Brad B

5 Reasons to Travel to New Orleans for Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is a holiday that we have all heard about or even celebrate at home, but everyone should experience it at least once in their life like a local.

What is Mardi Gras? 

Mardi gras is an old tradition that backdates thousands of years, which began in Rome as a celebration of the new Christian faith that was brought to their culture. They created this holiday to celebrate the combination of their original faith with the brand new one. 

The official date of Mardi Gras falls on “Fat Tuesday”, which is the day before the Fasting begins for the individuals who follow the culture, but these celebrations can last for weeks! These festivities typically stretch from the 2 weeks before the holiday all the way up until the official Fat Tuesday, which falls on February 25th this year, but always takes place 47 days before Easter. 

Well… where is it? 

The Mardi Gras festivals are held in New Orleans, Louisiana where the very first celebration was held in 1699! These parades take place on the streets of New Orleans, but mainly on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street, although the celebrations take over New Orleans as a whole, and people are partying all over!

@seemoris

New Orleans is a vibrant city with a one of a kind atmosphere. Surrounded by exotic food, people, and memorable attractions. With that, here are my top 5 reasons to visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras on your bucket list. 

1. If you enjoy the nightlife, you can stay right in the middle of the action!  

There are many hotels spread out extremely close to the parade streets, as well as the famous Bourbon Street! There are choices between right in the party scene, one or two blocks away from Bourbon, or you can choose to give yourself a break from the celebrations with hotels farther from the party. You can use JIFU to find the best accommodations for your Mardi Gras trip, including flights, hotels, and even restaurants around the town. 

2. Explore Bourbon Street!

Bourbon Street is famous for it’s “party scene”, which is true! This 13-block street is packed with restaurants, clubs, and bars. Among them are the most popular restaurants to eat at, Galatoire’s, Cornet, and of course Brennan’s Bourbon House (which in my opinion) takes the title. The places to eat on Bourbon Street range from alligator burger joints to five-star luxury restaurants, so there are many options to choose from! 

For those traveling without the kids, there are many famous bars on Bourbon who, during Mardi Gras, are well known for their exotic-looking cocktails. The most famous bars include Tropical Isle, Pat O’ Brien’s, and the Old Absinthe House. Now, of course, there are many more options than these, but the must-have tourist drinks include the Hurricane and the Hand Grenade. 

Last but certainly not least, the live music, karaoke, and street performers on Bourbon Street. Although this street is mainly food and drinks, it is still a must-go when in New Orleans.

@bjean05

3. Enjoy Mardi Gras! 

The iconic Mardi Gras parades run all day long, and they all hold the same excitement. Beads, masks, costumes, and floats run up and down the streets of New Orleans in celebration of this traditional holiday. The excitement and high energy scene make for a tiring day, but worth every second! Dancing, singing, and all-around celebration for this holiday that has been going on for centuries is a landmark for this city.

@cytngl

4. See the history of New Orleans

In addition to Mardi Gras, New Orleans has plenty more to offer with its rich history and nightlife scene. Even though Mardi Gras in New Orleans will be crowded as ever, the history of the town is being shown in its full! Different historic attractions include The French Quarter, The Cabildo, The Mardi Gras Museum, and so many others. This city is filled with culture and excitement besides just Mardi Gras and is a great place to explore. 

5. Get out of your comfort zone! 

Traveling somewhere to celebrate a holiday that isn’t typically celebrated everywhere may seem like a huge step out of your comfort zone, but experiencing another culture at their best and happiest is unlike anything else. JIFU allows you to save money while experiencing something brand new and exciting, making sure that you are able to take the best trip at the best price.