Mardi Gras

Discussion in 'Food & Travel' started by dfb547490, Nov 3, 2003.

  1. dfb547490

    dfb547490 New Member

    Feb 9, 2000
    The Heights
    So I'm thinking about heading down to Nawlins next year, anyone ever been to the big party?? Where are some good cheap places to stay, and what days should I go down for (it's not during my spring break and I can't afford to miss more than about 2 days of class other than weekends)? I'm thinking about heading down Friday night or Saturday morning and flying back up to Boston the morning after Fat Tuesday (that's the biggest party night, right?). I'd probably be flying Air Tran or Spirit Air or somebody like that (Southwest would be ideal but they don't fly to Boston and I know I'm not going to feel like taking the bus back up from Providence then an hour subway ride on Wednesday morning), altho I have a $200 voucher for American so they're a possibility too.

    How much should I expect to spend on the whole thing (airfare, hotel, food, drinks, more drinks, beads, yet more drinks, condoms, beverages)??
     
  2. Rapids/Arsenal Fan

    Mar 8, 2001
    Denver, CO USA
    I've been there. It was a few years ago.

    I'm pretty sure any hotel near the French Quarter is all booked up by now. You'll probably have better luck a bit outside the city.

    Unfortunately, that's all the advice I can give as the whole weekend is VERY fuzzy. You'll have a great time though. And yes, the few days before FT are the most popular.
     
  3. krs-two

    krs-two Member

    Jan 22, 2001
    Columbus
    Been three times in the past five years. It's a time like no other, and no matter how many stories you tell, you can never truly explain what it's all about until that person has been there.

    While it's starting to get down to crunch time, you should still have no problem getting into a downtown hotel, though I'm sure some are already booked solid. Price-wise, you'll pay an arm and a leg to stay downtown either in or near the quarter. However, if you can swing the price, I highly suggest it. The first trip down we stayed across the river and missed out on a lot of things, plus you have to deal with catching cabs, etc., which is a major pain in the behind during Mardi Gras. I've stayed at the Sheraton on Canal St. the past two visits, and the nightly room rates have ranged from $270-$330 a night for 3-4 people. This rate is pretty comparable to what you're gonna find downtown. $250 a night is probably the cheapest you'll find downtown. Across the river, you'll find Days Inn type hotels going for about $150 a night.

    There's no open container law in New Orleans so you can save money by not buying your drinks in the bars/clubs, and instead, just buy some cases of beer and bottles of liquor and have your own. Besides the whole party's in the street anyways.

    Any other specific questions, just ask.

    You won't regret going....best time you can ever have.
     
  4. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Lived in NO forever.

    No one calls it the Big Easy.

    Marriott French Quarter. Will cost you a penny or two. Ask for Carolyn in sales, tell her you are a friend of Panic :D

    She played soccer with me, remember mention Panic FC.

    I don't think she can do too much to help you with the rates, but she can bump you up the waiting list.

    Eat, drink, have fun, but stay safe. its a dangerous city if you hit the wrong street.

    If you go, I recommend Drago's in Metairie for some great food. Damn I miss it.

    Another place in Metairie...The Galley seaford. Neither is a touristy place, but both have damn good food. Don't be afraid to get a po-boy at a gas statioin, especially Danny & Clyde's. Great shrimp po-boys.

    Other stuff:
    Café DuMonde for Beignets
    Pat O'Brien's bar...Hurricanes are for tourists, but still good.

    Popeye's Fried Chicken - nothing like it in Yankee land

    Gumbo

    I'm hungry.
     
  5. Rapids/Arsenal Fan

    Mar 8, 2001
    Denver, CO USA
    A good idea, we did that quite a bit. Just load up a backpack and walk around.

    But I don't know about staying out in the street, especially the time he's going. Imagine the most crowded house party you've ever been to, and then imagine that out in the streets for 7 blocks. Bourbon Street is more like an alley than it is a street. Sometimes it's nice to just dodge into a club and escape the claustrophobic times out there. Besides, you see some pretty amazing stuff in the clubs.
     
  6. The Double

    The Double Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 11, 2002
    Denver


    No Mark Twain's?
     
