Tips for a great Mardi Gras stay:

– Book early — hotels and rentals fill up months in advance for peak Carnival weekend
– Plan transportation ahead — many streets close for parades, and rideshare surge pricing is common; budget extra time
– Wear comfortable shoes — you’ll be on your feet and standing for parades for hours
– Bring a bag for throws — beads, cups, and doubloons add up fast
– Eat before parades start — nearby restaurant lines get long on parade days
– Check the parade schedule — routes and times shift daily during Carnival season, so confirm before heading out
– Pace yourself — Mardi Gras is a marathon, not a sprint; the biggest parades are typically the weekend before Fat Tuesday

Nearby ways to experience Mardi Gras:

– St. Claude Avenue — closer, more local parade route with a neighborhood feel
– French Quarter — costumes, music, and street celebrations (no parades roll through the Quarter itself due to narrow streets)
– St. Charles Avenue — the classic, grand parade route with major krewes like Bacchus and Endymion
– Frenchmen Street — live music venues stay packed throughout Carnival season