<p>I’ve never been to a Mardi Gras celebration anywhere, much less New Orleans. Naive does not even begin to describe it for me. We have friends in a Krewe and will fly to NOLA tonight. They have helped DH and me find a nice hotel in the quarter, dinner reservations at hot restaurants, parade tickets, and premium tickets for a ball in the Superdome. Even so, I feel like I’m adventuring to a foreign culture. Any tips from folks who’ve done this?</p>
<p>Be sure to earn lots of beads to bring back! ;-)</p>
<p>Have fun and just enjoy the atmosphere! Dress comfortably and don’t carry a purse - you’ll need both your arms free to reach for throws. </p>
<p>Dress up, even if it’s just in silly finery for Mardi Gras day and remember, it’s an EARLY day. Wander through the quarter and enjoy all the people watching. The costume contest is fun, but you’ll see plenty even if you miss it. You’ll want a camera!</p>
<p>I love the Tucks parade on Saturday, they have a great sense of humor. My friends usually skip Endymion just because it’s so popular it becomes an ordeal. If you can ride the streetcar (or one of the buses) to watch the daytime parades this weekend further Uptown, it will probably be more low key. You’ll want to stay in the quarter for MG day.</p>
<p>I’m not a MardiGras person (I hate crowds & chaos), but I LOVE to visit the “FleurtyGirl” shops when I’m in NOLA for cute NOLA-themed stuff. Also, love the New Orleans Hamburger & Seafood restaurant (our new favorite)!</p>
<p>I enjoy the Quarter normally, but yikes - I’d stick to St Charles Avenue or somewhere calmer where people keep their clothes on :-). My sister lives on the St Charles Ave parade route and I still haven’t been…maybe one day I’ll go and watch from her balcony.</p>
<p>Have a great time! Be safe and enjoy yourself. And thank you for coming!</p>
<p>We have tix for a bleacher somewhere for Tucks on Saturday. I’m looking forward to that. A friend is bringing some costume bits for everyone to choose from, so that will be interesting. I’m hoping to find a nice halo. </p>
<p>Endymion is the krewe our friend is in, so we have some sort of loge level access in the dome and have been warned that we are expected to stay out until 3 am Saturday. Oh my. </p>
<p>A camera is good advice, I’ll throw one in.</p>
<p>If you’re in the superdome for Endymion, at least you won’t have to fight the parade route crowds! If you can make it to Thoth uptown the next day, it will seem like a different world. The bleachers are great, but it’s a wonderful experience to be able to walk right up to a float, and to be right there when the bands and other marchers go by. </p>
<p>The fleurtygirl stuff is great, so are the t-shirts at Dirty Coast and Storeyville on Magazine Street. You might also want to see Trashy Diva, Mignon Faget (a local jeweler) and Fleur d’Orleans (fleur de lis jewelry). Great gelato at La Divina Gelateria, and much, much more!</p>
<p>Rebirth Brass Band at The Howlin’ Wolf.</p>