Mardi Gras is one of New Orleans’ most iconic festivals—lots of parades, music, and rainbow-colored ambiance. But what if you’d prefer to enjoy the party minus the crazy crowds on Bourbon Street? Well, there are many ways to have fun with the Mardi party in a less frenzied environment.
What is Mardi Gras & Why are we Celebrating?
Which is French for “Fat Tuesday,” is the culmination of Carnival season, which is a two-weeks-or-more celebration prior to Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent in Christianity). Formerly, it was a day of indulgence preceding the fast season.
Now, New Orleans’s Mardi Gras is a cultural party—think parades, masked balls, live jazz, and street parties. While Bourbon street cuts loose, resident and tourists alike opt for family-friendly or low-key options to get down.
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How it is Celebrated?
- Catch the Parades in Metairie or Uptown
- Uptown (St. Charles Avenue): Where more traditional-style parades like Endymion and Orpheus are produced, with elaborate floats and marching bands.
- Metairie: More community-oriented parades like Athena and Caesar have a more local feel.
- Pro Tip: Arrive early, bring collapsible chairs, and see the show without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds.
2. Visit the Garden District
- Lovely old homes + shorter parade routes = a peaceful but festive experience.
- Get a cup of coffee at District Donuts and see the krewes roll by.
3. Stop by Frenchmen Street (Rather than Bourbon) Live jazz
- creative ambiance, and great food—all the fun, none of the pandemonium.
4. Attend a King Cake Party
- Some bakeries and cafes provide King Cake tastings—Dong Phuong or Manny Randazzo’s.
The Colors of Mardi Gras & Its Meaning
It have purple, green, and gold everywhere during Carnival season. These colors were chosen in 1872 and each has a special meaning: Let’s see one by one
- Purple = Justice
- Green = Faith
- Gold = Power
King Cake: The Classic Mardi Gras Dessert
No Mardi Gras celebration is complete without King Cake—a sweet, braided treat filled with cinnamon, cream cheese, or fruit.
- Why is it called King Cake?
- Dedicated to the Three Kings of the Bible.
- A small plastic baby is inserted inside—whoever gets it has to throw the next party!
Where to Find the Best King Cake in NOLA:
- Dong Phuong (known for its light, buttery version)
- Manny Randazzo’s (a local favorite)
- Gambino’s (classic New Orleans style).
Mardi Gras Kids’ Must-Try Treats
King Cake (Baby-Free Version!)
There are plenty of bakeries that offer the mini king cakes without the plastic baby—just for little ones!
- Best Places:
- Sucre (fancy, colorful cakes)
- Haydel’s Bakery (traditional flavors)
- Mask-Making at Local Libraries
- Local libraries such as NOLA Public Library tend to have free craft sessions where kids can decorate their own Mardi Gras masks.
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