Mardi Gras - New Orleans
There’s no better time to experience New Orleans than Mardi Gras, when the city bursts with color, music, and celebration. Parades roll through the streets, costumes shine in every direction, and the energy is unforgettable.
We’ll savor iconic Creole flavors, join the crowds along the parade routes, and dive deeper into the culture with a guided foodie tour — tasting gumbo, po’boys, pralines, and more while uncovering the traditions behind each dish. One evening, we’ll mix up cocktails and mocktails with a New Orleans mixologist, learning the stories behind the city’s most iconic drinks. And of course, we’ll spend a night wrapped in live jazz at one of the city’s classic music spots — the kind of place where the music hits your soul in the best way.
We’ll also slip into the city’s mysterious side with a nighttime ghost walk through the French Quarter and a visit to one of New Orleans’ historic cemeteries — where stories of spirits, folklore, and centuries‑old legends bring the city’s haunted charm to life.
We celebrate and toast with new friends — dancing together along the parade routes, sharing stories over seafood boils, laughing through late‑night adventures, and creating the kind of memories that only happen when a group comes alive in a place built for joy.
Ready to discover the New Orleans of folklore, music, mystery, celebration, and unforgettable new connections.
Come solo and meet like-minded adventurers. Rally your friend group out of the group chat. Travel as a couple. However you show up, your trip will be unforgettable. Can’t make the posted dates? Reach out—we’ll help make it happen.
Curious but want to connect first? We get it—travel is personal. If you’d like to chat with the host, ask questions, or just hear a real voice behind the adventure, reach out anytime. WhatsApp: +1 314 440 8033 Email: roamwithmetravel@outlook.com We’re happy to hop on a call and talk it through.
Trip Highlights
Iconic Mardi Gras Parades
Cultural Immersion
Local Specialties
Excursions
What's Included?
From French Quarter Charm to
Mardi Gras Energy
Day 1 - 2
Typical accommodations: The Quisby or similar
Day 1
Arrive in the Big Easy and settle into our hotel in the heart of the city. In the evening, we’ll gather for a festive welcome dinner — the perfect chance to meet your fellow travelers, toast the adventure ahead, and soak up the first taste of New Orleans’ magic.
After dinner, enjoy a leisurely walking tour of the French Quarter, where gas lamps glow, balconies overflow with music, and every corner hums with energy.
Day 2
We’ll kick off the day with a guided walking tour of the French Quarter, uncovering hidden courtyards, jazz history, and Creole charm.
By afternoon, Mardi Gras magic takes over as the Krewe of Bacchus parade rolls through — we’ll be right in the thick of the celebration, surrounded by music, floats, and flying beads, soaking up every throw and cheer.
Evening: The night is yours to enjoy at your own pace — whether that’s a quiet dinner, a stroll through the Quarter, or simply resting after the parade. For those who want to keep the celebration going, your trip leader will host an optional outing to a local jazz hotspot, where brass bands and cocktails (or mocktails) keep the spirit alive.
Bayous, Bites &
Ghostly Nights
Day 3
Wake up ready for adventure — today we go beyond the parades and dive into the soul of New Orleans. From Louisiana’s wild bayous to sizzling kitchens and shadowy streets, this day is packed with culture, flavor, and unforgettable stories.
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Optional Morning: Glide through cypress groves on a Swamp & Bayou Tour, spotting alligators, birdlife, and the untamed beauty of Louisiana.
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Midday: Taste your way through the French Quarter on a Food Walking Tour, sampling gumbo, po’boys, pralines, and more while uncovering the traditions behind each dish.
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Evening: Step into the city’s mystical side with a Haunted History Tour, explore voodoo shops, or opt for a palm or tarot reading. For those who want to keep the night festive, join an optional bar crawl through hidden speakeasies and cocktail lounges.
✨ Day 3 is all about adventure, flavor, and mystery — the perfect blend of New Orleans’ wild side and its legendary charm.
Day 4
The grand finale is here — Fat Tuesday! Today belongs to Rex, the King of Carnival, and the city erupts in color, music, and tradition. This is the parade that defines Mardi Gras, with dazzling floats, royal pageantry, and the proclamation that sets the tone for the entire celebration.
The morning begins at your own pace — breakfast, a little shopping for beads and masks, or simply soaking in the festive buzz of the French Quarter. By late morning, we’ll make our way to the parade route to secure our spot before Rex rolls at 10:30 AM. From the moment the first float appears, the streets roar to life with costumes, music, and endless throws, carrying the celebration into the early afternoon.
