Ask Mike: Mardi Gras
Hey Guys,
With apologies to Las Vegas, nobody knows how to party quite like they do down in New Orleans. Though the southern city has been through much heartbreak in recent years, it still celebrates Mardi Gras with abandon. The festival is coming to its annual close in the Big Easy. Before it does, folks want to know more about the party’s history, beads, and what exactly “Mardi Gras” means.
I did some browsing around the Web and learned that the festival started thousands of years ago. However, according to the experts at History.com, the first American Mardi Gras was celebrated on March 3, 1699 “near modern-day New Orleans.” Another website writes that “the earliest reference to Mardi Gras ‘Carnival’ appears in a 1781 report to the Spanish colonial governing body.” With few exceptions, the party hasn’t stopped since.
Among the many sights revelers can expect to see during Mardi Gras: ornate and unusual floats, lots of food (including pancakes), an avalanche of beads, and more than a few inebriated revelers. Anyone who took French 101 should be able to translate the actual phrase “Mardi Gras.” Literally, it means “Fat Tuesday,” the day before the season of Lent begins.
For more on the holiday, check out this list of FAQs from NOLA.com. It covers why everybody uses beads as currency, the history of the party’s official colors, and whether or not Mardi Gras is “really a Pagan holiday.” Good reading.
Do you guys have any favorite memories or experiences with Mardi Gras? Great time or overcrowded nightmare? Please leave a comment below.
Thanks for reading,
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I’m from Lafayette, which is two hours or so away from New Orleans in Louisiana. I used to love Mardi Gras when I was little. My huge family and all our friends would camp out all day at the parades and catch the beads, but now its just too tiring. King cakes are nice, but the best thing about Mardi Gras…..the crawfish boils, yum yum!
Im sorry what/.???? Did you really just say Mardi Gras is better than Vegas?…….ummmmm NO…
I live in Louisiana and I don’t particularly care if I miss a parade or not. Mardi Gras is just an excuse for people to get drunk and act crazy. Why would I want a string of beads anyway?
hi
The latest unfortunate stupidity, gunshots and innocent people injured,and the party goes on???JUST PLAIN SICKOS!!!!!
It actually in Mobile, Alabama Which is were I live and I just got home partying..it’s fantastic!!!
Being a person that goes to Las Vegas once a year I can tell you there is no comparison between any other city especially New Orleans. My only (pre-Katrina) visit to New Orleans lasted about two hours and that was too long. Traveling to and from Palm Beach and Houston on business I decided to stay in downtown New Orleans. After driving around and seeing the sights or what you could call the plight of the city I decided to keep driving stay in Baton Rouge. I have been to the 10 biggest US cities and New Orleans is a dump filled with transients and garbage and not the culture you hear about on the television. I was there a year before Katrina, I could only imagine what it is like now. The fact that the US tax payers pay for what the people of New Orleans should be paying for is outrageous. Any other city has the means to rebuild and function as a society without outside help. If San Francisco has a huge earthquake, they have the means to rebuild because that is the type of city San Francisco is. New Orleans will always seek outside help because they were in the red even before the hurricane. A large portion of the cities residents are on government assistance and that in no way helps the city financially. Choosing to have inexperienced leaders like Ray Nagin run the city is another main contribution to that problem.
Actually Mardi Gras started in Mobile Alabama people just say it started in New Orleans
http://www.trifter.com/USA-&-Canada/Louisiana/Mardi-Gras-Founding-City-Its-Not-New-Orleans.514351
there it is!
I believe the records show that the first Mardi Gras in the new world was celebrated in what is now Mobile, Alabama. Mardi Gras is still held there and the prise thing to catch are Moon Pies.
I like that idea. Here in Louisiana they throw a bunch of plasic junk, that is not good for anything and the main the whole thing seems to be to see how drunk you can get.
# “With apologies to Las Vegas, nobody knows how
# to party quite like they do down in New Orleans”
Mardi Gras is once a year — here in Las Vegas, it’s party time every day of the year. Las Vegas is definitely owed an apology, because there is no comparison.
Actually, the first Mardi Gras was celebrated in Mobile, Al. Not in New Orleans!!!!!
Vegas is overrated. NOLA all the way!
