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 With great food, costumed parades, beads, prizes and plenty of celebration, the Mardi Gras festival in New Orleans is one of the most popular festival destinations in North America.
Starting each year on the Epiphany, twelve days after Christmas, the Mardi Gras festival lasts until the day before Ash Wednesday. However, the last day of Mardi Gras, known as “Fat Tuesday” is one of the most exciting and action-packed times of the festival. “Fat Tuesday” is the
literal translation of the French phrase “Mardi Gras.”
When taking a trip to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, the first thing you’ll notice is the amazing food. Not only can you take advantage of the delicious Cajun food and fried seafood that New Orleans has to offer, but can also eat traditional Mardi Gras foods such as King Cake. King Cake is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. It is a cake that represents the gifts that the Wise Kings brought to baby Jesus and, to represent this, a small plastic baby is baked inside each cake. At a Mardi Gras party, the person who finds the baby in their cake is named King or Queen of the party, and will also be expected to throw the next Mardi Gras party. If you are looking for some of the best King Cake in the city, then head over to Randazzo’s or Gambino’s.
For the best Creole Cajun cuisine, head over to Arnaud’s in the French quarter and for something truly unique, head over to Andrea’s in Metairie, a fusion of Louisiana and Italian cuisine!
When you’re all filled up on King Cake and Cajun food, then you should head on over to a Mardi Gras parade. There are many parades planned over the course of the Mardi Gras festival, but the largest and most exciting parade takes place on Fat Tuesday. Floats ride by, starting with the Mardi Gras King and Queen. The crew on the floats throws “trinkets” to the crowd—the most popular trinkets are beads and coins.
If you love all the colors and fancy costumes, then head over to Bourbon Street for the Bourbon Street Awards—the ultimate costume contest!
If you’re planning a trip to Mardi Gras, be sure to book your hotel room in advance. It’s a busy time for tourism in Louisiana, but could prove to be one of the most exciting experiences of your life!
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