I celebrate Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, where I can get all the beads and king cake I want. Here’s why it beats New Orleans’ crowded festivities.

Mobile’s parades are comparably less hectic, which my wife and I appreciate. Matthew Wilson

When I went to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras a few years ago, it felt a lot more chaotic than the celebrations I was used to attending in Mobile. 

Even though the Alabama festival has its fair share of drinking, New Orleans’ Bourbon Street felt like a crowded frat party in comparison. I saw women lift their shirts for a string of beads there along with naked people running around the streets.

Of course, there are still rules in New Orleans, and breaking them can lead to serious consequences, even during Mardi Gras.

Even if you’re not drinking, you can enjoy New Orleans’ numerous parades, food festivals, and masquerade balls. These activities, paired with the city’s historic backdrop and culture, give visitors endless things to do, see, and eat. 

Mobile’s Mardi Gras celebration feels more intimate, mild, and family-friendly than the one I went to in New Orleans. You should still be very careful around the city and exercise caution in busy areas. However, Mardi Gras in Mobile seems to attract more children and parents. It’s not uncommon to see families having picnics on the sidewalk.