5 Top Spots To Watch The Mardi Gras Parade

Everyone has their own tricks for landing Mardi Gras beads.

But where are the best spots on tonight's parade route to snag some goodies and get a good view?

I thought I'd run down five:

1. Bourbon Street » Why catch the parade anywhere else than on the street with the name of the New Orleans thoroughfare where the real Fat Tuesday goes down? Things may be a little more family-friendly on Havre de Grace's version. You'll get the floats with the participants full of energy and goodies, and it won't get any lighter out as the parade goes along.
2. Washington at Pennington » One of the main intersections in town, this spot will be good for a number of reasons. First, you're close to municipal parking. You're also close to The Vineyard Wine Bar, Laurrapin Grille and La Cucina for the post-parade eats and drinks. It's also well-lit and a little more open than some of the intersections along Bourbon Street.
3. Rochambeau Plaza » Space. Space. Space. You'll have plenty of room to move here. If you want to get a front-row spot, this may be one of your better views. Municipal parking is nearby, too. And you're almost equal distance to Laurrapin Grille and MacGregor's.
4. St. John at Franklin » This is bound to be one of the hoppin' and happenin' corners for Fat Tuesday in Havre de Grace. In walking distance: MacGregor's, Tidewater Grille, Coakley's and Chiapparelli's. You may find some public parking, but don't bank on finding it along the Susquehanna River behind the water plant—that area will be used for parade participants to break down their floats.
5. 400 block of St. John Street » Also known as the end of the parade route. If those in charge of beads and treats on the floats paced themselves well, you may be in for a jackpot of give-aways as the parade comes to a close. Plus, you'll have a great view down St. John Street to catch the entire parade. You're still in walking distance to all those restaurants from the No. 4. spot, too.

The parade begins at 6 p.m. on Bourbon Street, near Havre de Grace High School, turns onto Washington Street and then to St. John Street, finishing near the American Legion.

See the full route.

The video with this post is from Washington Street during last year's Mardi Gras parade.

TELL US: Where will you be watching the Mardi Gras parade this year? And where are you going after the parade? Leave a comment.