Mardi Gras Unmasked's mission is to showcase the true spirit of Mardi Gras as expressed through a remarkable spectrum of homegrown customs and traditions. We strive to stimulate and deepen the public's appreciation of New Orleans Mardi Gras as a multifaceted cultural attraction, in an online environment that not only is fun, engaging and free of commercial clutter, but also compatible with tablet computers and mobile devices.
Mardi Gras Calendar
Carnival 101
Colorful Characters
Eye Candy
Local Color and Customs
Mardi Gras Music
The real Mardi Gras is about creative costuming and krewes staging processions that are a feast for the senses — with floats that bemuse and entertain; rollicking bands full of joyful noise; inspired dance troupes and showers of baubles that stoke an exhilarating feeding frenzy. Can't you almost feel the boom of dat big bass drum? 
Seasoned advice on parade etiquette, reaping throw booty, balcony and grandstand access, how to catch a ride in a parade and much more, including answers to the most-asked Mardi Gras questions of all time — where to find a place to pee. 
Mardi Gras Tips and Tricks
Taxis and Transportation
Getting around during Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Unless you’re near a cab stand, you’re often better off calling for service rather than trying to flag a cab on the street during a busy time like Mardi Gras.
When it comes to taxicabs, New Orleans isn’t like Manhattan. You can’t just walk out onto most any street corner and expect to flag a cab. Sure, you can get lucky. And there are taxi stands at major hotels and Harrah’s Casino. But unless you’re in the vicinity of the French Quarter, you’re often better off calling a cab. In New Orleans, bartenders are accustomed to calling cabs for customers.
United Cabs serves the metro New Orleans area with a fleet of over 400 cabs. Phone 504-522-9771 or 504-524-9606. Save one or both of these numbers in your phone, or write them down on a piece of paper to keep handy.
United accepts major credit cards but not debit cards. When calling for service, let the operator know what type of card you will be using.
Need food picked up from a restaurant? United will pay for and pick up an order from any restaurant offering take-out service, and collect upon delivery. Call ahead for service. Likewise, United will pick up and deliver medical prescription and even a short list of groceries.
Be sure to let United know you learned about them on Mardi Gras Unmasked.
Streetcars and Buses
For schedules and maps of the public transportation system, visit the New Orleans Regional Transportation Authority. The regular fare for buses and streetcars is $1.25, with transfers available upon boarding for an additional 25 cents. Transfers are valid for two hours for connecting streetcar and bus lines, not return trips. Citywide one-day and three-day unlimited ride passes, known as Jazzy Passes, are available for $3 and $9, respectively. For more info and a list of vendors selling Jazzy Passes, click here.
In addition to bus service, there are currently four streetcar lines in New Orleans — St. Charles, Riverfront, Canal – Cemeteries and Canal – City Park/Museum. The historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar line operates along a 13.6-mile route that takes about 40 minutes to ride from end to end. Outbound/uptown service begins at the intersection of Canal Street and Carondelet Street — Carondelet being the uptown continuation of Bourbon Street. Inbound/downtown service originates at the intersection of South Carrollton Ave. and South Claiborne Ave.
Ribbon cutting for the Phunny Phorty Phellows streetcar ride on Twelfth Night
The historic St. Charles Ave. streetcar line goes out of service approximately two hours before parades start rolling on the uptown route.
During Mardi Gras, service on the St. Charles and Canal streetcar lines shuts down to accommodate parades. When parades are rolling on the uptown route, St. Charles service typically stops approximately two hours before the start of the first scheduled parade. Streetcars on the Canal line go out of service approximately an hour and a half after the start of the first scheduled parade on the uptown route.
On Fat Tuesday, while streetcars do run along the Riverbend section of the St. Charles line between South Claiborne and Napoleon Ave., there is no service between Napoleon and Carondelet. There is no service on the Canal line on Fat Tuesday. There is, however, regular service on the Riverfront line.
During the height of the Carnival parade season, bus service is often the most convenient and reliable way to commute between uptown and downtown — specifically, the Magazine Street (#11) and Tchoupitoulas Street (#10) buses. Although the Claiborne Ave. (#16) bus also runs between uptown and downtown, routes are subject to change when parades are rolling.
If you’re near the Mississippi, the Riverfront streetcar is a good way to commute to and from the Central Business District and Warehouse Arts District, upriver from Canal Street, to the French Market at Esplanade Ave., with stops in between along the French Quarter section of the riverfront.
The Canal Street streetcars also can be boarded at the French Market/Esplanade Ave. stop on the Riverfront line. It proceeds to Canal Street, then heads up Canal heading away from the river toward North Carrollton Ave. The Cemeteries train on the Canal line runs past North Carrollton all the way to City Park Ave. and the Canal Street cemeteries. The City Park/Museum trains turn off Canal onto North Carrollton and reaches the end of the line at the nexus of Esplanade Ave., City Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art.
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