Southern Living provides a whirlwind tour of Mardi Gras in Mobile in a new article with a headline declaring that “This Alabama Town Is The Real Birthplace of Mardi Gras In The United States.”

Published earlier this week, the article by Tara Massouleh McCay covers a lot of bases at a breathless pace: The experience of being caught up in the excitement of a parade crowd, the sheer scope of the festivities, the history and finery showcased at the Mobile Carnival Museum, the prominent place of The Excelsior Band, the artistry that goes into the parade floats, the flavors of seasonal treats such as king cake.

Aside from providing a handy primer to the highlights of Mardi Gras in Mobile, the article offers visitors some recommendations about where to drink and dine, including notable spots such as LoDa Bier Garten, Mo’bay Beignet Co. and The Noble South, and where to stay. (And yes, it cautions that hotels tend to book up during the season.)

“For the uninitiated, attending Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, can be a little like drinking from a fire hose,” McCay writes. “And in this case, that hose is pumped with 300 years of history and more eccentric traditions than you can count.”

Mobile’s first parade of the season rolls on Friday, Jan. 26. A schedule of major parades and ongoing coverage can be found at www.al.com/mardigras.