  7. Rapids/Arsenal Fan

    Mar 8, 2001
    Denver, CO USA

    As in the mega-huge national fast food chain? There's about one every 10 blocks here in Denver. I even found one in Seoul. What makes the one in Nawlins so special?
     
  8. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    yep. The original places are the best. really spicey chicken..I miss it.

    Closest one is 45 miles away for me and their spicey is like our mild.

    --
    Also check out Copelands
     
  9. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well the guys from Boston, so he has Pizzaria Reggina.

    Of course I'd stop at Mark Twain's Pizza Landing for a Mysterious Stranger and a Canadian Bacon pizzas.
     
  10. elainemichelle

    elainemichelle New Member

    Jul 20, 2002
    Mardi=Tuesday. Gras=Fat. Mardi Gras=Fat Tuesday.
     
  11. Dr. Wankler

    Dr. Wankler Member+

    May 2, 2001
    The Electric City
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    I have. I think.

    West of Mobile, south of Monroe, there are no cheap places that time of year. But going for the weekend is a good idea. Make sure you catch the Zulu parade, that was my favorite. Or so witnesses have told me.

    The days start running together pretty fast.

    Beads are free to anyone who can catch them.

    Don't forget bail money. ;)
     
  12. Rapids/Arsenal Fan

    Mar 8, 2001
    Denver, CO USA
    Re: Re: Mardi Gras

    Beads are seriously like currency on Bourbon St. The more elaborate your beads, the more people are willing to do for them. So....sometimes it's not a bad idea to pop into a shop and drop a few bucks for some really cool ones.

    And catching them isn't as easy as one would think. Someone basically has to throw them directly at you, and then you have to outjump the people around you.
     
  13. Jeff

    Jeff Member

    Apr 14, 1999
    Alexandria, NOVA
    Re: Re: Mardi Gras

    Isn't Mobile supposed to have a decent party of its own?
     
  14. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Re: Re: Mardi Gras

    HAHAHAHA!!

    Come on Jeff, they don't call Mobile "Sin City".

    Sorry to be rude, but if you are going to go to Mardi Gras..do it right.

    Bourbon Street, eat till you puke, drink till you puke, and do it all over again.
     
  15. Dr. Wankler

    Dr. Wankler Member+

    May 2, 2001
    The Electric City
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Re: Re: Re: Mardi Gras

    I'm 6'3" and I know how to box out, so I didn't have any problems.

    A little heads up to first timers, though: Occasionally, beads or doubloons will actually not be caught on the fly and will fall to the ground. If that happens, do not initially try to pick them up with your hands, as you'll likely have them stomped upon. The approved method is to put your foot on them, clear the territory around you, and then pick them up.

    So, Alex, don't wear your hippy-ass Birkenstocks for that same reason ;)
     
  16. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: Re: Re: Re: Mardi Gras

    WHen I was ten I went to pick up a red Bacchus doubloon, when I felt a pointy heal on my hand. I looked up and it was a nun.

    I gave her the doubloon.
     
  17. elainemichelle

    elainemichelle New Member

    Jul 20, 2002
    Mobile's Mardi Gras is not supposed to be that bad but if you're gonna go, New Orleans is the best place.
     
  18. Jeff

    Jeff Member

    Apr 14, 1999
    Alexandria, NOVA
    Exactly what I heard. But I can't imagine Mobile's hotel rates would be bargain basement either. No Fn way I have the cash to go anytime soon.
     
  19. dfb547490

    dfb547490 New Member

    Feb 9, 2000
    The Heights
    Thanks for all the help guys...I'm going to try to book a flight, hotels, etc as soon as I get the money (which unfortunately probably won't be until early January).

    As for beads if I go I'm planning on stocking up in Boston before I leave...I'll be looking to give them out, not get them, if you know what I mean ;) I figure if I drop around $30, some on quality and some on quantity, they'll more than pay for themselves when I get down there :D
     
  20. panicfc

    panicfc Member+

    Dec 22, 2000
    In my chair, typing
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    beads in boston?

    check the net for discount beads from New Orleans. Accentannex.com used to sell good stuff cheap.
     

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