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One of the famous Mardi Gras Indians, right, appears at a news conference Jan. 6, 2009, in New Orleans.
Whether you have ever set foot in New Orleans during the bacchanalian days building up to Fat Tuesday or not, you have a pretty good idea of what Mardi Gras entails: drinking, parades, beads, Bourbon Street, masks and, yes, some more drinking.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
According to Ronald Lewis, founder and director of the House of Dance and Feathers cultural museum (1317 Tupelo Street), “It’s taken a long time for the outside world to realize that there is much more to Mardi Gras than just the French Quarter. Mardi Gras is what makes the people of New Orleans who we are.”
The beads, beer and Bourbon Street festival is one (very fun) aspect, but the deeper cultural event is what makes Mardi Gras so sacred to locals and visitors who venture beyond the main party. From the folk art of the Mardi Gras Indians to the culinary and family elements, Mardi Gras is not just a top New Orleans event, but one of the great American cultural traditions.
Nowhere are these traditions more apparent than with the Mardi Gras Indians. Tracing their roots back to when Native Americans aided runaway African slaves, these dancers and musicians dress in elaborate “Indian” costumes of hand-sewn beadwork. The costumes take all year to create and are worn only once.
Lewis, who has been involved with the Indians for more than 45 years, says that the costumes “have been handmade by individuals and sewing committees since the 1800s and are among of the best traditional folk art in the United States.”
New Orleans is rightly famous for both its traditional cuisine and its variety of cutting-edge restaurants. But you need not shell out big bucks to sample the local goods. A classic Mardi Gras favorite is king cake and is sold everywhere from corner stores to cafes. It is braided Danish pastry iced in the purple, green and gold of Mardi Gras colors. Hidden in each cake is a miniature plastic baby doll. The person who finds the doll in their cake has to buy the next one.
Parts of the French Quarter can get a little too crowded and too R-rated for kids during the big event. Fortunately, the party actually extends for some 45 blocks along St. Charles Avenue. According to Mark Romig, CEO of the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corp., "The parks along St. Charles are full of blankets and coolers as Mardi Gras and the preceding weeks are an important time for multigenerational family get-togethers and picnics. Plus, St. Charles between First Street and Napoleon Avenue hosts a family-friendly parade where the whole family can cut loose together.”
Year round, you can check out The Louisiana State Museum’s “Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana” exhibit at The Presbytere. No matter what you do, make sure to explore the many dimensions of what is not only the country’s most grand party, but also one of its great cultural treasures.
Lucas Jackson / © LUCAS JACKSON/Reuters/Corbis
New Orleans has reclaimed its vibrancy after Hurricane Katrina and will delight and woo you with its mojo.
More on Itineraries
- New Orleans revs up for Mardi Gras celebration
- What don't you know about New Orleans
- Katrina-battered hotel finally ready to reopen
Leave a Comment:
"beyond beer" - I should hope so. New Orleans is the absolute worst place I've ever been to when it comes to beer selection (you need to pay $10 for a pint of good beer and that's only if you go to Beer Fest). One good local brewery and everything else is bud light - blech.
Which New Orleans did you go to? Not the one I know. An absolute plethora of places to get good beer. Try leaving the French Quarter next time you visit.
I agree john. Probably as much good beer per square mile as anywhere. Do get out of the French Quarter as much as possible so you can see the real NOLA.
What on earth are you talking about? I have lived in the Quarter for 3 years now and the only time i pay that much for drinks are when family and friends visit from out of town and I am obligated to go to Lafittes or Pat O'Briens. Other than the Bourbon street bars, every where else (even in the quarter) is laid back, good drinks and cheap prices. But as the other two comments stated- Do some research and get out when you visit. There are so many great neighborhoods; the Marigny and Bywater are right next door to the Quarter that are vibrant and cool with a plethora of great music and food joints.
I do understand, though, that is is a very polarizing city. You either love it and embrace what this city is or you never EVER want to go back. I came here with my husband from San Francisco on vacation. We wound up looking at apartments, signing a lease and never looking back!
New Orleans is a national treasure. Where else in the country have people done so much to preserve their local culture. The traditions, food, attitude are like nowhere else. This town is one of the warmest, most inviting places I have ever been. There are a**holes everywhere, but they are the exception.
Unfortunately you can see a corporate takeover in parts of the French Quarter. I would much rather patronize the locally owned places. Besides the food and music are much better there.
I'm a native Californian that looks forward to my annual excusion to Jazzfest every year. Only New Orleans can pull off a party like this one. 400,000 people dancing, drinking, listening, eating, drinking and everyone having a good time with minimal BS. Where else can you hear and see so much music for 45 bucks a day? Besides, it's the only place on earth where you can get a mango freeze. Nothing better on a hot afternoon of running between 11 stages of amazing live music.
After the way Washington and so many others treated this town after the storm, I figure every penny I spend when I'm there is well spent.
I love the Mardi Gras Celebration in New Orleans, everything from the parades, the tours (I love walking through the Garden District), the mint, the D-Day museum, and especially the food. I have been a 1/2 dozen times.
I have been only once since Katrina hit and I was truly disappointed with Bourbon Street. Bourbon Street used to be filled with bars with live music; Jazz bands, Blues bands, Zydeco bands, pop, rock, karaoke, etc... Now it is filled with strip bars and overbearing hawkers trying to pull you into the clubs.
Hopefully it will return to it's former glory.
Frenchman Street has far surpassed what Bourbon street used to be. I live in the Quarter, residential section, thank you;) and only go down to Bourbon when I have people coming in for a visit. Head down there next time you are here for a visit! Cheers!
Been there a hundred times. Best folks in the world. Can't wait to go back!
NewOrleans people are great, and lots of fun nightlife/bars, girls are great there and Marti-Graz... BUT...BE CAREFUL..of the N.O.P.D. they are corrupt, they'll get you by "bending the law", can't trust 'em if you had a lot to drink they will find a way to get you on public intox. charges if your walking back to your hotel...they rather pull money out of out-of-towners pockets as opposed to dealing with the city's criminals.