Mardi Gras: Just Bead It

Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

That iconic event is just around the corner. Maybe you've always thought about going, but it sounded a little too wild. Or, things looked too chaotic for you in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. But the city is on the mend, and we've got a guide to help you make the most of the festival, should you choose to go this time around.

The city of New Orleans is gearing up for the big event, which falls on Feb. 5 this year. In fact, the good times have already starting rolling in this citywide party of parades that run night and day, featuring eye-popping surrealistic floats that team with masked elaborately costumed people who throw a variety of gifts -- beads, doubloons, coconuts and more -- to excited crowds.

It's the ultimate extravaganza in a city that has long known exactly how to live it up any day of the week. Fat Tuesday is earlier this year than usual -- the last time that Mardi Gras was this early was in 1983, and it won't come so soon again for a while. ...