Mardi Gras tips Guide
General Parade Rules!
Bring a jacket. Even If it's in the 70's during the day, it will probably drop 15 degrees or more, when it's dark. Please use your good judgment. Leave valuables somewhere other than in your car or on you. Don't keep lots of valuables in your car. The best place if you really treasure something that you had to bring is the hotel safe!
Take Time and ride the Parade Route a day or so before hand! You will not be sorry. At this time choose where you want to park and get info for that area, lot, service, etc. Remember, you're a tourists here and you should get to know the area somewhat before making any decisions that may cost you time, property, or money! At this time also choose what route you can take in and out of the area. Take into account that you must add 10 to 20 minutes to your time because of traffic.
Plan to arrive at your parking spot on the parade route, 45 minutes to an hour early, 1 1/2 hours if it is your first time, figuring in traffic and travel time. Most parking lots either barricade the entrance or place a parking attendant there. Prices range from $2 to $5 except on ALL DAY occasions such as Fat Tuesday, then around $7 or as much as $10. You can park free if your early and you know where your going. A good suggestion to first time visitors is to park in the Civic Center parking lot (around $3) or under the interstate overpass directly south of the Civic Center (get there EARLY for that). The Civic Center, the Super dome, and other parking services and lots usually has tons of parking. ( These are also the staging and disbanding area for the parades in Mobile. ) In New Orleans, the makeshift lots are your best bets around the staging area and the dens. This will give you the opportunity to look at the floats up close before the parade starts and before it gets dark. It is only walking distance away to stand on Church St. or Government St.
The streets of the parade route will close anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours before each parade begins. So you will need Alternate routes to get from one area to another when using these locales. Remember this. Time is the Key! The locals will move early to secure their spots. You should too!
 | Anywhere on the parade route, 2 hrs. before and after the parade (another good reason to buy a map and hi-lite the route) Make no mistake they will tow your vehicle! |
| On the Median of Water St. south of St. Louis Street in Mobile, and the medium anywhere in New Orleans. |
| Usual places---sidewalks, grass, driveways, intersections, in front of fire hydrants, private property, no parking zones, etc. (You'd be surprised how many try these) |
Trapped on a street in traffic: if you find yourself stuck on a street where the street in front of you is closed and you can't get out, you have found a parking spot! The police will allow those in this situation to leave their cars and watch the parade. All they ask is that you immediately go back and move it once the parade passes and the street re-opens.
When you leave your car, in this situation, don't leave any valuables in plain sight. Stick anything that you're carrying in the trunk. If you are carrying groceries for the week and get trapped, immediately find a policeman, and try to explain your situation and the need to get thru traffic to the house. He will help you, when he stops laughing at the really dumb move you made.
Valuables
I can't emphasize this enough. Take as little as you need. A purse is not recommended. Keep a wallet in your front pocket, in a buttoned pocket, or no wallet. Pickpockets love a crowd. You won't notice someone taking your wallet when your experiencing Mardi Gras. I have personally never seen this happen or know it to happen to anyone I know, but I'm sure it can and does from time to time. Don't wear big or dangling ear rings (they can get in the way) or expensive jewelry. Don't go to a parade alone unless you have to, its much more fun with a group or a friend.
Now please don't leave your vehicle with cases, cameras, other electronics or expensive looking items visible from any window in your car! This is an open invitation to thieves to break your door glass and take your valuables! I found this out the hard way one night in 2001. Take your items and place them in your trunk. If you must go back to your car, please take someone with you.
Make sure everyone knows where the car is parked before you leave it. Make sure each person knows how to get back to it from the parade spot.
Bring bags (plastic grocery bags will be fine) to put your throws in. On an all day stay, coolers, blankets, etc. will make the day more enjoyable. Otherwise, plan to eat at a vendor or restaurant downtown. You don't want to get a good parking spot and have to abandon it to go eat and come back. The spot won't be there when you come back.
