The Carnival season is the most entertaining time of the year to visit New Orleans. Mardi Gras is world famous for its history and extravagance, and people from around the globe come to city just to experience the parades and their floats, dance to Carnival music, and catch many colorful throws. If this is your first time going to NOLA's parades, there's a bit you need to know beforehand so you're guaranteed to have a fun time, as well as stay safe, during Carnival. Mardi Gras can be overwhelming and sometimes frustrating if you jump into it blindly, so these tips should hopefully help you enjoy the festivities without the headaches.
10 Tips to Prepare for Carnival Parades
1. Have Someone Drop You Off/Leave a Car Before Hand
Trying to find parking anywhere near parade routes can be a major issue and more often than not will involve a lot of walking from "point a" to "point b." If you have a family member or a close friend who's not really interested in going to a parade, kindly ask them if they'd be willing to drop you off and/or pick you up close to where you want to be on the route.
Rideshares are expensive during Carnival, so you can absolutely save on some cash by giving your loved one gas money for their trouble. You could even work out leaving your car near the route either the night before or morning of, having your companion drop you off, and then you walking to your car when you've had enough.
2. Try to Avoid Parking Garages
Parking garages may seem like good options for people who don't want to deal with street parking, but it's honestly better to avoid them.
The longer you spend out on the parade means the more expensive the parking ticket will be when you leave. You also run the risk of getting stuck for a long while if you end up trying to leave the parking garage at the same time as a ton of other people.
3. Get to the Parade Early
Parades always draw huge crowds, so try to get to where you want to be before the parade you want to see even starts.
You may be able to avoid dealing with a large amount of traffic if you leave early enough and it can also allow you more options to find better parking. You'll also have better chances find a good spot to see the parade before everyone else shows up.
4. Find a Spot Near the Beginning of the Route
If you can manage it, try to find a good spot right near where the parades kick off. Not only will you be able to experience everything a lot earlier, it will be quicker too since the floats don't really have to slow down or stop right at the beginning.
Float riders also tend to start tossing their throws immediately when they start moving, so it's a nice way to quickly get some Mardi Gras loot.
5. Bring a Portable Chair
Keep in mind that you are most like going to be spending many hours out on the parade route. In other words, you're going to be on your feet for a long time and there's really nothing to sit on besides the ground.
If you want to avoid this, bring a portable camping chair with you. Not only will it help secure your spot on the parade route, your sore feet will appreciate resting from time to time.
6. Have a Bag to Carry your Loot
It's very exciting to wear all of the beads that you've caught on your neck and show-off just how many you were able to get.
After a while, though, those beads will put a crick in your neck and the paint on the beads could rub off on your skin. Have a tote bag or a backpack with you so you have a place to put your beads and special throws.
7. Have Extra Supplies, Just in Case
Speaking of having a bag with you, consider having it filled extra amenities that you can access while on the route.
A bottle of water and sun screen are definitely needed for those hot Louisiana days, as well as a portable umbrella or poncho in case there's a small rain chance during the parade. You could also bring some snacks, a portable phone charger, or any other items that you think might be helpful to have on your person just in case you need them.
8. Buy from Local Businesses to Use Their Bathrooms
No one really wants to use a porta-potty unless that absolutely have to. To avoid that situation, consider going to a local business like a café or a tiny restaurant, order something small, and then use their restroom. Most local establishments are fine with you using their bathrooms as long as you're paying for something.
Bottles of water are pretty cheap, as well as a small appetizer, snack, or side if you feel like you can eat something. Plus, the air-conditioning is nice for even a little bit.
9. Be Respectful of Other Parade-Goers
Mardi Gras is all about having fun and enjoying oneself, so try to avoid being an inconvenience to the people around you who are also looking to have a good time. Don't push or shove to get in front of them, don't fight over throws, and definitely don't get so inebriated that you become "that jerk" on the route.
If there are kids around you, allow them the chance to get more throws. Also, Mardi Gras is not Girl Gone Wild, so don't show off your "goods" unless you really want to try and get arrested.
10. Try to Leave Before the Parade Ends
You're having a great time at a parade, so it's easy to feel like you can stay there forever. However, it's guaranteed that if you stay till the last float rolls past, then you're going to have to fight a lot of traffic once the crowd disperses.
Of course stay for most of the parade, but consider
leaving when there's about four or five floats left to pass you. That'll
definitely cut down on your travel time going home or to your hotel.
