Photo by Cayetano Gil on Unsplash
Mardi Gras is many things—it is a costume party, a sea of drunken indulgence, a pleasant family picnic on the neutral ground, a roving high school band concert, a Christian holiday. Mardi Gras is the greatest party on earth and a trip to New Orleans during the Carnival season should be on every person's bucket list.
We love Mardi Gras and think it is the perfect adventure for any solo traveler. This Carnival season we will be sharing our tips and tricks to make your trip to Mardi Gras as enjoyable as possible. Here is the official Astrid Solo Travel Advisor's official Mardi Gras packing list.
Layers, Layers, Layers
Weather in New Orleans is unpredictable. During this time of year, the high can be 35 degrees one day and 74 degrees the next. Some years is it freezing and raining, and other year it’s sunny and 75. It’s best to pack for all sorts of weather. We recommend bringing it all - short sleeves to heavy coats and mittens. You just never know in New Orleans.
Rain Gear
It rains a lot here. Be sure to bring a rain jacket and rain boots to stay dry. We recommend rain gear over umbrellas. It is very crowded during Mardi Gras and holding an umbrella on the parade route won’t make you any friends.
A Sturdy Bag
You’ll be catching a lot of throws - beads, cups, etc. Bringing a sturdy, reliable bag will allow you to transport all your loot.
Comfortable Shoes
We cannot stress this enough - WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! Wear shoes that you can walk
around all day in. Also, New Orleans is dirty. Pack shoes that you would not mind parting with. Leave the designer shoes at home.
A Foldable Chair
If you plan on staking out a spot on the parade route, it is best to bring a foldable chair. We also recommend bringing a cooler for food and drinks.
Your Best Costume
Whether it’s an elaborate costume or just a wig, be sure to bring your most festive gear! A lot of people will be dressed up in their wildest costumes, so don’t be shy. There’s no telling what costumes you might see!
Don’t have a costume? There are plenty of costume and thrift shops all over New Orleans:
Claudia’s Vintage Clothing and Costumes
4204 MAGAZINE STREET
Southern Costume Company
951 LAFAYETTE STREET
Fifi Mahony’s
934 ROYAL STREET
Uptown Costume and Dancewear
4326 MAGAZINE STREET
If you're planning a solo trip to New Orleans this Mardi Gras, be sure to follow Astrid Travel on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Use #soloNOLA! Have any questions? Contact us!
Mardi Gras, a.k.a. Fat Tuesday, is the final day of celebration of the Carnival season. Read on to find out which parades roll on this very special day, and about their rich history!