Category: USA

Everything You Should Know Before You Hit Vegas for the First Time

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What to Know BEFORE You Visit Las Vegas

 

Greetings from the Strip in fabulous Las Vegas! Today we’re sharing things you should know before you visit Las Vegas. When you are planning a Las Vegas vacation, there is a lot of information online about the shows and the sights, but there are little things you also need to know that aren’t always shared online. These are the Las Vegas secrets I wish I would have known before I came to Las Vegas for the first time.

Things to Do in Las Vegas

 

Gambling is the main attraction of Las Vegas, and it is everywhere. There are non-gambling things to do, but if you’re not into gambling, you can get bored after a few days. If you are visiting Vegas on a budget, there are free things to do in Las Vegas. The Bellagio fountain show is every 30 minutes during the day, and every 15 minutes in the evening. The Mirage volcano erupts at 7 and 8pm every day, plus a 9:00 show on the weekends. I recommend walking around inside some of the hotels and checking out sights like the canals at the Venetian or the Forum shops at Caesar’s Palace.

 

If you are in downtown Las Vegas, I recommend visiting the Mob Museum. It’s really well put together and super interesting if you want to learn about the history of the mob. The Neon Museum is a graveyard of old neon Las Vegas signs. In general, there aren’t many cultural museums in Las Vegas. The Bellagio has a conservatory with flowers and Circus Circus has the circus performers, but overall you’ll run out of non-gambling things to do after a few days. Gambling is 24/7 and it’s everywhere – from the restaurants to the grocery stores and the airports.

 

Las Vegas is Expensive

 

When you do find things to do in Las Vegas, it will get expensive. You can get here with cheap flights, but things cost more in Vegas than you might expect. $9 buffet dinners are not so common in Vegas anymore. At a nicer restaurant, be prepared to spend $25 or more for your dinner entree, plus alcohol which can be really expensive. You can only get comp drinks when you are gambling, so look for bars with happy hour specials and drink specials if you are visiting Vegas on a budget. Even if you don’t like gambling, play the penny slots to get the comp drinks, but make sure you tip the waitress so she comes back with more drinks.

 

Tip: Eating and/or staying off the Strip is an easy way to cut costs.

 

Tipping in Las Vegas

 

The culture in Las Vegas is very tip-dependent, so plan to spend a lot of money tipping. You’ll tip the bellboys a couple of dollars when they take your bags to the room. You’ll tip the tour guides for any tours you take, plus 15-20% to your waitstaff and a few bucks a day to your hotel attendants. This can all add up, so plan for it, and make sure you have small bills of cash on hand.

Tipping in Vegas Explained

 

 

Getting Around Las Vegas

 

A taxi in Las Vegas can be quite expensive, and they do not have the best reputation. From the airport to the Strip will cost you about $40. To take a taxi from the Strip to downtown Las Vegas, and the Fremont area, plan to spend another $20 for a taxi. When you use a credit card to pay your taxi, you’ll have the options to tip 20, 30 or 40 per cent. Look for the button that says “other” – be aware that this option is in dollars, not percentage.

 

It’s easy to walk around the strip, but it can get tiring after a while as the strip is pretty long. If you want to use public transportation in Las Vegas, you have a couple of options. The Deuce is a double-decker bus. The bus is a really cheap option for getting around Las Vegas. You can buy a day pass ($8) or a 3-day pass ($20.) Tickets are easy to buy and the bus stops all along the strip. The drivers are also super helpful, so if you’re not sure where to get off the bus, just ask the driver.

Things to Do Off the Strip

 

If you want to get off the Strip in Las Vegas, there are some fun day trips from Vegas. You can go hiking at Mount Charleston, which is at a higher elevation so it’s much cooler if you want a break from the heat. You can visit Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Red Rock Canyon. You can do just about anything in Las Vegas – from shooting high powered weapons at a range, to renting a super-fast sports car.

 

Eating in Las Vegas

 

One of the things I love about Las Vegas is the food. You can eat very well here. There are so many great restaurants in Las Vegas – from mid-priced to expensive. You can find all kinds of cuisines in Las Vegas – from French, Italian, American, Ethiopian – it’s all here. Service in Las Vegas is pretty good because they rely on tips for their income. Service can get a little bit over the top sometimes, so be aware of that. When deciding where to go based on price, it pays to spend a little more for the nicer place.

