Hotels often have rooms available when the parades first begin. This is a great time to visit New Orleans if you want to see some parades and get a great Mardi Gras experience without all the crowds. Don't wait until January to start planning your trip. Yes, we touched on this in the tip above, but it's so important that it bears repeating. For many Mardi Gras revelers, part of the fun is arriving hours early at the parade route to claim a good spot, hang out for several hours, and deal with the huge crowds that squeeze in as the parade approaches. One of my favorite girl’s trips ever was Mardi Gras in New Orleans. New Orleans in general is a fantastic destination but visiting during Mardi Gras brings it to the next level. This guide to Mardi Gras will help you plan your vacation including a Mardi Gras bucket list, what to pack, and a quick guide to the parades. Laissez les bon temps rouler: Let the good times roll. This motto is at the heart of Mardi Gras, where for a few blissful weeks people live life to the fullest. But your trip to New Orleans could flop without careful planning: luckily, here are 10 ways to make sure you have the perfect Mardi Gras. Where to Stay for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Book your Mardi Gras trip well in advance to make sure you have accommodations. With so much happening, staying near the action can make your Mardi Gras trip much easier. Uptown: Ideal for being close to parade routes while enjoying a quieter neighborhood vibe, great for families. Make sure to plan your trip no later than Friday, February 9, 2024, to enjoy an extended weekend of festivities during Mardi Gras in New Orleans, 2024. However, any date between January 6, 2024, and February 13, 2024, will be great for a visit to New Orleans , as there will be Mardi Gras Parades and festivities almost every day. Related: 10 things you should know before your first Mardi Gras trip. Where to eat during Mardi Gras. You're going to be spending a lot of time on the parade route during Mardi Gras, and frankly will end up going to whatever the nearest restaurant is when you're too hungry to stand. But how to plan a trip for Mardi Gras 2025 and make it unforgettable? Don’t worry—we’ve got all the details covered for you. Best Time to Visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2025. Mardi Gras falls on March 4, 2025, but the parades and celebrations start much earlier in the season. Parades and festivities take place all over the city and intensify especially in the last 2 weeks and especially on weekends, but perhaps the peak of the celebration is the last 5 days (starting on the Friday before Mardi Gras). How to plan a stay for Mardi Gras With Rex, Zulu, doubloons, flambeaus, and king cake, Mardi Gras may sound confusing, but we’ve created the ultimate guide to help you understand all things Mardi Gras. Book your trip and head on down to New Orleans for the greatest and most historic celebration on earth. Learn more about the top 10 things you should know about Mardi Gras and plan your trip with the Louisiana Official Inspiration Guide. Related Content Mardi Gras: Sound Like a Local When planning to attend Mardi Gras in New Orleans, you should focus on selecting appropriate attire and understanding safety protocols to fully enjoy the festivities. Costumes. For Mardi Gras, extravagant costumes and vibrant colors are the norm. Attendees should consider wearing purple, green, and gold, which are traditional Mardi Gras colors
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