Take the streetcar to the Garden District and walk to Commanders. The famed Mardi Gras celebrations begin in New Orleans on the 7 of March each year. Be sure to check Lagniappe, the Entertainment Guide from the Times Picayune newspaper for details. The throwing of trinkets to the crowds was started in the early 1870s by the Twelfth Night Revelers, and is a time-honored tradition for young and old alike. In 1884, Rex started using medallions instead of trinkets, and today's doubloons represent these medallions.
Doubloons are aluminum and come in many different colors.
They depict the parade theme on one side and the Krewe's emblem on the other. Mardi Gras draws huge numbers to New Orleans for the Shrove Tuesday pre-Lenten festivities. Make careful plans, and be certain such a trip is appropriate for all members of the family. The excess craziness is legendary - which may or may not be what travelers are seeking.