Mike, I am from Biloxi, MS and you are correct, NO BODY knows quite how to party like they do in N.O. With apologies to the writer the first Mardi Gras in the U.S. was in Mobile, Alabama. We are in the center, between the two, and we ourselves celebrate Mardi Gras with elaborate Krewes, balls leading up to Fat Tuesday, all of the grandour of Mardi Gras and as with everything in New Orleans, they make it bigger and better than ever! Especially a party. I remember growing up and sailing at Southern Yacht Club, during regatta’s. They are a member of the Gulf Yachting Association, as is Biloxi Yacht Club and we have regatta’s all year. Anyway, ask anyone in N.O. why they are having a party? They will generally say something like…the sun is out, it’s raining, it’s 5 etc. They need no excuse to have a party but give them one and you are in for the time of your life.
I remember growing up standing in the middle of Canal street during Mardi Gras, (the sunday before). We would stand there, b/c you could catch 2 parades at once. One on both sides of the street. And eat those Roast Beef, Ham and Shrimp PoBoys that drip down your arm, while waiting for the next one. Nothing is finer than clean ole fun. And for the sake of our cities and their demolition from Katrina, I hope that Mardi Gras will continue to flourish from Mobile, through the Mississippi Gulf Coast to Mandeville, to New Orleans and back!
Here’s to King Rex and may he rule every year as long as we can live!
How many shootings in New Orleans this year?
Seven, at last count.
How many shootings in Rio de Janeiro this year?
Nil.
You’re correct Mike, Mardi Gras did happen in all those places … it’s just another word for party time …
Pancakes?! Pancakes?? Maybe you meant “king cakes”, Mike. Never have I seen anyone eating pancakes during Mardi Gras. Maybe before they leave home in the early mornings. And the others are right, the first US parade was in Mobile, AL. Get your facts straight dude.
Hail, King Rex, indeed. I loved the fact that he handcuffed himself to his throne on the float during Ray Nagin’s toast to him. A block and a half later, Rex uncuffed himself so that he could properly rise and toast his Queen. Hail Rex! Now there’s a fact, Jack, I mean Mike.
LOL you are all funny best party try oktoberfest in munchen or fasching in the same area in Germany.
Yes, the tragedy sucks. It’s devestating indeed. But New Orleans is NOT the only city that’s ever suffered catastorphe, they are just the only one’s that cry and whine about it waitng for handouts from the government.
They are able bodied americans just like the rest of us. The reason it’s still in shambles is becuse they haven’t done anything about it themselves. Yes aide is always helpful, but ya gotta be willing to help yourself too.
Quit bitchin New Orleans – and get to work. Just like everyone else has to do! I’ve been there and done that. Check out the people of Valmeyer, Il and how they helped themselves when their town was ELIMINATED by the 1993 floods. Make some comparisons of the two, and notice the biggest differences of all – those who whine and complain vs. those who get to work.
If the only priority in New Orleans is a giant party and gettin’ the football team back, then the city will remain in shambles. If you can party, you can work. Get to work New Orleans.
No more tax dollars for New Orleans!
I’ve been to Rio and have lived in New Orleans for the bulk of my life. I don’t know where you get your information but Rio is wayyyyyy more dangerous.
Mardi Gras in New Orleans is something you have to see to believe. There are so many artsy and creative people that blow you away with their unique costumes and decorations. Everyone is so friendly and it’s like one giant family in the quarter on Fat Tuesday. I’m not sure why so many are hating on New Orleans, but our city is like no other. PERIOD. The architecture and courtyards, the art and shops, the friendly, carefree southern attitude, the amazing food… I am PROUD to call New Orleans home.
Everyone who keeps talking about shootings and such: It usually includes an inebriated tourist in an obviously horrible part of town, who is too dumb to know where to go or how to keep their mouth shut. That’s how it always happens, some guy wonders just a little too far from Bourbon, says the wrong thing to the wrong person, and all of a sudden you’re beaten with a brick. Besides, Bourbon isn’t the only place to be for Mardi Gras, uptown is much more fun and much less crowded with tourists. And those of you defending Vegas, have you ever been to Mardi Gras?
Lived there…sorry not impressed. People laying shot and bleeding in the street while others party and beg for beads while ignoring or too drunk to care about their fellow man. I think it’s a requirement to drink and drive there. Most ignorant egotistical people in the country.
New Orleans is super! I’d never bother with commercialized, plastic Vegas, I’ve never been and I never want to.
Sort of like stopping in New Orleans for 2 hours and passing judgement, isn’t it?