 

10 Things That SHOCK Tourists about Vegas

 

Hidden Fees in Las Vegas

 

There are a few hidden fees you’ll encounter on your Las Vegas vacation. Many of the larger hotels charge a resort fee. This isn’t shown on your booking in your room rate, and can be as high as $35 per night. The resort fees are charged for the privilege of using the pool or the WiFi, but are not something you can opt out of.

 

ATM fees in Las Vegas are very high. If you withdraw money in the casinos, you can pay as much as $6 per ATM transaction. For this reason, I recommend bringing all the cash you need, and storing it in your hotel room safe while you are out.

 

Parking is usually free in Las Vegas, however driving in Las Vegas can be frustrating. If you are driving to Las Vegas, call your hotel ahead of time and ask them the best route to the hotel so that you aren’t stuck in traffic along the strip. This can save you a lot of time and frustration.

 

Las Vegas Shows

 

You can go to shows in Las Vegas and there are many to choose from, including the big shows like Celine Dion or Britney Spears. If you want to see one of the big shows, be sure to book your tickets ahead of time otherwise you might not get into them. There are also Las Vegas shows for kids, and shows during the day, which you can usually buy tickets when you get to Las Vegas. Make sure you confirm the start time of the show, and if you are not sure which Las Vegas show to choose, ask your concierge.

 

Smoking in Las Vegas

 

Unlike most parts of the U.S., smoking is everywhere in Las Vegas. It’s just part of the scene here that you have to get used to. Expect to have smokers around you, especially in the casinos. With all of the drinking that goes on in the casinos, don’t risk getting in a fight by complaining about smoke.

 

The Seedy Side of Las Vegas

 

Around 7pm, Las Vegas can transform from entertaining to questionable. You’ll see lots of guys who have already had too much to drink. Just avoid them, don’t cause any trouble. Prostitution is illegal in Las Vegas, but you’ll still see things that might make you uncomfortable. They hand out cards for escorts just like baseball cards on the strip.

 

Safety in Las Vegas

 

The biggest hazard in Las Vegas is the traffic. Be careful when you are crossing the streets. There are crosswalks and pedestrian bridges that go up and over the road. These are the safest ways to cross the streets in Las Vegas. They have escalators and elevators so anyone can use them. If you get hit running across the street in Las Vegas, it’s your fault.

 

For safety, I recommend to stay on the Strip when walking around at night. Don’t wander around behind the hotels as those are not good areas. Between the Stratosphere and downtown, there are some areas where you might feel uncomfortable. Especially late at night, don’t be wandering around. Use a taxi, Uber or Lyft.

 

The weather in Las Vegas can be extremely hot in the summer, with temperatures reaching 115-120 F. Don’t forget to bring your sunblock! Even in the winter, it can be warm, and the sun is very strong. Spend time indoors, and be sure to drink enough water to stay hydrated. Since you are in the desert, it can go from warm during the day to very chilly at night. Make sure you wear layers to stay warm once the sun goes down.

 

The people of Las Vegas can be crazy. This can range from crazy fun to crazy questionable. Don’t be too trusting of people in Las Vegas. There are a lot of scams out there, and even the concierges work on kickbacks. They might not give you the whole picture when you are looking to book tours. For example, the Hoover Dam bus tour is not worth it, it’s way longer than they will tell you. If you want to visit Hoover Dam from Las Vegas, just rent a car and go on your own.

 

Las Vegas Tours

 

A lot of the tours you might book, such as the Grand Canyon, or Hoover Dam, can be very frustrating. Generally, buses will collect you from your hotel and bring you to another location, where you’ll wait for more buses to arrive and you might spend 30 minutes waiting there. For our Hoover Dam tour, we were picked up at 8:45, but we didn’t actually leave Las Vegas until around 10:30. If you want to book a tour from Las Vegas, check Trip Advisor reviews. This also goes for getting restaurant recommendations from the bellboys or concierges. We tend to rely on Trip Advisor reviews as a more realistic picture of where to eat in Las Vegas.

