Mardi Gras is ALL about the parade throws, the food, and partying day and night in the street. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a full cultural, musical, glitter-covered experience. If you’re thinking about experiencing Mardi Gras but feel overwhelmed, this guide walks you through how to get there, where to stay, what to wear, how to get around, what to eat, and a mock hour-by-hour itinerary.
How To Get There
Getting to New Orleans for Mardi Gras is part of the adventure. You must choose the right mode of transportation.
Flying is the fastest option. Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about 20–25 minutes from downtown. Because of Mardi Gras, airfare and rideshare prices are expected to spike.
Driving gives you flexibility, especially if you’re road-tripping with friends. As expected, traffic, road closures, and expensive parking near parade routes can be stressful.
Trains and buses, on the other hand, are underrated gems for Mardi Gras travel. They drop you closer to the city center and let you skip the parking drama altogether. You can relax, enjoy the scenery, and arrive ready to celebrate, rather than exhausted from navigating crowded streets.
Pro Tip: Mardi Gras traffic is REAL. Arriving by bus or train drops you closer to the action without dealing with parking or security lines, saving your sanity. A scenic train ride home after a high-energy trip is a chef’s kiss.
Where To Stay
Where you stay during Mardi Gras can make or break your experience. Hotels in the Central Business District (CBD) and Warehouse District are sweet spots. Hotels in these districts offer:
- Easy access to parade routes
- Safe, walkable areas
- No fighting for parking
- Quick escapes between events
Staying right in the French Quarter puts you in the middle of the action, which is exciting but can be loud well into the early morning hours. If you prefer a slightly calmer vibe, with beautiful homes and easy access to the parade, areas along St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District are also great choices.
Here are some great hotel recommendations in the Central Business District (CBD) and Warehouse District of New Orleans — perfect for your Mardi Gras trip, whether you’re on a budget, looking for a mid-range stay, or want something luxurious and memorable.
- Drury Plaza Hotel New Orleans is a budget-friendly option. Affordable CBD choice with free breakfast and central location just a short walk from the French Quarter.
- Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans French Quarter/CBD is a mid-range option near Canal Street and parade routes, making it a great choice for first-time visitors.
- InterContinental New Orleans is for those who desire an elevated experience. A downtown favorite with refined Southern charm and easy walking access to the French Quarter and Warehouse District.
Pro Tip: Hotels in the Central Business District (CBD) and Warehouse District are close enough to the French Quarter and major parade routes, but far enough to escape the nonstop noise.
What to Wear
Mardi Gras fashion is not about being subtle. It’s about being FUN, bold, and comfortable.
Outfit Essentials
- Comfortable walking shoes (non-negotiable)
- Layers (mornings cool, afternoons warm, nights chilly)
- Crossbody bag (hands-free for beads!)
- Sunglasses
- Portable phone charger
Mardi Gras Colors are purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power). Think sparkly tops, statement earrings, sequin skirts, graphic Mardi Gras tees, fun jackets, or kimonos. Check out La Diva Boutique in New Orleans for your Mardi Gras fit. They’re on TikTok too.
Pro Tip: No open-toe or brand-new shoes. Between street debris and parade throws (beads, coconuts, candy flying through the air), your feet will thank you.
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How To Get Around
Getting around New Orleans during Mardi Gras takes a little strategy. Walking is hands-down the best way to move around, especially near the French Quarter and along parade routes. You’ll often get places faster on foot than by car because of road closures and heavy traffic.
Streetcars are another great option and add to the classic New Orleans experience, but be prepared—they fill up quickly with other parade-goers, so allow extra time and be patient.
Grab the Jazzy Pass. It allows you to buy, store, and activate unlimited-ride transit passes for New Orleans streetcars, buses, and ferries directly in the Le Pass app (or as a physical 1-day pass from Walgreens or other vendors), with passes priced from 1 to 31 days at $3 to $55.
If you need to travel a longer distance, rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft are available, but expect surge pricing during peak parade times. For shorter hops, you can also hail a pedicab (bike taxis) or rent a Blue Bike to cruise through the city like a local.
Pro Tip: Prioritize walkability and proximity to parade routes. Traffic restrictions and rideshare surge pricing can make getting around more difficult than you expect during Mardi Gras.
Parades To Attend
When it comes to parades, the main route runs down the length of Saint Charles Avenue–parades begin rolling on Napoleon and Tchoupitoulas, before turning down St. Charles towards downtown, before making a final turn on Canal Street towards the river. But parade routes vary, so it’s best to check each krewes’ website for the best place to watch.
Mardi Gras season is packed with parades, but a few krewes are especially famous and draw the biggest crowds. Krewe of Endymion (usually the Saturday before Mardi Gras) is known for massive floats, celebrity riders, and a high-energy nighttime route.
Bacchus, the Sunday night parade, is another showstopper featuring a celebrity “King Bacchus” and elaborate, illuminated floats.
