The Ultimate Mardi Gras Checklist
Mardi Gras season is a time of year in New Orleans unlike any other! From parades to masquerade balls, and everything in between, there is so much to do, see, smell, hear, and taste. To try it all, check out our Mardi Gras Challenge List below! Let us know how it goes by submitting your scores through our Contact Page.
Disclaimer: Don't drink and drive. Don't accept drinks from strangers. Know your limits; don't consume more alcohol than you personally can handle. DRINK RESPONSIBLY.
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1. Wear a Mardi Gras Masquerade Mask Out (+3 Points)
Come on! Its Mardi Gras, embrace the festivities! Plus, everyone looks cool in a Masquerade mask.
Going out in Mardi Gras masks.
2. eat Raw Oysters (+1 Point)
Seafood is kind of a big deal in Southern Louisiana...actually, all food is a kind of big deal in Southern Louisiana.
Oysters being shucked on Magazine Street in New Orleans.
3. Get on a Parade Float (+10 Points)
This one will be tough. You're going to have to charm the heck out of the Krewe members, but the payoff will be legendary.
Mardi Gras parade float rolling through Uptown in New Orleans.
4. Swing Dance with a random guy or girl (+3 Points)
Make your way to Frenchmen Street and show off your skills.
5. Spot an Alligator (+5 Points)
You'll likely have to leave the city limits to find one. But if you're not from the South, this adventure is totally worth it.
Alligator spotting at the swamps near New Orleans.
6. Eat King Cake (+2 Points)
This is the most celebrated treat of the season. Just make sure if you get the baby that you buy the next King Cake...or else!
The famous King Cake of Mardi Gras.
7. Take a Picture sitting on a Mardi Gras Ladder (+4 Points)
This is one of the most interesting traditions of Mardi Gras. They're everywhere! Ask someone politely if you can use theirs.
Catching beads from on top of the Mardi Gras ladders.
8. Spot a celebrity (+2 Points; +8 Points if you talk to them)
Hint: they tend to be found in the larger parades.
9. Wear a costume on Mardi Gras Day (+5 Points)
DO IT! JUST DO IT! No pressure, BUT DO IT!
Dressing up in a costume on Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans.
10. Have a meal that only Consists of Fried Foods (+2 Points)
Let's be real, you didn't come to Mardi Gras to be healthy...
11. Catch a Parade Throw other than Beads (+1 Point)
Dude...beads are way too easy. Lets see you catch something good...
Two throws caught during a Mardi Gras parade.
12. Get on a balcony overlooking a parade (+7 Points)
Who doesn't want the best seat in the house? Find a way to watch the celebration from above!
Hanging out on a Mardi Gras parade viewing balcony.
13. Drink a Hand Grenade (+1 Point)
Not a literal hand grenade...duh! Pop into Tropical Isle and grab one of these ice cold beverages.
Hand Grenades at the Tropical Isle in New Orleans.
14. Drink a Daiquiri (+1 Point)
Its about a 50:50 chance it'll be hot out, and nothing feels more refreshing.
15. Eat a Po-Boy (+1 Point)
It's not a sandwich or a hoagie or whatever else. Its a Po-Boy!
A po-boy is an absolute must while in New Orleans.
16. (Consensually) Kiss someone in a parade (+3 Points)
Let's emphasize the consensual part. That being said, a lot people are feeling pretty adventurous during Mardi Gras.
17. Swim in a bayou or swamp (+4 Points)
Just watch out for alligators!
Hiking in the swamps near New Orleans.
18. Drink a Hurricane (+1 Point)
If you want to go big on this one, hit up Pat O'Briens.
19. Ride the New Orleans Streetcar (+2 Points)
This is New Orleans' city-wide public transportation, and its extremely cheap!
New Orleans public transportation.
20. Attend a Mardi Gras Ball (+9 Points)
It may cost a little extra, but it's sure to be a night unlike any other.
21. Attend a crawfish boil (+4 Points)
If you're looking for something truly Southern Louisianan, eat some crawfish. Also, if its not already, your mouth should be watering.
Chowing down on a box of crawfish during a Mardi Gras tailgate.
22. Meet someone with a Yat Accent (+2 Points)
You'll know it when you hear it. It's like Brooklyn meets the South.
23. Convince a street performer to pay you (+5 Points)
Should make for an interesting conversation.
A street performance in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
24. Buy any paraphernalia with the word "DAT" on it (+3 Points)
Because like...Who DAT be messin' with the Saints? Ya know?
25. Listen to Live Jazz (+2 Points)
You can totally do this while completing that swing dance challenge! Plus, you know you totally wanted good music when you came to NOLA.
Live music at the Spotted Cat on Frenchmen Street.
26. Drink a Sazerac (+1 Point)
This is the Official Cocktail of New Orleans.
27. Buy a round of shots for a bachelor or bachelorette party (+8 Points)
This kind of group is not hard to come by in New Orleans...
The party keeps going after the Mardi Gras parades on Bourbon Street.
28. Get called into a street performance (+4 Points)
There are SO MANY street performers in the French Quarter. If you try hard enough, this shouldn't be too difficult.
29. Eat a beignet at Café Du Monde (+1 Point)
Its just iconic, and you get the view of Jackson square right there. Not much to complain about.
Besides King Cake, Beignets are must eat while visting New orelans for Mardi Gras.
30. Play Craps at Harrah's (+2 Points)
A craps table that's hitting might have even more energy than the streets of Mardi Gras...which is seriously no easy feat.
Harrah's Casino, New Orleans.
Let us know your Challenge list score!
IMPORTANT NOTICE: YOU MUST BE AGE 21 OR OLDER TO COMPLETE THIS FORM.
