Mardi Gras 2014!!!! (Rayne, Jackson: buy, college, stores)

[MamaShay87]

Hey,

We are three college students from Charlotte, NC ranging in ages from 19-26 who are coming to town for the upcoming Mardi Gras celebration. We are coming in that Monday March 3. and staying until that Thursday. We would love some advice about where to go, how this all works, places we have to see while we are in the city, things we should do/not do. Also, since there is one of us in the group who is underage, how will it be for her to have fun with the rest of us "adults?" Will it be a serious problem, or doable? Any kind of advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[BayouBungalowChick]

well mardi gras will be over midnight on march 4th-that tuesday. Monday is really fun so at least you have monday and tuesday! Wednesday you could do some sight seeing/recovering? It shouldn't be a serious problem. You can just buy her a drink at the bar and take it with you and she can drink it in the streets. That's what we did until we were all 21. She might not be able to get into the bars, though.

[finalmove]

There's plenty to do and see. Walk the area around Jackson Square, and get a parade route map online with crewe times. Maybe you don't know, but there's nowhere to use a toilet along the parade routes. The bars and stores won't allow you in unless you are a customer. It can be painful if you haven't planned for this. Just sayin.
And finally, bring lots of money. You'll burn through it fast!
See you at Canal & Peters.

[rburnett]

Originally Posted by MamaShay87

Hey,

We are three college students from Charlotte, NC ranging in ages from 19-26 who are coming to town for the upcoming Mardi Gras celebration. We are coming in that Monday March 3. and staying until that Thursday. We would love some advice about where to go, how this all works, places we have to see while we are in the city, things we should do/not do. Also, since there is one of us in the group who is underage, how will it be for her to have fun with the rest of us "adults?" Will it be a serious problem, or doable? Any kind of advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

The parades will be Monday night and all day Tuesday starting early in the morning. If you're on the adventurous side, pack up some drinks and catch a cab uptown Monday night. Catching a parade Uptown is completely different than on Canal St. Try to get close the intersection of Napolean and St. Charles. The Parades come down Napolean from the river, then turn down St. Charles. It will be slightly more rowdy on St. Charles. For bathrooms, Fat Harry's are nearby as is the Milan Lounge. Sophie Wright will sell you a bathroom pass for the parade and I think Rayne Methodist will as well. If you don't want to carry any food, you can walk a few block over to Magazine and grab something there. There are plenty of places along Magazine near Napolean. If you have trouble catching a cab back downtown, the Magazine bus will pick you up at Magazine and Marengo. The St. Charles streetcar does not run during parades.

For Tuesday, I'd plan on just strolling around the Quarter. There will be TONS of people with amazing costumes. Feel free to dress up. The upper end of Bourbon St. is where all the crazy partiers will be if that's what you want. I'll warn you, it gets pretty intense there from 8-12pm. I'm in the quarter every year, but I stay away from those first 5 blocks of Bourbon. The rest of the quarter will be much more chill, but still plenty of people. If you have time, try to walk down to Frenchmen St. at some point. It's much more of an alternative scene down there and you'll see some interesting people and costumes.

As far as alcohol, pace yourself. It's a loooong day.

[selogic]

Don't urinate in public . NOPD gets really pissed when people do that .

[Neworleansisprettygood]

Originally Posted by selogic

Don't urinate in public . NOPD gets really pissed when people do that .

Also, if you're a guy, don't show your junk. NOPD thinks that's trashy.