Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World featuring interior views, rides and railway items
Get an inside viewinto preparations for one of the world’s most famous annual festivals.

MardiGras in New Orleans is a way of life, a time when this already energetic citylights up even further with daily parades and festivities. Most cities arecontent to throw celebrations that run for a few days, but in New Orleans theparade season begins in January and builds up steam until “Fat Tuesday,” theday before Ash Wednesday. At Mardi Gras World, however, the carnival seasonruns all year round.

Mardi Gras World is alarge, warehouse-style building located on the banks of the Mississippi River.It forms part of the studios of Blaine Kern, a celebrated local artist with aninternationally recognized flair for creating floats and props.

The working studiogrew from humble beginnings. In the 1940s, a young Blaine Kern first publiclydemonstrated his artistic skills by painting a mural on a hospital wall aspartial payment for his ailing mother’s bills. Spotted by a float captain, hewas asked to work on a design for the forthcoming parade. He was soon a hugelysought-after artist, and his visions brought floats to life on a scale neverseen before. Today, his designs are no longer limited to carnival floats. Hisstudio is also responsible for some of the props you see at Disneyland,Universal Studios and other major theme parks.

Wander through afantasyland of floats and props that have made each carnival special. Join theone-hour studio tour which commences every half hour to see master float buildersat work and get a behind-the-scenes peek into the technology which brings thefloats to life. Tours are included in your admission price. Afterwards, soak upthe views of the Mississippi River as it rolls past the Mardi Gras World Café.

MardiGras World houses one of the most dazzling “museum archives” in the world andgives visitors insight into this fascinating sub-culture. It's open seven daysa week, except major public holidays and Mardi Gras. A free shuttle is providedwith ticket purchase with pickups in 20 convenient locations.

Popular places to visit


Top Mardi Gras World Hotel Deals

Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center
Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center
3.5 out of 5
1001 S Peters St, New Orleans, LA
Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans Convention Center
Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor
Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor
4.5 out of 5
739 Canal Street at Bourbon, New Orleans, LA
Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
4 out of 5
124 Royal St, New Orleans, LA
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
Le Pavillon New Orleans
Le Pavillon New Orleans
4 out of 5
833 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA
Le Pavillon New Orleans
Le Méridien New Orleans
Le Méridien New Orleans
4 out of 5
333 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA
Le Méridien New Orleans
Ace Hotel New Orleans
Ace Hotel New Orleans
4 out of 5
600 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, LA
Ace Hotel New Orleans
Embassy Suites by Hilton New Orleans
Embassy Suites by Hilton New Orleans
3.5 out of 5
315 Julia St, New Orleans, LA
Embassy Suites by Hilton New Orleans
Old 77 Hotel
Old 77 Hotel
4 out of 5
535 Tchoupitoulas Street, New Orleans, LA
Old 77 Hotel
Sonesta ES Suites New Orleans Convention Center
Sonesta ES Suites New Orleans Convention Center
3.5 out of 5
345 St Joseph St., New Orleans, LA
Sonesta ES Suites New Orleans Convention Center
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.