Mardi Gras
My first trip to New Orleans was during the week of Mardi Gras and it was definitely one of the best weeks of my life. We arrived on February 10th, the week before fat Tuesday, to find that Mardi Gras festivities were already well underway. I was shocked at how many people I saw. We went to our hotel, The Royal Sonesta, to check into our room and to get everything situated. Our next stop was The Boot, one of the best college bars in America. I found that the area was flooded with campers parked outside the Landmark Bar. I even saw a police officer help some fraternity brother’s put a keg on top of their camper. On my last day we went to the infamous Bourbon Street. We were greeted with signs saying “Mardi On!”. People were dressed in all sorts
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of costumes. There were Christian protesters everywhere. I felt like Bourbon Street was a lot of New Orleans can be a family friendly vacation everyone can enjoy. As long as one is aware of the danger that may lie just one street over. My opinion based on personal experience within the city is that it can be a historical and a culturally diverse destination. New Orleans is not only a sightseeing stop, but also a learning experience. The rich history of jazz music, the food culture, and Mardi Gras make New Orleans a MUST for all vacationers.
Jazz music found its origin in the slums of New Orleans in the 1890s. Famous musicians such as Fats Domino and Louis Armstrong were born there and are the reason why New Orleans is known as the cradle of jazz. Jazz music is unique because it involves every musician. Most jazz music is improvisation which involves a question and response with all instruments. One does not have to walk very far to find a jazz club in New Orleans. The French and Spanish influence in New Orleans leaves the city with the reputation of the best city for cuisine. A trip here is not complete until one has the gumbo. Gumbo is a Western European influenced dish that consists of mainly shrimp and rice. It was inspired by cajun and creole cooks who really knew how to make a deep, dark, delicious, and hearty gumbo. We ate at many restaurants while there. The “Gumbo Pot” was my favorite and it won’t disappoint. Po’ boys originated in New Orleans as well. These sandwiches were invented by a restaurant that decided to give away free sandwiches to a local group of people that were on strike, hence the name “poor boy.” Guy’s Po-boys is famous for their po-boys. The best thing on their menu is the Fried Shrimp Po-boy. Not only does it come with a huge helping of fried shrimp it’s also super cheap. If you were to look on the outside of this restaurant, you’d say that it was way too small. But the food that they put out is the biggest thing in New Orleans. Celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans is on many people’s bucket lists.
Mardi Gras, also known as fat Tuesday, is a day that people of New Orleans celebrate in a form of parades and parties. French royals, feather-covered showgirls, energizer bunnies, painted clowns, masked lions- you can find them all. People walk the streets of Bourbon Street and converse. The parades were by far my favorite part of the week. This is when the streets and the trees become filled with beads. People came out for hours along St. Charles Avenue, which is where the majority of parades take place, to secure a good viewing spot. However, my friends and I managed to find prime parade spots despite arriving just minutes before the parade started. In addition to throwing beads, the people on the floats also tossed different items at the crowd. The “Krewe of Tucks” tossed out plungers and toilet brushes into the crowd. Throughout the week my friends and I found ourselves walking most places because many of the streets were blocked. Cabs were also very scarce. The city shuts off the street at night so people may walk up and down the road as they please. Mardi Gras was my favorite because of the pride the citizens took in the parades. They knew that it was more than just throwing beads. Each parade has its own story and theme. Most will tell you “The Krewe of Bacchus” parade lights up the streets of New Orleans with their incredible floats, marching bands, and incredible light shows unlike any other. People take pride in this event because it is a big part of their
history. New Orleans offers more than just a destination to get out of the house. It is a place that can feel like stepping into another country. My favorite part of the city is the fact that you can learn while there. From jazz music to the food, New Orleans is a diverse city that will guarantee an unforgettable vacation. My only advice to potential New Orleans trip goers is to not steer away from the beaten path.
of costumes. There were Christian protesters everywhere. I felt like Bourbon Street was a lot of New Orleans can be a family friendly vacation everyone can enjoy. As long as one is aware of the danger that may lie just one street over. My opinion based on personal experience within the city is that it can be a historical and a culturally diverse destination. New Orleans is not only a sightseeing stop, but also a learning experience. The rich history of jazz music, the food culture, and Mardi Gras make New Orleans a MUST for all vacationers.
Jazz music found its origin in the slums of New Orleans in the 1890s. Famous musicians such as Fats Domino and Louis Armstrong were born there and are the reason why New Orleans is known as the cradle of jazz. Jazz music is unique because it involves every musician. Most jazz music is improvisation which involves a question and response with all instruments. One does not have to walk very far to find a jazz club in New Orleans. The French and Spanish influence in New Orleans leaves the city with the reputation of the best city for cuisine. A trip here is not complete until one has the gumbo. Gumbo is a Western European influenced dish that consists of mainly shrimp and rice. It was inspired by cajun and creole cooks who really knew how to make a deep, dark, delicious, and hearty gumbo. We ate at many restaurants while there. The “Gumbo Pot” was my favorite and it won’t disappoint. Po’ boys originated in New Orleans as well. These sandwiches were invented by a restaurant that decided to give away free sandwiches to a local group of people that were on strike, hence the name “poor boy.” Guy’s Po-boys is famous for their po-boys. The best thing on their menu is the Fried Shrimp Po-boy. Not only does it come with a huge helping of fried shrimp it’s also super cheap. If you were to look on the outside of this restaurant, you’d say that it was way too small. But the food that they put out is the biggest thing in New Orleans. Celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans is on many people’s bucket lists.
Mardi Gras, also known as fat Tuesday, is a day that people of New Orleans celebrate in a form of parades and parties. French royals, feather-covered showgirls, energizer bunnies, painted clowns, masked lions- you can find them all. People walk the streets of Bourbon Street and converse. The parades were by far my favorite part of the week. This is when the streets and the trees become filled with beads. People came out for hours along St. Charles Avenue, which is where the majority of parades take place, to secure a good viewing spot. However, my friends and I managed to find prime parade spots despite arriving just minutes before the parade started. In addition to throwing beads, the people on the floats also tossed different items at the crowd. The “Krewe of Tucks” tossed out plungers and toilet brushes into the crowd. Throughout the week my friends and I found ourselves walking most places because many of the streets were blocked. Cabs were also very scarce. The city shuts off the street at night so people may walk up and down the road as they please. Mardi Gras was my favorite because of the pride the citizens took in the parades. They knew that it was more than just throwing beads. Each parade has its own story and theme. Most will tell you “The Krewe of Bacchus” parade lights up the streets of New Orleans with their incredible floats, marching bands, and incredible light shows unlike any other. People take pride in this event because it is a big part of their
history. New Orleans offers more than just a destination to get out of the house. It is a place that can feel like stepping into another country. My favorite part of the city is the fact that you can learn while there. From jazz music to the food, New Orleans is a diverse city that will guarantee an unforgettable vacation. My only advice to potential New Orleans trip goers is to not steer away from the beaten path.