Obviously, the first place that comes to mind when dreaming of Mardi Gras parties is NOLA. However, there are other rockin’ cities that know how to throw a proper Fat Tuesday bash.
Mobile, AL
Just a couple hours down the coast from NOLA is the city that boasts the original Fat Tuesday party. Their first Mardi Gras celebration was in 1703, predating any New Orleans party by at least 10 years. Mobile was the first capital of the French Louisiana territory, so the celebrations were hosted there until 1718. The parties began again in 1866 and now 35 parades run through the streets in the weeks before Lent, and 1 million people travel there for the big shebang every year.