Unmasking the Ultimate Itinerary for Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Parade on Canal Street the Thursday before Mardi Gras in 2018

New Orleans is one of my FAVORITE cities, and it was such a blast going there for Mardi Gras for my friend's bachelorette party. While this itinerary begins on Friday, I would suggest getting there the Wednesday or Thursday before. This will help you avoid the huge crowds that come in on Friday, and you most likely have an easier time navigating the city before it's jampacked with people. You will see more parades by coming in earlier, too.

Also, I suggest staying at Hotel Monteleone. A few of us stayed here before everyone got there Friday and we loved our stay. It has a mix of elegance and haunted tales. The larger group chose to Embassy Suites for cost purposes, including the free happy hour every day and free breakfast. Plus, if you are a Hilton Honors member, you will get points for staying here (which I proudly am one).

Friday of Mardi Gras

Morning	Check in/drop off bags at Embassy Suites.  Walk/Uber to Ruby Slipper for brunch.
Afternoon	Walk to the Carousel Bar at Hotel Montelene.  Then off to Bourbon Street!  Get to Cat’s Meow by 4 p.m. to catch the 3-for-1 Happy Hour drinks (goes till 8 p.m.).
Evening	Walk to GWFins for dinner (make reservations)
After Party	Head back to Bourbon Street to continue the party! Then head back to hotel whenever we want since bars never close

Saturday of Mardi Gras

Morning	Quick breakfast at hotel.  Head over to the Garden District.  Self-tour of the rich homes (including Sandra Bullock’s and the house from American Horror Story: The Coven).
Afternoon	Go to Columns Hotel for drinks/brunch. After this, we go over to the Lafayette Cemetery and walk around.
Evening	Go back to our hotel for free happy hour drinks (offered at all Embassy Suites hotels – or we can buy our own and drink outside!) and watch the Bacchus Parade from outside our hotel. It starts at 5:15 p.m. – we should try to get there earlier (most recommend 4 hours before, but not sure!) *Note parades change every year, this is here to give you an idea of how to include it in your itinerary Haunted Ghost Tour! - 8pm
After Party	Late dinner at Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, Antoine’s, or Muriel’s (reservations needed) Then off to Bourbon Street again! (or we can try Frenchmen Street).

Sunday of Mardi Gras

Morning	Free breakfast at the hotel. Then off to the Airboat Tour around 10:20 a.m. (reservations needed). Tour lasts about 2 hours; transportation ~ 30 minutes each way. Most likely will be back by 3 p.m.
Afternoon	Late lunch/early dinner depending on the time we get back. We can walk to Cochon doesn’t accept reservations, so call ahead to get wait time)
Evening	Pat O’Brien’s for the infamous piano bar and hurricane drinks!
After Party	Head back to Bourbon Street!

Monday of Mardi Gras

Morning	Café du Monde (beignets for days) or hotel breakfast. Then walk around French Quarter – check out Jackson Square.
Afternoon	Lunch at one of the places you didn’t go to that we mentioned above. Then check out Royal Street for shopping. Then check out and off to the airport!

Tuesday is known as Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday," and it's a day filled with extravagant celebrations and an abundance of King Cake. While we didn't stay for this pinnacle of festivities, I can only imagine how spectacular it would have been! If you have the opportunity to extend your stay for Mardi Gras itself, I highly recommend doing so.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!