New Orleans Rainy Day Fun at Mardi Gras World

On any vacation you hope to have sunshine and clear days, but that’s not always the case. Recently, we spent a few days in New Orleans and had one FULL day of torrential downpour. But a New Orleans rainy day didn’t stop us from having fun. Oh no, we celebrated Mardi Gras when Mardi Gras wasn’t even going on!

Here’s what you can expect on a tour at Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World. 

New Orleans Rainy Day

New Orleans Rainy Day Fun

The tour starts with a free ride on the Mardi Gras World shuttle that picks up from many different stops throughout the city. 

Located south of the French Quarter and outside the main downtown area, walking to Mardi Gras World is not a convenient walk – especially in the rain. 

New Orleans Rainy Day

Once you receive your “ticket” which is in the form of beads but of course, you will head over to the theater to watch a short introductory film about the history of Mardi Gras. At the end of the film pick up a tasty slice of king cake brought in from a local bakery. 

New Orleans Rainy Day

King cake is a Mardi Gras tradition. It’s similar to coffee cake, but typically has a small baby inside.

Yep, you read that right, a toy baby is hidden in the cake! The significance of the baby depends on who you ask and what party you are at. Whoever finds the baby is supposed to either host next year’s festivities, is king or queen for the day or is then responsible for purchasing next year’s cake.

Because of liability reasons I’m assuming, you can eat your slice in peace with no worry of cracking a tooth as there’s no baby hidden in the king cake at Mardi Gras World. Once you gobble it down, you’ll be swept off to the warehouse to see the action.

New Orleans Rainy Day

Get Your Guide is a great company that offers discounted tours and attraction tickets. One of the most unique tours out of New Orleans is the Voodoo and Cemetery Tour which is a two hour walking tour to explore the Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau’s final resting place and learn all about the City of Dead. Did you know you cannot access St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 without a guide? If you book through our site, at no additional cost to you, you’ll help us support the blog since we receive a small commission.

Other fun New Orleans tours they offer:

Inside the float den, you’ll delve into the history and current undertaking of creating the flashy and outrageous floats that belong to the parades surrounding Mardi Gras.

The gigantic warehouse is a working environment with employees cutting, gluing and pasting away while tourists walk by and snap pictures. 

New Orleans Rainy Day

About 80% of the extraordinary floats that are paraded down the streets during Mardi Gras are designed and built at this warehouse. The artists use papier mĂ¢chè to cover the Styrofoam to create an easy medium to paint on. And the result is stunning pieces of artwork!

RELATED: OTHER COOL THINGS TO DO IN NEW ORLEANS

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The tour guide starts in the workshop area then leads the group through the warehouse to the amazing parade floats. They are INCREDIBLE!

You’ll learn so many fun facts about Mardi Gras like there are two bathrooms on each float. I always wondered what they had to do if they had to use the bathroom!

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And who pays for the Mardi Gras floats? Parade floats are funded by members of private clubs called krewes. They collaborate year round to choose the parade’s theme, costumes and throws.

So these members pay thousands of dollars in dues AND they have to supply their own beads or whatever is decided to be thrown from the float.

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The guided portion of the tour ends here and the guide allows visitors free time to independently walk around anywhere as long as you don’t climb up on the floats. Take as many pictures as you want and try on some authentic Mardi Gras costumes.

RELATED: 3 ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS IN NEW ORLEANS

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What is there to do in New Orleans on a rainy day? What to do on a hot day in New Orleans? Fun things to do indoors in New Orleans…

If you are asking yourself these questions, head out to Mardi Gras World to learn about the tradition of Mardi Gras and its history. Even if it’s not inclement weather, the tour is so unique to the region, I would recommend it either way. It’s a great way to experience a little piece of Mardi Gras minus the crowds! 

And if this is your first or second trip to NOLA, don’t miss our article here on some of the do-not-miss places

Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World Details

1380 Port of New Orleans Place

New Orleans, LA 70130

(504) 475-2057

Mardi Gras World Hours

  • Open 7 days a week
  • From 9:00am to 5:30pm
  • First tour at 9:30am and last tour beginning at 4:30pm

How Long Does it Take to Tour Mardi Gras World?

The tour itself lasts about an hour long but plan for at least 2 – 2 1/2 hours for the whole experience. There may be a short wait plus add time for the gift shop and looking around time on your own at the end of the tour. 

How Much Does Mardi Gras World Cost?

  • Adults and children   $22
  • Seniors, 65+   $17
  • Students with college ID   $17
  • Children, 2-11    $14

Are there any discounts at Mardi Gras World? Discounts are available for Seniors, College Students, and Children 2 – 11.

TIP: Make sure to third party check for discounted tickets.

When is New Orleans Rainy Season?

The months of February, July, and August see the most rain in New Orleans.  And if you are asking yourself what to wear in New Orleans when it rains, plan on packing a super cute waterproof raincoat!

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Do you have any other suggestions for what to do on a New Orleans rainy day? Tell us in the comments below.

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New Orleans Rainy Day

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Angela E. is a travel writer from the Chicagoland area who has visited all 50 states in the US and has traveled extensively around the world. She is passionate about exploring the great outdoors and hiking in particular. Her love for nature has taken her to some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. She has written extensively about her travels on her own website, Dang Travelers, and has been published in collaboration with other travel websites and multiple visitor bureaus around the country.

19 Responses

  1. Chris Travels

    Wow, those Mardi Gras floats are so beautiful and to view them at your leisure, taking in their many details, sounds fantastic. I’m sure if I ever visit that famous city I will pray for just one rainy day to experience the delights of Mardy Gras World!

  2. Sarah

    So glad you were able to enjoy your trip despite the rain! You just have to be flexible when you travel.

    Best,
    Sarah

  3. Kaylene Chadwell

    Good to hear you were still able to enjoy your time there with the weather! I love the colors of all the floats, so vibrant! I want to get back to New Orleans. I’ve only been as a kid for the jazz festival.

  4. Kemkem

    Holy smokes! The Krewes have to spend gobs of money, don’t they? đŸ™‚ . I need to visit NoLa one of these days. It just sounds like such a fun place. This tour looks really good too, even though l think l would be a bit frightened of the horny devil đŸ™‚ .

  5. Maggie

    I’ve always wanted to visit New Orleans. I had no idea you could see all that Mardi Gras stuff even if it wasn’t actually happening at the time! Those floats are UNREAL. Better than any parade I’ve ever seen!

  6. Jim B

    Few places in the world have the same feel as the French Quarter. Love the pics, I’ve always wanted to visit the Mardi Gras house and see the floats being built. Next trip I guess. Good read.

  7. Holly

    I had no idea that you could take a tour of the Mardi Gras floats. I loved New Orleans while I was there. Definitely a city I want to go back to!

  8. Daniel

    Could you make the same for many more cities? I can’t count the days I spent at the hostel not knowing what to do on rainy days… Great post!

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