Easter Parade - Enough time?

Question

In your experience, would we have time to see a little of the Easter parade before a fight out that day at 4pm? I see the parade begins at 1pm but i don't know if New Orleans is on time for parades or how long they are. I was looking at bourbon/conti for where we would watch the parade to be at the beginning if we need to leave soon.

Our luggage will already be at the airport with advanced check in so we would grab an uber to the airport around 2pm to be at airport by 2:30.

Is this a good plan or should we not even try?

Thanks for your help!

Answer

It sounds like you're trying to make the most of your time in New Orleans, but also need to ensure you make it to the airport on time for your 4pm flight. Here are a few factors to consider regarding the Easter Parade and your schedule:

1. Parade Timing: The Easter Parade in New Orleans typically starts at 1pm, but like many parades in the city, it’s often not strictly on time. Parades can be delayed for various reasons, and they can also take a while to pass through a given location. However, parades in New Orleans do tend to be fairly long, often lasting a couple of hours, depending on how many floats and participants are involved.

If the parade begins at 1pm, you could realistically catch the early part of it around Bourbon and Conti streets (which is a good spot for watching since it’s near the start of the route). However, keep in mind that parades in New Orleans don’t always move quickly, and you may only get a short time to see it before you need to head to the airport.

2. Travel Time to the Airport: You’re planning to leave for the airport at 2pm, which gives you about an hour to watch the parade before grabbing an Uber. Based on the location you mentioned (Bourbon/Conti), you should be able to see some of the parade, but you might miss the majority of it. The Uber ride to the airport should take about 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, so leaving by 2pm gives you just enough time to arrive at the airport by 2:30pm. Keep in mind that the airport requires you to be there at least 90 minutes before your flight, so you should still have plenty of time to check in and go through security.

3. Is This a Good Plan? Given your tight timing, it’s possible to catch a part of the parade, but you should be prepared for the fact that you may not see much of it. The key things to consider are:

The parade may not start exactly on time, which could mean less time for you to watch.
You’ll need to leave by 2pm to get to the airport on time, so you may not get to see the full parade.
The Uber ride might take longer depending on traffic, especially as the city will be busy with Easter celebrations.

Alternative Options: If you’re unsure whether you’ll have enough time or if you’d rather not risk rushing to the airport, here are a couple of other options:

Consider a different parade spot: If you can find a spot closer to the beginning of the parade route, you might be able to see more of it before you need to leave. Some spots around Canal Street may be closer to the action and could allow you to watch a bit longer.
Watch from a bar or restaurant: If you're open to a more relaxed experience, you could watch the parade from a bar or restaurant near the route. This would give you the flexibility to enjoy the parade without worrying about missing your flight. Many bars and restaurants in the French Quarter will have great views of the parade.

Overall, if you’re set on watching the parade, your plan is feasible, but it will be a tight squeeze. If you're okay with only seeing part of the parade, your current timing should work, but be sure to leave promptly at 2pm to avoid rushing too much. If you want to be more relaxed about the situation, consider a viewing spot that allows for more flexibility with your time.