Ok so in the morning im hopping on a plane with my mom and heading to new orleans, Louisiana for Mardi Gras. I heard most people wear costumes or festive clothing. Im planning on wearing a black shirt, black skirt, a red feather boa and painting my nails red. Is this festive enough????
Also, what can I expect? How is mardi gras in new orleans?
I just got home from Mardi Gras in New Orleans a few hours ago….I’m basing my answer on years of experience … You can wear whatever the heck you want!!! The outfit you have in mind sounds great; I saw a lot of feather boas this weekend and they even threw some from the floats. FYI, Mardi Gras colors are Purple, Green & Gold, so you see a lot of people dressed in those colors. Honestly, there is every kind of outfit you can imagine, but I’d say 70% of people just wear jeans and "regular clothes", but it is always more fun to dress up. Hats are the most popular, the crazier the better. As a heads up, this is the coldest weather I have ever experienced during Mardi Gras. It is only supposed to go up to 48 tomorrow (Monday) and 50 on Tuesday, and the wind makes it feel colder…Be sure to take your coat and gloves so you’ll have fun and won’t freeze your fanny off. Thought I’d also tell you that we watched to parades at St. Charles and Washington Street, and it was the best area we ever went to. There are a couple places to get drinks for $4.75, they threw a lot of beads, and the crowds were the partying kind, yet not the "fight in over beads" kind!
Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!)
Who Dat!!!
Happy Mardi Gras!!
Ok so in the morning im hopping on a plane with my mom and heading to new orleans, Louisiana for Mardi Gras. I heard most people wear costumes or festive clothing. Im planning on wearing a black shirt, black skirt, a red feather boa and painting my nails red. Is this festive enough????
Also, what can I expect? How is mardi gras in new orleans?
I just got home from Mardi Gras in New Orleans a few hours ago….I’m basing my answer on years of experience … You can wear whatever the heck you want!!! The outfit you have in mind sounds great; I saw a lot of feather boas this weekend and they even threw some from the floats. FYI, Mardi Gras colors are Purple, Green & Gold, so you see a lot of people dressed in those colors. Honestly, there is every kind of outfit you can imagine, but I’d say 70% of people just wear jeans and "regular clothes", but it is always more fun to dress up. Hats are the most popular, the crazier the better. As a heads up, this is the coldest weather I have ever experienced during Mardi Gras. It is only supposed to go up to 48 tomorrow (Monday) and 50 on Tuesday, and the wind makes it feel colder…Be sure to take your coat and gloves so you’ll have fun and won’t freeze your fanny off. Thought I’d also tell you that we watched to parades at St. Charles and Washington Street, and it was the best area we ever went to. There are a couple places to get drinks for $4.75, they threw a lot of beads, and the crowds were the partying kind, yet not the "fight in over beads" kind!
Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Let the good times roll!)
Who Dat!!!
Happy Mardi Gras!!
I am going in Feb 2010 and wanted to know if anyone has advise, stories, warnings, must do’s, etc? Thanks!
I am going in Feb 2010, hotel already booked on Common Street and wanted to know if anyone has advise, stories, warnings, must do’s, etc? Thanks!
I just want to reiterate what NOLA Guy said - use your COMMON SENSE - don’t go off alone, drunk, with people you don’t know. Stay with your friends, have a designated walker (as opposed to a driver - you do NOT need a car downtown), and be aware of your surroundings.
Oh, and drink a lot of water!
Mardi Gras is a BLAST. I lived in NOLA for several years and experienced Mardi Gras in different parts of town, with family, friends, co-workers. There is nothing like it…nothing, nothing, nothing! I still wish I had my Mardi Gras silly hat 
Have fun!
I noticed that Mardi Gras parades start that week. This is a full week before Fat Tuesday, but will Bourbon Street still be rowdy and packed? Looking for a party / drinking environment but everything is (of course) booked up for the (next) weekend before Fat Tuesday… Thanks!!!!
