Stupid Simple Guide to Visiting New Orleans Mardi Gras 2020

Figuring out how to spend your time while you’re in New Orleans for Mardi Gras 2020 can be daunting. Luckily we’ve been there, done that, so you don’t have to. We’ve gotten a list together of everything to do, see, and eat while you’re in New Orleans.

What to Do

Choosing between all the things to do in New Orleans can be a bit of a headache, especially if you don’t have a lot of time. We’ve put together a more comprehensive list of Must Do’s while you’re in New Orleans. 

WW2 museum

We didn’t get to do this one but it’s on my list. The tours are led by actual WWII Veterans and that honestly won’t get to happen for very much longer. Everyone we talked to said that the WWII museum was an absolute MUST, but it does take an entire day to go through the whole thing in its entirety. 

Hop on hop off bus tour

The hop on hop off bus tour was a great way to see the city. We got to get on and off at any of the stops as many times as we wanted and it included walking tours of the Garden District.

Garden District

The Garden District in New Orleans is the calm part of New Orleans. There you can stroll along the sidewalks and hit vintage stores and grab a divine donut at District Donuts. The entire place is filled instagram worthy content. Make sure to take the walking tour from your hop on hop off bus tour. It’ll take you by the house they used to film the Coven season of American Horror Story!

French quarter

I feel like this one goes without saying. That’s why everyone shows up to the Big Easy. It’s extremely packed at night and can be super sketchy, but it’s definitely worth doing it at least one night. 

 

Free Tours By Foot

 

We did our St. Louis Cemetery #1 tour with Free Tours by Foot and they were great. The tours are free and you just pay what you feel the tour was worth to you. They offer tours all over the United States and Europe so they’re definitely worth checking out while you’re in the Big Easy!

 

Where to Eat

Choosing where to eat can also be a struggle. We’ve compiled the top places to eat down in New Orleans. You can check out the full post here.

The Gumbo Shop

The Gumbo Shop is definitely one of our favorites in New Orleans. Make sure to get the Chicken and Andouille Sausage Gumbo. It’s way better than the seafood!! It was opened in the 1920s by the Porpora family, it was then sold to the Roberts family in the 1960’s. The Roberts family ran The Gumbo shop until around 2008 when they sold it to Hicham Khodr.

TIPS: Go at an odd time. It’s insanely packed around the lunch and dinner crowds (and by packed we mean lines down the street!!) We went around 3:30 in the afternoon and there were maybe two parties in front of us.

 

It’s first come first serve. There are no reservations here and they don’t take your name at the hostess stand. They will simply call for the next party that will fit the table they have available!

 

Cafe Du Monde

Cafe Du Monde is THE spot to get beignets in the French Quarter and it’s been the go to coffee spot since 1862!! The cafe is typically packed so once you’re there just know that any table that someone isn’t sitting at is fair game (even if it hasn’t been cleared by the wait staff. They’ll clear it when you sit down)

 

The Ruby Slipper

The Ruby Slipper is such a good breakfast spot. It’s tucked in between two shops and you’ll miss it if you aren’t paying attention! You have to try the peacemaker, it’s your choice of any two of their eggs benedict that you would like to try. They also have really good alcoholic beverages. I had the Boozy Iced Coffee and Courtney had their signature Ruby Slipper Mimosa! We made friends with the table beside us and they ordered the Brandy Milk Punch which he said was to die for. (keep in mind that in New Orleans you can get your alcoholic drinks TO GO!!)

 

You can take a glimpse at their menu HERE.

 

Click HERE to find their Location.

 

TIPS: Get there early or it gets crazy! We got there right at 8 on Monday morning, and as we were leaving the whole place was packed!

 

Get a boozy drink to go!!

Check out these other posts to help you on your way while you’re in the Big Easy!

If you have any extra time while you’re celebrating, you should check out the attraction passes of New Orleans here.

 

If you’re on a budget like most of the people in the world, check out this post to help you stay within your means and still have money to do everything you want to do while you’re enjoying your stay in New Orleans.