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DEL.ICIO.USMake your way to Mardi Gras
New Orleans vs. Mobile?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s Mardi Gras time again, but where do you go to “laissez les bon temps roullex”? If “letting the good times roll” is just an excuse to get your kit off among a throng of drunken strangers, then head on down to New Orleans’ Bourbon Street for your beads and booze. But if you don’t plan to audition for the next Girls Gone Wild vid, you do have options.
New Orleans is famous for its weeks-long Fat Tuesday parties, but Mobile, Ala. holds claim to our country’s first Mardi Gras madness way back in 1703. Apparently, a bunch of French soldiers on the mend from yellow fever painted their faces and ran crazily around to celebrate. That celebration became a yearly ritual, and more than 100 years later, Mardi Gras floats were rolling through the streets of Mobile and New Orleans on the run-up to Lent.
Mobile’s Mardi Gras is often considered the family alternative to a wild, raucous New Orleans fest. But New Orleans natives say the true, family-friendly Mardi Gras spirit is found in its many parades and parties throughout the city and its suburbs. In fact, they don’t consider Bourbon Street the real Mardi Gras at all. Major parades don’t even go through the French Quarter.
Both cities offer dozens of parades in the weeks before Ash Wednesday, with brilliant floats, costumed revelers and tons of “throws” for the parade watchers. Purple, gold and green beads are coveted throws, and Mobile is known for throwing spectators an especially sweet treat - Moon Pies.
If you’re thinking of heading down, check out these sites for Mardi Gras info, parade routes and schedules in New Orleans and Mobile. And remember to let the good times roll!
Which city do you prefer for Mardi Gras? Where’s the best place to stay? Do you have a favorite parade or route? Have you been to any of the elaborate balls that accompany the Mardi Gras parades? Tell us about your Mardi Gras trips.
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By Lagert
January 23, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
See y’all in the big easy………..
By MrHughes
January 23, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
I agree… New Orleans is the only place to go for Mardi Gras. Been 4 times and looking to go back in the near future. Most people don’t know the real Mardi Gras in New Orleans. What you see on TV is pretty far from what Mardi Gras actually is. That’s mostly drunk college kids that would do the same at Panama City or Freaknik. What happens in the Quarter is completely different from what happens on the actual parade routes. I’ve been in the Quarter a few times during the busiest time and that was more than enough for me. On the parade routes you see lots of families and these cool makeshift seats made on ladders to give smaller children a higher vantage point for catching beads. The real Mardi Gras is dressing up or checking out the costumes on Mardi Gras day. The real Mardi Gras is laughing about the age differences between the Kings and Queens of Rex and Zulu. The real Mardi Gras is catching so many beads and stuffed animals that you end up deciding what to keep and leave behind. The real Mardi Gras is camping out for a spot on the parade route for Endymion or checking out the cool floats in Harry Connick Jr’s parade Orpheus. The real Mardi Gras is having cold Popeyes on Mardi Gras day with red beans and rice. The real Mardi Gras is meeting up with friends on the parade route or at Cafe du Monde for benigets and cafe au lait. If you do go to the Quarter, go to Jackson Square, grab a hurricane at Pat O’s, or a Hand Grenade on Bourbon Street, and check out some jazz at Preservation Hall. That’s the real Mardi Gras… not what they try to sell on the Girls Gone Wild videos.
By Eleanor
January 23, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Mobile is our favorite place for Mardi Gras.We went last weekend to the parades and had a blast. We have done both New Orleans and Mobile Mardi Gras. Mobile is much more fun, easier to navigate and it is very safe! Whole family can have a great time at the parades. Nightlife is amazing on Dauphin Street, so don’t think that you can’t find a party there too. We’re going back all next week! Parades start again in Mobile TOMORROW and continue every day until the big bash on Fat Tuesday! The Sunday before Fat Tuesday is one of our favorite days to go. The locals call it Joe Cain Day and it is an all day blast! I found Mobile’s entire parade schedule at this cool website www.mobilebay.org/
By Eleanor
January 23, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
Link in the comment above about Mobile didn’t work for some reason. Here is the link again www.mobilebay.org Go to the Visitors section and click on the Mardi Gras selection.
By Cassie
January 23, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
We were just in NO this past weekend - in time to catch one of the pre mardi gras parades. The Quarter is actually nicer than the last time I was there, in 1999!
Seriously sad to see all the people living under the Canal Street and I10 Overpass.
By MrLiberty
January 23, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
RIO !
By E
January 23, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
I’ve been to both several times. I have family in Mobile and went to college in New Orleans. Mardi Gras in Mobile is for families, no flashing,fights or hundreds of drunks walking around. All about catching beads and Moon Pies. New Orleans is all about wildin’ out, getttin drunk and trying to see what women will show for some beads. It’s a non stop party until midnight on Fat Tues. As soon as the clock hits 12, NOPD kicks everybody off Bourbon St and the streesweepers move in.
