The Dos and Don’ts of Mardi Gras

It’s that time of year again, and you and your friends are deciding if you should make the seven-hour road trip to the so-called “biggest party in the world.” Mardi Gras is a crazy college adventure with plenty to do – and plenty of things you should NOT do. If you decide to venture to New Orleans this year, it helps to have some insider knowledge before you hit the streets. Follow these Do’s and Don’ts and you’ll have the time of your life!
 

Do: Eat!
Fortify your stomach while you are out and about. When the gut starts a-grumblin’ in the morning, head to Café Du Monde and place an order for beignets—crispy, fried square donuts doused with powdered sugar. For lunch, stumble into a sandwich joint and have a muffaletta or po’boy. These monster sandwiches are big enough to keep you full into the late evening. If we had to choose, we’d go to Johnny’s, the oldest family-owned po’boy restaurant in the city of New Orleans. If you want to hit up one of New Orleans’ famous restaurants for dinner, call ahead. Otherwise you might have a long, long wait. And if you don’t have time to waste, just grab a slice of pizza on the street.
 
Don’t: Pee In The Street.
The cops put up with a lot during this frenzied holiday – underage drinking, lewd behavior, public drunkenness – but public urination is a big no-no. Do yourself a favor and stake out a bathroom for each parade. There are some port-o-potties along the route, but they can be hard to come by (not to mention absolutely disgusting). Most of the bars and restaurants will let you use their facilities, but sometimes they’ll charge you, so be sure to carry some dollar bills on you at all times.
 
Do: Dazzle Yourself.
You definitely won’t have a hard time finding some Mardi Gras gems. These iconic beads come is every color, shape, and size. The generic ones are a dime a dozen and the floats around town will be passing them out. If you try to put all of your beads around your neck, you might have a hard time standing up straight!
 
Don’t: Get Lost In The Crowd.
Mardi Gras draws millions of people from across the world to New Orleans every year, so it’s easy to be with your group one minute and then realize that everyone has vanished the next. Make sure you have a charged cell phone and a trusty buddy with you at all times.
 
Do: Check Out The Parades.
You haven’t experienced Mardi Gras unless you’ve been to a couple of parades. Floats travel along the beautiful St. Charles Avenue where the parade begins. Each “Krewe” interacts with the crowd on the route. The krewe members throw trinkets to the crowds lining the streets. Swarms of people excitingly scramble for the prizes and anxiously wait to see the creative float themes.  
 
Here’s a rundown of the best “krewes:” 
Click Here For Mardi Gras 2011 Parade Schedule
 
Don’t: Bring Anything Expensive.
This is not the occasion for your diamonds and high-end couture! There are pickpockets that work during the Mardi Gras season. Keep your wallet, your ID, and other important possessions in a safe area on your body.
 
Do: Bring A Camera.
Each minute spent at Mardi Gras is definitely a Kodak moment, and you’ll want to capture these memories. A disposable camera (or two) is your best bet. Sure, you might want to get high-quality shots from your digital camera, but you’ll lug it around only to find that you can’t get a good shot anyway with all the people around you bumping and pushing!
 
Don’t: “Show Your Tits”
It’s become quite the tradition for young (and not-so-young) ladies to be rewarded with beads and trinkets by guys hanging out on balconies in the French Quarter when they expose their breasts to the crowd. If you’re female and do decide to show the world your assets, make it quick. The cops aren’t going to put you in jail for indecent exposure, but they will put you in jail for obstructing traffic if you dance around topless and turn more than just a few heads.
 

Do: Dress Up!
Boo you for wearing black! Mardi Gras is all about colors: purple, gold, and green. Costumes are an acceptable way to get in the spirit! Show some southern pride and get decked out. Make sure you choose wisely! You will be wearing your costume for up to 12 hours, so dress comfortably.
 
Follow these tips and your trip to NOLA will be truly unforgettable.  From the winnebagos to the fried food delicacies, there’s quite a lot to enjoy.  So, don’t forget a camera, do go all out in purple, gold, and green, and definitely pile on those beads!  Mardi Gras will be the experience of a lifetime, especially if you spend it with your college friends.