11 Best Places in the U.S. to Celebrate Mardi Gras That Aren't New Orleans

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While New Orleans is famous for its Mardi Gras celebrations, there are 11 other cities across the U.S. that also commemorate the Carnival season with parades, costumes, king cake, and more. From the Gulf Coast to the Midwest, these locations offer a festive alternative to the wild revelry found in NOLA.

Why it matters

Mardi Gras is a centuries-old tradition that has spread beyond its origins in New Orleans, with cities across the country embracing the spirit of the season through their own unique celebrations. These alternative Mardi Gras events provide a more family-friendly option for those who want to experience the holiday without the debauchery associated with New Orleans.

The details

The Mardi Gras celebrations in these 11 cities often incorporate the best traditions found in New Orleans, including parades with beads and other "throws" tossed from floats, individual "krewes" that create the floats, and classic Cajun and Creole fare like gumbo and jambalaya. Many also serve up king cake, the round pastry topped with icing and green, purple, and yellow sprinkles that symbolize faith, power, and justice. While some of the cities are located along the Gulf Coast or in the Deep South, others, like Washington D.C. and St. Louis, are in different regions of the country.

• Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, always falls on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent.
• In many Mardi Gras traditions, the Carnival season begins on January 6.