Traveling to the Mardi Gras…

 

 

I thought I’d share this blog post from my friends at Perlis blog. My thoughts and suggestions are in bold.

If you are traveling to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras season, you may want to take note.

Planning a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras or any other event? If so, then certainly you'll want to know all the ins and outs of the area to ensure you maximize your experience. Of course, not all travelers have the same goals and aspirations for a trip to New Orleans. Some may want to indulge on the legendary local food and drinks, whereas others may want to explore the party scene. And of course, there's always a group who is traveling with children.

No matter which category you fall into, here's a helpful guide to your New Orleans trip.

 

Laid-Back “Foodie”

Aside from Mardi Gras, New Orleans is perhaps best known for its unique and delicious cuisine. You simply haven't truly experienced New Orleans as a self-proclaimed "foodie" if you haven't sampled some of their world-famous oysters, beignets (squares of yummy fried dough covered in powdered sugar), and cafe au lait. Oh, and of course, there's the gumbo; you have to try the gumbo.

Where can you go to taste some of these New Orleans staples? Consider starting off the day with a fresh beignet and cup of cafe au lait at the famous Court of Two Sisters--a wonderful place for brunch. Later on, grab some authentic gumbo and oysters from Criollo Restaurant inside Hotel Monteleone.

The Uptown Acorn suggests beignets and cafe au lait from Cafe’ du Monde in the French Quarter. Good eats can be scarfed down at Upperline, La Thai, Superior Grill, La Crepe Nanou, Casamento’s…… whatever strikes your fancy, you can find what you are looking for.

 

“Party Animal”

Looking to unleash your wild side? New Orleans can be the place to do it, especially if you're lucky enough to be visiting during Mardi Gras, which always occurs on the day before Ash Wednesday.

During Mardi Gras, the streets of New Orleans transform into a spectacle as parades and throngs of people take over. According to the official New Orleans-Mardi Gras website, the most popular parades worth checking out include:

• Endymion
• Zulu
• Rex
• Bacchus

If you plan on attending any of the parades, make sure to arrive plenty early so you can get a good view. And if you feel like getting a little crazy, make your way over to Bourbon Street after the parades!

Of course, just be sure to follow all rules and regulations of the celebration, and keep it classy – we’re a people of refinement and sophistication here in NOLA.

The Uptown Acorn also suggests the Nyx parade on Wednesday, Muses on Thursday, Hermes on Friday, and of course Thoth on Sunday. I prefer to stay off Bourbon, but I must suggest a cocktail at the Swizzle Stick at the Loew’s Hotel on Poydras.

 

Traveling With Children

If you're traveling to New Orleans with children, never fear; there are plenty of family-friendly activities in which you can partake. For example, you and your group could spend the day at the Audubon Zoo, which also has an adjacent aquarium that's worth checking out. There's also a dedicated children's museum that's just a streetcar ride away from the zoo, so why not make a day of it?

Not to mention, with all the live music radiating through the streets of New Orleans, children of all ages can stay entertained. For more information on kid-friendly places in New Orleans, check out our blog post here.

There's so much to see and do in New Orleans that you'd need to stay for months to experience it all. For your trip, though, be sure to keep these travel tips in mind and you'll be sure to have an excellent time.

I personally think these are great tips for travelers to NOLA for the Mardi Gras season.

Check out more of my 2015 It’s Carnival Time home tour:

Facade

Parlor

Stair Parlor

Dining Room

Den

Breakfast Room

Nightfall

Traveling to Mardi Gras, y’all!