Mardi Gras is soon approaching, and for some people, that means that New Orleans and its legendary hospitality and hotels are about to be put to use for Fat Tuesday, the big blow out before Ash Wednesday, and forty days of Lent.  The French Quarter’s reputation precedes it for most people who have ever traveled to New Orleans, those college-aged and those who wish they were still college-aged looking forward walking on Bourbon Street, collecting Mardi Gras beads and drinking Hurricanes (red rum in “to go” cups) from the famous Pat O’Brien’s.  Everyone knows that the French Quarter is one of the places in the world to be on Fat Tuesday, but fewer people may realize that another time of year is almost as interesting.

For those people who want to experience the energy and excitement of Mardi Gras without all the crowding, then next year think about visiting between Christmas and New Year’s.  Throughout the week, the expectation of a new year and New Year’s Eve grows.  The hotel prices do jump up on December 30th and 31st, as the day approaches, but until then, the rates are extremely reasonable.  In the streets, there’s plenty of people to see and things to do.  Coffee in the morning at Cafe du Monde, one of the oldest coffee stands in the country, serving delicious coffee and beignets, a French-style doughnut.  Walking tours of the French Quarter in the day, and ghost tours at night.  Check into shops selling Voodoo items, listen to jazz from a number of bars, take a look at a shop devoted entirely to vampirism, and explore your future with psychics on the plaza in Jackson Square (although be warned, the psychics may be a bit pricey, so make sure you establish a price before they start giving you a reading).

As the nights go by, you’ll soon see people, drinks in hand, walking the street, willing to do quite a lot for a handful of beads, just like they do during Mardis Gras festivities.  It’s perfect for those who like the excitement of Bourbon Street without too much in the way of crowds and pressure.