Krewe of Apollo

One of the best places to enjoy authentic Mardi Gras experiences is Louisiana's Cajun Bayou, located a mere 45 minutes from New Orleans. This destination truly embraces its Cajun roots, right down to the fact that "Fat Tuesday" here centers around families and is therefore completely G-rated. The Cajuns of Lafourche Parish have a special zest for life which they demonstrate through many family-friendly parades that offer locals and guests alike great vantage points from which to view floats and admire costumes – and, of course, to catch the beads, cups and other trinkets thrown into the crowd.

Whether you're eating or drinking, catching beads or throwing them, one thing is certain in Lafourche Parish: Here along the Bayou, there's simply no such thing as a stranger, which means guests are always welcome at these celebrations and there's no better way to get a very authentic taste of Cajun life.