Everyone has been talking about it since the day it ended two years ago. The time has once again come for UF students to embark on the infamous New Orleans road trip. All of the fraternities have their lists ready, and all of us collegiettes cannot wait until the day we leave! If you’ve never been on the LSU road trip before, then you’re definitely in for a treat. I went on it during my freshman year, and now that I’m officially 21, I cannot wait to go back again with all of my closest friends. When I went to New Orleans for the first time, I had no idea what to expect and did a ton of research before I left to ensure that I was ready for the unexpected. I’m here to help all of you collegiettes make it out alive with this survival guide so you can have the best experience possible.
What clothes to wear: Bourbon Street is the craziest and most fun street that I’ve ever visited. People wear absolutely anything (or nothing) that they want. This is the time to bring out your best “look at me!” outfits because this is one place that no one is going to judge you. Bright colors are always acceptable here and no one’s going to care that you love to wear outfits that sparkle. Be sure to pack your best orange and blue outfit for gameday, but check the weather before leaving in case you need to bring a light sweater for when you’re frolicking from bar to bar.
What shoes to bring: Don’t even consider wearing stilettos on Bourbon Street. People throw trash absolutely everywhere and it’s extremely crowded, so you’d end up more worried about not falling over rather than actually having fun. If you’re tiny like me and want to rock wedges, go for it! I’m planning on bringing wedges, but they’ll be on the shorter side because I can easily walk in them and have my extra boost of height at the same time. But if you’re clumsy and plan on drinking a lot (if you’re of legal drinking age), flats are the way to go. Cowboy boots are also commonly seen on Bourbon Street because no one minds them getting dirty. White Converse will turn black here, so unless you want to throw them away by the end of the trip, I advise leaving these at home. Flip-flops are okay for exploring the city in the daytime because street cleaners pick up the trash early every morning. But you’ll want to avoid these at nighttime unless you want to stumble back to your hotel with dirty feet.
What else to pack: Bourbon Street is a very crowded area at night, and not everyone there will be from UF. You will encounter some strange residents and tourists who may be interested in pickpocketing, so bring a wristlet or cross-body bag that you can easily keep track of. Also make sure to bring cash to pay with because paying with credit cards in smaller stores and vendors can be a little bit sketchy. Bring a spirited gameday outfit because everyone will be decked out in orange and blue on the Saturday of road trip.
What to expect: You will see the most diverse people of your life on this street. From little people dressed as Leprechauns at the male strip club to the women standing by the Live Sex Show wearing barely anything, it’s definitely an experience unlike any other. The range of bars and shows are diverse as well. But keep in mind that many of these locations require you to be 21 or older just to get in, so make sure you choose to hang out with friends in your same age range so you don’t get left behind. Did you know that Bourbon Street has it’s own Swamp? Be sure to pay it a visit or at least take a photo in front of it!
Drinking: Keep in mind that it’s important to drink responsibly and legally on LSU weekend. Stay with your gal pals that have similar drinking interests as you. Don’t forget your favorite Bubba keg for the bus! Keep in mind that it’s a very long bus ride (about eight hours), so bring a drink that isn’t too strong because you want to live to remember the rest of the weekend. I’m bringing my favorite drink – mimosas! Fish bowls and hand grenades may taste like candy, but they are extremely strong! So keep that in mind when you’re downing your second one. And always remember to drink plenty of water throughout the trip so you don’t get dehydrated.
With these tips, I’m sure that all of you collegiettes will survive LSU road trip and be counting down the days until you return to Bourbon Street once again.
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