Krewe of Muses is a Thursday-night favorite, especially for its hand-decorated high-heeled shoe throws, which people treasure for years.
Zulu, rolling on Mardi Gras morning, is legendary for its painted coconuts and deep cultural roots in New Orleans history.
And of course, Rex, the “King of Carnival,” is a classic Mardi Gras Day parade that represents the season’s traditional royalty and pageantry. Each parade has its own personality, so seeing a mix of daytime and nighttime krewes gives you the full Mardi Gras experience.
Pro Tip: Good viewing spots fill up fast — especially for popular krewes like Muses, Endymion, and Bacchus. Arriving 1–2 hours early gives you space to stand comfortably and increases your chances of catching throws.
What To Eat
New Orleans is a foodie’s paradise. I may or may not log calories during Mardi Gras.
Here’s My Mardi Gras Must Eat/Drink List:
- Gumbo: A hearty, stew-like dish made with roux, often containing chicken, andouille sausage, and seafood.
- Jambalaya: A one-pot rice dish packed with meat, vegetables, and Cajun spices.
- Po’ Boys (fried shrimp or oyster): Traditional sandwiches filled with fried seafood (shrimp, oysters) or roast beef.
- Shrimp & Grits: A comforting Southern classic featuring tender shrimp sautéed in a savory sauce and served over creamy, buttery grits.
- Oysters: Fresh Gulf oysters are enjoyed raw, charbroiled, or fried, offering a briny taste of Louisiana’s coastal waters.
- Red Beans & Rice: A traditional New Orleans staple made with slow-cooked red beans, smoky sausage, and spices served over fluffy white rice.
- Muffaletta: a famous Italian sandwich invented in New Orleans with cured meats (ham and salami), provolone cheese, olive dressing, and great bread served at Central Grocery on Decatur Street.
Sweets
- King Cake: The quintessential Mardi Gras dessert, a brioche-style cinnamon pastry topped with green, gold, and purple icing. The name comes from the Biblical story of the three kings that bring gifts to baby Jesus. Within the cake, a plastic king cake baby is hidden for fun. Tradition says that whoever finds the baby has to buy the next king cake!
- Beignets: Deep-fried, doughy pastries covered in powdered sugar, often served at Cafe Du Monde.
- Banana Fosters: A classic New Orleans dessert famously created at Brennan’s Restaurant by sautéing bananas in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon, then flambéing them with rum for a rich, caramelized sauce. It’s typically prepared tableside and served warm over vanilla ice cream for a dramatic and delicious treat.
Adult Beverages
- Hurricane: A fruity, rum-based cocktail made with light and dark rum, passion fruit juice (or syrup), orange juice, lime juice, simple syrup, and grenadine.
- Hand Grenade: A bright green, super-strong French Quarter favorite made with a mix of vodka, rum, gin, melon liqueur, and a sweet, citrusy juice blend (the exact recipe is a closely guarded secret).
Pro Tip: Hydration is key because between the walking, dancing, and excitement, you WILL forget to drink water.
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Mock Hour-by-Hour Mardi Gras Itinerary
Wednesday – Arrival Day (Feb 11)
8:00 PM – Check in at the hotel located in the Central Business District (CBD)
8:30 PM – Try to catch Krewe of Druids & Alla energy (possibly a bite to eat at Mother’s)
9:00 PM – Eat original charbroiled oysters at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant
Late Night – Walk Bourbon Street, visit the Carousel Bar, and look for some King Cake
Midnight – Late-night snack at Verti Marte (All That Jazz Po-Boy) and then back to the hotel to recharge
Thursday – Full Mardi Gras Energy (Feb 12)
8:00 AM – New Orleans African American Museum
9:00 AM – Coffee at Baldwin & Co Bookstore & beignets at Loretta’s
10:00 PM – Visit the French Quarter, Jackson Square, Love Wins Gate, St. Louis Cathedral, etc./Photo Opps
11:00 PM – Steambout Natchez Tour
1:00 PM – Lunch at Lil’ Dizzy‘s
2:00 PM – Banana Foster at Brennan‘s
3:00 PM – Sazerac House Tour & drink Sazerac Cocktail (the official cocktail of New Orleans)
5:30 PM – Head to parade route early
6:00 PM – Krewe of Chaos, Babylon, & Muses/Join a Second Line Parade/Catch a Signature Throw
Evening – Dinner at Morrow (Cajun Crawfish Pasta, Gumbo Ramen)/Date Night
Late Night – Live music at one of the multiple bars (DBA, The Spotted Cat, etc) on Frenchmen Street
Friday – Travel Home (Feb 13)
7:30 AM – Breakfast at the hotel
8:30 AM – Head to the Amtrak station
Final Thoughts
Mardi Gras isn’t just a party — it’s culture, history, music, food, and community all wrapped into one unforgettable experience. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to go… this is it. Memories of a lifetime don’t make themselves. You have to pack the bag and go.
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