Gettin’ Groggy at Mardi Gras

Parades and Beignets!! The BIG EASY is a wonderland of great Cajun food and Jazz clubs, gorgeous old buildings and balconies, historic pubs and hotels, vintage shopping and costume stores… and if you go for MARDI GRAS it’s all about the epic parades on Canal Street and throughout the city… seriously LONG parades that go ALL day, from which, you will come away with large bags of “throws” such as hula hoops, hand made coconuts, fedora hats, footballs, socks and t-shirts, beer and beer holders, doubloons, wigs, playing cards, frisbees, night lights, stuffed animals, all sorts of yummy sweets and BEADS; reams of colorful, unique, shining, glowing, blinking, sparking, big and bigger bawdy fabulous GLORIOUS BEADS!!! If you want to be in the “throw” of it all, be there on Luna Monday and Fat Tuesday and get mixed up in the throngs of people and massive parties on Bourbon Street, this is the place to be! Mardi Gras IS crazy, as they say, and beyond amazing to see the extravagant parade floats and the vibrant French Quarter in all its glory! Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!!

FRENCH QUARTER

MARDI GRAS PARADES – Photos from the most spectacular SUPER KREWES of Thoth, Bacchus and Zulu.

FUN PLACES TO GO

Zesty Creole – Catfish and Grits! A small Creole restaurant on Canal Street open all day. The shrimp and grits were amazing but they’re also known for their big southern breakfasts, which look delicious! Great service and great drinks (hey look I’m not drinking beer for once)! Zesty Creole Restaurant and Bar – New Orleans, LA

The Court of Two Sisters – If these walls could talk! Located in the heart of the French Quarter, this beautiful old building housed generations of royalty – read about the rich history of 613 Royal Street at WELCOME TO THE COURT OF TWO SISTERS | Court of Two Sisters Come and enjoy the daily jazz brunch buffet with ALOT of sumptuous food in the lovely courtyard or lavish dining room. Did someone say “bananas foster bread pudding with whiskey sauce?!! That’s right Uh huh!

Cooter Brown’s Tavern – A safe haven from Mardi Gras, Cooter’s is located outside of the French Quarter and the ONLY tavern open in the city during the legal holiday of Mardi Gras! Guided by Reid, our super great bartender and super great human, we tried an array of craft brews such as St Peters Cream Stout, Chimay Trappiste Ale, LaChouffe Belgian Blond and Delirium Nocturnum. Thank you Reid, it was super fun! Cooter Brown’s (cooterbrowns.com)

Preservation Hall – A long standing tradition in the French Quarter with a line up of MUST SEE Nola Jazz Bands. It’s best to make reservations in advance at Preservation Hall – Traditional New Orleans Jazz Since 1961 This small venue hosts one hour shows throughout the day, no pictures or videos allowed, so just sit back and soak it all in… these unbelievably talented musicians will get you in a New Orleans state of mind!

Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub – Just walk in and enjoy some superb Bourbon Street jazz! You will find amazing bands at any point and time at this cozy and quaint jazzery, always hopping and always entertaining, they do not take reservations but don’t worry, they will squeeze you in! Live jazz – Fritzel’s Jazz Bar | Nightly live jazz performances (fritzelsjazz.com)

Cafe Beignet – It would be a sin to visit the French Quarter and NOT visit Cafe Beignet or Cafe DuMonde for hot, fresh, delicious beignets. The French introduced the beignet to New Orleans in the 18th century, now it’s the signature Nola sweet made of fried doughnut pastry and dusted with powdered sugar. And NO you are not limited to just one, they come in orders of THREE beignets (combined with their signature New Orleans Chicory coffee) mmm mmm good! Cafe Beignet – New Orleans’ Best Beignets | Cafe Beignet

St Louis Cemetery No. 1 – Visit the oldest cemetery in New Orleans and learn about the final resting place of Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, Civil Rights Activist Homer Plessy and Etienne de Bore, the first Mayor of New Orleans. Book your reservation for a one hour guided tour at Home – Cemetery Tours New Orleans (cemeterytourneworleans.com) The history of this cemetery is just as fascinating as it is tragic – read the real stories behind the “City of the Dead” at Exploring St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 (frenchquarter.com)

Black Penny – Across the street from St Louis Cemetery is a goth style neighborhood dive bar that features over 90 regional and imported canned craft beers. You can feel the N’awlins history embedded in every piece of chipped paint and refurbished wood beams. The exposed brick accentuates the age of the building (1831). Black Penny is a fun place to relax, strike up conversations with the locals and most definitely find a great craft beer to enjoy. The Black Penny (neworleans.com)

Let The Good Times Roll!