 

Visiting Las Vegas With Kids

 

Many people wonder if Las Vegas is a family friendly destination. While Vegas has become more than just gambling, I really don’t recommend bringing kids to Las Vegas. There are lots of interesting people wandering the streets of Las Vegas, including barely-dressed women. It depends on what you want to expose your kids to, and how much explaining you want to do.  Older kids may be easier to bring to Las Vegas. That said, there are things to do with kids in Las Vegas. There’s a children’s museum, the Discovery Museum and some family-friendly magic and comedy shows like Mac Harrah’s. Kids can get a kick out of the various hotels and think they are in Paris or Venice. If you do decide to visit Las Vegas with kids, I recommend renting a car and spending some time off the Strip as well.

Vegas for Kids

 

I hope this helps you prepare for your first trip to Las Vegas. Las Vegas is definitely worth a visit, especially if you love gambling. If you like to gamble, you can stay in Las Vegas indefinitely. If you don’t love gambling, come for a long weekend. Check out our other Las Vegas videos:

 

Five Things You’ll Love and Hate About Las Vegas

 

Free Stuff to Do in Vegas

 

5 Things You HAVE TO EAT in Washington, DC

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What to Eat in Washington, DC

 

The nation’s capital is full of amazing restaurants and tons of international food for travelers to enjoy. Here we give you our five favorite foods to enjoy when we visit Washington, DC.

1. Ethiopian Food: DC has an enormous range of great international restaurants, but one that stands out as quite unique is the abundance of Ethiopian restaurants in The District. If you get a chance check one out and make sure you wash your hands before you eat, because you don’t use a fork and knife, you use your hands and your bread to enjoy the stews, meats and veggies on offer.

2. Maryland Crab: whether it is amazing Maryland Crab Cakes or just plain old tasty crab in anything DC has a lot of crab options for you. So if you see some one selling some crab cakes on the street or on the menu you will get a fresh and local tasty treat.

3. Oysters: the oysters from Chesapeake Bay are worth their weight in tastiness. And what is great oysters are a popular happy hour treat at a number of restuarants around town. So enjoy some oysters and a local beer.

4. Half-Smoked Sausage: whether you are wandering around the national mall looking at museums or you head up to Ben’s Chili Bowl there are plenty of options of eating this local sausage.

5. Other Local Treats: Chicken wings with Mumbo sauce is popular when you can find it. The Mumbo sauce is a combination of sweet and sour sauce and BBQ sauce in my opinion. You can always grab a cupcake in Georgetown (they are famous there), or you can head out to Mount Vernon and grab some peanut soup and some bread pudding.

Filmed in Washington, DC Copyright Mark Wolters 2018

 

The Don’ts of Visiting Washington, DC

 

The Don’ts of The USA

 

5 Things to Eat NOW in Memphis, TN

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5 Things You HAVE TO EAT in Memphis

Food in Memphis Will Leave You Happy, that is the first thing that needs to be said about Memphis’ culinary treats. From the amazing BBQ to Gibson’s Donuts that famous foodies like Alton Brown rave about there are a number of tasty treats to have in Memphis. Here is our list of the top 5 of Memphis food scene.
Filmed in Memphis, TN
Copyright Mark Wolters 2018

#1. BBQ:

Dry rub ribs, pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw on top, pulled chicken, whatever your BBQ desires Memphis can make it happen. Whether you visit Central BBQ or The Rendezvous or one of the 117 BBQ joints in Memphis you will be happy. Grab a sausage and cheese plate as an appetizer to get you started… and your appetite.

#2. BBQ Fusion:

Don’t think it is just ribs, from BBQ Nachos, to BBQ tacos, to BBQ Spaghetti Memphis has taken their barbecue fascination to a whole new level. So regardless if you are heading to Central BBQ or the Rendezvous you will have multiple options on some BBQ Fusion.

