Fat Tuesday… Shrove Tuesday… Mardi Gras… Carnival… No matter what you call it the day(s) leading up to Lent have revelers around the world pouring the party into the streets. Images of vibrantly colored floats, jazz bands and hoards of people lining the sides of New Orleans instantly come to mind when talking Mardi Gras. However, NOLA doesn’t have the market cornered when it comes to the quest for purple, green and gold beads.

Mobile, Alabama

Mobile, AL—The “Azalea City” was the first to mark Mardi Gras in the U.S. back in 1703, and it also hosted the first Mardi Gras parade in 1830. Today Mobile plays host to more than a million for its pre-Lenten festivities, holding the title as the second largest party in the nation.

St. Louis, Missouri

St. Louis, MO—There are a lot of similarities among the various Mardi Gras celebrations, but St. Louis may differentiate itself by letting the dogs take the lead. The family-oriented “Krewe of Barkus” pet parade consists of anyone who dresses up their dog in costume and walks the route, and is followed by weiner dog races.

Galveston, Texas

Galveston, TX—The third largest celebration allows group travelers a chance to take in the celebration with a side of sun and sand. Located 50 miles from Houston, the island’s Mardi Gras activities date back to 1867. More than 200,000 flock to Galveston each year for the festivities.

San Diego, California

San Diego, CA—We had to see if there were krewes kickin’ it up elsewhere in the U.S. besides the South, and we found that San Diego marks the observance in the historic Gaslamp District. Though slightly smaller in attendance at 30,000, the street party takes over 22 city blocks for plenty of opportunity for beads and boas.

They say it’s not the destination, but the journey that’s important. We would add it’s how you take the journey. Regardless of the size of your krewe there are safe, reliable and green options that will make this Mardi Gras a better trip for your group. There’s an automatic designated driver, so everyone’s attention can be focused on the festivities. Also, the licensed and insured driver takes care of all the parking and navigating the crowds, which makes for a care-free journey.

The charter bus directory can help you find a provider in your area for your needs. If you’re in Kansas and you want to go to New Orleans for a group of 60, you will need a charter bus. Maybe your group is traveling from Houston to Galveston with 25, then a mini-bus might suit your needs. You could even pick your charter to fit the tone of the adventure by checking out the party bus options on one end of the spectrum or the limo bus on the other. For all trips, be sure to check with your provider on state container laws before bringing alcohol onboard. You can get all the details and search your options here. So get clicking to laissez les bon temps rouler!