Where to Stay for Mardi Gras

The best all-around base for first-timers: walkable to the parade route, full of mid-range hotels, near the Quarter without being in it.

Best for: First-timers who want one easy base for everything.

• InterContinental New OrleansOn route

  Directly on the St. Charles parade route - balcony rooms watch parades roll by.

• Courtyard by Marriott New Orleans Downtown

  Reliable mid-range base, short walk to the route.

• Hotel Henrietta

  Boutique option in the Warehouse District.

On the parade route itself, with classic oak-lined St. Charles atmosphere and historic mansions.

Best for: Families and anyone who wants to step out the door onto the route.

• The ChloeOn route

  Boutique mansion hotel on St. Charles in the Garden District.

• Grand Victorian B&BOn route

  Historic B&B with a St. Charles-facing balcony.

Walking distance to everything and 24-hour energy - but the most expensive during Carnival, the loudest at night, and NOT where the big floats roll.

Best for: Nightlife-first adults. Avoid if: You want quiet sleep, value, or the big float parades at your doorstep.

Where most parades begin - the local, residential way to watch, with Magazine Street for food.

Best for: Families, repeat visitors, and a local parade-watching feel.

Endymion territory and a strong food scene; a smart, less obvious base - especially for Endymion Saturday.

Best for: Endymion-focused trips and travelers who want fewer crowds.

Bohemian, music-rich, and home to the adult satirical Krewe du Vieux - but farther from the big Uptown routes.

Best for: Music and culture seekers who do not mind a ride to the big parades.

One of the oldest Black neighborhoods in America and a birthplace of jazz, rich in Mardi Gras Indian and brass-band culture. Choose lodging location carefully and travel to the big routes.

Best for: Culture-first visitors who want to be near the city's musical heart.