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New Orleans Mardi Gras World Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Badge of ExcellenceNew Orleans, USA
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Peek behind the curtain at the marvel of Mardi Gras with this tour of Mardi Gras World in New Orleans. See the behind-the-scenes work and incredible artistry that goes into preparing for the annual celebration. With a guide, learn the history of the event, and see fantastic floats and props. Get a picture in front of your favorite float, dress up in costumes, and sample some classic King Cake.
- Tour of Mardi Gras World in New Orleans
- See where New Orleans’ amazing Mardi Gras floats are made
- Try on Mardi Gras costumes, pose in front of the floats, and savor a slice of traditional King Cake
- Learn about the history of Mardi Gras from your guide
- Pickup from downtown New Orleans provided
What's Included
- Self-guided walking tour
- Slice of King Cake
- Shuttle pickup and drop-off from select downtown New Orleans locations
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Mardi Gras World, 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Arrive using your own transportation or take the free shuttle. Transport is provided from 20 downtown New Orleans locations. A list can be found on your ticket. Shuttles run every half hour from each location from morning until mid‐afternoon. Please call tour operator for estimated pickup time.
Start time
Opening hours
- 4/24/2024 - 5/19/2025
Monday - Sunday : 09:00 AM - 05:30 PM
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Begin your behind-the-scenes tour of Mardi Gras World by hopping on the shuttle at one of the 20 stops in central New Orleans. Shuttles run every half hour from each location from morning until mid-afternoon, so you can easily fit your 90 minute excursion into a day of sightseeing.
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your guide, an expert in all things Mardi Gras. Get inspired by the warehouses and ‘float dens,’ studio spaces where designers create elaborate floats for the festival’s 40-plus parades. Learn the meanings behind the symbols and design details, and check out the incredible planning and labor that goes into constructing each float.
You’ll come away with a greater understanding of Mardi Gras, a beloved and deep‐rooted tradition that is now the largest cultural celebration in the U.S. Before heading back to town on the shuttle, get a photo with your favorite float and try on some fun festival costumes—and don’t forget to grab a delicious slice of King Cake.
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by your guide, an expert in all things Mardi Gras. Get inspired by the warehouses and ‘float dens,’ studio spaces where designers create elaborate floats for the festival’s 40-plus parades. Learn the meanings behind the symbols and design details, and check out the incredible planning and labor that goes into constructing each float.
You’ll come away with a greater understanding of Mardi Gras, a beloved and deep‐rooted tradition that is now the largest cultural celebration in the U.S. Before heading back to town on the shuttle, get a photo with your favorite float and try on some fun festival costumes—and don’t forget to grab a delicious slice of King Cake.
Mardi Gras World
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- Tour does not operate on Mardi Gras Day, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day and Easter
- Completed floats may not be along the tour route the week leading up to Fat Tuesday
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
Traveler Photos
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Reviews
4.5
399 reviews
Jake_G, May 2024
Loved seeing all the float props “. Had a great tour guide. I love seeing the film about Mardi Gras and learning more about it!
Tricia_H, Apr 2024
Learning about the actual production of Mardi Gras parades and floats. I will come back and bring my family!
PATRICIA_R, Sep 2023
It was sooo much fun. Great presentations, talks, and aMAzing artistry. Quite a wonderful experience to behold. I’m very glad I did it!
Ohad_A, Nov 2021
Beware! This tour is cancelled. Locked doors. Make sure it's active before you buy tickets! Viator sold us tickets to a cancelled event!!!
Charles_G, Oct 2021
We got there and they were not open. Y’all sold me tickets to a place that was not open. I would like you to refund me please.
Carmen_U, Oct 2021
The place is closed indefinitely. Why are you selling tickets when they are closed. Please issue a refund
vicki_d, Oct 2021
You owe me my ticket price -17$ Mardi Gras is closed due to damage from hurricane ida -!!!!!!!Yet you sold me at ticket to tour it-!!!im waiting on a refund -!!!
KMickey, Aug 2021
Overall a very good tour! Would have liked a little more guidance as the tour was self-guided. I would suggest adding information about the year the floats and props were used. tour better to explain how the different floats were used and the year/s they were used in Mardi Gras. The warehouse was a bit dusty but interesting. We found ourselves just wondering around.
Sylvia_G, Aug 2021
It was very interesting to see how the floats were made and recycled. Lots of good photo props. Good experience.
Mary_N, Aug 2021
Great to see so many of the different floats and parts of other floats. Also interesting to see how they are built.
...
From $22.00
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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