This U.S. destination has all of the fun and none of the sleaze so you can make it a Mardi Gras family weekend.
Have you always been curious about experiencing Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but are a little put off by its seedy rep? Same. I’m past the age of wanting to get drunk, hang out with vomiters, or getting a kick out of flashing my ta-tas for some cheap, dollar-store beads. Besides, have you seen what New Orleans hotels charge during Mardi Gras? It’s insane!
But here’s the thing. New Orleans isn’t the only place that goes all out for Mardi Gras. It’s not even the birthplace of the big event in the States. For a fun, family-friendly party, you should go to where America’s Mardi Gras originated in Mobile, Alabama.
This French-founded town held the country’s first Mardi Gras soiree back in 1703 and continues to host awesome festivities every year. More than 40 parades roll through the town day and night in the weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday—the grand finale of Carnival season—in this small, friendly city on the Gulf Coast.
Mardi Gras in Mobile is such a big deal that businesses let their employees off by 2:30 p.m. every parade day and schools shut down on Fat Tuesday and the Monday before.
What makes Mardi Gras in Mobile so great?
Mardi Gras in Mobile is a quirky bash. Besides watching all the crazy, colorful floats go by, you get to lunge and dive for the freebies they toss out.
I had no idea that besides beads, people would chuck cups, hula hoops, rubber chickens, ramen, stuffed animals, and more. I even saw one guy who was going to throw a ham into the crowd!
Screaming your lungs out for free goodies is way more fun than I could have imagined and for kids, it’s like Halloween on steroids—they get so much stuff! (Bring a pillowcase or sack to carry your loot.) Just always be watching the parade because if you get distracted, you could get nailed with flying giveaways.
MoonPies
Mobile’s signature throws are MoonPies. These marshmallow-and-cookie treats are a favorite among residents, who eat about 4 million of them a year.
When you watch a Mardi Gras parade in Mobile, you’re guaranteed to catch at least one MoonPie. (I saw one kid snag an entire box of MoonPies and lose his mind he was so happy.)
They even have a 12-foot electronic MoonPie that drops right before the evening parades on Dauphin Street—the main street through downtown—just like NYC drops the ball on New Year’s Eve.
Delicious Southern food and drinks
One of the best things about the South is the food. And that’s true for Mobile, too. I spent a fun afternoon on the Bienville Bites Food Tour sampling everything from the melt-in-your-mouth biscuits and fried green tomatoes at Ruby Slipper Café to the pillowy beignets at Mo’ Bay Beignet Company.
These spots are great too:
- Squid Ink: The fried deviled eggs are a must at this eclectic eatery. Wash it down with one of their handcrafted cocktails like the Carnival Hurricane or French 75 while the kiddos nosh burgers.
- Serda’s Coffee Company: Order the king cake latte that’s flavored to taste like the traditional Mardi Gras dessert. Pastries, salads, wraps, hot cocoa, and more make this a family-friendly option for breakfast or lunch.
- The Blind Mule: Head here for brunch with the locals and the best shrimp and grits in town.
- Felix’s Fish Camp: Besides offering po-boy sandwiches and fresh Gulf oysters and shrimp, this waterside restaurant also serves a soup flight that includes crab soup, seafood gumbo and turtle soup. But there’s kid-staple mac and cheese too.
- The Insider: At this food hall, your crew can choose from pizza, tacos, fried chicken, smash burgers, poke bowls, and more. Don’t miss the boozy milkshakes at Double Tap Bar, which they can make without the alcohol for kids too.
- Mo’s Original BBQ: From the patio of this sprawling BBQ joint, you can watch floats pass by while digging into ribs and wings with Alabama BBQ sauce (a mayo-based sauce) and sipping a King Cake Bushwacker (a boozy milkshake).
What else is there to do in Mobile, Alabama?
When you’re not watching Mardi Gras parades, you can stroll around downtown visiting historic churches and museums and popping into cute, little shops.
See historic sites
Go on the guide-led tour of the Mobile Carnival Museum on your first day there to learn about the rich history of Mardi Gras in the city. You’ll find out about the secret societies that put the whole shindig on and be amazed at the intricacy of costumes. You can even strike a pose on a float.
I’m not usually a museum person, but I highly recommend visiting the History Museum of Mobile too. Their black history exhibits were heart-wrenching and included a simulation of what it was like to be chained up in a slave ship as well as documenting how the civil rights movement played out in this Deep South city.
The museum also has hands-on activities for the kiddos. They can explore a French ship, play African drums, and dress up in colonial clothing.
As you’re walking around downtown, keep your eye out for a couple of gorgeous old churches. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a showstopper that dates back to 1711. It has elaborate stained glass, a pipe organ, and catacombs, and is topped by two gold domes. The Government Street Presbyterian Church was founded later in 1831. It’s among the oldest and best-preserved Greek Revival churches in the country. Both churches are national historic landmarks.
Pick up cool souvenirs
Downtown Mobile isn’t loaded with boutiques like some towns, which makes the few shops they have extra special.
- Browse a curated selection of home goods from cause-oriented organizations at Do-Goods Mercantile.
- Grab a bag of beignet mix from Mo’ Bay Beignet Company to make these Southern-style donuts at home.
- Flip through spine-tinglers at The Haunted Bookshop.
- Check out Three George’s Fine Southern Chocolates, a candy shop and soda fountain that’s been operating since 1917.
Where to Stay in Mobile
For historic digs right on a parade route, stay at The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa. They have elegant, cushy rooms and their lobby is a popular place for friends to meet for the parades—which you can view from right outside the front door. They provide parade schedules and routes at the front desk but you can also get all the Mardi Gras parade details online.
I loved my time in Mobile celebrating Mardi Gras with locals and tourists alike. The city was easy to navigate, the people were friendly, the food was delish, and the parades were outrageous fun. It’ll be an awesome and easy good time for you and your crew too!
Happy travels,
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