Louisiana · 4 days · about 140 miles

Mardi Gras: New Orleans and Cajun Country

Parade-route grand hotels and bayou country.

Carnival season peaks in the days before Fat Tuesday. Stay grand in New Orleans for the parades, then drive west to Lafayette for the country Courir de Mardi Gras and Cajun music.

Official event site: New Orleans Mardi Gras

Where to stay, night by night

1. Stop 1 · 2 nights

   New Orleans, LA

   Grand hotels near the French Quarter and parade routes.

   Our pick: The Roosevelt New Orleans

   Also worth a look: Hotel Peter and Paul

   Boutique inns in New OrleansPrivate homes on Vrbo

2. Stop 2 · 1 night

   Lafayette, LA

   The heart of Cajun Mardi Gras.

   Our pick: Juliet Hotel

   Boutique inns in LafayettePrivate homes on Vrbo

3. Stop 3 · 1 night

   Garden District, New Orleans, LA

   Right on the St. Charles Avenue parade route.

   Our pick: The Pontchartrain Hotel

   Boutique inns in Garden DistrictPrivate homes on Vrbo

When to go

February or early March; Fat Tuesday moves each year with Easter.

Check exact dates and tickets on the New Orleans Mardi Gras page before you book.

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