I celebrate Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, where I can get all the beads and king cake I want. Here's why it beats New Orleans' crowded festivities.

When people think of Mardi Gras, their minds usually go to the wild party scene that overtakes New Orleans' streets every year. They're often taken aback when I tell them I'm going to celebrate in Mobile, Alabama, instead.

Though Mardi Gras, a Christian holiday marking the last day before Lent, is often associated with The Big Easy, many Alabamians have laid claim to the holiday. And speaking from experience, the port city has its own thriving festival scene.

After experiencing both Mardi Gras celebrations, I found various similarities and differences between them. But as an Alabama native, I prefer celebrating in Mobile. Here's why.

Mardi Gras' origins are the subject of an ongoing debate, as many people in both New Orleans and Mobile claim their city was home to the first Fat Tuesday celebration.

On the eve of the holiday in 1699, French explorers arrived near present-day New Orleans on the Mississippi River, celebrated, and named the plot Pointe du Mardi Gras. However, the city of New Orleans wasn't founded until 1718, and French settlers in Mobile had their first Mardi Gras celebration in 1703.

Regardless of which city actually hosted the first Mardi Gras, they've both formed their own unique traditions in the centuries that followed.

Whether you're celebrating in The Big Easy or on the Gulf Coast, you're going to see colorful floats and get an assortment of Mardi Gras beads. 

It's also a tradition to eat king cake — a braided cinnamon dough with purple, green, and yellow sugar — at the Mardi Gras festivals in both states. 

If you get a slice with the little plastic baby that's hidden inside or underneath the cake, many believe it's good luck.

When I went to New Orleans' Mardi Gras a few years ago, it felt a lot more chaotic than the celebrations I was used to attending in Mobile. 

Even though the Alabama festival has its fair share of drinking, New Orleans' Bourbon Street felt like a crowded frat party in comparison. I saw women lift their shirts for a string of beads there along with naked people running around the streets.

Of course, there are still rules in New Orleans, and breaking them can lead to serious consequences, even during Mardi Gras.

Even if you're not drinking, you can enjoy New Orleans' numerous parades, food festivals, and masquerade balls. These activities, paired with the city's historic backdrop and culture, give visitors endless things to do, see, and eat. 

Mobile's Mardi Gras celebration feels more intimate, mild, and family-friendly than the one I went to in New Orleans. You should still be very careful around the city and exercise caution in busy areas. However, Mardi Gras in Mobile seems to attract more children and parents. It's not uncommon to see families having picnics on the sidewalk.

In Mobile, people from all walks of life gather to watch the estimated 40 parades during the carnival season. They feel more condensed and smaller than the ones I've seen in New Orleans.

High-school bands, city associations, and mystic societies, which are Mardi Gras social organizations, congregate on and beside the floats. Mobile also has a thriving LGBTQ community that turns out to celebrate the festival.

I often have at least one family member or friend participating in the parades. It really feels like the entire community comes together. 

Mobile doesn't get nearly as many tourists as New Orleans during Mardi Gras (the Louisiana city gets around 1 million visitors during its peak carnival season). I'm introverted, so large crowds, like the ones I was standing in on Bourbon Street, drain me. 

I actually appreciate The Big Easy's popularity because it makes Mobile's festivities feel like somewhat of a secret.

The crowds surrounding Mobile's parades are considerably less dense than the ones in New Orleans, making it easier to catch beads.

Finding a place to park in New Orleans during the carnival season can be a bit hectic, too. Fortunately, it's usually easy to find parking in Mobile. Many locals and businesses rent out their yards and parking lots for a small fee. Still, it's always a good idea to check the parking map in advance.

Louisiana has food with unrivaled spice and delicious fish. Some of its most famous dishes include gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and jambalaya.

But it would be a mistake to sleep on Alabama's seafood. As a native, I'm partial to it.

Because the Gulf Coast is less than an hour from Mobile, fresh seafood is always on my Mardi Gras menu. I can't get enough of crawfish, and first-time visitors can't go wrong ordering from Mudbugs, one of my go-to spots.

Plus, Mobile's MoonPie tradition is one of my favorite parts of the holiday, as I love the marshmallow and graham-cracker treats. In the mid-20th century, people aboard floats began throwing the prepackaged desserts into the crowds during Mobile's Mardi Gras parades.

Mardi Gras is the only time I eat MoonPies, so there's something special about catching them every year. I usually leave with a bag of 20 to 30 of them in various flavors, including chocolate, banana, and vanilla.

Mardi Gras has always been about family and cultural identity for me. Going to Mobile during the festival feels a bit like a homecoming. Besides seeing family and friends, there's a sense of familiarity I haven't found anywhere else. 

Every year, my family tailgates in the same Burger King parking lot, passing the time between parades by enjoying drinks and crawfish. As I've grown, the celebration has allowed me to spend time with my parents and share the tradition with my wife.