3 Perfect Soulard Mardi Gras Itineraries

We’ve put together three itineraries for experiencing St. Louis Mardi Gras with varying degrees of “laissez les bons temps rouler.” That’s fancy French for “let the good times roll.”

I bleed purple, gold and green.

• Before Mardi Gras weekend, buy a ticket to the Bud Light Party Tent or the Blues Alumni Experience.
• Wake up at 7:30 a.m. and immediately brew a pot of Cafe du Monde coffee while enjoying your mini king cake from a local bakery.
• Get dressed – it’s the one day of the year that your spouse will let you wear that gold and purple bedazzled denim jacket!
• Head into Soulard. If you park in Laclede’s Landing or take the MetroLink to Arch-Landing Station, you can catch the free shuttle.
• Watch the Bud Light Grand Parade, and then head over to one of the aforementioned events.
• Responsibly enjoy the rest of your day with friends, new and old, before catching a ride to Sister Cities Cajun for an early dinner.
• Recover for the next 365 days.

I’m dipping my toe into this whole Mardi Gras thing.

• The weekend before Mardi Gras, stop by Soulard to get a feel for the celebrations.
• Eat at Taste of Soulard, and then watch the Purina Pet Parade, followed by the most exciting sports event in town: the annual Wiener Dog Derby.
• If you enjoy your time at those festivities, consider attending the Bud Light Grand Parade where the fun truly begins.
• On the big day, enjoy brunch at Brasserie in the Central West End, which usually serves piping hot beignets for the occasion.
• After you’ve seen enough, make your way to Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co. for a lobster roll or oyster po-boy.
• Head back to your accommodation, feeling good about the fact that you’ve officially experienced Mardi Gras in St. Louis.

I want to celebrate, but avoid Soulard like the plague.

• Wander into your kitchen and cut a slice of king cake made by a local baker. Cut a second slice when no one is looking.
• Relax until lunch.
• Grab a table at Grace Meat & Three in The Grove and enjoy their Southern staples, plus a variety of Mardi Gras specials.
• Pop into Vincent Van Donuts across the street for a king cake donut – that’s tonight’s dessert.
• Drive to either Clementine's Naughty & Nice Creamery or Serendipity Ice Cream for some NOLA-inspired sweets.
• Nap.
• Eat a Cajun-inspired dinner at Highway 61 Roadhouse.
• Go back to sleep.

For more information about Mardi Gras in St. Louis, visit stlmardigras.org.