Once the parade winds down, we’ll gather for a celebratory farewell feast, sharing highlights, laughter, and reflections from our time together. The afternoon offers a chance to rest or linger in the city, soaking up the atmosphere as Mardi Gras energy continues to pulse through the streets.
As night falls, the festivities don’t stop. Guests may join the group for one last round of revelry on Bourbon Street — high‑energy, iconic, and unforgettable — or opt for the soulful vibe of Frenchmen Street, where live jazz and local bars keep the spirit alive.
✨ Day 4 is the grand finale of our journey — the parade, the feast, and the night that keeps New Orleans dancing.
Day 5 - Departure Day
Fat Tuesday: Crowns, Parades & Farewell 🎭👑✨
What's Included?
Adventures
✅ Big adventure, small group, great value – experience bucket-list moments and off-the-beaten-path excursions without the hefty price of large commercial tours
✅ Affordable, intimate group sizes— never more than twelve travelers—ensuring a personalized, immersive experience
✅ Excursions – Your Mardi Gras journey is packed with experiences that bring New Orleans to life: French Quarter Walking Tour – Hidden courtyards, jazz history, and Creole charm. Foodie Tour – Gumbo, po’boys, pralines, and more, with stories behind every bite. Live Jazz Night – An evening in one of the city’s classic music spots. Ghost Tour – Haunted history, voodoo legends, and optional tarot or palm readings. Bar Crawl – Hidden speakeasies and festive lounges. Two Iconic Parades –The Krewe of Bacchus and the Krewe of Rex on Fat Tuesday, the centerpiece of Mardi Gras tradition. Swamp & Bayou Tour (Optional) – Glide through cypress groves and spot Louisiana’s wild side.
✅ Your local English-speaking guide knows New Orleans inside and out and is with you every step of the way. More than a leader, they bring travelers together from around the world—empowering, inspiring, and creating unforgettable connections
Accommodations, Transportation
& Meals
✅ Accommodations – Guests can now choose between private rooms (no sharing) or shared double‑occupancy rooms to help cut down on costs.
✅ Transportation – This is a mostly walking trip, designed so you can soak up the energy of Mardi Gras right from the heart of New Orleans. We’ll arrange airport transfers on arrival day to make your journey seamless. On departure day, since flight times vary, guests are encouraged to arrange their own transport. Uber or Lyft are easy options, or the hotel can assist with booking a taxi to the airport.
✅ Meals – 7 meals are included — from our festive welcome dinner to bites along the foodie tour and our Fat Tuesday farewell feast. Expect everything from gumbo and po’boys to pralines and king cake, plus hearty breakfasts to fuel your days. We’ve left the remaining meals open so you can follow your cravings: maybe a street‑side crawfish boil, oysters at a local raw bar, or that late‑night beignet you didn’t know you needed.
What’s Not
Included:
✘ Flights (but don’t worry—affordable options are available, and we’ll help you find the best deals!)
✘ Extra Excursions – Want to add a little more flavor to your Mardi Gras adventure? Go for it! We’ve picked out some epic add‑on experiences that keep you exploring this amazing city: Mixology Class – Shake, stir, and sip your way through New Orleans’ cocktail culture with a local expert. Cooking Class – Learn the secrets behind Creole and Cajun classics in a hands‑on kitchen experience. Swamp & Bayou Tour – Glide through cypress groves and spot Louisiana’s wild side. ✨ These optional excursions give you the chance to personalize your trip — whether you’re craving more flavor, more adventure, or a deeper dive into local traditions.
✘ Personal Extras Souvenirs, snacks, and that cocktail you’ve been thinking about since arrival
Meet Your Host -
Amanda
I’m Amanda, founder of Roam With Me Travel—and your guide to the wild, wonderful world of Mardi Gras. Think of me as part trip leader, part hype‑woman, part logistics ninja. My job? To make sure you’re immersed in the magic of Carnival while every detail flows seamlessly behind the scenes.
Mardi Gras isn’t just beads and parades—it’s tradition, community, and pure joy. And I’m here to help you experience it all, Roam With Me style:
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High‑energy vibes: I’ll keep the group buzzing with excitement, laughter, and connection.
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Seamless flow: parade action, perfectly timed meals, and smooth transitions so you never miss a beat.
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Local color: From hidden gems to iconic floats, I’ll make sure you see the best of New Orleans.
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Celebration spirit: Whether you’re solo, with friends, or traveling as a couple, you’ll feel part of the Roam With Me family.
I thrive on creating spaces where travelers feel cared for, connected, and free to celebrate. Expect laughs, fun, and a whole lot of excitement as we dive into the parades, music, and late‑night revelry together.