Yes. In many ways the first weekend of MG is a better time to visit. There will still be parades & crowds but Carnival doesn’t "take over" like during the second weekend. Attractions will still be open, restaurants won’t all go to a limited menu, etc.
I hope you have a great time!
My answer was posted before the Saint-Vikings game. The Saints won and will go to the Superbowl in Miami, which will be on the 7th. You can expect a REALLY big party that day, and a party beyond belief if the Saints win.
I am going in Feb 2010 and wanted to know if anyone has advise, stories, warnings, must do’s, etc? Thanks!
I am going in Feb 2010, hotel already booked on Common Street and wanted to know if anyone has advise, stories, warnings, must do’s, etc? Thanks!
I just want to reiterate what NOLA Guy said - use your COMMON SENSE - don’t go off alone, drunk, with people you don’t know. Stay with your friends, have a designated walker (as opposed to a driver - you do NOT need a car downtown), and be aware of your surroundings.
Oh, and drink a lot of water!
Mardi Gras is a BLAST. I lived in NOLA for several years and experienced Mardi Gras in different parts of town, with family, friends, co-workers. There is nothing like it…nothing, nothing, nothing! I still wish I had my Mardi Gras silly hat
Have fun!
I am going this weekend, and there is a parade at 6:30. We have dinner reservations at 7:30, so I am wondering if we will be able to see any of it.
It would probably be difficult to do both…even if you catch the parade in the beginning of the route. Parades almost always do not start on time or a float breaks down, etc. holding up the parade. Also there will be a ton of street closures in the city. I would skip dinner reservations…just join the bandwagon and get some popeyes for the parade route while you wait.
I am going this weekend, and there is a parade at 6:30. We have dinner reservations at 7:30, so I am wondering if we will be able to see any of it.
It would probably be difficult to do both…even if you catch the parade in the beginning of the route. Parades almost always do not start on time or a float breaks down, etc. holding up the parade. Also there will be a ton of street closures in the city. I would skip dinner reservations…just join the bandwagon and get some popeyes for the parade route while you wait.
I know that the celebration ends on the day before Ash Wednesday and this year it would be Tuesday February 16. I need to know when should I go to New Orleans to get the most out of it ( be there on Tuesday or be there for the weekend before that Tuesday).
Also additional question would be while in New Orleans… where should I stop as far as sleepover, and what shou;d I see, go to? and recommendations for FUN?
The Saturday before Ash Wednesday is almost as much fun as is Fat Tuesday.
rooms are extremely hard to find and are very expensive during this time period
I know that the celebration ends on the day before Ash Wednesday and this year it would be Tuesday February 16. I need to know when should I go to New Orleans to get the most out of it ( be there on Tuesday or be there for the weekend before that Tuesday).
Also additional question would be while in New Orleans… where should I stop as far as sleepover, and what shou;d I see, go to? and recommendations for FUN?
The Saturday before Ash Wednesday is almost as much fun as is Fat Tuesday.
rooms are extremely hard to find and are very expensive during this time period
I have never been to Louisiana and have never stayed in a hostel. I just need some insight on what a hostel is like and where I can find a nice clean one to stay in that’s in a decent area close to where I would want to be as a tourist. We were driving down from New Jersey and making a few stops then plan to spend 3 days in New Orleans. Any advice regarding this or Mardi Gras would be appreciated.
Thank you
Regarding a hostel, try:
http://www.indiahousehostel.com/
For hotels, check the travel sites (Expedia, Orbitz, etc.) and also:
http://www.frenchquarterhotels.com/
For information on Mardi Gras, go to www.mardigras.com and www.mardigrasguide.com - the FAQ sections may be especially useful.
For general information:
http://www.frenchquarter.com/
The # 1 and # 2 problems during Mardi Gras are traffic and parking. You cannot plan on parking on the street - it’s a recipe for being towed away by Parking Control. Wherever you stay can help with advice on where to park your car.
I hope you have a great time!