I’ve been to NOLA at least 10 times. I went to New Orleans the year after Katrina, and it certainly wasn’t what it used to be, but we had a great time, and will be going again.
I personally hate when people think of Mardi Gras they think of “getting drunk and acting crazy.” Mardi Gras is also a family time, people and their extended families go out to the parade routes and BBQ and play in the streets. (That was my personal favorite, these normally busy streets that you couldnt even walk across on a normal day. you can walk around seeing kids playing football, and much much more! ) But New Orleans is a very historic and educational place. Yes it can be scary at times, but you just need to know where to go and where not to go at certain times! But New Orleans has rebuilt, renewed and getting back to its origional state. Slowly but surely! Support your politicans, in support of continuing the efforts of rebuilding a fabulous city!
I can’t imagine Las Vegas beating New Orleans during Mardi Gras. I mean, LV has its “charms,” but come one.
Sadly I’ve never been to New Orleans for the big party. Might try and celebrate at home a little this week…here’s some more info for those who do make it, though: http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/best-sites/6-Sites-for-Discovering-New-Orleans-Mardi-Gras.html
Ok sure Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the biggest Mardi Gras celebration in Louisiana. I went to 4 Mardi Gras in the Monday night and Tuesday. I went to Mamou and Lafayette first which is the second biggest celebrations next to New Orleans Then I went to New Orleans, then to Lake Charles. New Orleans is the biggest party town. People were doing keg stands all in the streets and in the backs of trucks! To you people who commented that Vegas is a party all year…I think what he was meaning that they party in nobody (including Vegas) can have that much fun and party that hard in one day then we do here! I don’t care what ya’ll say you can call Louisiana people red necks or whatever you like but we know how to fun and I KNOW that we can party way better than any other place in the U.S. without any comparision. Even though Mardi Gras is only 1 day a year we sure as hell make that 1 day count. It isn’t the only time we do our thing it is just the biggest out of every other one. So stop being all mad about it. And yes accidents do happen and some people are injured or killed as it happens in any other part of the world. I would prefer one night at Mardi Gras in New Orleans to 1 night at a random time in Vegas. Casino’s and those stupid shows don’t interest me at all!
Hi I lived in New Orleans most of my teen years I went to school there (And graduated with honors)
and (belated) Happy Mardi Gras !!!!!!!
you are wrong the first Mardi Gras happended in the US at Mobile, Alabama in 1703. Please fix this, Mobile celibrates Mardi Gras every year with at least 30 parades and tons of beads, moon pies, and beer. Woop woop! “Bubba likes moonpie moonpies… Bubba likes MOONPIES” Ahh love that song.
My best memory of Mardi Gras is siiting outside and waiting for Endymion surrounded by family and friends. There was tons of food and it was a gigantic party. Everyone was so friendly and when the parade finally came everyone around me would help me catch stuff. Another memory would be watching the King of Carnival ride by me last year, and high fiving his riding litenaunt.
Even though there is violence in New Orleans, if you know where to avoid it and are smart bout where you are you’ll be fine and have a blast. There’s nothing like Mardi Gras spirt in the air.
All you Alabamians want to take credit for Mardi Gras. This may be true but why was it moved to New Orleans. BECAUSE YOU COUNTRY PEOPLE CANT PARTY LIKE NEW ORLEANS!!!!!!!!!! I was born and raised in New Orleans. I wouldn’t compare Vegas to New Orleans because its on 2 totally different levels. Not saying one is better than the other. There is no city like New Orleans and the same can be said about Vegas.
its easy to party on taxpayers money
I am from New Orleans myself. Before Katrina, my family and I used to participate in the Mardi Gras float parades often. I love the float parades! After we were sent to phoenix, I couldn’t stop thinking about Mardi gra and how flavorful it was. I have never been to a party quite like it yet.
Trashan, Mardi Gras didn’t move to NOLA! They party with the best of the the world in Alabama every season. As a matter of fact, all you party animals, the party was so big in Mobile, it spread into Louisiana and Mississippi and into Pensacola too! Alabam is sharing the fun with everyone around them!! But, in all truth, our city and many others are unique for many reasons…
All the cities mentioned are great but, we spend Mardi Gras away from the tourists and with our families. The family is the center of focus for most natives and all the weird stuff is for the tourists (God love ‘em). It’s all good here. The parades are even family oriented in many locations and if you live here, that’s where many will be. The news and the party stories will be in NOLA. I guess they have a better press agent than the rest of us….no matter, the country boys and girls are taking care of their own and having a good time. Join us one year but don’t bring any guns. We shoot food, not people. Some of y’all have some twisted ideas about shooting people….Bring a Bible for Sunday and a moon pie for Bubba!!! See ya next year.