By Lucille Willoughby
January 23, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Until NO gets a handle on its murder rate, which is worse now than before the hurricane—which is saying something—anyone with kids and/or anything to lose needs to think twice before going to Mardi Gras.
By Margaret
January 23, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
My family likes Galveston instead.
By sportsmommy
January 23, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
It’s all about Mobile, baby!
By Cassie
January 23, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Lucille -
Like I said, we were just there. I saw no violence, no theft (unlike the last time) and everyone was cordial and happy to see you. I only saw the police twice.
Of course, there were plenty of drunks but lots of folks were out for the parade with their kids….very friendly crowd.
By Pat Ward
January 23, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
I lived in Mobile for 25 years, I love Mobile’s family oriented Mardi Gras, I also enjoyed the all out par-tay of the New Orleans too. It all depends on who you go with, and what you want to do. They both have their advantages and drawbacks.
By Al
January 23, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
It’s all about Mobile baby! Mobile’s Mardi Gras has something for everyone regardless of age, gender, finances, family size/type. You have the parades, the coronations, the balls, the Navy ship, the amusement fairs, and ALL
By Tim
January 23, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Moonpies and Mardi Gras! Nothing beats the boom-boom in Mobile! You can have New orleans. I prefer the more intimate feel of the Port City any day!
By Al
January 23, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
You don’t have to go to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras,you just have more people in New Orleans than Mobile.You can navigate better in Mobile and you will have a great time,its quite an experience.
By Kevin
January 23, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Mobile is the original and the best. I’ve been going (so I’m being told since I was three weeks old!! It’s fun for the whole family without the worry of violence and drunkards. Easy to get in and out.
By Tim
January 23, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Moonpies and Mardi Gras! Nothing beats the boom-boom in Mobile! You can have New orleans. I prefer the more intimate feel of the Port City any day!
By Eve
January 23, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Mobile Baby!! FUN! FUN! FUN! Started there over 15 years ago and never stopped. They’re family friendly and the balls are both eloquent and fun. Danced the night away. GO MOBILE!!!!
By Patrick
January 23, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Mobile’s is better because of the moonpies, it’s cleaner, it’s easier to get around, it’s cheaper, and it’s a lot safer. And if you need to get drunk and see some boobs, go to the Dauphin Street bars and clubs (Mobile’s Bourbon Street).
Only thing that makes New Orleans’ Mardi Gras better are the food and celebrities in the parades. Only celebrities that come to Mobile for Mardi Gras are AfroMan or Jimmy Buffett.
By Miss Roux
January 23, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Born and raised in Mobile, the ORIGINAL Mardi Gras. Parents and family have been involved in Mobile Crewe’s going on 25 years. If you want trash, go to New Orleans. If you want fun and festivities with plenty to do, head to Mobile. It’s a great time, and the city welcomes all carnival lovers with open arms!
By Michael
January 23, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
There is no other than New Orleans. I have been to Mobile; but it is so homogenous, it becomes boring. New Orleans offers the plethora of activites depending on your desires. You can beat cooking jambalaya and other culinary delights on the neutral surrounded by families and ladders stretching as far as the eye can see!
By R White
January 23, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
I was born and raised in Mobile. Our Mardi Gras is more family oriented and fun can be had by all. I have also been to the one in the NO. We went with a group of friends, no kids. We saw it all, boobs, beads, drunks, but we had a great time. In Mobile, safety is first. You may be standing next to an undercover cop and never know it. Every year we return, we have been going since i was 3 yo.
By JP
January 23, 2008 10:35 PM | Link to this
Bourbon Street is NOT the real Mardi Gras..
Incidentally, the author has misspelled the traditional French greeting: it’s Laissez les bons temps rouler!.
By JP
January 23, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
250,000 also go to Galveston each year, so it’s not just Mobile.
Heck, there’s an authentic Krewe in Austin, Texas for goodness’ sakes! Why not Atlanta?
By Damian Szuch
January 24, 2008 5:26 PM | Link to this
New Orleans , Hands Down, I have been there for mardi gras 6 times ,and its safer, better,and more fun than it was before katrina. But the only way tell for your self is to go.
By adam
January 24, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
mobile #1 it was the 1st and is the best NO is fun but not for familys And for the person who is in galvingston i would not even get as close as ark to yur state or yur pres. welcome to my south
By Joe Cain
January 29, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
I grew up in Mobile, Mom was in a Mystic Society (what we call “Krewes”), and now I’m in one. We go every year. I did NO in college and loved it for the experience that it was, but Mobile has just as much to offer. Dauphin street can get a little crazy, the balls are fantastic, and you can actually enjoy the people that you go with. It’s whatever you want to make of it, and I love it every year.
Laissez les bon temp rouler!