It’s that time of year again! If you’re a Mardi Gras veteran, you’ve probably got your routine down pat, but if this is your first time at Mardi Gras, you’re going to need some tips. We’ve got you covered! Here are some of our favorite hacks to get through the weekend.

1. Get There Early

First on the list of what to know about going to Mardi Gras is to get there nice and early. Beat the traffic and get a good spot on the route. You will ensure a fantastic view for yourself and your group if you follow this step.

2. Drink Water

It’s a marathon, not sprint. Drink water and stay hydrated. You can’t enjoy the parade if you’re passed out. Keep yourself in tip-top shape so you can fully enjoy the fun.

3. Eat!

Again, marathon, not a sprint! Bring some snacks with you. You’ll be grateful you did. Treat it like a really long tailgate. A lot of people bring their grills and have a cookout. If you decide not to bring food with you, then you’ll be eating the moon pies that someone throws you from a float (and that’s cool too).

4. Don't Forget About The Kids

Kids love parades, but they don’t always have the best views. A lot of people bring ladders so their kids can easily see the parade, which is great! If you go the ladder route, make sure it’s secure, and know the rules. Ladders have to be at least six feet away from the curb for safety reasons. It's a great solution, as it helps kids see all the action while not taking up too much space on the street.

5. Invest In A Portable Charger

You’re going to be outside for long periods of time. If you’re blessed to have a friend or family on the parade route, then you can just charge your phone at their house, but the majority of parade-goers don’t have that luxury. You’re going to need that battery life at the end of the night to call that Uber, and if your phone is dead you’ll be regretting all those selfies in front of that guy dressed as the Rougaroux. A portable charger is a life-saver!

6. Bring A Cooler

Put your water and snacks in there! Oh, and any other cold beverages. It's so refreshing to have cool drinks all day.

7. Pick A Home Base

Pick a tree, telephone pole, or building and that spot that will serve as a meet-up area. That way when your group breaks up to go for a walk, to go on bathroom breaks, or to get food and drinks, everyone knows where to go to reconnect.

8. Don’t Jump the Barricades

They’re there for your safety. Don’t jump over them to get that super-cool-awesome-throw that’s in the middle of the street. Just let it go. You don't want to get hurt or get in trouble. Enjoy the festivities within the marked areas.

9. Bring A Chair

When you’ve been standing for four hours and waiting for the next parade to start, a chair can really be a Godsend. You wont want to stand all day long, so make yourself at home in your place on the sidewalk.

10. Know Where To "Go"

Benny Grunch said it best, "Ain't No Place To Pee On Mardi Gras Day." If you don't have any friends or family that live on the parade route, look into restaurants/businesses that offer bathroom passes. It's worth it! But there are also port-o-pottys all over.

11. Remember Where You Parked

If you’re driving, make sure you’ve parked in a safe location and maybe take a picture of the nearby street, or put a pin in your maps app so you can remember where you parked. Make your life nice and easy at the end of your day by marking this down for yourself.

12. Read The Parking Signs

Double check to make sure you're in a legal spot. There is just nothing worse than coming back to your car to find out it has been towed or has a big ticket on it. Don't ruin the end of your fun day because of where you parked your car.

13. Don't Drink And Drive

Seriously. In the land of Uber and Lyft, there’s just no reason to drink under the influence. Don’t be stupid. Use one of these ride share apps or take a taxi if you decide to imbibe.

14. Get The App

Yep, there’s an app for that. It shows you the exact route of the parade, but the best part is it’ll tell you if the parade is delayed or stopped in an area. There are a couple different ones out there, and once you use it you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it.

What are some of your Mardi Gras hacks? Let us know in the comments below.