It’s finally ready, my Mardi Gras guide is up! This was my first year attending Mardi Gras in New Orleans and I definitely searched high and low for blogs that had good tips on surviving the wild time. Since I have never really been to that type of festival before, I wanted to make sure I was prepared – for anything. Here’s my guide for surviving Mardi Gras!
Food:
You don’t go to New Orleans to eat whatever food. New Orleans is known for their rich sea food dishes – think jambalaya or shrimp gumbo! Make sure you make your dinner reservations well in advance, because like any popular city during a popular weekend, those restaurants will be impossible to get into.
Here’s some of the restaurants I’ve been to that I would recommend:
Commander’s Palace
Tableau
Cafe Amelie
Galatoire’s
Beads:
PSA: do not pick the beads off the ground. It’s nasty. Just don’t do it.
Also, you do not have to buy beads before going! Chances are, the hotel you’re staying at provides beads for their guests. You can also get them from the parades or from people throwing them off balconies.
Clothing:
First, the best thing I did this year was purchase inexpensive shoes that I knew I was going to throw away at the end of the weekend. I amazoned some Steve Madden slip-ons to my house a few days before my flight, and this saved me from being paranoid about my shoes. The streets, bars, everything, is disgusting. I wore the shoes the whole time I was in New Orleans, and tossed them right before I left the hotel!
Other then that, make sure to check the weather prior to attending. It was supposed to rain the whole Mardi Gras weekend I was there so I made sure to pack jeans and a raincoat. Turns out, it only rained one evening, which was perfect! But it can be hot (it is the south) or really cold, come prepared!
Also get festive! I bought this Mardi Gras appropriate colored sequined blouse on Romwe.com. It was absolutely perfect for the weekend, and only cost me $14!
Bourbon Street:
I’ve been to New Orleans prior to this experience and had an opportunity to do some off-the-bourbon path activities. However, this trip was all about bourbon street. Bourbon street is crazy during Mardi Gras so here’s just a few recommendations:
- Make sure you keep track of your belongings. Pick-pocketers are out there!
- Watch your drinks
- Be polite to the bouncers and the bartenders. They are dealing with drunk people all day long. Kindness can get you far.
- Do not eat directly on Bourbon street – try to find a restaurant off of the craziness.
One thing my group and I did do, which I would HIGHLY recommend, is finding a balcony to hangout at during our second day. Some bars will sell tickets ($25-$200) for balcony access. Once you have access, you’re good to go up and down as much as you please. This was a great way to escape the Bourbon crowd but to still be part of the Mardi Gras fun. Plus, you get to throw some beads!
Beignets:
Cafe Du Monde (obviously) but I personally like Cafe Beignet!
