WHAT ABOUT PARKING AND BATHROOMS DURING PARADES?

Two of the most important logistical questions at Mardi Gras are "Where do I park?" and "Where do I pee?" 

 

Parking: There is plenty of free street parking in the neighborhoods around the Chelsea pub and the Friday night reception host home, even during parades. We suggest parking on the south side (river side) of St. Charles Ave behind Touro Hospital, west (upriver) of Louisiana Ave.

 

Bathrooms: The Prytania Bar (one block off parade route) will be selling a wrist band good for all weekend to use their bathrooms. Chelsea supporters will receive a special rate. There are also numerous free Port-o-Potties at corner of St. Charles & Louisiana Ave one block from the pub.

 

HOW DO I GET TO THE PUB IF STREETS ARE CLOSED DURING PARADES?

We call that "getting inside the box" during parades. Most streets crossing the parade route remain open until about 45 min before parades start. The Uber & Lyft drivers know the drill, but if you're driving your own vehicle simply take the Tchopitoulos St. [Chop-a-too-liss] exit off Hwy 90 near downtown (the last exit before the Mississippi River bridge.) Turn right on Tchop and go west or ("up river" as we say) to Louisiana Ave, turn north and you'll find plenty of free parking in the neighborhood west of Louisiana behind Touro Hospital. Easy peasey. 

 

Local's Tip: Download a free Mardi Gras Parade Tracker app to follow each parade's progress along their designated route.  Traffic can be extremely heavy so leave extra time to arrive at your destination!

 

OTHER THINGS TO DO

There are literally hundreds of things to do in New Orleans only a Google search away, but here are a few ticketed and free suggestions:

 

TICKETED

New Orleans Jazz Museum: Located at the foot of Frenchmen St in the old U.S. Mint, The New Orleans Jazz Museum celebrates the history of jazz, in all its forms, through dynamic interactive exhibits, multi-generational educational programming, research facilities, and engaging musical performances. Only $8 admission.

Local's Tip: 3 blocks away in the Quarter is the Mona Lisa cafe, good little spot for affordable Italian with a large and unusual collection of off-beat visual renditions of da Vinci's Mona Lisa. (Opens at 5pm)

 

Daytime Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez: (2 hr. cruise mornings & afternoons) This is the last authentic paddlewheel steamboat running on the Mississippi River. (All others are diesel fueled fakes.) Includes a meal and running narration of various sites along the river. (And yes, there are two bars on board.) https://www.steamboatnatchez.com/cruises-2/harborcruise.html

Local's Tip: walk below deck to the engine room to see the paddle wheel mechanism in action.

 

Second Line Parade and Tour with the Backstreet Cultural Museum: Join in one of New Orleans' famous Second Line Parades and get an insider's tour of the rich African American cultural heritage of Mardi Gras Indians (as seen in HBO's "Treme".) https://www.backstreetmuseum.org/secondline-tours

 

St. Louis Cemetery #1: Opened in 1789, this is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans with 600 interesting above ground tombs, including Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. (Entrance only as part of an organized tour.) https://cemeterytourneworleans.com/

 

FREE OF CHARGE

St. Louis Cemetery #3 is free to the public and has many fine examples of elaborate above ground tombs. Established in 1854 and located on Esplanade Ave just 3 miles north of the French Quarter.

 

New Orleans Museum of Art Sculpture Garden: Located outside behind the museum in City Park, this is a free self guided walking tour of more than 90 interesting outdoor sculptures. https://noma.org/besthoff-sculpture-garden/

Local's Tip: The Sculpture Garden is only a 10 min walk from the cemetery.

 

Barataria Preserve in the Jean Lafite Swamp: Located only 17 miles outside New Orleans, hike into the cypres swamp on an boardwalk (stroller friendly) where you will see alligators and other wildlife. Admission is free. https://www.nps.gov/jela/planyourvisit/barataria-preserve.htm

Local's Tip: Free Ranger guided trail walk at 2pm Wednesday - Sunday.

 

Chalmette Battlefield: Located only 8 miles downriver of New Orleans, the is the site of the famous Battle of New Orleans, the last major engagement of the War of 1812. The Visitor Center is open 9:30 - 4:30 daily. Free Ranger guided tours as well as an audio self guided tour. https://www.nps.gov/jela/planyourvisit/chalmette-battlefield.htm