I am going to new orleans from feb13-15, is that mardi gras weekend? and where can i stay for cheap

I am going to new orleans from feb13-15, is that mardi gras weekend? and where can i stay for cheap?
I found a real cheap flight from chicago for 200 bucks and want to go, but dont know if going on this weekend is worth it? and can you find somewhere cheap to sleep, cuz i am going to be out, just need a place to lay my head for a coupla hours and keep my toothbrush at.
New Orleans - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
you're about 1 week too early for the peak fun...fat tuesday is feb 24th which would make the previous weekend (feb 20-24) the absolute prime time to go..but it'll still be fun just not nearly as crazy as right before fat tuesday...oh yea, nowhere is cheap to stay around mardi gras
2 :
Im going too! I will be there on mardi gras. I found a reasonable rate at the Canal Street hotel. They still had openings last week when I checked. $160 total for 2 nights right in the French Quarter.
3 :
Its the weekend before the major crowds but it will still be fun. A bit more local feel and easier to get around. Parades will still roll on the weekends but not as big as the following week. Although rates will not be as high either. If you want cheap you might want to try hotwire or hotels.com and get something in the french quarter. Its where you want to be. If you go be sure to check out the Barkus parade. Its a parade for dogs and is one if not the only that actually goes throughout the french quarter streets. Its too funny. http://www.barkus.org/
4 :
A place to "stay for cheap" can be hard to find in New Orleans during Mardi Gras, even during the first weekend of parades. Check the travel sites (like Expedia) for deals and also the hotel websites (Holiday Inn, Marriott, etc.). Go to www.frenchquarterhotels.com com for some non-chain hotels in the French Quarter. Note that staying way out in the suburbs or by the airport to get a lower nightly rate is unlikely to save you money. The parades disrupt public transit and taxis are both expensive + hard to find during Carnival. Renting a car won't work because parking downtown becomes a nightmare during Carnival. Go to www.mardigras.com and www.mardigrasguide.com for more info on Carnival in New Orleans. The FAQ sections may be particularly helpful Hope you have a great time!
5 :
Check out BookMe dot com. You can compare ALL the reputable travel sites for one location, and save tons of money. Good luck!