#3. Gus’s Fried Chicken:

The fried chicken place in Memphis is Gus’s Fried Chicken. Grab a few pieces and have some of their amazing potato salad and Mac & cheese for a great meal. You can takeaway or eat in, either way you will have greasy hands and a happy full tummy. And for dessert you can grab some donuts at our next suggestions.

#4. Gibson’s Donuts:

There is just one Gibson’s donuts and you need to stop by for their Maple Bacon Donut… You are welcome 🙂 They have multiple locations for you to purchase your donut deliciousness. The staff are friendly and if you want to get a dozen ask them what their favorites are and add that to you dozen of donut deliciousness.

#5. Elvis’s Favorite: Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

The King was famous for his food choices, and they were not always the most healthy food choices at that. But a Fried Peanut Butter & Banana sandwich is probably his most famous and most tasty food. You can grab one at the cafeteria at Graceland or at a few establishments around Memphis

#6. The Local Beer:

pure local water has led to a number of great local breweries and even a distillery for you to enjoy. The options are quite varied whether you are an IPA kind of beer drinker or a pilsner. There is basically a local craft beer trail that you can enjoy in Memphis.

The SHOCKS of Visiting The South USA

5 Love & Hates of Memphis

Top 10 Sights in Memphis

Thank You to These Fine Establishments Who Let Me Love Their Food
The Rendezvous https://www.hogsfly.com/
Central BBQ https://cbqmemphis.com/
Gus’s Fried Chicken http://www.gusfriedchicken.com
Gibson’s Donuts https://www.facebook.com/gibsonsdonuts/
Graceland http://www.graceland.com
Memphis Tourism http://www.memphistravel.com
The Peabody Hotel http://www.peabodymemphis.com
Mediavine http://www.mediavine.com

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5 Foods You Have to Eat in Texas

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5 Things That You Have to Eat in Texas

Everything is Bigger in Texas… Especially the Portion Sizes of Food! What should you eat when you visit Texas? There are more than 5 great treats to eat for foodies when they visit Texas. Our 5 Most Popular Dishes to eat when you visit Texas are…

1. Texas BBQ:

Eat the Beef Brisket! The Beef Ribs are great too, but just know Texas BBQ is beef based, not as much pork based. And be prepared to wait a long time in line at some of the better BBQ joints around Texas.

2. Tex-Mex:

From breakfast tacos throughout the state, to puffy tacos in San Antonio, to insane queso throughout the state you will eat well in Texas.

3. Texas Chili:

Meat chili with no beans, and especially tasty if you have it on a Frito Pie (corn chips covered with chili and cheese). But if you get a chance grab a bowl to enjoy some Texas fun.

4. Chicken Fried Steak:

Flattened, beaten, steak, battered and fried up. A plate of pleasure for foodies in Texas. Have it with some mashed potatoes and gravy and you have CFS heaven!

5. Texas Beer & Margaritas:

Local beer is great in Texas and the Margaritas will help you get through your travels in Texas. Whether it is a frozen margarita or a few bottles of Lone Star Beer you will have a good time enjoying the liquid refreshment in Texas.

The DON’Ts of Visiting Texas

The Don’ts of Visiting Austin

Tips for Visiting San Antonio

5 Eats of BUC’EE’s in Texas

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5 Things You HAVE TO EAT in San Diego, California

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5 Things You Have to Eat in San Diego, California

San Diego, California has some of the most eclectic, interesting and tasty foods in the USA. This video covers what you should eat when you visit San Diego. Whether you visit for Comic Con in the Summer or for the great weather all year round here are five things every visitor, tourist, traveler, foodie, person should eat and enjoy when they visit San Diego.

#1. Carne Asada Fries:

this San Diego specialty is high on the flavor and the calories, but you will love every bite. Carne Asada Fries are french fries covered in carne asada (steak tips), guacamole, sour cream, and cheese. They are delicious to the last bite (if you can finish them, they come in big servings).

#2. California Burrito & Mexican Food:

Southern California has amazing Mexican food. No matter where you go you will have awesome Mexican food from fish tacos to sopes. One California specialty is the California burrito which is basically carne asada fries wrapped up in a flour tortilla.

#3. Seafood:

San Diego is on the coast and the amount of seafood you can eat and enjoy is immeasurable. So grab some fish tacos or grilled fish and enjoy.

