Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier is one huge party for multi-generational families or just a bunch of friends. The local restaurants, attractions, shops, and bars are decked out with festive décor along with Mardi Gras themed foods, experiences, souvenirs and your favorite alcoholic beverages. There’s enough to keep you entertained for weeks, but here’s how you can make the most out of 48 hours in Shreveport-Bossier during our carnival season:

TGIF – Unwind with a liquid king cake

The East Bank District and Plaza in Bossier City is a moderately new family-friendly development filled with shops and restaurants including Flying Heart Brewery, where parents can enjoy an ice cold king cake flavored beer and children can devour a Mardi Gras dessert waffle. If you’re seeking a kid-free Friday night, add bar hopping in downtown Shreveport to your Mardi Gras itinerary. Right now, Abby Singer’s Bistro, located on the second level of the Robinson Film Center, offers Mardi Gras themed cocktail flights, which includes four craft cocktails for only $28.

Start Saturday morning with beignets for breakfast

If you didn’t have beignets for breakfast, did you even Mardi Gras? Start your Saturday morning with one of Louisiana’s favorite powdered pastries at Whisk Dessert Bar, located at 724 Azalea Drive. They love to add a creative spin on traditional treats. They also have a king cake cinnamon roll that is to die for.

Shop ‘til you drop on Saturday afternoon

It’s time to walk off those beignets with a bit of shopping for Mardi Gras souvenirs. You can walk along the Red River at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets with more than 50 stores and restaurants, or visit the Enchanted Garden, located at 2429 Line Avenue, to purchase the most elaborate, hand-made masks in the area. That’s just two of many shopping opportunities in Shreveport-Bossier, but you can find a full list of shops here.

Parade around like a local on Saturday night

Laissez les bon temps rouler! Shreveport-Bossier throws the best family-friendly Mardi Gras in the state of Louisiana. This year, our most popular parades fall on Saturday, Feb. 15 for the Krewe of Centaur parade and Saturday, Feb. 22 for the Krewe of Gemini parade. Both parades start at 4 p.m., and the parade route begins in downtown Shreveport, follows Clyde Fant Parkway and continues through the Broadmoor neighborhood. Locals prepare to party along this route from morning to midnight.

Before you go, join the locals for brunch

Sunday brunch at Marilynn’s Place is a local mandate. This casual Cajun and Creole restaurant is tucked away in Highland, one of the most diverse neighborhoods in Shreveport. They serve all your favorite Louisiana cuisine as well as bottomless mimosas and bloody marys. If you love a good brunch, prioritize Marilynn’s Place while you’re here.

This 48-hour itinerary is merely a sample of what our area offers during the two-month carnival season. For a full serving of Mardi Gras fun in Shreveport-Bossier, visit www.shreveportmardigras.com.