There’s nothing more exciting than being in New Orleans during the Mardi Gras season! The smell of king cake and beignets, the rhythms of the marching bands, and the colorfulness of floats give you just the right amount of endorphins. One of my favorite parts of being a Louisiana native is experiencing the thrill of parade and festival preparations.

Some people who come to New Orleans during the Mardi Gras season feel overwhelmed. Finding the best spots to watch the parades can be tricky. The parking is nearly possible. It is difficult to know what you need to bring. Sometimes, the weather is not great and parades get rescheduled. But none of this should impact your Mardi Gras fun.

So, here are some hacks from a native to help you get the most out of your Mardi Gras experience:

The Checklist

There have been a few times where I underestimated the weather or the crowds. Not having what you need in those moments makes the entire experience more complicated. If you plan to watch parades from sunrise to sunset, you should consider these items:

• Empty bags to put your catches in (Save your neck and back!)
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Hand sanitizer (Don’t pick up old beads off the streets!)
• An umbrella and poncho
• A cooler or lunch bag for snacks
• Portable chairs or blankets
• A tent (if you want to claim a spot or need shade)
• Travel size first aid kit
• Plastic hard hats (if you’re afraid of your kids being knocked out by beads)
• Sharpie marker and sticky name tags to put on the kiddos (Write your number, name, and/or location on it. Kids can easily get lost in crowds.)

Parking Tips 

Finding decent parking in New Orleans is always a challenge, especially when parades are going on. Here are some tips:

• There will be many individuals holding up signs with cheap parking offers. Some will offer you to park in their yards or driveways. Others will offer you to park at their businesses. Whatever you do, don’t underestimate that person’s intentions. If the person seems sketchy, trust your gut and keep going.
• Try to avoid finding a space inside “the box,” which is the area of the city from Napoleon Avenue to Canal Street and the riverside of St. Charles Avenue to Tchoupitoulas Street.
• Your best bet is to park in a parking garage or a safe parking lot.

Good Watching Spots

You can easily find out the parade routes by asking a local or downloading the parade tracker app, but finding a good spot to watch is a different story. Here are a few of my favorite spots:

• St. Charles and Napoleon Avenue or Canal Street are both fun spots for young adults or older generations.
• Lee Circle, Poydras Street, or Tchoupitoulas Street are fun spots for teenagers or families.
• Magazine Street at Napoleon Ave is the most kid-friendly place to be.

Favorite Parades

• Krewe of Muses
  • When: Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6:30
  • Where: Starts on Magazine Street and Jefferson Avenue and ends on the intersection of Tchoupitoulas and Poydras Street.
  • Fun fact: They throw high heels themed beads and bracelets.
• Krewe of Iris
  • When: Saturday, Feb. 22 at 11:00
  • Where: Starts on the intersection of Napoleon Avenue and S. Saratoga Street and ends on Tchoupitoulas to the intersection with Poydras Street.
  • Fun fact:  It is the largest and oldest all female parade.
• Krewe of Tucks
  • When: Saturday, Feb. 22 at 12:00
  • Where: Starts on the intersection of Napoleon Avenue and S. Saratoga Street and ends on Tchoupitoulas to the intersection with Poydras Street.
  • Fun fact: They throw decorative toilet plungers and toilet paper. The king sits on a toilet as his throne.
• Krewe of Orpheus
  • When: Monday, Feb. 24 at 6:00
  • Where: Starts on the intersection of Napoleon Avenue and  Tchoupitoulas Street and ends at the Convention Center and Henderson St.
  • Fun fact: Founding members include musician/actor Harry Connick, Jr. and his father, Harry Connick, Sr.

Mardi Gras is a wonderful celebration that all ages can enjoy. The work that the parade krewes put into their costumes and floats is incredible. The music and laughter lighten up your soul. If you haven’t been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, you should definitely add it to your bucket list. Whenever you come, hopefully these tips will make your experience enjoyable!