#4. Craft Burgers:

yes, head to California and have some amazing hamburgers. The craft burger scene in San Diego is off the charts. Whether it is a PB&J burger or a burger with lobster or whatever you heart may want. You will have a great burger (or sandwich) all over San Diego.

#5. Craft Beer:

San Diego has over 200 places where they are brewing and tasting beer and you should never drink anything BUT local beer in San Diego.

#6. Acai Bowl & Brunch:

San Diego loves brunches and you will have lots of opportunities to try some of the amazing brunch cuisine when you are in San Diego. However, if you are looking for a healthy breakfast try an Acai Bowl. This is Acai, granola, bananas, strawberries, coconut, (other fruits sometimes) and then honey on top. It is a healthy way to start your day and it tastes great.

Filmed in San Diego, California

Copyright Mark Wolters 2018

The Don’ts of Visiting San Diego

5 Love & Hates of Visiting California

5 Essential Tips for Visiting San Antonio, Texas

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5 Things to Know Before Visiting San Antonio

5 Essential Things Tourists Should Know Before Visiting San Antonio, Texas.

San Antonio is our favorite city to visit in Texas. From the great food around town, to the number of museums, to walking the River Walk and of course the Alamo and the Missions, San Antonio has a lot for tourists and conference visitors to enjoy. Here are 5 tips we have for travelers heading to San Antonio.

#1. Visit the Historic San Antonio Missions along the San Antonio River:

San Antonio has a UNESCO World Heritage sight (or sights) and that is the San Antonio Missions. A set of four missions (the Alamo is the 5th one, but it is not included in the four), San Jose, San Juan, Espada and Concepcion Missions. The missions will show you how life was in San Antonio during the mission area and the churches are still in service today.

#2. Remember the Alamo:

and that it is kind of small. The Alamo is famous in US and Texan history and any visit to San Antonio requires you to go there. It is worth visiting, but remember the Alamo that is still there is rather small, they are developing a new museum complex that will bring back the old glory of the Alamo, but that is a few years away.

#3. Take a Walk on the River Walk:

the North end (The Pearl) has a number of higher end shops, bars and restaurants. The center is the tourist area so you can see the San Fernando Cathedral, the Alamo, many of the tourist restaurants and hotels. The South end of Southtown or Lone Star District is popular for the architecture on King William street.

#4. Eat Puffy Tacos:

a San Antonio Original the Puffy Taco is a taco served in a puff fried tortilla shell. It is a one of a kind, kind of treat in San Antonio so make sure you do try it out. Also, you will be able to find great tex-mex food throughout San Antonio and Barbeque, but don’t think that the River Walk is the only place with restaurant options. Locals will tell you that the river walk can be a bit overrated for its food and that tastier options can be found throughout the city.

#5. Drink at an Icehouse in the evening:

the local outdoor bars sprinkled around San Antonio where you can sit back and enjoy a bit of San Antonio.

#6. Park Your Car & Just Use Uber or a Taxi to Get Around Town:

with limited parking options finding parking at all spots you want to visit in San Antonio can be a pain. So what we recommend is leave your car at the hotel and use Uber or taxis to get around San Antonio. The sights are pretty close together so you will not be paying huge amounts of money to visit the sights and you can save a ton of time with not having to look for parking.

Filmed in San Antonio, Texas

Copyright Mark Wolters 2018

21 Don’ts of Mardi Gras in New Orleans

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Don’ts of Mardi Gras: Tips for New Orleans Mardi Gras

Greetings from New Orleans, Louisiana! Most travel blogs tell you what to do when you travel, but we like to tell you what not to do. With these Mardi Gras tips, you will be better prepared for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Whether you’re visiting with other adults, or with children, Mardi Gras is totally worth the trip. Just keep these “don’ts” in mind when you visit.

Mardi Gras Tip #1 Don’t Pee in Public

Mardi Gras is crowded, and there’s a lot of drinking going on. The lines for bathrooms are crazy long, so it’s really tempting to just sneak into a corner and go. This is the most common way of getting arrested at Mardi Gras, so have a “pee plan” in place. Just because Bourbon Street smells like pee, doesn’t mean it’s ok to add to it.