Love from Alabama,
OMG. People please. I was born in NO. I live in TX now but have been back several times to NO. I was there 13 days prior to Katrina. The hurricane was a horrible catastrophe.HORRIBLE. NO will come back and they have in many ways. Are there ugly parts of NO? Yes. There are ugly parts of Dallas too. But the city is so rich in history and culture. To the person that chose to stay in Baton Rouge over New Orleans, you must not have been down in the French Quarter. If I was single I would not hesitate to move back, I would live in the Vieux Carré, in the heart of the quarter, I would learn to paint or write a book. Mardi Gras is a once a year celebration that everyone in NO looks forward to. I remember going as a child and hope to go once more before I float up to the pearly gates! There is no comparison to NO or LV. They are two different cities, two different life styles. You just can not compare. And Mardi Gras is not really something that tourists can appreciate. It is for New Orleans people, for the locals. Peace all of you. Blessings…..
In response to Richard, I was born and raised in New Orleans and I suggest you read a little more history before you make ignorant comments about who actually lives in the city. The MAJORITY of New Orleanians are home-owning tax paying citizens who learned a long time ago how to make a dollar out of 15 cents. Nobody gives us anything, not even what is owed to us. I’ve never been on welfare, but I can certainly tell you that it isn’t for free. You literally sign your life away because it’s a system designed to keep you in poverty, so most people don’t just arbitrarily choose that life. That isn’t just in New Orleans, either. Any metropolitan city is going to have it’s share of residents on gov’t assistance. If you took the time to learn more, then you wouldn’t blame things on citizens who don’t control the city’s money or power. Besides, how in the world can you visit a place once or twice and think you know something about it? Don’t be so stupid.
Regarding Taxpayer’s comments, you are just as stupid as Richard. Why don’t you READ something before you make blanket statements. If you can’t read, then watch When the Levees Broke. Katrina set a precedent like nothing else in history so don’t disrespect us by comparing it to some common disaster. If you, your family and your friends along with practically everyone else you knew lost everything at the SAME time, who is supposed to help you if your gov’t doesn’t? You pay taxes for 40, 50, and 60 years, but you can only get 3 or 4 years of assistance??? That’s some bullsh*t.. You are stupid, too.
You know, white folks are something else. You sit high and you look low. You base your opinions on tv shows and slanted documentaries, and think you’ve cornered the market on Black history in New Orleans. Stop being so racist and read something else besides a Danielle Steele novel and the Wall Street Journal. Do you understand that people died? The gov’t knew for decades that this was a possibility, but did almost nothing to prevent it? Did we build the levees? Do we work for the Army Corps of Engineers? How are we to blame?
Finally, about Mardi Gras. Some of best childhood memories have happened during Mardi Gras. It’s a time for family, fellowship and fun. Since Katrina, it also means family reunions. I only watch parades if one of my nieces march with their school band. Other than that, I mostly like the Nomtoc Parade (Saturday before Mardi Gras). The route passes by at least 3 of my aunt’s houses, so we roam from house to house eating everything from boiled crawfish to candy apples. I also like the Endymion, Zulu, and the truck parades.
New Orleans is a place that can’t be understood by outsiders. If you think it’s dirty and dangerous and we’re nothing more than common criminals sucking the life out of our economy, then don’t visit, cuz we sure as hell don’t need you in our city. Don’t eat our food, don’t stay in our hotels, and don’t walk down our streets. Leave us the hell alone and go back to where you came from. You’re only interested in Katrina cause there’s money to be made. You are probably a blood sucking leech just like the rest of your counterparts. I wouldn’t wish Katrina on anybody, but it would be fitting if the people like you would go through something similar. I bet you’d be looking for FEMA with a flashlight in the daytime. Some people are so pathetic.
Well said Karen! Well said! But it’s not about race really. It’s about ignorance. And that has no color.
