Mardi Gras--What is it like?
 

DD is senior in high school and the color guard from their NJROTC unit will be marching in a parade on Feb. 9th. (Don't know which parade just yet.) She will be going to New Orleans on the bus with her unit and staying at a Navy base. DH and I are also going to watch her in the parade. We will be driving down there and staying in a hotel for 3 nights. The unit is only staying 2 nights. After the parade on Saturday, DD will be with us from that point on. She has the okay of her commander.

What are some things we should try to see and do while we are there? We have never been this far south. (We live in northeast TN.) DH and I don't mind stopping along the way to look at interesting sites (quilt stores for me!!). We will be using his Garman (sp?) for directions.

This trip will be a part of DD's graduation gift. She will also be going to Maine for a week later this spring.

What is Mardi Gras like?
 

Mardi Gras is an awesome experience, especially for someone who has never seen it. I have been in New Orleans since I was a very small child and I have always loved Mardi Gras. When I was a kid, the marching clubs would parade at the corner of my home and we would jump up from the breakfast table and run down to the corner and watch the clubs pass and of course catch some beads and trinkets. But that was a long time ago, fast forward to today.

People wear costumes and a mask and they have a great time. Some bring their food, tables and chairs and camp out on the neutral ground. They camp out all night in order to get a good place to setup and watch the fun. The maskers on the floats in the parade throw all kinds of things, beads, toys and trinkets. They actually throw so much that there is so much left on the ground after the revelry is over that a lot of it winds up in the trees. I love the floats, but I really enjoy all the school bands, it is so festive. I know you all will have a great time during your stay and your daughter will really enjoy marching and seeing all the people. It will be something she will always remember. I don't know where you will be viewing the parade, but be sure to find a "Cafe du mode". The coffee and donuts are so tasty.

Have a great time while you are here and be safe.

Lucy

Allow time to explore the French quarter on foot. There are many interesting shops and restaurants. If you have time take a tour of near by old plantation homes on the river. New Orleans used to have a good zoo also, not sure how it fared through Katrina. Mardi Gras is great fun, but use caution and common sense, lots of wild and crazy folks who've had too much to drink. Eat as much as you can! The food is great.

I used to live in NO for 13 years. I've lived in the major cities in the US and in Europe and in my opinion the very best food of all, the best eating to be had in the US is in NO. Even the mom and pop cafes are delicious. Please do not eat in a chain restaurant while you are there. Walk into any cafe on the corner and have a gourmet's delight. The better known restaurant's can't be beat by any anyplace. The city is worth traveling to if you did nothing but eat! It's a shame you will have such a short amount of time. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!!!!

There is a restaurant called "Mother's" and it's south of the French Quarter. It has unbelievable food, at fairly cheap prices. The New Orleans School of Cooking is a lot of fun. In 2005 we were there and for $35 we were able to get in for a cooking clas. They have the mirror above the table and the chef explains exactly what he/she is cooking. After the cooking everyone eats the meal. It's a lot of fun and extremely delicious food.

You have to go to "Cafe Du Monde" because it's a staple of New Orleans and the beignets are mouth watering.

You will be in town for the best part of Mardi Gras. Saturday night is the Endymion parade which is probably the best parade of all. By all means go if you don't mind crowds. It is simply beautiful. If you like antiques/unique items, definitely take a stroll down Magazine St. Lots of antique and specialty shops and great places to eat. We have a pretty nice zoo which is on St. Charles and depending on where you stay you can take the street car down St. Charles right to the zoo. Lots of beautiful homes and mansions on the way. We have a nice aquarium too which is in the Canal St. area. You can go to the aquarium and walk down the riverfront, walk through the French Quarter and take a break at Cafe Dumonde... beignets a must. There is Central Grocery Store in the French Quarter which is known for its muffaletas... get one and go sit on the river to eat it. Also there are two quilt stores in the area. The Quilted Owl is on Jefferson Hwy. (about 15 minutes from downtown). Mes Amis quilt store is on Spanish Fort Blvd. which is near the lakefront. You can visit the quilt store and then drive along the lake (Lake Pontchartrain) and maybe have a little picnic. I'm sure you'll have an unforgetable time. We have great food, great music and lots of sites to see. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

Don't forget Mobile AL has a Mardi Gras that is almost as big as New Orleans', but they make the gals keep their shirts on!!