Mardi Gras is less than two months away, so it’s time to start planning a trip to revel in New Orleans’ rich gumbo of music, food and partying.
This year’s parades start in early February and run to the 20th, which is “Fat Tuesday” or the actual Mardi Gras date. That means you should be hitting the Internet now to pick out the dates for your visit, get an idea of the restaurants and clubs you want to go to, and make your hotel reservations.
One of the first Web sites you should check out is the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau––to pick up helpful information on places to stay, nightlife, shopping, tours and festivals. Their “Mardi Gras” section includes a schedule of parades, Mardi Gras lingo and an essential “Mardi Gras 101” handbook explaining the festival’s background and functions. And you should take a look at the “Photo Tour” down at the bottom of the page.
The CVB includes separate sections on the two most important aspects of visiting New Orleans: “Restaurants” and “Music and All That Jazz.” By the CVB’s estimate, there more than 1,000 restaurants in the metropolitan area, from neighborhood favorites to the famous Antoine’s, Commander’s Palace and Emeril’s. And, of course, the Cafe du Monde––THE place to enjoy coffee and a sugar-dusted beignet while people-watching. Like the eateries, music is everywhere and in every form, from the Louisiana Philharmonic to jazz, zydeco, cajun and blues, with clubs, music halls and other live venues. After you’ve heard some of the local talent, stroll down Decatur Street to the Louisiana Music Factory––to collect some CDs, many of which you probably won’t ever be able to find back home.
Click on “Things to See and Do” at the city’s official tourism Web site––and then on “Mardi Gras” for a fat collection of information on the celebration, including a glossary of Mardi Gras terms. That “See and Do” section also has entries for other New Orleans attractions, including shopping ranging from designer boutiques to hundreds of antique shops.
There’s no shortage of Web sites dedicated to Mardi Gras.
Try Mardi Gras.com––for its maps and schedules, plus “Top Mardi Gras Questions” (when’s the prime time to party?) or “Mardi Gras Basics.” You might want to waste a few minutes by checking out the views from the year-round Web cams. And be sure to look through “Visiting New Orleans” for maps and other essentials for out-of-towners. This Web site is produced by NOLA.com, which has its own visitors’ guide––to help you make your plans. Slide your cursor over “Visitor” to open the menu, then click on “Top 100 Eateries” and “Music Listing,” where you’ll find schedules, reviews, new local releases and “Special Sections” with links to music.
Click on “Tours and Attractions” at Mardi Gras New Orleans––for a link to the company that builds floats, and offers tours of its shops. “Mardi Gras Krewes” has links to a few of the biggest parade organizations. And you should visit their section titled “General Info and Tips.”
For more krewes, in and around New Orleans and in other Gulf states, the New Orleans Website Directory––has links to everything from the Corps de Napoleon to the Pharaohs Mystic Society in Mobile, Ala.
