Mardi Gras World
Mardi Gras World
4.5
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Mardi Gras World is the most unique attraction in America’s most uniquely attractive city. Come see how Mardi Gras is made and get up close to Mardi Gras' grandest floats and sculptures.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Address
Neighbourhood: Lower Garden District
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See what travellers are saying
- mplstravelMinneapolis, Minnesota423 contributionsUnique, Don't Miss ExperienceSo I wasn't particularly interested in going. I visualized a warehouse full of dusty floats that hadn't been used for decades. Boy, was I wrong. We had an amazing guide who was clearly passionate about Mardi Gras, and is an active participant, so he spoke with authenticity. The props were amazing, and it was so great seeing the artisans at work. One of our favorite stops in New Orleans!Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 22 October 2023
- LucylaprofAbingdon, Maryland118 contributionsWell planned fun timeA very interesting way to spend a couple of hours- they will pick you up in town with their own shuttle to get you there and back. The tour is interesting with a slice of King cake, and you can roam and take all of the pictures you want. Plus, there is a large deck overlooking the Mississippi. Don’t miss it.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 27 October 2023
- Lynn C11 contributionsTucked away gem!Go even though it’s off the beaten path! Derrell was our tour guide and he gave us so much history about how parades “krewes” are put together. Behind the scenes look at floats and decorations. Many discounts available.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 10 December 2023
- ihatecatsCoaldale, Pennsylvania270 contributionsI never realized the work that goes into a parade floatThe tour started with a short video about the history of the Mardi Gras parade floats, and a piece of King cake. It is actually a working parade float factory. They show the workers performing different tasks on the art of molding, cutting, and there's even a robotic machine that does some of the cutting, painting, and plenty of finished product in the warehouse to touch and view. Carla our tour guide was very informative.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 December 2023
- AsylumResidentPort Saint Lucie, Florida47 contributionsBackstage at Mardi GrasGet to see where the sausage is made for all those fabulous New Orleans parades. It’s a whole mess o’ fun. …like getting Willy Wonka to give you a private tour of the chocolate factory. Get up close and personal with the floats and see how those giant figurines are designed and produced.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 December 2023
- TheGoBirdJacksonville Beach, Florida700 contributionsNot to be missedMay be better than going to the actual parade. An interesting and informative tour. You get to see the floats up close and you can spend as much time looking as you wish. was a highlight of our week-long visit to New Orleans.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 December 2023
- allyouneedistaraIndianapolis, Indiana1,095 contributionsA must do in NOLAIt starts with a video giving important history. This is worth it! They even have king cake tasting which is so awesome because my family hasn't had it before. We all enjoyed the cake. Then you can either do a self guided tour or a guided tour of the warehouse. We chose to be guided to understand more and we are glad we did. They let you walk around during the end of the tour if you wanted to go back and explore more. Having a shuttle bus was so nice!!!! Thank you! The shuttle bus driver was awesome. He was entertaining and safe.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 28 December 2023
- cndirector1New Holland, Pennsylvania238 contributionsAwesome ExperienceWow very impressed with the tour and ability to see the process of styrofoam and fiberglass creations. The King Cake was a nice treat too. Interesting to hear how many floats they create and the variety of companies they make displays for. Add this to your must see list.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 30 December 2023
- Lori SCoral Springs, Florida94 contributionsGreat insight into the creation of Mardi Gras floats and some of the customsOur adult family loved this tour. It starts with a video explaining a little of the history and a piece of King Cale. Then a guide takes you through the warehouse where you see props for the floats being made as well as large props used in previous years. There is good signage explaining what you are looking at as well as a knowledgeable tour guide. We loved our visit and look into the craftsmanship!Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 3 January 2024
- DutchLaceHolland, Michigan1,174 contributionsAwesome!A must do if in the area! Shuttle bus service from local areas so you don't have to pay to park is offered. 30 minute tour was done well. You then can spend as much time enjoying the exhibit and taking all the pictures you like when the tour concluded.Visited January 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 January 2024
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4.5
4,449 reviews
Excellent
2,557
Very good
1,423
Average
343
Poor
80
Terrible
46
Louise P
Gatineau, Canada33 contributions
Feb 2020
The tour is interesting and it's nice to see all the floats and the decorations, but at $22 per person, plus $20 for parking, it makes for a very expensive tour, especially since the tour itself is not even one hour. You can spend a lot of time with the floats and decorations, but after a while, you've seen them all. Overall, I'm glad to have gone, but would not recommend it if you're time in NOLA is limited. there are other attractions that are more worth it.
Written 21 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pirate Gal
Lexington, SC134 contributions
Jan 2020
Sound/microphone system used by tour guide was crap. The group was way too large, and the sound/microphone system didn't allow us to hear in the back. Got to see the artists working on float and other display pieces, which was very cool, but it was incredibly loud and hot in the workshop. Pretty good gift shop.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tami P
Red Deer, Canada66 contributions
Jan 2020
Mardi Gras World has a free shuttle that picks you up at some hotels in the French Quarter. Our driver was so friendly and gave you a little history of New Orleans and Mardi Gras World on the drive over. We loved the tour. They show you a video and let you try king cake. Then they take you into the warehouse and show you the artists at work on the parade floats. After the tour you are free to wander and spend as much time as you want which we appreciated so you don't in any way feel rushed.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie S
Atlanta, GA36 contributions
Jan 2020
You may not think to go here, but if you go to New Orleans 1-2 months before Mardis Gras, this place is especially special. The floats are already partially built, you get to really appreciate the history of Mardis Gras and how hard the artists work to make it so special. And they do it for free fun. Harry Connick, Jr. has a group of people that create these floats and an awesome experience. Who knew?
