Great sound vibes, lively parades, and flamboyant clothing are all part of Mardi Gras. In New Orleans, it's all about the holidays!
Revelers know to dress up in costumes. For some others, they can at the very least wear purple, green, and gold, and decorate themselves with long beads collected from past parade floats.
There will be a lot of fun and interesting costumes, children with their families will be everywhere, and both residents and visitors will be having a good time.
Between parades, spectators will sit on the floor, toss balls, perform music, eat delicious cuisine, and watch the people pass by. Because of the festival, the majority of non-essential businesses are closed on Mardi Gras day.
In addition, experienced partygoers know to pack a big bag to collect all the beads and trinkets they collect.
Food and drinks
What’s a great celebration without creative cocktails and festive food? You will love the exquisite flavors of Creole and Cajun cuisine. Many say that the food by itself is also one of the highlights of their trip.
One of the most popular dishes in the area is Gumbo. It’s difficult to describe on paper, but having just one bite will tell you that it is a dish that was made with passion, love, and care. There’s just something that’s comforting about the unique blend of the spices together with rice, sausages, chicken, and other ingredients. There are different types of variations to the dish, so make sure you have enough room to try it from different restaurants.
If you prefer something else, you may also try the famous seafood and roast beef sandwich. Locals call it the “po’boy” and recommend it to everyone who visits for the first time.
View from above
The lovely balconies in the French Quarter are known throughout the year for being a superb area to appreciate the history, ambience, and culture of the city while listening to jazz after a delicious lunch. Many people consider them as a location to get away from the crowds below during Mardi Gras.
Because of the size limit on floats in the Quarter, the enormous, traditional Mardi Gras krewes who offer you the "Greatest Free Show on Earth" do not even parade through it. There are a few minor foot-parades in the French Quarter, but nothing like what you see in images and movies, or what you may imagine when you hear the term "parade." This is why you never see a major parade with floats recorded from a balcony in the Quarter - only the crowds following the parades.
Family fun
Mardi Gras is, and has always been, a family affair! You will see touching scenes of multiple generations of families having fun and laughing with each other. From young kids to their parents and grandparents, there’s something for everyone in this festival.
In fact, if you have a child and want to enjoy outdoor picnics while watching the Greatest Free Show on Earth, this is the greatest spot to visit. Watching marching bands, basking in the music in the air, and catching free toys, doubloons, and beads will be fun for everyone. There's a palpable sense of anticipation in the air!
But remember, the town has more to offer than parties and parades. After having fun in these activities, you may also have a few calmer moments with your loved ones. One popular activity here is to take a tour of the culturally rich and diverse city.
You have many options to choose from as well. If you want a more general overview of key places in the area, you may join group tours. However, there are also companies who offer tours at a much slower pace. This way, you can take everything in and absorb everything that each stop has to offer. It may include food, drinks, conversations, and history lessons.
You do not need to worry about the kids as everything is done in a way that’s also entertaining. Nothing is ever boring when you are in the area.
Fashion
For millennia, many civilizations have used masks. They're worn by certain communities for ceremonies, others for festivities, and yet others for performing arts.
Mardi Gras masks, in particular, have their origins in religious rituals. Mardi Gras has been celebrated in New Orleans for hundreds of years, and it is North America's largest masked party.
Masks used during Mardi Gras used to be a way for people to escape society and class restraints. Carnival participants were allowed to be anyone they wanted to be and mingle with whichever class they wanted to mingle with when wearing a mask. They were, nevertheless, seen as a source of entertainment for the impoverished, and ladies who wore masks had their reputations questioned.
During Mardi Gras today, everyone wears a mask. Masks are indeed required by law for float riders. Everyone is welcome to wear masks on Fat Tuesday, adding to the excitement and magic of the festivities around the city.
To enjoy the party even more, it would be great to stand out in a sea of costumes and colors. This is why you want to wear only the best outfit to the event. If you are looking for high quality mardi gras costumes, check out the wide array of options at Charismatico. Their outfits are flamboyant and beautiful, but they are also comfortable enough to wear as you walk and dance all day and night.