DW and I will be in New Orleans on 2/16 and want to take in the parades on St. Charles that evening. I have found that 1 Krewe is scheduled at 5:45 and 2 additional Krewes for 6: 30. (same time?)
We've never been to these parades before and wonder how long they last, whether the area around St. Charles and Napoleon would be a good viewing spot (post parade dinner at Manale's?), and which side of St. Charles the parades travel. What time of day should we get there? And, I assume the cable cars shut down during the parades, so do people also stand in the greenbelt?
I know, lots of questions. Any info appreciated.
New Orleans Carnival parades on 2/16
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Raider -
The area around St. Charles and Napoleon has always been my favorite for watching parades. I really don't remember what side they are on (closest to the river, I think), but there will be people everywhere!
As for how long they last - I guess that depends on if they really get started on time. But with 3 parades basically taking the same route, it could be a while.
in New Orleans, the celebration is Mardi Gras, not Carnival. And there are no cable cars, there are trolleys along the waterfront and on St. Charles. Don't recall if the trolleys still operated; tend to doubt it - too many idiots who would play in traffic.
The streetcars along St. Charles Ave and Canal Street/Canal Blvd are restricted during Mardi Gras parades. They do not run during the parades but generally start up again as soon as the parades are done.
Technically, "Carnival" refers to the whole celebratory season, which officially starts Jan 6 (King's Day). While Mardi Gras is also commonly used to refer to this period, it actually refers to Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday.
Raider, that's a Thursday night which is truly one of the best parade nights. Muses rolls that night and it is one that many think is the best parade of all.
The corner of St. Charles and Napoleon is all families and college kids. Very pleasant. The corner is crowded though. We usually go a few blocks toward downtown from there. There's a New Orleans Hamburgers right around there that has a bar and it's less crowded about 2 blocks away. The parades take a while could easily be 3 hours. Don't miss Muses. The others are ok, but Muses is really fun. Muses starts way uptown so it will take a while to get there. Patricia Clarkson is this year's honorary Muse. As far as dinner plans, well it's hard to plan. Not sure I would make a reservation before 8:30. Regarding the "green belt" known locally as the neutral ground, yes people stand there. One other tip, don't think about taking a car Uptown parking is ridiculous even if you know where to go. Cab it and get there around 5 or so.
Big Russ, FYI we call the "trolleys" streetcars and we call the season Carnival. Mardi Gras is the last day of Carnival. Carnival is well underway.
Thanks BKD. Just the info I was looking for. Mea culpa for the cable car reference but I knew I had read that the season was Carnival.