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie
New York City, NY58 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Luckily I visited here 2 weeks before the Mardi Gras and could see some artists doing final touches to the marvelous work they have done for the parade. I wish I could take a tour but I got here less than 1 hour before the closing time and tried to see and take photos as much as I could. I entered with a Go New Orleans pass. One of a kind.. this place.
Written 15 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beth B
Saskatoon, Canada54 contributions
Jan 2020
Definitely a Must See. 11 minute film gives the history and explains the importance of Mardi Gras to New Orleans. A sample of King Cake was handed out to everyone. The workshop and rows of floats was amazing - going in Jan we saw the floats ready for the parades. Good tour guide. Good gift shop with plenty of items for kids too.
Written 29 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie
Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, Israel476 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
I did not take a tour but walked through the venue. I was amazed at all the work that goes into creating these larger than life flotillas and parade items. There were artists at work and it was interesting to see how the model figures become real life figures for the parade. It’s a really colorful place and worth a visit.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charlie Duncan
New York City, NY189 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Yes it’s a tourist trap but what a beautiful one it is. We went the week before the large parades roll through town and it was great to see the mostly finished product. The tour was fine but having free reign to explore the craftsmanship up close and personal was worth the visit. We enjoyed comparing the kern floats to the others when we saw parades later in the weekend
Written 15 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlanmcd
Brooklyn, NY380 contributions
Feb 2021 • Family
Visited for the first time and was amazed by the production that goes into these floats and was thrilled to see artists at work. Endless sculptures. So beautiful and nice touch to give visitors king cake in celebration of Mardi Gras
Written 23 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heidiks1
New York City, NY83 contributions
Jan 2023
Don't miss this!!! It is an out-of-the-way world of fun!
I was afraid it might be a bit hokey but instead it was amazing! It is like having a front row seat to seeing how the Mardi Gras floats are created.... like being backstage at a theater and seeing all of the sets and props up close.
You actually get to wander through the warehouse and watch the people working on the different design elements. And you can wander endlessly around the gigantic and brightly colored creations that fill the warehouse.
They even have a shuttle that will pick you up downtown.
I would not, however, recommend walking there because it is not a beautiful walk, and it is a bit remote and isolated.
I was afraid it might be a bit hokey but instead it was amazing! It is like having a front row seat to seeing how the Mardi Gras floats are created.... like being backstage at a theater and seeing all of the sets and props up close.
You actually get to wander through the warehouse and watch the people working on the different design elements. And you can wander endlessly around the gigantic and brightly colored creations that fill the warehouse.
They even have a shuttle that will pick you up downtown.
I would not, however, recommend walking there because it is not a beautiful walk, and it is a bit remote and isolated.
Written 13 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What are their hours? Trip Advisor says they close at 4:30 but Google says 5:30. Also, do you have to pay for the guided tour or can you just pay for admission and tour on your own?
Written 12 August 2023
Paying admission includes the guided tour. Then you are free to browse in your own. Check their website for hours. They also have a free shuttle from the French Quarter and other stops.
Written 13 August 2023
Are they strictly adhering to CDC guidelines such as smaller and socially distanced tours, masks must be worn CORRECTLY and fully at all times, high cleaning standards, etc? I emailed them and didn't hear back so wondering who visited lately could provide insight? I don't see comments on their webpage either like other museums are doing. We don't want to skip this but want to ensure everything is safe before trekking down there from our hotel. I know about the free shuttle...not so sure in these times. Thank you.
Written 25 July 2020
We were there before the covid pandemic hit so I don't know what the conditions are now. Personally I wouldn't go to New Orleans right now anyway.
Written 26 July 2020
No, you can buy the tickets at the counter. However sometimes they have a large group buying tickets and it can take a while. The owner of Mardi Gras World is a friend and I know he works hard at providing good customer relations.
Written 18 July 2019
Is there a way/option to make your own mask during/after the tour or otherwise as a visiting couple? The only available noted option online is for team building with a 15 guest minimum.
Written 8 April 2019
On the day that we were there, the first of the super parades were planned, so many any of the prepared floats were out of the building and lines up for the parade. We received a well guided tour and were able to still see many former projects md a few already in the works. No mention was given for making masks.
Written 26 April 2019
Is this within walking distance from the cruise port?
Written 6 February 2019
Easily. It's almost next door to the cruise line berths.
Written 6 February 2019
Hi- Will we be able to see the floats in the warehouse if we go the week of Feb 18, since it is 2 weeks out from Mardi Gras? I wasn't sure when the floats would start to move out. Thanks.
Written 7 January 2019
Yes you can take all of the pics you want. They don’t have all of the floats for the Mardi Gras. I understood them to say there are many places where floats are being put together. Lots of props. After the guide takes you thru then you are on your own to spend as much time there. Well worth the $20 I paid. Can’t really remember what I paid but close enough.
Written 6 February 2019
can you walk around on your own or do you have to take the tour
Written 16 July 2018
I'm not 100% sure about whether you can walk around without taking the tour. I honestly wouldn't want to because the tour is incredible and after it was over, we could then go back in and walk around to anything we wanted to see again.
Written 16 July 2018
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