Watch: Five Ways to Get Arrested During Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras Tip #2 Don’t Bare Breasts for Beads

Beads are everywhere during Mardi Gras. At the parades, they throw hundreds of beads from each float. Or, you can buy them super cheap at the drug store, or even the party store back home before you leave. In the age of cell phone cameras and social media, that kind of “exposure” really isn’t worth a string of plastic beads that cost 25 cents. Outside of the French Quarter, this really isn’t tolerated and is a good way to get the attention of police.

Mardi Gras Tip #3 Don’t Expect Parades in the French Quarter

If you have seen Mardi Gras coverage on TV, French Quarter coverage is often mixed up with parade footage, so it seems that it all happens in the same place. In reality, there are no parades through the French Quarter. The parades mostly happen on St. Charles Avenue, so make sure you get out of the French Quarter to experience other Mardi Gras festivities.

Mardi Gras Tip #4 Don’t Be Surprised to See Families at Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is really a family experience. If you talk to locals, they all have fond childhood memories of Mardi Gras. Outside of the French Quarter, it’s really a family party atmosphere. The French Quarter is where most of the debauchery is contained; elsewhere around New Orleans, Mardi Gras is great for the whole family.

Mardi Gras Tip #5 Don’t Be Late for the Parades

It’s really hard to get a good spot at the Mardi Gras parades. People come first thing in morning to get a good spot for the parades, so you can’t just show up when the parade starts and expect to see anything. Don’t try to sneak in front of anyone who’s already saved a spot, as they aren’t afraid to call someone out for it.

Mardi Gras Tip #6 Don’t Think Mardi Gras Celebrations are Only on Fat Tuesday

Fat Tuesday is the culmination of Mardi Gras celebrations, but the celebrations begin long before Fat Tuesday. There are tons of parades, parties and balls leading up to Fat Tuesday. The great news is that even if you can’t come for Fat Tuesday, you can still visit a week before and get to experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Mardi Gras Tip #7 Do Not Jump the Parade Barriers

Police barriers will line the parade routes. They are there for a reason and aren’t meant to be jumped. They are really for the safety of parade attendees, helping them avoid getting hit by a parade float or vehicle.

Mardi Gras Tip #8 Don’t Mess With the Cops or Their Horses

Over one million people attend Mardi festivities each year, which is more than three times the actual population of New Orleans. A lot of these people are drunk, and disorderly, causing a lot of headaches for the local police force. They are very professional, and willing to help where needed, but anyone who messes around with the cops is only going to have problems.

Mardi Gras Tip #9 Don’t Forget to Make Dinner Reservations

With so many tourists coming in during Mardi Gras season, dinner reservations are critical. Otherwise, be prepared to wait an hour or more to get a table for dinner. If you have specific places you want to eat, you may even want to make lunch reservations. Without reservations, plan to eat mostly fast food and street food in New Orleans.

Read: Five Things You Must Eat in New Orleans

Mardi Gras Tip #10 Don’t Be in a Hurry

Mardi Gras or not, patience pays off in New Orleans. It’s a much slower pace than other cities, and adding a million extra people tends to slow things down quite a bit. Knowing this ahead of time will help you be prepared to go with the flow.

Mardi Gras Tip #11 Don’t Forget to Book Hotels Six to Nine Months in Advance

Hotels can get booked up really quickly during Mardi Gras. Plan to pay a premium for hotels during Mardi Gras, in addition to planning way in advance to make sure you have somewhere to sleep. In some instances, there are last minute cancellations, so if you wait too long, you may be able to get on a waitlist for a room.

Mardi Gras Tip #12 Don’t Think You Can Stay One Night at a Hotel

Many hotels have a minimum number of nights to reserve a stay during Mardi Gras, sometimes as high as 4-5 nights. If you can’t stay that many nights, you may just have to pay for them anyways.

Mardi Gras Tip #13 Don’t Sleep in Your Car

Many people think they will get around pricy hotel requirements by sleeping in their car. Cops are on the lookout for this, as are the parking garage people. It’s not a great plan as you could get kicked out of your spot in the middle of the night.