Ahh yes, Mardi Gras is amazing, and cajun people know how to party. I met some warm friendly incredible people.It has been over 20 yrs and it is all permanently in my memory…thanks
HES RIGHT!! MARDI GRAS ROCKS
I LOVE NOLA =]
You are right, Dona. Ignorance does not have a color and I shouldn’t have directed my statements at “white folks” (I’m a bit prejudiced, myself). But, I get very offended with the off-handed comments. Sorry, white people.
Is that suppose to be having fun-that’s all.
I’m from New Orleans, & now I live in a different state. I wanted to come down to Mardi Gras, but couldn’t make it. I wanted to go to Endymion parade. I was “craving” for a king cake, too!
i always wanted to go to the mardi gras and have not made it but if people could party and have fun and laugh and enjoy the time .. that would be great!but when you have to worry about being shot at with stray bullets and poor babies shot it is time to stay home (with the doors dead -bolted ) man times are so sad now we all need to get a grip! on to a good attitude and really trying to get along ..
you go girl (karen hamilton) you rock ! i totally agree with what you said … if people thought as you do … i bet it would be all fun … god bless
Lived here the last 50 of 62 years. I love Mardi Gras and hate to miss it. I too am tired of the NO bashing. Some of it I agree is warranted. I would first like people to imagine (the next time they drive around their own city) 80% being completely destroyed. And not knocked down – but sitting in putrid water for about 5 weeks. The Mississippi Gulf Coast was washed out to sea – the clean up involved bulldozers. 3 of my family lost everything. It was horrible but they made it back – slowly.
The areas that are still hurting are those areas that were primarily rental properties &/or government subsidized. The homeowners did what they could to come back (with and without the help of insurance, FEMA, Church groups, volunteers, habitat, etc.) The renters for the most part are waiting for Uncle Sam to take care of them. The vast majority have had that same Uncle do everything for them for 3 – 4 generations. This is not any different from any other large metropolitan city.
The cities who took in Uncle Sams nieces & nephews want us to take them back. With a large portion of the city unpopulated (with buildings still there) many of the underbelly have returned. Gangs run amuck with little way to control them.
I hate to see the city I love in the condition it is in.
We need Mardi Gras and any respite from the tragedy we suffered. Thanks, I feel much better now…:)
WHAT? Who the hell has PANCAKES at Mardi Gras??
This article is stupid. Mardi Gras isn’t something you describe. You GO to it, not READ about it. I live in the city, and always have. I know it, and this article doesn’t do it justice.
Some facts you don’t really cover well:
Mardi Gras is a Catholic adaption of a pagan holiday.
Beads are NOT currency. At least, not now.
The reason it’s ‘Fat Tuesday’ is because it’s a day of indulgence. You are supposed to have nothing but fun and light sin, because you are going to be so very strict during lent.
Mardi Gras is really only unfortunate if someone steals your things, you get drunk and hurt, or if you spend too much time TRYING to have fun. It’s a time to cut back, and party! You only need a lawn chair, a beer, and a bag for your loot!
I’ve been to New Orleans twice and both right around Mardi Gras. The first was after and it was insane (in a good way) their were so many parties! And recently i went (last week to be exact) to New Orleans and i loved it their were dog parades and even in the outskirts like at least thirty minutes away their were parades. I actually was their volunteering and we had to clean the highway. ha ha
The first Mardi Gras in the US was in Modile, AL its about 145 mile east of NewOleans,LA thay didnt know much about the MS river yet Mobile,AL is 6 years older then NewOleans,LA i think it was 1701 or 02 1699 is close.
The real Mardi Gras goes on in Mobile, AL, where it happened first, but no one really knows that because it’s not very exciting there. The king cakes are way better in Mobile.
I am from Cali and Vegas is awesome. It is a 45min flight and the amount of stuff you can do in one night is awesome. However, I recently moved to LA and this was my first mardi gras. Granted I didn’t go to NO but the city stuff here was fun in itself. My fiance and friends went to NO and up until Monday night they loved it. Tuesday on actual Mardi Gras it was way too crowded and they were ready to go home. I think its awesome people don’t go to school or work bc of it…very different from what I’m used to but it’s so fun everyone should do it once in their life!! I’m going to NO next year!
I Live In New Orleans Right By Canel St.
I Love Madi Gras
I have been to both Mobile and New Orleans Mardi Gras celebrations… I live in Mobile. I work in DOWNTOWN on the parade route.. it’s hell.. but oh so much fun.. I love both.. but prefer New Orleans, mainly because I don’t have to serve beer when I go there..
