For about a million reasons, Mardi Gras doesn’t look the same this year. The city’s beloved parades are officially canceled. Its bars are closed. Its streets are empty. And to add insult to injury, the New Orleans weather forecast is wet, cold and icy, dashing many last-ditch efforts to spend time with loved ones outdoors at a safe distance.
Nonetheless, the city has found a way to celebrate Carnival season against the odds. Residents went through great lengths to decorate their homes like parade floats. King cake business has boomed, as people in town and across the country ordered the delicacy for a taste of normalcy. At home, locals are donning costumes and turning on the Mardi Gras music they’re missing.
With gray skies and empty streets, the spirit of Mardi Gras still finds a way.
Read more on travel during the pandemic:
Flying: Pandemic packing | Airport protocols | Staying healthy on planes | Fly or drive? | Layovers
Road trips: Tips | Rental cars | Best snacks | Long-haul trains | Rest stops | Cross-country drive