I grew up in small town where we thought mardi gras was just that awful thing co-eds do, like girls gone wild. Living here, though, you get quite another experience. It is very family friendly, at least, until you get to Bourbon st. The kids are up on ladders catching beads. Everyone camps out to keep their spot. Grilling during... More

Gotta have discipline to make it through this all day/night party!

...just do your homework to ensure you go to an area appropriate for your group.

My wife and I were there for three days. The mixed drinks down town are very sweet. We bought a 'hand grenade' and a 'hurricane' drink. Each drink is a mix between a few alcohols. I vaguely remember hearing ever clear and absolute vodka among a few. Each drink costs six to eight dollars depending the size. One drink will... More

The parades are thrilling and like no other carnival I have ever experienced in any country. All the people come together en mass to celebrate in the streets, homes, restaurants and bars. It is a wonderful rolling party week . The parades and evets are well policed and feel very safe and controlled yet they are utter mayhem to observe!... More

We started off watching the start of our parade from our hotel room balcony before racing down to get amongst it, the costumes and the atmosphere is amazing , the young and old alike revel in the fun, the floats and cars and horse pull carriages filled with happy people throwing beads to the crowd was an awesome experience and... More

Been going for over 30 years. Only to help those locked in sin. Ridiculous, raunchy behavior from fools. "A fool says in their heart there is no God". The people going to this debauchery say it out loud! I was once there, so I know. I like the warm weather and the N O food. And I care about people,... More

I loved the crowd! I was not expecting to see people of all age getting together for fun, dancing in the street, parade and just be loud.

Don't buy beads. You get sooooo many thrown at you during the countless parades. Be ready for long, wild nights!