Meet me at Mardi: A parade of trips to book this Carnival season

Laissez les bons temps rouler because Carnival season is upon us!

Mark Twain once wrote, "[a traveler] has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans." And while Mardi Gras means different things to different people - it's a myriad of parades, costumes, booze, and beads.

The biggest celebration occurs annually in New Orleans; however, nearly every community across Louisiana has its own version. From animal-dedicated parades (yes, even pets get in on the action!) to begging for gumbo ingredients, IHG Hotels & Resorts has rounded up the best places to visit and stay to experience the magic of Mardi Gras.

Eunice, Louisiana

Have you ever danced for a chicken? Well, the locals of Southwest Louisiana sure have. The community celebrates Carnival season with its famous Courir de Mardi Gras, commonly referred to as "the real Mardi Gras," where you can join costumed revelers and run around town going house-to-house begging (and dancing) for ingredients to make a communal gumbo - a popular stew with African, French, Spanish, and Native American origins. The last ingredient being the most cherished - the chicken. Each town has its own special version of Courir de Mardi Gras, but one thing is for sure, this is the place to be for a taste of an authentic Cajun Mardi Gras experience.

Where to stay: If traveling with family, Holiday Inn Express Eunice is the perfect stay for those wanting a traditional Mardi Gras experience (plus, kids 12 and under stay and eat free!). The hotel places travelers within a few steps of downtown, where a week full of events leading up to Fat Tuesday take place including: music, crafts, an old-time boucherie (aka a fancy word for BBQ!), Courir de Mardi Gras, and a Cajun dance party.

New Orleans, Louisiana

When you think of a parade with floats and Mardi Gras balls - you have New Orleans to thank. The Mardi Gras tradition began in 1857 in New Orleans. And no one does Mardi Gras quite like the Crescent City - with the season beginning on Jan. 6 and culminating on Fat Tuesday (March 2) before Ash Wednesday. That's two months of King Cake eating, costume wearing, "throw catching" (you know, doubloons, moon pies, beads - and if you're familiar with Muses - shoes!), and parading. However, the weekends leading up to Fat Tuesday are the real spectacles - with dance groups, marching krewes and super krewes like Endymion and Bacchus rolling down St. Charles Avenue into the French Quarter and other historic neighborhoods.

Where to stay: When it comes to Mardi Gras in New Orleans, it's all about location! Being able to walk to the route is a pro tip for out of towners. Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District puts you in the center of the action on St. Charles Avenue - which especially comes in handy when you need a respite from the fun! If you're looking for more of a historic French Quarter stay near iconic sites like Canal Street and Bourbon Street, look no further than the new voco St. James Hotel or the unrivaled InterContinental New Orleans.

Shreveport, Louisiana

In North Louisiana, get ready for Pawdi Gras! Famous for its Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Parade, Shreveport is the place to be seen this Carnival season with your canine krewe. The annual parade is a four-legged costume spectacular that features a royal court of pets. And not just dogs and cats, past parade-goers have included donkeys, goats, turtles and more!

Where to stay: Located close to the Shreveport Municipal Airport and just minutes from the Louisiana State Fairgrounds - this year's location for the Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Parade - makes Holiday Inn Express & Suites Shreveport - West the perfect stay. The hotel is pet-friendly (of course!) and offers an Express Start Breakfast to fuel you and the family for a full day of festivities.

Alexandria, Louisiana