I’ve been out of town the past week in New Orleans attending Mardi Gras festivities. This wasn’t my first time in New Orleans, in fact it was my fifth. This trip I stayed at the Omni on St. Louis and Royal. Other trips I’ve stayed at the following hotels which are all in the French Quarter and just as nice.
- Sheraton on Canal
- Ritz Carlton
- Sonesta Royale
- W
Here are some of my notes and experiences during Mardi Gras 2010
- Best if your accommodations are off Bourbon Street – noise and crowd level easier to deal with
- If you don’t like crowds, don’t go to Mardi Gras
- It can be cold in New Orleans in February. Make sure you pack some winter items, especially gloves
- You don’t have to lift your shirt to get beads on Bourbon St
- Best to watch parades on Canal Street down by the Sheraton
- There are many parade the week leading up to Fat Tuesday.
(Drew Brees – NO Saints QB – King of Bacchus)
- You will collect many beads at the parades as they are thrown off the floats
- Beads hurt when they are thrown off floats, especially when they hit you in the face
- If you can go to a Ball, worth the money. Women need a gown and men need to dress in a tux. The parade actually goes through the convention center. You get lots of beads.
(Sean Payton NO Saints Coach holding the Lombardy Trophy)
- The food is not heart healthy. If it’s not made with 2 pounds of butter, it’s fried.
- Elizabeth’s has a great brunch. Praline Bacon, Eggs Florentine (poached eggs served over home fries with a spinach sauce and 10 fried oysters)
- I like oysters, but they don’t like me.
- Emeril’s has the best Texas Red Fish
- Mr. B’s has the best BBQ Shrimp
- Get your Beignets at Cafe Du Monde at midnight – there is no line.
(The girls with artist and gallery owner Matt Rinard)
- Art galleries on Royal are worth going into and browsing. They aren’t as expensive as you think.
- The climax of festivities is Fat Tuesday on Bourbon Street. Make sure you go to the Bourbon Street Awards. It is the best costume contest hosted by Bianca.
- Verizon cell service works best in New Orleans. I was the only one with cell service all the time. ATT & Sprint were not very reliable. (I guess the map on the commercial is true)
- Most of all make sure your liver and stomach are up for the visit. Bring plenty of Pepcid AC, Tums and Advil.