Mardis Gras In Full Swing
Anyone who says the holidays are the most magical time of year hasn’t visited New Orleans in February. Parties are now in full swing with daily parade watching, king cake consumption, bead collecting and krews counting down to Fat Tuesday on Feb. 13. Celebrate Black History Month while in town by dining at a Black-owned restaurant dedicated to the Black experience.
Dooky Chase’s Restaurant
In addition to its famously delicious cuisine, and its matriarch the late Chef Leah Chase, Dooky Chase’s Restaurant played a vital role in the Civil Rights Movement. At the corner of Orleans Avenue and North Miro Street, Dooky Chase held and fed countless numbers of Civil Rights activists and revolutionaries. Today, the family-owned restaurant remains at its original -64- | ExtendedWeekendGetaways ~ February, 2024
intersection serving award-winning cuisine to a host of locals, visitors, politicians, and public figures. https://www.dookychaserestaurants.com/
Mardi Gras Parades
There are multiple parades to experience almost daily rolling uptown and downtown New Orleans. A full schedule with details about each parade is available for review at https://www.neworleans.com/events/ holidays-seasonal/mardi-gras/mardi-gras-parade-schedule/
Valentine’s Day
New Orleans is known for its romantic charm, whether it’s Valentine’s Day, Galentine’s Day, or any day of the year. Browse the romantic itinerary at https://www.neworleans. com/ for ideas on how to celebrate with that special someone here. Book a room night, dine at a romantic restaurant, have a picnic, or dance
along the Mississippi all while enjoying perfect weather this February in NOLA.
Eat lots of king cake
Every local in NOLA knows that king cake is a seasonal treat, and that the season lasts only a short time less than two months, to be exact. February is prime time for getting in the last bites of the cinnamon-filled, icing-topped delicacy (this year, king cake season is January 6-February 13). Stick to traditional or try a new version – just be sure to have at least one slice this month. Some bakeries offer national and international shipping so that everyone can enjoy a king cake from New Orleans. The Bourbon Street Awards is a Mardi Gras Day tradition, a kind of costume contest for the ages. Enjoy traditional New Orleans food all day long, make a friend or two along the parade route, and let the good times roll.
