Mardi Gras Weekend in New Orleans


I've visited New Orleans a couple times before (for a bachelorette party and then a long weekend getaway to celebrate K's birthday, which turned out to be Southern Decadence weekend so that was an unexpected amount of fun people watching).



This trip was completely different from the rest. K happened to have a weekend conference so I tagged along not really registering that it was the beginning of Mardi Gras in NOLA. While he worked the conference on Saturday, I met up with Missy for some day parades which I shared in this post.



I enjoyed the day parades but didn't stay out late into the night to witness some of the shenanigans typically associated with Mardi Gras. (Not being judgemental at all because I used to be able to party til all hours of the morning).


K and I were up early on Sunday and walked over to Bourbon Street around noon to do some souvenir shopping and strolled around before the Barkus Parade (which is the Mardi Gras Dog Parade).



The Parade was a little delayed so K and I stopped at Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop (one of the oldest bars in Nola since the 1700's) and I found my favorite beer, Abita Strawberry brewed in New Orleans.


The Barkus parade was adorable even though it was so packed we really couldn't get a good view of all the dogs parading in cute costumes.


 

After Barkus, we caught some Mardi Gras floats driving by with people throwing beads everywhere.


 
We ended the fun at Cats Meow, which either has a decent band playing at night or some horrible Karaoke during the day. We got the latter but both are worthwhile entertainment.


 That wraps up this spontaneous but fun-filled trip to NOLA.

Happy Friday!

11 comments

  1. Oh how fun. Looks like quite a lovely time.

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  2. I am so glad you had a great visit and got your Strawberry Abita! It was so fun meeting you. Have a great weekend!

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  3. Loving all the bright colors from Mardi Gras in your pics!! The Barkus parade looked adorable!

    Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams

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  4. Hey at least you got some sort of Carnival! Looks so fun!

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  5. Oh my gosh, really his trip worked out perfectly so you could get to enjoy some of the Mardi Gras fun, your smiles say at all!

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  6. I have always thought about going down there for Mardi Gras, but I dont think I could hang! It looks like so much fun. Strawberry Abita is delicious!

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  7. The Barkus parade is my kind of Mardi Gras festivity. I love that you did that!! :)

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  8. what a fun trip! i also cannot resist dogs in costumes. the cutest. and looks like it was some great weather. cant beat it!
    xoxo cheshire kat

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  9. Great trip! Missy + dogs + quick weekend away = awesome

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