Hope you like drunks and shoulder to shoulder crowds. I went to N.O. once on a Thurdays night and that was nuts. (not during Mardis Gras time) We stayed at a hotel right on Bourbon street that you see alot in movies. We went from bar to bar til midnight and then went back to hotel and people watched from balcony. Glad I was getting out of there before Friday started. My mom and dad were there on a Fri night once.(not during Mardis Gras) She said the trash on the streets and stink from people throwing up (and more) was horrible on Saturday, it was like 10AM and not cleaned up yet. She just wanted to go shopping. It just depends on what you like. If you just want to see New Orleans it would be more enjoyable at another time. We were there during the day on a Thursday and school was still in session. We road on a street car and then a bunch of school kids came on to go home. It was really fun to hear them speak with the heavy accent. I also went on a horse drawn carriage ride. You probably can't do those type of things during Mardis Gras.

Unless you all are hardcore partiers, I would pass on New Orleans during Carnival season. Many smaller cities in South Louisiana have Mardi Gras. We are in Lafayette, and have a weeklong celebration with parades, as well as many smaller cities around us. They also celebrate in Mobile, Alabama and Pensacola, Fl. I would definitely save New Orleans for a vacation at another time. You will see what New Orleans truely has to offer. (If you do like to party, then bon ton roule) Let the good times roll!