Anyone going to Mardi Gras this year?

[shanti]

One of my sons is going for the first time, by himself. He'll be there monday only. Any highlights to look for then?

[cbayer]

1. Ah, the lundi gras.

How old is he? Where is he staying? What does he like to do?

Mardi Gras can be experienced in many, many different ways. Everything from the chaos and debauchery of Bourbon Street to the great family gatherings along the parade routes.

Of course, Tuesday is the day to be there, but there is lots going on on Monday, particularly that night. There are two big parades that night - the more traditional Proteus and the flamboyant and always exciting super-krewe Orpheus (led by Harry Connick, Jr.)

[shanti]

4. well, he does like to drink!

he's turning 30 in march and this is his birthday present to himself (along with a 4 day cozumel cruise starting today). he's staying at the comfort inn downtown. he will be by himself.

[cbayer]

6. Well, he's going to be right in the thick of if, that's for sure.

It's really crowded and really crazy down there, so it depends on how much crazy he wants to be around.

To be honest, the whole city will be in party mode. He could go uptown to see the parades and visit some of the bars along St. Charles and then head to the quarter after the parades. He'll probably have a much better parade experience uptown.

He needs to be prepared to walk. Public transportation virtually shuts down and cabs, if you can find one, get really snarled up in traffic.

One last thing. If he doesn't know New Orleans, he should ask the hotel to show him on a map where he should not go. And he should not, under any circumstances, mouth off to the police. They are tolerant.... up to a point.

[KamaAina]

13. Yeah you rite.

If he doesn't know New Orleans, he should ask the hotel to show him on a map where he should not go.

In general, that'd be the other side of Rampart from the Quarter, anything more than a block or two lakeward of St. Charles (until you get up by Tulane), and some blocks in the Irish Channel just riverward of Coliseum Square (though I hear that area has gentrified since Katrina).

[bluedigger]

2. He's in for it!

The best advice I can give under those circumstances is to write down where you left your car/the name of your hotel. Preferably in permanent marker on your body.

[nolabear]

3. LOL! True dat!

"Where" gets a little slippery where Mardi Gras is concerned. He can see lots of ta-tas in the Quarter or go up St. Charles or Canal and enjoy the parades. And he should definitely be on Bourbon at midnight Tuesday night to see the police line walk through and shut the place down. It's not to be missed.

Be careful and have fun, Baby. You'll never be the same.

[shanti]

5. hah!

should he be worried about pickpockets? i'm pretty sure he will be wasted.

[bluedigger]

7. Yes.

If he's 30, he's probably street savvy enough to be OK. Cash and cards in the front pocket and don't get lured off by yourself. Bourbon Street should keep him occupied well enough for his first visit. It'll be packed.

[SammyWinstonJack]

19. Good advice!

[Major Nikon]

8. My daughter is going with her high school French club to a small town Louisiana Mardi Gras

I've been to New Orleans Mardi Gras once many years ago. I didn't really enjoy it that much even back then, but I've never been much for drunken revelry.

[cbayer]

14. These small town Mardi Gras's are lots of fun.

Very family and kids oriented. She should really enjoy it.

There are lots of New Orleanians who enjoy Mardi Gras away from the drunken revelry. Uptown, on the parade routes, lots of people have house parties and just enjoy the day. Most people only know of the craziness on Canal Street and the quarter, which is only one slice.

[pacalo]

9. He's going to have the time of his life, shanti!

Downtown is the place to be. There will be two major parades early in the evening in that area: Proteus & Orpheus. Afterwards, he'll probably want to venture over to Bourbon Street where there are lots of bars. Mardi Gras creates a spirit in the air that is like no other time of the year -- your son will find it a very friendly, fun-loving atmosphere.

[shanti]

10. thanks for the tip!

do they throw beads on monday too?

[KamaAina]

12. They've been throwing beads for the last couple of weeks

as well as doubloons, etc.

[cbayer]

15. Tons, literally Plus all kinds of assorted trinkets. He'll have so much stuff, he won't know what

to do with it all!

[pacalo]

17. They throw beads at every parade throughout the Mardi Gras season.

And he'll catch a lot when he walks along the French Quarter, where they are thrown from the hotel & apartment terraces.

I hope you'll post about his adventures when he gets back home!

[shanti]

23. i will do that!

he's in cozumel on his cruise today, monday in NOLA, and home by next thursday. he's taking the train back to nor cal (afraid to fly) so it's going to take awhile.

[shanti]

27. he's baaaaack!

DS really liked NO and lundi gras! someone up post mentioned writing your name on your arm? hahahahaha! DS said that he woke up at 7am flat on his back in his hotel room. he said he didn't know how he made it back! unfortunately, he said that most of the stores were closed (?) due to the parade, so he didn't get his muffuletta or po boy. he did get some jambalaya w/red beans and rice from someone cooking out of their kitchen on the parade route, which he enjoyed. lots of beads, doubloons, footballs, cups, FOOD and beer thrown his way. he almost missed his train connection due to the crowded streets, but it all worked out in the end.

i do have to say he looked more "alive" when he returned, than i've seen him in a long time.

laissez les bon temps roulet!

[pacalo]

28. That's funny! And typical.

It sounds like he got the genuine Mardi Gras experience. I just wish he could have stayed for Mardi Gras day, when the party atmoshere is at its peak. I'm surprised he didn't find more food available in the Quarter, with all the bars open.

It's been years since I've gone to the Quarter for Mardi Gras. A lot of us natives use Mardi Gras as a day to rest! When I was single, I never missed going. Talk about fun memories of meeting people from all over the country & the world!

I'm glad your son had such a good time. Mardi Gras gives visitors the ultimate good time.

[KamaAina]

11. Slight quibble: In Yatspeak, "downtown" is the area below the French Quarter.

as opposed to "uptown". The area around Canal St. is the "CBD" (central business district).

[pacalo]

16. I didn't want to confuse shanti, so I didn't use the word "uptown".

And I sure as hell wasn't going to tell her about the "neutral grounds".

[shanti]

22. i'm probably stepping right into it

but what are the neutral grounds?

[KamaAina]

24. The grassy strips in the middle of divided streets

known in less fun places as "median strips".

The original neutral ground was the one on Canal St., which separated the Creole city now called the French Quarter from the emerging American one uptown.

[alphafemale]

18. He must have a beignet. This place is open 24 hrs. No excuse.

http://cafedumonde.com/history.html

On edit. Pronounced Ben-Yay. So he doesn't embarrass himself like I did.

[seabeyond]

20. johnny po bo... a must. nt

[shanti]

21. yes, that's already on his list

what's the best place for a po boy?

[KamaAina]

25. Ask two New Orleanians, get three different answers

Johnny's does nicely in the Quarter. A few blocks away is Central Grocery, which specializes in NOLA's other signature sandwich (you didn't seriously think they'd have just one?!), the muffuletta (say muff-oo-LOT-ta, and get a half, 'cause they're enormous).

[shanti]

26. yes, the central grocery muffeletta

i myself have wanted to check it out ever since bourdain showcased it on the layover.