Party in Pensacola with the kids at wholesome Mardi Gras
I'm glad Las Vegas changed its marketing focus from families to adults exclusively. I love kids. I have three of my own, but I also think that it's OK to have a couple places on the planet that just aren't suitable for sippy cups.
The same goes for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. After all, the kids get enough of alcohol-fueled adults behaving badly at extended family Christmas gatherings.
That doesn't mean the little revelers have to wait until their third year of college to witness of celebration of carnival. For a raucous Mardi Gras, family style, head to Pensacola, Fla.
Like New Orleans, Pensacola has had more than a few heads of state. The "City of Five Flags" has been ruled by Spain, France, England, the Confederate States of America and the United States, with the French adding the masked balls and parties of Mardi Gras to the culture.
The first Mardi Gras celebration in Pensacola was in 1874. The 21st-century version offers families glittering parades, including one solely for kids and another for animals. You'll find King Cakes and MoonPies galore and all kinds of wholesome indulgence.
It's good to know that your carnival vacation may also include visits to 52 miles of protected, pristine Gulf shoreline, museums and outdoor family activities.
Mardi Gras in the 450-year-old city begins in January with the Krewe of Junkanoo Kritter Krawl at the Gulfside Pavilion on Pensacola Beach. Dogs and cats are joined by snakes, lizards, hamsters and even horses all festooned in Mardi Gras garb. The Krewe of Kids Parade immediately follows with candy, MoonPies and beads tossed to spectators lining the route. Bring some bags to catch beads, doubloons and stuffed animals during the nighttime, illuminated Krewe of Lafitte Parade on Feb. 1.
Nearly 200 bejeweled floats glide down Palafox Street during the Feb. 2 Pensacola Grand Mardi Gras Parade, and the very next day, the Krewe of Wrecks Parade stars vehicles from golf carts to ships rolling down Via DeLuna Drive.
Stop by Jerry's Cajun Cafe and Market for jambalaya, crawfish pie and boudin balls: breaded and fried Cajun sausage and rice. Introduce the kids to the traditional Mardi Gras King Cake from J's Pastry Shop serving up sweets for 60 years. The wreath-shaped cake, decorated with traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple (justice), green (faith) and gold (power), contains a tiny plastic baby baked inside. The person who gets the baby in their piece of cake should host the next King Cake party or, in the kids' case, let them stay up until midnight.
For more information about Mardi Gras in the Pensacola Bay area, sashay over to www.PensacolaMardiGras.com.
On your way to Naval Air Station Pensacola, home to the National Naval Aviation Museum, explain to the kids that Mardi Gras was not officially celebrated in the town during the war years of 1919-1921. One of the three largest aviation museums in the world, the spacious facility features a striking display of more than 170 vintage aircraft, a Blue Angel flight simulator and an IMAX theater. Check to see if the Blue Angels will be practicing aerial maneuvers in the sky prior to your visit (www.navalaviationmuseum.org). Museum admission is free.
The T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum is worth a stop. You'll appreciate the artwork, artifacts and antique photographs. The younger culture hounds should sniff out the hands-on Discovery Gallery with a pint-sized schoolhouse, hospital and jail (www.historicpensacola.org).
Although temperatures hover in the 50s and 60s during the winter months, Pensacola Beach beckons with walks along the shore. Visit Blackwater River State Park for biking and nature trails. The Nature Conservancy designated the Florida Panhandle as a hothouse for biodiversity in plant and animal life in the U.S.
Late August through February is the area's shoulder season (aka "secret season"), which means some of the best lodging deals of the year. Hampton Inn Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, for example, offers sound-side rooms starting at $99 December through January and Gulf-view rooms start at $119. Call (800) 320-8108 or visit www.hamptoninn.com.
Book any property with Sterling resorts and enjoy a special of $100 off when you stay three or more nights: (800) 801-4689 or www.sterlingresorts.com for details.
Browse other special deals at www.VisitPensacola.com or ring the Pensacola Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at (800) 874-1234.