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Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World: Our most recommended tours and activities

New Orleans: Mardi Gras World Behind-the-Scenes Tour

1. New Orleans: Mardi Gras World Behind-the-Scenes Tour

Discover Mardi Gras magic on a self-guided tour of Mardi Gras World, where artists and craftsmen have designed and built the oldest and biggest parade floats and attractions for each Mardi Gras season in New Orleans since 1947. Begin your tour by receiving your ticket in form of a bead necklace and watch a film which gives an overview of the history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the role Mardi Gras World plays in it to this day. Then, enjoy a slice of the traditional Mardi Gras cake, King Cake, before your self-guided tour leads you through the float den. Explore where Mardi Gras World artists work year-round to build spectacular, one-of-a-kind floats and props, with over 500 floats built and decorated each year. See how the various themed elements are created from scratch or are adapted from elements created for previous themes — from sculpting the elements, to finishing and painting them. There is even an electronic robot that can carve 3-D sculptures. Take photos with some of the finished pieces from various themes over the years, then tour the floats themselves. Get up closer to the floats than is possible during Mardi Gras parades, and find out how these amazing pieces come to life each year. See floats in various stages of completion as they prepare for the upcoming Mardi Gras as much as a whole year before. At the end of the tour, stay and take more pictures with any of the floats if you like. For your convenience, a complimentary shuttle service is provided from stops in Downtown; just call the number provided on your voucher for your nearest stop and to arrange pickup.

New Orleans: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

2. New Orleans: Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Tour

Take in the highlights of New Orleans at your leisure with a 1-day ticket to this open-top bus tour. Hop on and hop off at any stop to see the best of the always fascinating Crescent City. Visit the French Market, Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, the Garden District and so much more. Hop off at the Superdome, originally named the Louisiana Superdome, which is the largest fixed dome structure in the world, and home to the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. Take the bus tour to all of the city’s popular attractions. Visit the stunning St. Louis Cathedral, which is a major landmark in the French Quarter and the oldest continuously active cathedral in the United States. Wander down Royal Street, one of the city's most historic streets, for crafts, antiques, art objects, and museums. Or, Hop-Off at the French Market and peruse stands loaded with fresh local produce along with an array of items including keepsakes and souvenirs. Whatever you choose to do during your stay in New Orleans, this hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tour will give you a chance to see the most with the least amount of hassle. Route Stops Include: 1. Jackson Square 2. French Market 3. Esplanade 4. Treme 5. Basin St. Station 6. Canal Street 7. Riverfront at Harrah’s Casino 8. CBD - Poydras & Carondolet 9. Louisiana Superdome - Hyatt Regency 10. The National WWII Museum 11. Magazine Street & Jackson Ave. 12. Garden District on Magazine Street 13. Magazine Street & Louisiana 14. St. Charles Avenue 15. St. Charles Avenue 16. Convention Center Pedestrian Park (Hall E) 17. Arts District - Julia Street 18. Harrah’s Casino on St. Peters Street

New Orleans: Go City All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions

3. New Orleans: Go City All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions

No other New Orleans sightseeing package can compare to the incredible choice, convenience, and value of a Go City All-Inclusive Pass. Your New Orleans pass includes admission to a variety of the most popular things to do in New Orleans, including French Quarter attractions, as well as surrounding Louisiana attractions. When you visit each location with your All-Inclusive Pass, the admission has already been taken care of. You simply follow the instructions in the guide and present your pass to enter. You don’t have to wait and pay over and over again. The low price of the New Orleans All-Inclusive Pass includes savings off of the admission fees you’d pay if you purchased your New Orleans attraction tickets individually at each location. Activities, attractions, and tours included with the New Orleans All-Inclusive Pass: Tours and Cruises • Paddlewheeler Creole Queen • Adventures in New Orleans Bus Tour • Ghost & Vampire Combo Tour by French Quarter Phantoms • French Quarter Ghosts & Legends Tour by Haunted History Tour • Ultimate Swamp Adventures • Saints and Sinners by French Quarter Phantoms • Cajun Pride Swamp Tour by Boat • Garden District Tour by French Quarter Phantoms • Tremé Tour by French Quarter Phantoms • Cities of the Dead Cemetery History Tour by Haunted History Tour • French Quarter History / Voodoo Tour • Canal Street Cemeteries and Katrina Memorial Tour Museums and Places of Interest • The National WWII Museum • Mardi Gras World (with transportation) • Cooking Demonstration Class/New Orleans School of Cooking • Longue Vue House and Gardens • Edgar Degas House • Southern Food and Beverage Museum • The New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old US Mint • 1850 House / The Louisiana State Museum • Cabildo / The Louisiana State Museum • New Orleans Pharmacy Museum • Presbytère/The Louisiana State Museum Attractions and tours are subject to change. Check your included digital guide for an up-to-date attraction line-up including opening times and instructions on how to access each attraction with your pass before you go.

Other Sightseeing Options in Mardi Gras World

Want to discover all there is to do in Mardi Gras World? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Mardi Gras World

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 565 reviews

If you are not in town for Mardi Gras, MardiGras world allows you to experience the magic, the creativity, the joy of the festival by showing you the history of Mardi Gras and allowing you so wonder though past flouts. As an artist myself this was a truly wonderful experience to see other artist at work.

We really enjoyed the tours. The guides did an excellent job and were fun to visit with. They were very personable. The tours were also very educational-we learned so much about New Orlean history.

It was interesting to find out the history of Mardi Gras and to see first hand, how those fabulous floats are created. The tour guide was fantastic!

We chose the self-guided tour and really enjoyed it. Got a chance to speak with some of the artists working. Absolutely fascinating and a must see!

Fun peeking behind the scenes. Highly recommend time spent at this venue.