Having spent the month exploring the beaches of Costa Rica, I decided to meet some of my best friends in New Orleans for the Mardi Gras festivities. It had been a few years since my last visit while working for the cruise lines, so I was looking forward to experiencing one of NOLA’s most famous festivals, watching the parades and revisiting the city I had loved so much.
The Mardi Gras celebration is most known for its flamboyant festivities throughout the world. Starting as an ancient pagan holiday in Rome, many other European countries followed suit, observing the annual event which continues to this day.
The timing of the holiday coincided with the knighting ceremonies of the medieval times where extravagant feasts would follow. It was during this time that small gifts such as coins would be given to the poor of the kingdom. The tradition continues as doubloons are tossed into the crowd from parade floats and the feasting on colorful King Cakes.
While Mardi Gras was influenced by the Roman festival, it was also a religious celebration as well. In some European countries, this day is known as Shrove Tuesday. Festivities and parties are actually halted on this Tuesday providing an opportunity for Christians to atone for their sins, confessing in preparation for the Lent season. Shrove, comes from the Hebrew word meaning “to confess”.
So how do all of the extraordinary costumes and masks play into the celebration of Mardi Gras? Since the celebration prohibited activities in which one would “delight oneself”, this not only included eating, but other activities which would have been highly forbidden for religious reasons. Therefore, for those who insisted on reveling in those restricted pleasures, they found a way to wear costumes to indulge but remain unidentified by the wearing of masks.
New Orleans has made this celebration most famous. From parades, to parties, the wearing of beads and costumes, the multi-day event that starts January 6th until midnight of Fat Tuesday, takes place primarily in the French Quarter. At the close of the festivities, there is a meeting of the Courts of Rex and Comus which takes place at the Ball of the Mystick Krewe of Comus. First celebrated here in 1699, the Mardi Gras festivities have been embraced by the Louisianans and were given its own tradition. It is not uncommon to see banners, beads, floats and costumes in the traditional colors of purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power).
The parades are over the top and have themes for various aspects of the history of Mardi Gras as well as social organizations (called Krewes) that continue on the tradition to this day. The floats are lavishly decorated and manned by prestigious members of the Krewe where they throw out beads, candy and doubloons to bystanders. The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans is said to have begun in 1837. Some of the oldest known organizations that participate in the parade events are Comus, Momus, Original Illinois Club, Proteus and Twelfth Night Revelers. But it is the Rex, King of Carnival that has been around the longest and is the most popular of all of the organizations,
Other Mardi Gras celebrations take place throughout the world. For Brazil, the event is known as Carnivale and is the country’s most important holiday of the year. And it is Rio de Janeiro that is credited as having the largest carnival celebration where over 2 million people from all over the world come to participate in the event. In Belgium, it is the Carnival of Binche, one of the most important celebrations in their country as well, lasting from dawn until dusk with the playing of traditional carnival songs. In some countries such as Germany, there are additional festivities such as “Pancake Day” where the tossing of pancakes and pancake races which continue today. There is also “Fat Thursday”, the day in which all of the lard that was stored up for the winter must be consumed. The start of Germany’s carnival season is November 11th at 11:11am.
And of course there is Italy, the birthplace of Carnival celebrations, stemming from the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which celebrated the Roman god, Lupercus. Venice is the most known of the cities where the celebrating of Martedi Grasso (Fat Tuesday) occurs, but there are other festivities that take place in cities such as Viareggio and Ivrea.
So if you have the opportunity to attend a Mardi Gras celebration, whether in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro or where it all began in Italy, just take in the festivities, the parades and as they say in Louisiana, Laissez les bons temps rouler (Let the good times roll)!
I would love to hear about your Mardi Gras experience whether you have traveled to some of the top locations to celebrate or if you have your own Mardi Gras party each year! Tell me all about it by leaving a message in the comments section below! Many thanks for reading about my past visit to New Orleans and wishing you many Happy Travels!
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What to See and What to Do:
Mardi Gras (official website)
Spanish Plaza
2 Canal Street
New Orleans, LA 70130
The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis King of France (also known as St. Louis Cathedral)
615 Pere Antoine Alley
New Orleans, LA 70116
Telephone: 504 525 9585
- Admission Fee: Free, with the option to leave a donation
- Hours: Open daily from 8:30AM to 4PM with daily mass held at 12:05PM.
- Amenities: Gift shop, can light candles for a charge of $2,
- Guided Tours and Informational Booklets: Self-guided brochures are available for a $1 donation. Guides are available for groups with a prior reservation.
- Length of Visit: 1 hour
- Tips for Your Visit: The cathedral may be closed on Saturdays due to weddings, so check their website to inquire if a wedding is on the schedule. Please respect fellow visitors who may be entering the cathedral for prayer and refrain from taking photos during mass.
Where to Shop:
The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk
500 Port of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70130
Telephone: 504 522 1555
- Open: Monday – Saturday: 10AM – 9PM; Sunday: 10AM – 7PM
French Market
700 – 1010 Decatur Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
Telephone: 504 522 2621
- Hours: The market is open daily from 9AM to 6PM. The Farmer’s Market is open from 10AM to 6PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Amenities: Shopping, food, crafts bazaar, flea market and live entertainment
- Length of Time to Spend at The French Market: 2 – 3 hours
Where to Stay:
Omni Royal Orleans Hotel
621 Saint Louis St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Toll Free Number: 866 538 9295
This hotel is located in the middle of all of the action in New Orleans! It is an absolutely beautiful property with a rooftop terrace, outdoor pool and balconies with a street view!
