How to Survive Mardi Gras in New Orleans Like a Local

It’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans and it’s your first time here.  It’s time to put your party pants on and hold on tight because you’re about to experience the longest, never ending party of your life.  Louisianians are crazy.  When it’s Mardi Gras, we start the day with a drink in hand and it’s how we end it.  We get loud, we dance in the street, and do anything to have a good time. You might be wondering how we do it and what the secret is to survive Mardi Gras like a local.  Luckily, New Orleanians are very welcoming and you’ll fit right and survive Mardi Gras like a local if you do the following:

1. Put your party pants on

No party starts without a little pre gaming, and in the deep south, we don’t waste any time.  Mardi Gras days are kind of like a long tailgate, so you’ll need all the food and all the booze, but don’t forget to pace yourself.  You start the drinking as soon as you’re up and you don’t stop until you go to bed.  If we’re talking in tailgating terms, you don’t want to be the one who’s already out before kickoff.

2. Get a box of Popeye’s chicken & a side of red beans and rice

Ask any local and they’ll tell you this is an absolute must on Mardi Gras day.  Park your lawn chair in the neutral ground and bust open that box of fried chicken.  You may even make a new friend or two.
3. Bring a king cake

You’ll need the carbs to help balance out the beer, hurricanes, and hand grenades.  Showing up to camp out for a parade without a king cake is like showing up beerless at a college house party.  Always come prepared and remember, if you’re lucky and get the baby, keep the tradition rolling and buy the next king cake!

4. Don’t mind the ladders

See those weird tall ladder like things with bench seats?  Those are for the kids, so don’t get any ideas!  Also, if you hope to catch any beads, stay far away because babies on ladders are bead targets and get them all!
5. Wear comfortable closed toe shoes

To survive Mardi Gras like a local, be prepared for lots of walking. If you’re brave enough to venture down good ole Bourbon Street, expect your feet to be black when you are done.  The smell alone will give you an idea of what you’re walking on.  If you think you’ll be able to navigate at a comfortable pace, think again.  You’ll have thousands of others waiting to step on your feet, so save the designer heels for another time.

6. Don’t limit yourself to just Bourbon Street

In fact, most locals know better than to go down there on Mardi Gras.  There are tons of parades all over the city and surrounding areas that will give you the real experience of Mardi Gras like a local.  If you insist on seeing a rather interesting show, proceed to Bourbon St., but don’t say I didn’t warn you.
7. Most importantly, laissez les bon temps rouler.

That translates to “let the good times roll”.  After all, they don’t call New Orleans the best city for nothing.  We’re always ready to party and have a good time, so get ready!

For more about Mardi Gras, check out this post on everything you need to know about Mardi Gras in New Orleans and this post for a full recap of Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Carnival Time by Al Johnson on Grooveshark