Lighten up on New Orleans. It’s one of the oldest, most grand and beautiful places I have ever been. It’s a historic city. I’d rather have my tax dollars go to rebuilding and rehabilitating the french quarter than paying out billions to blind wall street bankers who don’t give a shit about me.
come on now..don’t compare las vegas to new orleans..what a joke!!!…come to las vegas during new yrs., super bowl weekend, march madness, MAJIC,CES conventions, and even now nascar…this place is CRAZY!!
I had some of my best times in New Orleans and Mardi Gras while living their prior to Katrina. I now live in Las Vegas. Apology accepted.
new orleans was and always will be a ‘trap’.
sorry, rather be in vegas and i hate that place also.
I live in Baton Rouge and used to love visiting New Orleans, but never during Mardi Gras. Between the local and the tourists who think Mardi Gras is an excuse to do anything, I hate Mardi Gras, Actually for me, the best time is to visit is Lent. Everything is quieter and WAY cheaper.
yes, i have been their and it was nice to party with them.
u must go to mardi gras in saint louis, by far the best for me <33
dont talk shit if you havent been to it yet.
Well, I’m just gonna try to stick to the blog topic and ignore the ignorant statements about Katrina, and how we don’t have the exact culture that the television says that we are supposed to have, and blah, blah, blah.
I love MG, my parents love MG, my grandparents loved MG and my great-grandparents loved MG. While my family are relative newbies in NOLA, (since 1890) we’ve had over 115 years of parades, krew membership and costuming ingraned into our blood. I have the most charming picture of my dad in his page costume taken in 1928, hanging on my wall, (took the pics for K evacuation). I sometimes think how sad it is that most of the country doesn’t have MG.
We all have memories of picnicing on the neutralground pre-parade with their entire family and then afterwards comparing throws and being envious of the kid who stood next to you because he got a spear. We can remember how excited we were when mom got in her long gowns and dad dressed in his tux to go to the balls every year, and how let down we were when we were told that we were going to the mattress ball. How sad it is that most young women in the rest of the country don’t ever have the reality of being a real lady-in-waiting, maid, or queen as we do. Who else can remember being coached to curtsy properly for a king and queen besides Louisiana girls?
And what about our young men? How many guys would happily don white gloves and hose realizing that it is a privlage to be a page or a duke? How many men look forwards to wearing satin,sequins and a mask in public and having people cheer you on for it.
I think how sad it is if I could not have purchased hundreds of dollars of plastic beads to throw for free from the top of a float. To see the face of an 8 yr old light up when they catch that stuffed animal or pair of beads I threw just for them is beyond thrilling. For that matter, to have someone look you in the eye and toss you something and give you the thumbs up when you catch it is a thrill.
I can’t understand why so many people put down our MG when they have never been to one, or for that matter bothered to step outside the tourist filled Quarter to see how the real thing goes. Actually, I just feel sorry for them and think how very, very lucky we are.
Do some more research — Mardi Gras is NOT just held in New Orleans.
We have it here in Galveston, TX (which is recovering so much faster than New Orleans did…and on our own!) and they also have it in Mobile, AL.
Our Mardi Gras was great this year…even after Ike!
id half to say mardi gras is the best thing
Ok…this comment is coming from a Ny native on whether or not Mardi Gras in New Orleans is better than Las Vegas…I have been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans 4 times to date, both pre katrina and post katrina. And have been to Las Vegas as many times and have even gotten married in Vegas. And my opinion is that, you cant compare the two. It is like the saying,” you can’t compare apples to oranges.”
Both places have their own redeeming qualities, and negative as well. But when you look at a place like New Orleans, with the mixing of cultures and the history and architecure of the french quater it is a grand thing to see and do. the food is great if you like that creole food, and the place is an expierience to have said you have done at least once in your life. I loved every moment i was there.
Then there is Vegas. It being a site unto itself to behold is a fun place to party and things never seem to close if you know where to look. I have been to vegas many times and have yet still to see all the things they have going on there.Things are always busy, and the strip is fantastic at night to take in.It really is a non stop party amongst some of the biggest most ornate hotels. I have had just as much fun in Vegas,doing what i did there, as i did in New Orleans for mardi gras.
These two places are not be judged which is best, but rather both visited and taken in for the fun times, and great things to see and do.
I live in Las Vegas and I guess unless you live there you don’t know how wild it gets.
Happy Mardi Gras, everyone!