Mardi Gras Question
 

I will be staying at the Sheraton New Orleans for a convention and can arrive either Feb. 4 or Feb. 5 (Fat Tuesday). I know there are parades on Tuesday, but are there any within walking distance of that Sheraton? Thanks for your help!

Yes, the Sheraton on Canal Street is definitely within walking distance to parades on Mardi Gras Day.

Oh, thanks! Do you know about how many blocks I'd need to walk?

Sheraton to French Quarter (0.1 mi/0.1 km)

How far depends on which parades you want to see. If you want to see Rex or the truck parade that follows, I think it might pass right in front of the hotel. I know it goes down St. Charles St (which should be about two blocks away from hotel) and then it turns onto Canal St, goes down a ways and then U-turns back but I can't seem to recall where it ends. I haven't seen a parade downtown in many many years. You should be able to get info, try googling "Arthur Hardy's Mardi Gras Guide" for more info.

Thanks for all the info!

If you're getting in on Monday (Lundi Gras) make sure you get checked into your hotel by 4 PM or so since there are also parades on Monday night (Orpheus, which is Harry Connick, Jr.'s parade).

Enjoy!

I can't leave work too early on Monday so I won't get in to NOLA airport until around 9 pm. Is that going to be a big problem with getting to the Sheraton? The other option is arriving around 10:30 Tuesday morning, but I guess I'd have the same problem getting through to my hotel at that time also. Any suggestions?

Monday will be better than Tuesday. It will be crowded either times so you might as well come Monday and enjoy the fun.

Check out both the Zulu and Rex parades on Tuesday morning. Click for route info:

www.nola.com/mardigras/parades/