Now that you have decided what parades you might want to see, you ask yourself,"Where do I go to see it best?" That's why I'm here for you.
The Traditional Parade Route offers many spots to view the parade over the 5 mile course it travels. Depending on your personal likes and dislikes, as to the type of people who will be around you, will help to determine where you will go to see the Parade.
If you are a family with small children, you may want to head to a location close to the beginning of the Parade. I suggest somewhere between Houma Blvd. and Severn Blvd. Along these areas, you will find a lot of families gathered with their children and friends. If you plan to attend more than 1 Parade, you will find that the people around you have chosen this particular spot because it is a friendly area and sometimes a whole group becomes friends that you will see at these same spots year after year. If your children are the kind of kids that need to get to bed reasonably early, then you will want to get closer to the beginning of the Parade.
If you are a young person or, at least young at heart, and don't have children with you,then you'll want to join the revelry that abounds along Severn Blvd. This is the hot spot along the whole Parade Route. The younger crowd gathers together in this area and everyone is there to have as much fun as is legal. Even though it is not as rowdy as Bourbon St. is, there are always a few gals that work hard to attract throws. Be prepared for loud music from boom-boxes and a lot of beer around. Some of which will probably be spilled on you. Don't get mad, I am sure it was an accident. Be sure to take your cameras here. There will be a lot of memories to save here.
The area between Severn and Causeway is a mixture of all types of people. Near the intersection of Veterans Blvd. and Causeway, you will see reviewing stands set up. Some of these are for T.V. Crews while the rest are for spectators. These are reserved areas. If you are interested in this seating area, contact the Mardi Gras office of Jefferson Parish at the Joseph Yenni Building.
Another good spot is between Causeway Blvd. and Bonnabel Blvd. along Veterans Blvd. Even though Causeway is not shown on the map, Causeway Blvd. crosses Veterans Blvd. by Lakeside Shopping Mall.
Between Bonnabel Blvd. and the end of the Parade is a mixture of families and young people. A lot of people like to crowd in at the last few blocks of the Parade because they believe that whatever extra throws the riders have will hail down on them like rain. Sometimes this is true, sometimes it isn't.
The average Parade can last as long as 4 to 5 hours from start time at the beginning, till the last float reaches the end. You definitely want to keep this in mind when you select your viewing sight.
If you plan to purchase food and drinks while out on the Parade Route, add these requirements to your search. Also, if there are ladies and children with you, you will want to remember the locations of toilet facilities. There usually are plenty of port-o-lets along the Parade Route, but most women refuse to use them.
Many of the restaurants have bathroom facilities BUT, they restrict use to paying customers only.
The best way to decide where to watch the Parade is to take a drive along the Parade Route during the daytime. You will be able to see the different surroundings of the areas you might select. During this time it would also be a good idea to make a mental picture of different landmarks around the areas you have chosen.
Another subject that must be addressed while you do your viewing selection, is WHERE TO PARK. It is against the law to park within 15 feet of the edge of a Parade Route. If you break this law, you will be paying a lot of money to get your car out of impound. Many of the business parking lots along the Parade Route are fair game for parking. There are a few that close off their lots to the general public and reserve them for their friends and employees. Some have even been known to charge for the right to park in their lots. If you decide to park on one of the many side streets, Please be careful to obey all parking signs and do not block someone's driveway.
Now that you have decided where you will go to watch the Parades. We'll give you some tips on preparing for the Parades.
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