I am thinking of going to NO for Mardi Gras this year. How hard is it to get a good view of the parades (especially the weekend right before MG)? My hotel is on Canal street by Canal Place - how far in advance will people be gathering for the parades - will I be able to get a spot nearby or should we plan to move uptown (or are all streets packed to capacity). There are 5 in the family, so I am just trying to get a sense of the logistics of getting around, so we know what to expect. I have seen ads for Grandstand tickets along the parade routes. Is this worth it or will we be able to find a spot? Thanks - any reports from people who have actually done this would be great.

The smaller parades are much easier to get a view of than the larger parades such as Endymion on Saturday and Bacchus on Sunday.
It is less crowded to watch the parades uptown, but may be difficult to get there and back from your hotel due to traffic and street closures.
People gather for hours along the route before a parade. You can always walk the route to find a spot you are comfortable with.
I did the grandstand one time. It was nice to get a good view, but we prefer running around on the ground uptown.

Some people camp out the night before.

However, 2007 crowds should be smaller than normal (larger than the really small 2006 crowds though).

Uptown will be more "family oriented" than right on Canal Street, so that should be a consideration.

Personally, I like Uptown better.

As someone who used to live in NO, I think one Mardi Gra is always enough. They are just huge drunken brawls where folks get hurt, crime in rampant, and grown men and women behave very badly (while in the Superdome and watching the parade coming thru the crowds, a lady got hit with a 'necklace' and put her eye out! Also folks get hurt when they throw the coconuts (certainly don't take little kids. One guy fell of a platform (gay beatuy parade, I think) and the crowds and heat were so thick, the aids/no ambulaces could not get to him. We finally edged to the side street and left. The neighborhood parades (look in the local paper) are much more fun. Of course, only my opinion/

I question whether samting has ever lived in New Orleans.

Mardi Gras is truly a wonderful, local, family-oriented even everywhere except Bourbon Street.

Crime is usually lower because of the "safety in numbers" theory.

You'll have to worry about cold more than the heat, as Mardi Gras 2007 is in February (winter). It can sometimes get rainy and cold that time of year.

Personally, I like when Mardi Gras is later in the year, in March, when it usually is in the 60's or 70's, sometimes 80's if we're lucky. In February, it can range from the 30's to the 70's.

By the way, the coconuts are given away, not thrown...

bkluvsnola: You bet I did, or at least in Kenner...and when most people think Mardi Gra, they think Bourbon street, no? and they DID throw coconuts at that time..maybe they don't now. The first year we were there we rented a hotel room that had a balcony right in the city and enjoyed it from there, the remaining years we went to the neighborhood parades, and sometimes to new Iberia to enjoy it with our country friends.

Samting, you really lived in New Orleans but can't spell "Mardi Gras?" I don't mean to be rude and apologize if you take offense but most locals love the carnival season. I would also expect crowds to be a bit smaller than pre-Katrina but larger than in 2006, when even the Canal Street crowds were tolerable.

My parents in their 60s come every year and love watching the parades on St. Charles.

Well, DAn, you are sort of rude, but you are right about one thing, I can't spell or type. Nevertheless, I am entitled to my opinion, and most of the natives we knew then left for Mississippi during MARDI GRAS (did I get it right that time?). Guess we move in different circles, but that's democracy for ya.

Okay - let's try to help out Polymerpig!

First - a lot depends on what your "famiy of 5" consists of!

Staying on Canal Street is fine, but if you have smaller children you might be uncomfortable watching the big parades on the street level there. It can get crowded and there is going to be some pushing and shoving - just can't escape it completely. ALso, many of those floats are really cool and young kids may not be able to see them. So, getting grandstand tickets might be best. Also, I think the grandstands usually have (????) "pottys" for the guests to use.

Also, as Dan mentioned, the French Quarter (and especially Bourbon Street) is NOT family-friendly at this time. They are great, great fun - but VERY crowded and definitely adult-only!

Now - uptown is GREAT! Very family-friendly, some crowds - but they are more managable, more room to spread out, etc. If you are going to be in NO on Mardi Gras Day - THAT is the place to be with kids! I always loved looking at all the families/groups who were dressed up in coordinating costumes. One year there was the whole collection of Campbell's soups!

As uptowngirl mentioned - getting there and back might be a little tricky, but i think it's do-able - with patience and a sense of humor!

Dan - it's been a long time for me - what's the availability of food/drink/bathrooms on MG day? For other days, we didn't worry about food, but got drinks from the local bars and I usually paid for "access" to the bathroom at the Columns Hotel.

Also Dan, do the parades the weekend before Mardi Gras still have flambeau carriers? My kids were always a little spooked by them if we were too close. I, of course, loved them!

Unfortunately, my kids never got to experience Mardi Gras Day, altho they did lots of other parades. One year, DS#1 woke up that morning with chicken pox, the next year DH had just had surgery and we didn't go. Now, living overseas, I'm just waiting for a year when Mardi Gras is late so that it might coincide with our spring break!!!!

A few years ago, someone (history channel maybe?) put together a nice documentary about Mardi Gras - the history, organizatins, traditions, etc. If you could find it, I think it would really make the whole experience more meaningful! Have fun!

What ages are in the family of 5? If you have younger ones, then you will definitely enjoy uptown (St Charles area) much better than Canal. It'd help to know ages and have some idea of your expectations (ie, partying atmosphere, family atmosphere, etc.). This past year was wonderful. 2007 should be pretty special too, I would think. Enjoy!

Thanks everyone! My kids are older - 19, 17 and 13. They are not particularly there for the party atmosphere - we can watch that at home on the webcams and that's close enough for them! We will be there the weekend right before Mardi Gras itself - from Friday evening to Monday morning (we're basically just going to see the Saturday and Sunday parades). Thanks

OK - first I agree with Sam....once you've seen one you have seen them all...but drinks definately help.

And like many of my friends...Mardi Gras week = "get the hell out of town week"

Anyhow....you should book well in advance to get a good view. You can also purchase tickets to sit in the stands on a variety of the parade routes...and I would highly advise that.

I too have to totally disagree w/samting's assessment of Mardi Gras. I lived there as a kid and my parents took us to most of the big parades every year. The only parade w/coconuts was Zulu and even then (20+ years ago) they HANDED the coconuts down to people from the floats - no throwing. It's been a while since I've been, but we would always get to the parade route an hour early, find a spot, and have a little picnic there on the street while waiting for the parade (love that chicken from Popeyes!).

The smaller parades are easier to view, but the floats often aren't quite as spectacular. Have fun - Mardi Gras is a blast and it's a shame some folks think it's just about drinking and showing your stuff these days.

I do think it's true that many people who live in the suburbs don't appreciate Mardi Gras like the New Orleanians do.