Where to Eat:
Acme Oyster Bar – affordable seafood!
735 Iberville Street
Telephone: 504 522 5973
Try the oysters or a local po-boy sandwich or if you have a bigger appetite, the New Orleans Medley allows you to try a sampling of gumbo, jambalaya, red beans & rice and grilled smoked sausage.
Brennan’s – upscale Creole cuisine since 1956
417 Royal Street
Telephone: 504 525 9711
This is one of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans not only because the food is so fabulous but its courtyard and patio are picturesque and remind me of dining at a southern plantation. During a recent visit, I ordered the Roasted Oysters prepared with smoked chili butter and a manchego cheese crust. For my entree, I decided to order a selection from the starters section and could not wait to try the New Orleans BBQ Lobster. The wine list is extensive with over 30,000 bottles on site! We ordered a bottle of Bartolo Mascarello. Save some room for their signature dessert which is the Bananas Foster and is world-renowned!
Court of Two Sisters – Jazz brunch buffet, expensive
613 Royal Street
Telephone: 504 522 7261
Once a home for a Louisiana governor, this restaurant is one of the most accommodating eateries in New Orleans with four dining rooms and a French menu to die for. David had been begging me to try the Turtle Soup and it seemed as though every restaurant we visited, it was on the menu. I started out with the Turtle Soup Au Sherry, which was actually quite good, but I will probably not order it again. At least I can say I tried it and I hope he doesn’t encourage me to try the Frog Legs! For my main entree, I could not pass up the Vegetarian Lasagna to save some room for the Creme Brulee!
Commander’s Palace, Creole and Jazz brunch buffet
1403 Washington Avenue
Telephone: 504 899 8221
A New Orleans landmark, this restaurant is the epitome of Creole and Louisiana cuisine! It is here that I first experienced Creole gumbo and Crawfish. Note that there is a dress code for Commander’s Palace.
Many people visit New Orleans to experience Emeril Lagasse’s restaurants and here are the links to these wonderful establishments as well! I have not had the pleasure of visiting his restaurants as they are usually booked far in advance! It is best to call ahead for reservations!
NOLA
534 St. Louis Street
Telephone: 504 522 6652
Meril
424 Girod Street
Telephone: 504 526 3745
Emeril’s New Orleans
800 Tchoupioulas Street
Telephone: 504 528 9393
Emeril’s Delmonico
1300 St. Charles Avenue
Telephone: 504 525 4937
What to Eat:
- Crawfish Etoufee – shellfish over rice, using a technique called “smothering”
- Andouille Gumbo – a stew consisting of a strong-flavored stock with meat or shellfish, a roux, celery, bell peppers and onions. Andouille is a type of spicy sausage usually included in gumbo.
- Jambalaya– a dish of meat and vegetables mixed with rice
- Beignets – fried fritters, sometimes filled with fruit and topped with confectioner’s sugar
- Zapp’s Potato Chips!– a thick cut, kettle style potato chip that includes cajun and creole spices. My favorite flavor is the spicy cajun crawtators!
Where to Drink:
Pat O’Brien’s Bar
718 St. Peter Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
Telephone: 504 525 4823
- Hours: The bar opens daily from noon; the piano lounge show typically begins at 6PM and the courtyard is available from 11AM; The kitchen is open until 10PM.
- Amenities: Restaurant, bar and live entertainment
- Tips for Your Visit: Try Pat O’Brien’s signature drink, The Hurricane. Additional specialty drinks on the menu include The Cyclone, Bloody Mary, Pat O’s Lemonade, Mint Julep, Skylab, Rainbow, Pat O’s Rainstorm, Category 5 Margarita, Fuzzy Leprechaun. For a small fee you can keep the souvenir cup, which your server will carefully wrap up for you. The piano bar is extremely fun to sing along with the dueling pianos and check out the flaming fountain at night, which is absolutely spectacular!
What to Read:
- New Orleans, DK Eyewitness Travel, by Marilyn Wood
- A Street Car Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams
- Interview with the Vampire, by Anne Rice
- The Axeman of New Orleans: The True Story, by Miriam C. Davis
- Voodoo Dreams, by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Photo Guide for New Orleans:
- Mardi Gras is an amazing time to take photos for the floats, people, decorations, etc.
- French Quarter: The architecture is absolutely stunning, so look for the Creole houses with wrought-iron balconies. Some of the most beautiful buildings in the Quarter include St. Louis Cathedral, the Old Ursuline Convent, as well as the Cabildo.
- Jackson Square: The square is located in front of St. Louis Cathedral and was once the location for public execution. Today, there are musicians and tarot card readers that provide local entertainment and are accustomed to photographers shooting their pics.
- Food photos are a must in New Orleans, so order a muffaletta, beignet or plate of oysters and shoot away.
- Garden District: With million dollar homes lining the street of St. Charles, you will want to hop on the streetcar to explore these amazing homes and their spectacular architecture.
- Cemeteries of New Orleans: While St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is home to some of the most famous mausoleums and interesting history, there are several cemeteries which are also accessible by tour. These cemeteries include St. Louis Cemetery No. 2, Metairie Cemetery, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, Charity Hospital and Katrina Memorial Cemetery and Greenwood Cemetery.
- Frenchmen Street is the new Bourbon Street just across the esplanade from the French Quarter. A safe option for exploring New Orleans at night, visitors can browse a local art market, listen to local music at one of the amazing clubs and explore the fabulous street art throughout this district.