Unless you're booking a combined flight and hotel deal, reserve lodging before you start looking into your flight. Having a means of transportation to New Orleans doesn't do you any good unless you have a place to stay once you arrive. Because Mardi Gras is so popular, plan on booking your hotel well in advance — as early as the prior August. 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. How to plan a trip to Mardi Gras. Start early, plan early. The first thing you’ll want to do is find your hotel. You can’t go wrong with a hotel in the French Quarter. This is going to be in the middle of all the parties and action. When out-of-towners think about going to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, this is what they envision. Most recently, we visited New Orleans for Mardi Gras. It was so fun to wear crazy outfits, explore the city, see the parades, and experience the amazing culture. If you are planning a trip to Mardi Gras, this guide is for you. For more tips on visiting New Orleans, be sure to check out my complete guide here. New Orleans comes alive during Mardi Gras in ways that are impossible to capture until you’ve seen it with your own eyes. The vibrant parades, dazzling costumes, and infectious energy create an experience that's truly one-of-a-kind—but, let’s be honest, it can also overwhelm first-timers. Rest assured, planning a trip to these iconic festivities can be overwhelming without the proper research. Just follow these 6 tips and be ready for an epic N’awlins Mardi Gras! Book Your Rooms Early. Mardi Gras is such a huge deal in New Orleans that people start to browse hotel rooms as soon as August. Planning six months ahead of the Photo Credit: Drury Plaza Hotel New Orleans via Facebook Mardi Gras 2025 Travel Tips: Navigating New Orleans Like a Pro. 1. Choose the Right Location: If you’re planning to experience Mardi Gras with or without kids, picking a strategic location is crucial. Stay near family-friendly parade routes like St Charles Avenue, which tends to be less 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. 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. Mardi Gras 2025 is just around the corner, and if you’ve always dreamt of experiencing the vibrant energy and colorful festivities of New Orleans, now is the time to start planning! Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned carnival-goer, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to plan the perfect trip for 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. Hotel shuttles often encounter these same issues and many do not provide transportation during Mardi Gras. The best way to get around New Orleans during Mardi Gras is on foot or by bicycle. If traveling by bike, be cautious in large crowds and always remember to lock your bike up to prevent theft. Mardi Gras, the French Quarter, the Garden District — these are just a few of the things New Orleans is known for. But the Crescent City offers many other incredible things to see and do. 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 For planning your trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, I will focus on Louisiana and how to vacation in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras has grown into a widely celebrated event in many parts of the world, with carnival festivities taking place. In New Orleans, it is a time of colorful pageantry and raucous celebrations that honor the diverse cultural influences of the city. From traditional brass bands to vibrant parades, the festival is a living testament to the community’s deep roots in French, Spanish, and Creole heritage. The Dates for Mardi Gras 2024, 2025, and 2026. In the
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