Hotels on the Mardi Gras Parade Route

Where to Stay for the Ultimate Mardi Gras Experience

Whether you’ve been to Mardi Gras before or you’re planning your very first visit, staying along the parade route sets the scene for an absolutely epic Mardi Gras experience. Forget calling Ubers or having to search for a bathroom; the parades roll right in front of these hotels, making them some of the most convenient places to stay during Mardi Gras. Wake up to festivities, watch from a balcony, and experience carnival like a local.

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Walking into The Chloe on Saint Charles Avenue

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(1) Columns, (2) Walking into The Chloe on St. Charles Avenue, (3) Hotel Henrietta - Guest Room, (4) Pontchartrain Hotel - Exterior, (5) Bacchus Rolling Down St. Charles Avenue

Uptown Hotels: The Start of the St. Charles Avenue Route

St. Charles Avenue is the spine of the Mardi Gras parade route. Nearly every major parade follows this stunning tree-lined street for miles, and this is where you’ll experience more local flavor and family-friendly celebrations.

Hotels closer to Napoleon Avenue, such as boutique picks like The Chloe and Columns, put you at the start of the route and almost feel like you’re staying at a private residence, albeit one that comes with turndown service.

Further down into the Garden District, you’ll find everything from national brands like Hampton Inn & Suites or Marriott-owned Hotel Tonnelle to the historic Pontchartrain Hotel, all of which offer a perfect balance of being centrally located, with access to dining, shopping, and entertainment. The crowds all along the Uptown route tend to be more relaxed than downtown, with better sightlines and a genuine neighborhood vibe.

A Streetcar Rolling by Hotel InterContinental in Downtown New Orleans

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A Balcony View of St. Charles - Hotel Indigo New Orleans French Quarter

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Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Avenue - Exterior

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(1) A Streetcar Rolling By InterContinental on St. Charles, (2) A Balcony View of St. Charles Avenue at Hotel Indigo New Orleans French Quarter, (3) Hilton New Orleans St. Charles Avenue, (4) The Krewe of Rex on Mardi Gras Day, (5) Sheraton New Orleans on Canal Street, (6) Marriott New Orleans on Canal Street

Downtown Hotels: The Middle of the Route

Once parades make the turn around Harmony Circle, you’ll find a mix of larger, well-known hotels mixed in with boutique brands. Many of the hotels along this stretch also offer viewing stands for guests, so be sure to ask if you’d like an elevated vantage point of the passing floats.

Canal Street Hotels: The End of the Route

The final turn of most parades occurs at the intersection of St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street. Here, you’ll find wider sidewalks and neutral grounds and easy access to the French Quarter and post-parade nightlife. The Sheraton and New Orleans Marriott are two of the largest properties along this stretch.

Insider Tip

Contrary to popular belief, Mardi Gras parades don’t actually go into the Quarter. The celebrations absolutely spill into the streets of the Quarter before, after, and during parades, and the neighborhood is very accessible from all downtown hotels.

This is just a small selection of the hotels located along the route, and doesn't include nearby hotels that are within a short walk of the parade route. Browse the hotels along the route below, or search all properties and plan your Mardi Gras getaway today.

Pro Tips for Your Parade Route Stay:

Book Early: Hotels on the parade route book up a year in advance. The best balcony rooms especially go quickly. All booked? Many hotels along the route also offer wristbands and special programming for cocktails, bathrooms, and bites to eat.
Check Individual Parade Schedules: Not all parades use the exact same route. Some variations occur, so verify which parades pass your hotel. See full schedule here.
Consider Traffic Closures: On parade days, streets are closed to traffic several hours before. Plan your arrival and departures accordingly.
Bring Supplies: Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, hats, bags for throws, and snacks are essential.
Mix Uptown and Downtown: Consider watching some parades from a quieter Uptown location early in the evening, then heading downtown for the massive Bacchus and Endymion parades later.