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Maggie’s Marti Gras trip

Geno C.

Dirty Carnie
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Oct 24, 2007
    7,048
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    Wautoma, WI
    So my wife tells me that her spring break is the same time as Mardi Gras. She asked if I knew anyone down there that would give suggestions as to where to go, what to do and if it would be a good idea to take our 2 boys or not. They’ll be about 7 and 12 then.

    I know there’s a couple guys on here that are from that area that would have the answers.

    So let me know what you got.
     
    I'm no expert but we went a few months ago and had a great time.

    Things I enjoyed - The streetcars (day pass is cheap), Riverfront area in general, the mint/jazz museum, the old cemeteries, aquarium, ferry ride across the river to Algiers. The streetcars take you just about anywhere you want to go, and one line runs through the historic homes district, which is kind of cool.

    Must see - World War II Museums (allocate a day)

    Good eats - Oceana, Cochon Deli
    Meh Eats - Mother's

    Bourbon Street was OK for a quick visit, but too much noise and too many drunks to suit me.

    Preservation Hall - a ripoff

    http://www.oceanagrill.com/
    RTA app - http://www.norta.com/Getting-Around/NEW-GoMobile
    https://www.nationalww2museum.org/
    https://cochonbutcher.com/
    https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/aquarium
    https://louisianastatemuseum.org/
    https://louisianastatemuseum.org/museum/new-orleans-jazz-museum-old-us-mint
     
    Last edited:
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    Skip Bourbon Street and NOLA in general and go to a small town like New Iberia (a hop, skip and jump from the Tabasco sauce factory on Avery Island. Unless you want your kids to see crap that you really don’t want them to see avoid NOLA at all costs, the small town Maddie Gras celebrations are an entirely different experience and very family friendly.
     
    Check out Covington and Abita Springs across the lake. Got an aunt in Abita Springs. Abita brewing has good beers.
    Over towards Bogeybrown there is a great warship museum in Mobile. Kids would probably dig it.
    Lots of good stuff and fun to be had.

    Having been to NOLA during MG I will not go back. I too do not like crowds and crowds of annoying drunks are worse.

    Exceptions will be made for my SH brethern at the Spring Fling 2019 at Tuckers place. We will be rowdy and drinking a good bit!
     
    They are in for a helluva surprise when we all start rolling in around May 1st for the party.......

    Of course we know anyone from NJ (or was raised there....) is a giant LDMF and they wint know how to stop us. The sheriff and his deputies will respond and join in all the redneck fun instead of chasing us off.

    Enjoy the mall and all the pimple faced teenagers and their BO.
     
    Geno, when you come to Louisiana, you will have food like you've never had before. There is nothing like the Louisiana Cajun cuisine. I've been to many places around the country, but I can't wait to get back home so I can have some real food.

    If you make it to Lafayette, make sure you eat at Prejeans (pronounced Pray-Johns). Nothing like eating dinner to a live Zydeco band. I recommend the crawfish enchilada. It's disgustingly good. But I think everything is excellent.

    https://prejeans.com/



    Ok, Tucker, I've never seen that before. I enjoyed the shit out of it. And that's coming from a Louisiana boy.
     
    Last time I was in NOLA I was disappointed in most of the restaurants we tried. The reason was we had a fellow with us that use to work in that industry in NOLA and he took us to the “trendy” spots. The food was all fusion and I hate fusion. When we went to a good old authentic Cajun joint the food was excellent.
     
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    Reactions: Tucker301
    Plenty of historical suggestions above.
    Cafe Du Monde in the mornings.
    We enjoyed Oak Alley Plantation nearby.
    City of the dead ect.

    FYI, unless you enjoy 10k drunken idiots try to hit on/give beads to your wife don't be on Bourbon St later in the evening.

    R
     
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    Reactions: Geno C.
    Hi,

    If you all decide to actually do Mardi Gras in NOLA...then do NOT bring your boys!!!
    If you are looking for a family Mardi Grad atmosphere then that would be Mobile Alabama but if you are looking for a Louisiana Mardi Gras atmosphere "acceptable" to children then I suggest the Boat parade in Mandeville and as mentioned already some of the parades in Covington.
    If you hit NOLA then take your wife to a nice dinner at Mr.Bs and have the BBQ shrimp. Also since your in the entertainment industry you will want to stay at Hotel Monteleone and visit the carousel bar they have. People wait just for a sit at the carousel but it is worth it just to say you have done it type thing lol.
    If you hit Covington then make sure you visit The Chimes and get the fried bowtie pasta with spinach artichoke dip.

    jazz-carousel.jpg


    Sincerely,
    Theis
     
    Lots of good stuff guys! Thanks! She has a couple different spots in the running.

    That carousel bar is awesome! Our club in Florida has the upper part of the bar done like that on carousel scenery and lights. Not in the original circle though.
     
    boggie is in the know, for sure also.

    geno, i went during madi and some way off weekend that i dont remember.
    mardi gras was too much, way way too much, and im no prude, dude
    the off weekend i could have sworn was madi gras but it wasnt number 11 like madigras and a tad more in the eve than what i would have kids around for