Going to Mardi Gras - Feb. 18-19

[TxJasmine]

Last year we took our kids to Mardi Gras in Metairie, which was the first time for them and for me. We had a wonderful time and said that we would go back every year. Even though we were a little reluctant at first, we decided that we would go back this year because New Orleans is continuing with their celebration and needs tourists.

We are staying at the Country Inn and Suites on Magazine St. It looks like it's only a few blocks from St. Charles so we should be able to walk to see the parades. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for us? Is it okay for us to be out in the evening with children? We plan to see the 5 Uptown parades on Saturday, and on Sunday we want to see Carrollton, but after that, we're not sure. We'd love to see Barkus, but that may coincide with some of the other parades.

I'd really like to hear from anyone who lives there now, or has visited since Katrina. We did go to the French Quarter a year ago, so we know what it used to be like, but we aren't completely sure what to expect now. Any info will be greatly appreciated!

 

[taramarie]

I can't imagine that it will be as grand as years past. But I can guarantee that it will be full of happy people celebrating!!!!

We are from Lake Charles/Alexandria. The parades we have scheduled are smaller than years past, but they are still going to run.

I would just go expecting nothing and be surprised with big productions!

Tara

 

[arminnie]

This will be my first Mardi Gras in decades (literally), but I have been back to New Orleans five times since November.

I've taken my 85 year old father and my 13 year old dog! I am near the corner of Napoleon and St. Charles.

I can't really tell you what to expect for Mardi Gras, but I have felt very safe back in New Orleans even at night. The uptown area (St. Charles to the river), AKA the sliver by the river, was battered by wind, but had no flooding.

Several of the chain stores like Starbucks have not reopened, but lots of other stuff has and more opens everyday. On my last visit the grocery stores on Magazine were open until 10 pm (instead of 5 pm like before). Whole Food Grocery has reopened on Magazine.

My only word of caution especially since you have children is that there can be long waits in restaurants. But that's probably always true at Mardi Gras.

There's been a LOT of work done in cleaning up along St. Charles and Magazine. Even last fall though I never noticed a stench there.

Thanks for your support.

Last year we took our kids to Mardi Gras in Metairie, which was the first time for them and for me. We had a wonderful time and said that we would go back every year. Even though we were a little reluctant at first, we decided that we would go back this year because New Orleans is continuing with their celebration and needs tourists.

We are staying at the Country Inn and Suites on Magazine St. It looks like it's only a few blocks from St. Charles so we should be able to walk to see the parades. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations for us? Is it okay for us to be out in the evening with children? We plan to see the 5 Uptown parades on Saturday, and on Sunday we want to see Carrollton, but after that, we're not sure. We'd love to see Barkus, but that may coincide with some of the other parades.

I'd really like to hear from anyone who lives there now, or has visited since Katrina. We did go to the French Quarter a year ago, so we know what it used to be like, but we aren't completely sure what to expect now. Any info will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Planogirl]

I wish that we could go!!! I'll have to settle for reports once it's over. I hope that the city gets a good turnout.

 

[TxJasmine]

Thank you all for your responses!

Tara, we are just going in to this with no real expectations, and the kids will be happy if they get some beads. Last year they got 60 pounds of beads, but none of us are expecting anything like that this year. We just hope to have some fun!

Minnie, thanks for your input. It's good to hear that you have felt safe at night. I'm guessing that you live in the same general area as we will be? Thanks for the warning about restaurants. Hadn't really thought about that. But if there are grocery stores then we shouldn't starve! Since we are going the first weekend of Mardi Gras, I'm hoping that it won't be so bad with crowds and the rowdier people. Oh, I love your picture! They are so cute! We'll probably go to Barkus because that's the one parade my kids really want to see.

Planogirl, we were smart (for a change) and booked our hotel in December. I'm really glad we did. Rooms are going fast, and the ones that are left are very pricey. It still seems like most hotels are shut down.

 

[MrsKreamer]

Hi, thanks for coming in. It is going to be tourists that make our city great again.
A little advice: Please be careful after dark. No one is mentioning it but we are low on police. Now I haven't heard of any jumps in crime lately, (IMO the criminals evacuated too ) but please still be careful after dark.
New Orleans parade: I don't know about this year...but New Orleans night parades aren't the most family friendly in some areas. I would ask around once you get here for the best viewing area, the locals should know. Sorry I mostly go to Metairie parades(where my comfort zone is).
If you would like any help once you get down here, or want to meet up for a metairie parade, just pm me!

HAVE FUN!!!

 

[TxJasmine]

Thanks MrsKreamer! We went to Metairie last year and had a wonderful time. Everyone was so nice to us, and a really nice girl showed my DD how to twist the beads into different shapes. DD has gotten pretty good at it too! Unfortunately, the hotel we stayed at last year is not taking any reservations, so we decided that we would try Uptown this year. On Saturday there are 5 parades starting at noon, so we are hoping those will be family friendly. If we don't like it, then we'll go to Caesar in Metairie that evening.

 

[arminnie]

Stay away from Canal Street. It's the rowdiest. The parades come down Napoleon and turn and then go up St. Charles to Canal.

The families that I know congregate around the Napoleon/St. Charles area - much more family friendly.

Rayne Memorial Methodist church (on St. Charles about 2 blocks toward town from Napoleon) is selling "passes" that allow you to use their facilities. Oops sorry that is only for the second weekend.

 

[Sinderelli]

Hi, thanks for coming in. It is going to be tourists that make our city great again.
A little advice: Please be careful after dark. No one is mentioning it but we are low on police. Now I haven't heard of any jumps in crime lately, (IMO the criminals evacuated too ) but please still be careful after dark.
New Orleans parade: I don't know about this year...but New Orleans night parades aren't the most family friendly in some areas. I would ask around once you get here for the best viewing area, the locals should know. Sorry I mostly go to Metairie parades(where my comfort zone is).
If you would like any help once you get down here, or want to meet up for a metairie parade, just pm me!

HAVE FUN!!!

I would take the same precautions as pre-Katrina. If you go to the crime & safety forum on nola.com you can read about recent crimes/unsafe areas. Personally, I think there has been a jump in crime, especially in the suburbs. I live in Kenner and teach in Metairie, and we have had a few incidents lately in some neighborhoods that have always been "extremely safe."

 

[MrsKreamer]

I would take the same precautions as pre-Katrina. If you go to the crime & safety forum on nola.com you can read about recent crimes/unsafe areas. Personally, I think there has been a jump in crime, especially in the suburbs. I live in Kenner and teach in Metairie, and we have had a few incidents lately in some neighborhoods that have always been "extremely safe."

Yeah but this year year are a lot of threats of rioting and such. NOPD is very strtched and cannot afford to pay overtime. I know Jef parish is too, but the parades I have been to so far the crowds have been very light.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

(IMO the criminals evacuated too )

That's a big 10-4. They are all here in Houston.

 

[MrsKreamer]

Oh no! I'm so sorry!

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Oh no! I'm so sorry!

We're ready to send 'em back anytime y'all want 'em.

 

[DISNEYWORLDBORN2SHOP]

Could you please give them a one-way ticket to IraQ? We would rather not have our crime element back either. I'm just really sorry they became HOuston's problem. The city of Houston treated us exceptionally well the 2 months we were there. I will never be able express enough gratitude to the people, city and schools in Houston.