How to Experience Mardi Gras Like a Local

Mardi Gras is one of those experiences that people should do at least once in their lives. It’s one of the most spirited events I have ever been to, and I’m lucky enough to have done it for decades of my life. Because of that, I am well-versed in how to experience Mardi Gras like a local because I am a local! If I can help visitors coming to New Orleans elevate their time here during carnival season, I want to do that. Mardi Gras can be a complicated mess if you don’t know what you’re doing, so I’m going to give you my best tips to make it the best time you can. This should make attending the best show on earth, and as we locals call it “the most wonderful time of the year” doable and enjoyable. Let’s dive in!

In my opinion, how to experience Mardi Gras like a local is to actually be where locals are, and that is uptown. Believe it or not, it’s a much more family-friendly and low-key atmosphere. You’ll find your parade neighbors to be pleasant for the most part, although you will have your share of Chads and Karens mixed into the bunch. Just be aware. What does “uptown” mean? The parades roll mainly down St. Charles Avenue, so if you can snag a spot in the vicinity of Napoleon Avenue, Louisiana Avenue, or somewhere in between, you will be golden. Take the streetcar or walk if you can because parking can be a nightmare if you don’t know where you’re going. If you’re still unsure of what this means, any local will be glad to help you out, including me. Hit me up if you want more specific instructions.

Many of the schools and churches make a good chunk of their fundraising money during Mardi Gras season. In support of them, you pay minimally to use their bathrooms and buy some food and drink if they are selling them. This is one of my biggest requirements of how to experience Mardi Gras like a local. While I once was fine with popping a squat in a bush as a teenager, my adult years have done away with that nonsense. I require a clean bathroom where I can wash my hands with soap. It’s grimy enough out there. No need to add insult to injury. Find a school, find a church, or find a friend who has an apartment on the route. It’s the only way to do it. After a couple of beers, you will be thanking me for this particular tip.

Who has the best fried chicken in the city? It’s really all good. Many of us like the gas station fried chicken. And no, I am not kidding. My personal preference is one of the local grocery stores called Canseco’s, but I digress. Why am I talking about fried chicken? It’s what you bring to the parade route every time. No matter how early in the morning we get to that route and into our spot, we are armed with fried chicken. It’s how to experience Mardi Gras like a local, cher. Take it from me, who only eats it a couple of times per year. This is one of those times you don’t want to be without it. It’s too good to not have!

We locals love to dress up for any occasion. Many of us have designated closets for costumes. I am one of those people. The traditional colors of Mardi Gras are purple, green, and gold, and we fully expect people to wear those colors for every parade. It shows that you’re in the spirit and ready to have a good time. Think of it as sort of a bat signal saying “I’m here during carnival time and I’m ready to jump right in and learn how to experience Mardi Gras like a local.” You’ll be well received by your parade neighbors and welcomed into the fold. If you forget something, not to worry. There are plenty of places to purchase something fun to sport during your time in New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

Too many people don’t know how to handle the alcohol intake during carnival season. You don’t want to be one of the party fouls that gets put on a stretcher and ambulanced over to the local hospital because you failed to follow the local rules. Want to know how to experience Mardi Gras like a local? One water to one beer. That’s why you need the bathroom that I mentioned above. But guess what? You’ll be golden. No unfortunate, sloppy, embarrassing happenings in your world. And make sure your friends are doing the same. Mardi Gras is a time to watch out for each other. We are all in this together, and I am watching out for you right now. It can get to be a lot really quickly, so just make sure to do the 1-1 ratio for your best results.

You don’t need to go to all of them. Each parade is its own special beast. We all have our favorites that we like to attend for one reason or another. Last year, I deviated from the typical ones I go to so I could see some that I hadn’t seen in years. It was such a joyful experience for me, even as a local, to view the parades as if I were seeing them for the first time. How to experience Mardi Gras like a local is to just pick a few parades. My rule of thumb is either a daytime or nighttime set. Many parades roll back to back, so you’re getting multiple in a row for the price of one. Kidding. It doesn’t cost anything to go to Mardi Gras parades so don’t get tricked into that. (Yes, there are people who try to sell tickets to Mardi Gras. Don’t fall for it!) My point is, go when you want, leave when you want. They are all beautiful in their own way. And you can’t do them all!

Remember, Mardi Gras is a very local experience, especially when you are uptown. People expect kindness, generosity, fun-loving people. We have little tolerance for greedy weirdos who go bananas over free beads. The likelihood of most visitors hauling all of the throws that they catch is very unlikely, so make some friends while you’re out there. Give away some of those cool items. I promise, you will get more from the next float. Learning how to experience Mardi Gras like a local starts with being good neighbors. Isn’t that how most of our lives operate anyway? It’s no different here. We love sharing our city with you, so share back. You might even get invited to next year’s - and have a free place to stay. I’m not even kidding!

This is a big dividing factor in this city. Want to really know how to experience Mardi Gras like a local? Make sure to park yourself on the neutral ground side. And while you’re at it, bring chairs. During the times the parade is rolling you will probably be on your feet, screaming “throw me something mister or sister!” But sometimes you want to rest those feet of yours, so don’t forget your folding chair. Amongst the chair chaos you will also find people who have ladders that they park their small children on top of, but don’t be afraid to squeeze right in. You have just as much of a right to be there as anyone else. Stake your claim! But just make sure you’re on the “right” (neutral ground) side.

For the love of Mardi Gras, do not get a grocery store brand king cake. We have dozens of bakeries that make delicious iterations of these delectable treats, and there is no excuse for getting one that is sub-standard. Some of the notable ones that I enjoy are: Dong Phuong, Joe’s Cafe, Bywater Bakery, Haydel’s Bakery. There are a number of other ones that you can choose from, but how to experience Mardi Gras like a local involves the right king cakes. If you buy one that sucks, we know you’re not from here. Obviously it’s objective as far as taste, but we do know when people know what they are doing and when they don’t. Need further help? Message me. I eat king cake every single day for the entire duration of the Mardi Gras season. I’m obsessed and it’s my choice of sin before Ash Wednesday, which is the day after Mardi Gras Day. And by all means, don’t keep the whole thing to yourself. Be a good neighbor (can you see a theme) and offer it around.

Sharing your location is wildly helpful. The crowds can sometimes get intense, so being able to track the folks you are with is important. As locals, we don’t always go down at the same time to the route, but we dang sure like to stand together for the merriment. Hence, location sharing. If you want to know how to experience Mardi Gras like a local, don’t be the party foul that gets lost. Technology makes it way too easy to resolve these issues of the past. We used to have a buddy system before we could track, but this makes it worlds easier. Turn it on!

After your first Mardi Gras, if it’s a good one, you may want to return over and over again. I can’t blame you. Every year I say I’m going to leave town while I have the time off, and every year I find myself enjoying the heck out of the parades and the people. When you learn how to experience Mardi Gras like a local, you truly won’t even do it any other way. This little tip list will give you a good head start, and you’ll be as good as a pro like myself. I can’t wait to see you on the route, and you had better have some king cake for me when I see you.

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