Plan Early For Mardis Gras in New Orleans

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If you visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras, you're in for the time of your life. The city celebrates Mardi Gras (which means fat Tuesday) from January 6th until the day before Ash Wednesday. This season is referred to as Carnival, and a carnival it is.

Mardi Gras History

The basis of Mardi Gras originated in Rome in the second century when several days of feasting and festivities preceded the forty days of fasting for Lent. Partygoers would wear costumes and partake in food, drink and fun. Mardi Gras came to the States when a French explorer named Iberville arrived in 1699 and named the spot where he landed Point Du Marti Gras. The time of his arrival coincided with the time that France was celebrating the festivities, and Mardi Gras' roots were set in America.

New Orleans Mardi Gras Festivities

The celebration and festivities include parades, floats, balls, costumes, masks, beads, drinking and dancing. Mardi Gras also has it's own colors. Purple stands for justice, green for faith, and gold for power. There is no official Mardi Gras theme, the themes of the floats depend on the groups creating them and what's popular at the time.

Travelers from all over the country come to see the parades and join in the festivities. The majority of the action and parades is to be found on Bourbon Street and in the French Quarter. You can observe the parade floats and take your share of the Mardi Gras beads that visitors and residents prize as trophies. If you're traveling with kids, you're going to want to be very careful where you see the parade. In certain areas, partygoers "flash" for beads. While it is illegal to do this, it is more tolerated in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street. A more family-friendly place to spend Mardi Gras would be the Garden District where such activities are not tolerated.

New Orleans Mardi Gras Transportation

With the people dancing in the streets, your best bet is to get around via one of the famous trolleys. At this time of year, getting around by car will be difficult at best. All day trolley passes are available.

Lodging During New Orleans Mardi Gras

If you are planning on visiting during the Mardi Gras season you will want to plan WAY ahead of time. Hotels book up months in advance and if you don't plan early, you'll find yourself without a place to stay. And it's not just the party-area hotels that get booked, it's the entire area.

When planning your hotel, location is something that needs to be carefully considered. If you want to be in the heart of the action, you'll want to stay at the French Quarter Courtyard Hotel. The French Quarter is where the action is and you'll be right in the middle of it at this hotel, located just three blocks from Bourbon Street.

For a quieter stay, you may want to try the Ambassador Hotel. The hotel is located in the central Business District, close to both the French Quarter and the Garden District so you can choose where you will join the festivities. This historical hotel was created out of three renovated warehouses. You'll want to book early in advance regardless, but make sure you book extra early if you want a room with a view of downtown New Orleans.

Regardless of where you stay or your party-style preferences, you're sure to have a blast during Mardi Gras. There's nothing quite like partying with an entire city, and this city knows how to party.