A few things to consider when deciding where to stand.
| Bathrooms. Businesses (and some restaurants) close their restrooms on long days like Fat Tuesday. If you don't rent and bring your own porta potty, you will have to use public ones. These Porta potties are scattered all over downtown Mobile, and New Orleans, but get "more used" as the day goes by. The best answer is to have a hotel room downtown, or RV spot at the Civic Center, either in walking distance. Groups often rent porta potties and put them on back of a pick up, parked close by. Very smart. Locals, don't assume, just because you're a native these rules don't apply to you as well. Unless you're living close to the route, you're just as stuck as the tourists. |
| Don't assume people whom you don't know will allow you to use their facilities. Ask! But don't be surprised if the answer is "NO". |
| When you choose your spot, please take into account that you'll need a public toilet near. |
| Don't wait until you are "pushed by your body", to go. Remember, this is a public toilet, and you aren't the only one using those facilities. There are at least 2000 other people in your area. It's a safe bet that lines will be the rule of the day. |
| Parking. How close can you park to your choice spot? How far did you have to walk to get to your choice spot? |
| Safety. In Both cities, most all areas of the parade routes are safe. There are always, there are some exceptions to this rule, so if in doubt, ask a policeman. Who else would definitely know where crimes takes place, the most. Police are usually stationed every few yards along the routes, and at every intersection of the route. Many sheriffs and other law enforcement come in from out of town and out of state to assist in coverage. Police are driving around, riding horseback, and walking around. In Mobile, the parades have pairs of horseback police with each float. If this isn't enough, the temporary headquarters for Mardi Gras police operations is at the corner of Government St. and Claiborne Ave. You can watch the parade and directly behind you, they can watch you. If there was an area to suggest not to stand, I would have to say watch yourself on Canal St. Some of the local Riff Raff, is a bit wilder there. Plus it is the very end of the parade, and many floats are nearly or completely out of throws by then. Also, the bands are not as enjoyable, since they are tired. In New Orleans, the NOPD, are in plentiful supply as well, but the pick pockets are as well. Keep the rules read here in mind. The best spots are on the lower half of the St. Charles Ave, in the Garden District. One quick tip, here, for New Orleans African -American tourists. If you really want to watch the Zulu parade, a great spot is at Claiborne, Orleans, and Basin. This place will probably help you catch the Mardi Gras Indians, and some of the second line clubs as well. BUT BE CAREFUL, AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND YOU. BE AWARE! |
| Food and Drink. Vendor stands, and restaurants are all over. There is a concentration of them, in Mobile, on Church St. and Government St. close to the Civic Center. Alcohol can be brought with you or purchased at one of a number of establishments on Royal St. If you bring food and drink, don't bring GLASS. In New Orleans, on Canal St, and on St. Charles Ave., where people camp out for the parades all day, on Mon and Tuesday, there are restaurants and grills up and down the street. Be aware that some will RAISE prices, so get a second opinion from a native on where to eat. It's pretty safe to stay with the chains, like Popeye's Fried Chicken, or KFC, or Wendy's, or even Subway Sandwiches. It's not that easy for them to raise prices without getting noticed. Oh yea, one other thing, in both cities, NO GLASS. |
| Barricades. During the first week, from the first Wednesday to the first Tuesday, standing at un-barricaded areas can be fun. These areas include Church St., Royal St., and Conception St. Beginning on the second Thursday, through Fat Tuesday, I suggest you go early and get a barricaded spot. The crowds are large, in Mobile, for the Mystic Stripers Society (thur), the Crewe of Columbus (fri), the Mystics of Time (sat), and Fat Tuesday, and in New Orleans, Pegasus (Wed), in New Orleans, Bacchus (Mon), Zulu, and Rex (Tues). |
| Firearms or any weapons. They will take you away. You do Not want to be in Jail in New Orleans or Mobile. |
| GLASS. |
| Silly String Spray. (people would cover the horses and windshields with it, very rude) |
| Snappy Pops (can scare the horses, plain ol' nuisance) |
| Bomb Bags ( the chemical inside the bags can cause eye injury. Please don't buy these from vendors) |
| Don't be drunk. Alcohol is allowed, just don't over do it. |
| Don't be rowdy and rude, or nude outside of the Quarter, or any place in Mobile |
| Don't walk with the floats down the road trying to get their attention. You can fall down. The maskers don't care for this either, and won't be aiming throws to you. If you do this in New Orleans, you might get away with it! You will not in Mobile, don't even think of trying it here! |
Very Important Point here!
We can't stress this enough!
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| Don't climb on, climb over, or sit on the barricades. If you do, and anyone ask you to move, take our advise and MOVE! |
| Try not to litter. They probably won't stop you from doing this one, but there are trash cans around. |
| In New Orleans, Some people are "sensitive", to nudity, on the parade routes. If there's a child near you, please take that into consideration before you "bare it all", for some beads. How would you feel, if it was your child that had to see that. And if you're in a ticketed Bleacher, "Just DON'T DO IT"! Keep Nudity and other questionable behavior in the French Quarter. |
| DON'T LEAVE WITHOUT HAVING A GOOD TIME. |
A Word about Alcohol
--If you must drink, please keep in mind that restrooms are scarce. The song "There Ain't No Place To Pee On Mardi Gras Day" was inspired by a carnival goer. Private restrooms are the norm and usually restricted, Port-o-lets experience heavy traffic and public restrooms are hard to find. By the way, the drinking age in New Orleans, and Mobile, is 21.