Mardi Gras Tip #14 Don’t Expect Anything to be Cheap During Mardi Gras

Hotels in New Orleans are always a little pricy, but usually eating out and entertainment are pretty affordable. However, during Mardi Gras, prices jump up pretty much everywhere. Expect surge pricing on Uber, too.

Mardi Gras Tip #15 Don’t Forget to Bring Cash

Having cash will make things much easier during Mardi Gras. You don’t want to deal with credit cards in a crowded bar with huge lines.

Mardi Gras Tip #16 Don’t Forget Your ID

If you plan on going to any bars, or buying alcohol, you will need to show identification.

Mardi Gras Tip #17 Don’t Have Glass Bottles Outside

New Orleans has liquor laws, which means you can get your drink to go and walk the streets while you enjoy an alcoholic beverage. However, glass containers are a big “don’t” on the streets; make sure you have your drinks in a plastic container.

Mardi Gras Tip #18 Don’t Mess with Strangers

Alcohol and strangers can be a bad mix. If you’re out at the bars during Mardi Gras, don’t mess with strangers. Also, stick together with your friends and family; don’t wander off on your own.

Mardi Gras Tip #19 Don’t Forget to Have a Meeting Point

If you do happen to get separated from your group, don’t forget to have a pre-set meeting point so you can find your friends. With all the people converging on New Orleans, cell phone coverage may be sketchy, so having a meeting point is a great backup plan.

Mardi Gras Tip #20 Don’t Pick Up Beads Off the Ground

Not everyone follows our Don’t #1 so it’s not recommend to pick up anything that’s been on the ground, especially on Bourbon Street. Don’t be lured into grabbing shiny beads off the ground. There’s no telling where they’ve been, so just go buy some.

Mardi Gras Tip #21 Don’t Call it N’awlins

It’s not N’awlins; it’s not New Orl-EENs. It’s just New Orleans, or phonetically, New Or-lens.

Don’t let these “don’ts” scare you off. Mardi Gras in New Orleans is such a unique and fun experience, it’s definitely a “must” for every traveler. The people, food and entertainment are all fantastic. Feel free to add more “don’ts” in the comments below! For more travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos:

5 Things to Eat in New Orleans

5 Things You Will Love & Hate about New Orleans

5 Ways to Get Arrested at Mardi Gras

10 Shocks of Visiting the South USA

Top 10 Sights in New Orleans

5 Things You MUST EAT in New Orleans

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5 Things You Must Eat in New Orleans

Heading to the Big Easy & Not Sure What to Eat on Your Stay? Well New Orleans has a ton of great food options, and you won’t have enough time to sample them all. So here is our list of the top 5 things to make sure you eat in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
Filmed in New Orleans, LA, USA

#1. Beignets

at Cafe du Monde or anywhere you can find them in the city. They are Fried French Donuts covered in powdered sugar. A mess for sure, but worth every bite. Best to have with a Cafe au Lait.

#2. Seafood

New Orleans is on the gulf coast and the Misssissippi river and there are numerous seafood and riverfood options. Our favorites are the char-grilled oysters, but you can have oysters on the half shell, fried and in so many ways. There are numerous gulf fish you can enjoy as well as catfish. Crawfish, shrimp and crab also come in many delicious dishes in New Orleans.

#3. Po’ Boys

a New Orleans sandwich can come in many varieties. Fried Oysters & Shrimp is a classic, but there are many ways to enjoy a sandwich in New Orleans. Another classic New Orleans sandwich is a Muffaletta, italian cold cuts with an olive spread on top.

#4. A Cup of Love

whether a cup to start off with or as a whole meal, seafood Gumbo, Jambalaya, Red Beans & Rice, and Étouffée are amazing dishes to have.

#5. Have a Hurricane

Pat O’Brien’s invented this sweet rum super strong drink and it is available all over town and the french quarter to enjoy.

#6. The Sweets of New Orleans

Bananas Foster or Bread Pudding are your best bets for some tasty New Orleans Desserts.

Copyright Mark Wolters 2018

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