Mardi Gras World

Mardi Gras World, at 1380 Port of New Orleans Place on the Mississippi riverfront in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the working studio of Blaine Kern Studios, the company that has built floats for Carnival parades since the 1940s. The attraction is housed in a large riverside warehouse where artists sculpt, paint and assemble giant figures out of foam and papier-mache, and visitors can watch craftspeople at work. A typical visit begins with a short film about Carnival history and traditions, followed by a guided walk through the studio, where visitors see finished floats, props, oversized heads and costumes from past parades. Visitors can try on Mardi Gras costumes and take photos with the props, and a slice of king cake is usually included, along with a view of the Mississippi River from the riverside deck. The tour takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, and admission is about $26 to $30 for adults, with lower prices for children. The attraction is generally open daily from about 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, though hours can change. Crowds are heaviest during school holidays and weekends and around Carnival season, when studio work is most active. Weekday mornings are typically the calmest. For photographs, the oversized props, colorful floats and the riverside deck are popular spots. A free shuttle from the Hilton Riverside near Canal Street has been advertised on the attraction website, and rideshare is a common alternative, since the location is a few blocks beyond the main tourist areas. Visitors should confirm shuttle schedules before relying on them. The attraction is a good rainy-day option and suits families, and it adds context to the city's Carnival culture year-round, even outside the festival season.