dress up
During Mardi Gras, people really go all out with costumes. You don’t need to if you don’t want to, but at the very least, wear a festive mask and a hat. Mardi Gras is all about having fun and just letting go. If you’re not even remotely dressed up, what’s the point of being there?
Tips On Going To Mardi Gras For The First Time: Bring a bag and a plastic cup
All that free stuff flying off the parade floats really adds up. It’s not just beads that you’ll wind up collecting. Stuffed animals, cups, and doubloons (coveted coins everyone jostles each other for) all get tossed into the crowd. Free up your hands and stash it in a bag. If you’re planning on drinking, New Orleans allows open containers in the streets but not in glass or cans, so take along a plastic cup for your cocktails.
Tips On Going To Mardi Gras For The First Time: Step on the doubloons
Don’t make the mistake of trying to pick up a doubloon from the ground! Everyone will step on your fingers, and no matter how much alcohol you’ve consumed, it hurts. Do as the folks in New Orleans do and step on the doubloon to claim it. You’ll have a chance to pick it up from there without getting stomped on.
Tips On Going To Mardi Gras For The First Time: Embrace the insanity
It’s wild. It’s messy. It’s Mardi Gras. It’s the place to just let everything go and be yourself, uninhibited. It’s crowded, sweaty and very chaotic but it is one long and incredible party you’ll be glad you came to. If you want a little less debauchery, stay off Bourbon Street as it’s the rowdiest part. You can still have a blast even if you avoid that part of the party.
Looking for more fun things to do in New Orleans during Mardi Gras or any time of year? Then check out all our posts on visiting New Orleans! Not heading to Mardi Gras this year? Read my post on Planning a Mardi Gras-themed Party that Both Kids and Adults Will Love!
