Beginners Guide to Mardi Gras
Never in my life did I think I would end up in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Big crowds and big parties are not exactly my thing. However after an unfortunate string of sadness in my personal life, a small getaway was just what the doctor ordered! Here is your Beginner Guide to Mardi Gras!
| So, did we have an authentic experience? Did we get to listen to some great jazz? Uh-nope, but we sure has heck had a BLAST!!!! Mardi Gras is not even describable. The parades! The costumes! The color! The overall cheer and camaraderie….It’s Contagious! Here is a list of my favorites: Favorite Hotel (Disclaimer, ONLY place we stayed) – The Ritz Carlton. The location was perfection! Stay here for Mardi Gras. It’s walking distance to Bourbon Street and the best parades stroll right by the front door making it easy to run back inside for a drink refresh or a rest-room break (Trust – This can be a challenge) |
Favorite Parade – Endymion. They threw out the best loot, I even got a magic wand!
| Favorite Restaurant in NOLA– Backspace on Charles Street. The meatloaf sandwich is… To.die.for. and they have a cute fireplace!! Favorite Oysters – Luke’s on St. Charles Ave. You have to have Oysters! You are in New Orleans, after al! There is an art to shucking oysters; there should be no grit and it takes some skills to make that happen! P.S. always tip your shucker!! BIG shout out to the guys behind the oyster bar at Luke’s! I like mine paired with champagne or beer…something about the carbonation just works. Favorite Bloody Mary – Pat O’Brien’s on Bourbon Street, Famous for their hurricane, but this might be the best Bloody Mary I’ve ever had. Favorite Bar –Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon St. Rumored to be one of the oldest buildings in the country. It’s located at the end of Bourbon Street Favorite Hotel Bar – The Carousel Bar and Lounge. You go around in a circle, just like a carousel, but with drinks. Say no more |
| Best Beignets in New Orleans- (delicious hot powdery fried dough of amazing goodness) This one is a house divided! My favorite was at the cafe in the Ritz Carlton, The hubby prefers the beignets at Cafe Du Monde which is the original shop. I recommend you try both and decide for yourself! |
| Favorite Budget Friendly Restaurant in New Orleans – Coop’s Place. This spot is fabulous, the environment is super fun, the gumbo is great. Everything, including the wine, is reasonably priced. Oh and I tried my first crawfish here! |
| Favorite Thing to do on Fat Tuesday – Get yourself up on a balcony, we paid to do it and it was it worth it. The price of admission gets you access to a bathroom without a long wait and to a bar…. without a long wait. Plus, the vantage point is like nothing you’ve seen before. Bring lotsa beads! |
Admittedly, I was apprehensive of going to Mardi Gras. I thought it would be too scary, too boisterous and overall, just too much! Not so! it was so fun and if you are on the fence, I say go for it!
Childfree Legend
👶 – The best of child-free locations – No kids allowed!!
👶👶 – Kids allowed, but there are adult areas or not many children present.
👶👶👶 – Children are present.
👶👶👶👶 – DANGER ZONE – Too many kids to be enjoyable
👶👶 – Unbeknownst to me, Mardi-Gras is family-friendly during the day, which I guess makes sense with the parades and costumes, and night the little munchkins disappear and it is Child-Free Friendly!
Cheers, My Friends!
XOXO – Jackson
