New Orleans: A Guide to the Best Local “Krewe” Parades Beyond Bourbon Street

The Big Easy Mardi Gras is frequently misconceived as nothing more than the madness of the French Quarter but the key of it all is the residential areas. Going uptown or to Mid-City, one can see a more real party with families bringing ladders, grills and picnic baskets. Here is the shift of wild partying to the culture-bound community tradition where such organizations as Endymion and Bacchus present amazing art on big scale. The processions present an opportunity to receive generous throws without being trampled by tourist masses as is the case downtown. You get to the real heart of the carnival season by going to the outskirts, and it is characterized by the warmth of the South and generations of local life.

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Experience Authentic Neighborhood Mardi Gras

To truly understand the carnival spirit, you must attend a Neighborhood Mardi Gras. Practices such as the Krewe of Thoth are planned to pass through hospitals and care facilities making everyone share the joy. The atmosphere here is intimate and riders tend to maintain eye contact and give out certain treasures to the audience and this gives them a sense of community, which cannot be shared in the tourist areas.

Choosing a Family Friendly Route

For those traveling with children, the uptown stretch of St. Charles Avenue is the ultimate Family Friendly Route. The neutral lawn is transformed into a huge, secure picnic area in which children can run around with beads without any fear. It is a great contrast to the adult-filled mood in downtown, making it a healthy and unforgettable experience to both young and old.