--Choose your pants with pickpockets in mind. Don't put your wallet in your back pocket. It's a good idea to carry money in several pockets and keep your I.D. and maybe one credit card in another. Mardi Gras Day is a "cash" situation. Many places for quick food, snacks and drinks don't accept credit cards. If you can carry traveler's checks!
--Everyone in your party should carry some emergency money just in case you get separated. But don't carry it in your pockets. Remember, the pickpockets are out too.
--Wear sunscreen, and try to incorporate a hat in your costume. Its hard to find a shady place on Mardi Gras Day.
--The minute you reach your Mardi Gras destination (the place you will be watching parades) set up a contingency plan in the event someone gets separated. Use a building as a reference point, not a street, because crowds move. Agree on a meeting point.
--Pack snacks and lunch. Bring disposable pre-moistened towelettes. Your hands will get dirty and its hard to find a sink on Mardi Gras. Some people pack an ice chest and use a wagon to haul it around. Note: Don't do this if you are going to the New Orleans French Quarter. Only do this if you are staying outside of the Quarter to watch the parades. There are too many people in the Quarter to haul a wagon through. It is literally shoulder to shoulder for blocks. It's an experience, and a lot of fun!
--Follow the crowd. Don't think you will avoid traffic by using side streets you know nothing about. Don't venture off the main roads either on foot or by car. Its best to relax, enjoy the people and be safe. There is safety in numbers so, "stick with the crowd."
--Bring 4 plastic garbage bags, the type with a handle. The amount of trinkets, beads, cups you will catch will amaze you and you'll want to keep everything!
--Bring water or a container to hold beverages with a handle or strap that you can put on your body so your hands are free to catch trinkets.
--Don't bring a purse. For one day this is not essential. Leave it home!
--Fannie packs are "not just for tourists" on Mardi Gras Day!
--If you must bring a camera, go for the lightest and least expensive. A disposable camera or two is your best bet. After "holding" everything you own all day, you'll appreciate the fact that you have light stuff. --You will have a great day in New Orleans, one that you will remember forever.
--Remember to step on doubloons...don't pick them up with your hand.
--Scream "Throw me something, Mister!" and have a blast. ENJOY!
A Word about Nudity!
In recent years, the city has tried very hard to give the New Orleans Mardi Gras a family feel to it. They have placed advertisement in local and area papers, and travel brochures touting the festival as a "Family Event". Well let's stick some plain truth in here and set this straight!
Plain and simple. Cut and Dry! The Bottom Line! If it's Mardi Gras in New Orleans, your child shouldn't be in the French Quarter on Bourbon Street, if he or she is under 17 years old. Don't bring your young teenagers, and underage children into the French Quarter on Bourbon Street, doing the final 5 days of Mardi Gras, or especially at NIGHT!. To do so is to risk exposure to any and all types of behavior and dress, you might not be willing and / or able to explain or comprehend. Breast painting has become the rage in the last 3 years or so. Pagan ornaments adorn many bodies here. Some of the costumes defy imagination.
If you have a healthy appreciation for the human form, then by all means try to pass that on to your children in a positive way. But Bourbon Street is not a good forum, to start that process. Sit down and explain this to your children so when they encounter this they will not be overly fascinated by the practice and it will not totally consume them with questions, you might not want to answer.
Keep the nudity in the French Quarter. There's a place for that type of revelry and it's not on St. Charles Street. If there are children next to, or near you , please refrain from flashing. THINK ABOUT IT! How would you feel if it was your child that had to see that type of behavior, and how would you explain it to them when the questions started as to why you did that!
ALWAYS FOLLOW POLICE INSTRUCTIONS!
Flashing and throwing Beads off the Balconies are still illegal. Yes! You can go to Jail, if you take it too far, so please keep it low key! If a policeman warns you not to do it, then please do as he says!
Make sure you know how to get out, get back to the interstate, etc. If your car is towed, have $125 dollars ready in cash (no checks) and go to: 2400 Michigan Ave. at the Port City Wreckers, in Mobile, and the Auto pound on Claiborne in New Orleans. Auto Pound number in N.O., is 565-7450. Cars parked illegally will be towed. Try to always be careful, and it is very unlikely to happen to you. Pay attention to the street signs and don't even try to park on the parade routes. Better yet, find a parking area and pay to keep your car safe, watched, and there when you return.
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