Mardi Gras, New Orleans, USA, is one of those experiences that would stay with you forever. Of course, there is no better way to mix adventures, trips, and parties than a great carnival celebration. The one at Mardi Gras is a yearly unforgettable celebration and you can’t miss the chance to cross if off you list.
Things to Do
New Orleans is a world-class partying spot. If you have the chance to celebrate here, you will find yourself in the middle of a colorful sea. Right now you are surrounded by crowds of people looking for the best carnival celebration ever, just like you. So, you better travel light because this trip is going to fill your backpack with crazy experiences
New Orleans itself
It doesn’t matter the time of the year you decide to travel to New Orleans, it will surely be a great experience. This southern city in USA is a mix of interesting people, lovely places and sights of great times from the past. Specially if you like taking pictures, New Orleans is perfect for you. The houses, the street performers, and the old-fashioned people should be enough to give you some powerful shots.
It truly is a great city to visit, even when the Mardi Gras is not happening. The culture, history, and art all over the place make the Mardi Gras a bonus to all the amazing stuff that we can find in this city.
Find your Krewe
Krewes are the people we must thank for all this amazing celebration, or at least for the organization of it. They are social clubs, some of them with a large number of people, and they are the main stars behind the festival. They support Mardi Gras in so many ways that, without them, it would be practically impossible to enjoy the event every year.
There are huge famous krewes, for example Orpheus or Rex, that carry a big part of the responsibilities. However, the smaller clubs represent the soul and spirit of this celebration. Besides, you can find krewes like Mid-City that wouldn’t ever allow outcasts to join them in their floats.
The Colorful Mardi Gras
St. Charles Avenue is embellished in festival shades of gold, purple, and green, symbolizing power, justice, and faith. Around, you can see everyone wearing creative costumes, topped with magnificent masks that are in balance with all the colors of the street.
Catch some beads
A constant torrent of shouts streams forward over an ocean of waving hands and a countless number of stepladders. These stepladders are generally used to get over the crowd, hoping to catch more beads. And Mardi Gras is literally all about the beads; plastic beaded necklaces that are tradditionally tossed to the crowds.
The crowds build along Canal Street, the city’s fundamental road and the widest on the planet. Getting to ride on a float for around 4 hours will definetely make you feel like a rock star on tour.
How to get there
16 airlines offer flights to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, located of New Orleans, some from various destinations within the United States. Besides, international flights arrive at Armstrong International Airport from Canada, Great Britain, Germany and Central America.
In addition, daily bus services depart from Chicago and New York, and 3 times a week from Los Angeles.
When to go
There is not an specific date in which Mardi Gras starts. However, I can tell you that it all begins with the “12th Night” or Epiphany Eve, and ends on Fat Tuesday. Two weeks of endless partying!
I definitely recommend you to arrive the weekend before the event, so you can go around the beautiful city. Besides, you can get to meet some people that could join you in your adventure. Remember that this is a world-class event and you can find people from almost every country in the world.
Planning
In New Orleans the busy operators would give you a negative answer if you don’t book your trip early, since it is almost impossible to find something available in the final week of Mardi Gras. For this reason, you must plan well your adventure and check your options before it is too late.
Another thing you must remember is the fact that all the parade streets are closed before and after the event because of all the precessions. Therefore, be sure to find a place to stay near the routes; for example Pontchartrain Hotel on St Charles Avenue could be a great choice. However, you can always check your options and ask for information in the city’s Convention and Visitor Bureau.
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