This is the liveliest month in New Orleans’ calendar, filled with wild parties, technicolor costume, mouthwatering dishes, and striking processions of carnival floats. Get down with the thronging crowds, immerse in the festivities and delight in everything this electric city has to offer.

Here’s how best to spend a couple of days in NOLA over Mardi Gras and save up to 35% on combined admission vs paying at the gate with a 3-Day All-Inclusive pass. 

Regular admission to a number of these activities is included on the Go New Orleans pass. Please note, some of these special events may be separately ticketed and not included on the Go New Orleans pass.

 

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Day 1

How better to kick off your exploration of this fascinating city than hopping aboard an Adventures in New Orleans Bus Tour? You’ll travel to practically every corner of historic and beautiful New Orleans, taking in the sights and smells of Bourbon street, the Oldy-Worldy French Quarter, the mighty Mississippi River and the serenity of Lake Pontchartrain. 

If a morning’s tour aboard a bus didn’t satisfy your sightseeing needs, then use your Go New Orleans pass to board one of the beauties of the ‘Old Blue’. Your pass gives you free access to the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Cruise where you can enjoy views of the city from the water!

This tour takes you along the 300-year-old port, past the riverside French Quarter and towards the lush and leafy Jean Lafitte National Park.

PaddleWheeler
Day 2 - Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday)
Cooking Class

Today is all about the Parade that pounds the streets of the Downtown core and St. Charles Avenue. There are parades all over the city through January and February but none are so eagerly attended as on Mardi Gras day.

Traipse around the pretty streets the intersect the parade route and take your fill of mouthwatering dishes from street food trucks and stands, to local restaurants and cafés that open out onto sidewalks.

Ready to emulate the unique delicacies of this scent-filled city? Get down to New Orleans School of Cooking and try your hand at creating Creole classics like jambalaya, shrimp creole, and pralines as well as dishes like crab bisque, crawfish etouffee, and shrimp soup.

Day 3 - Ash Wednesday

Were you totally enthralled by the throbbing tunes that follow the parade route and keen to find out more? Use your Go New Orleans pass to embark upon a Music of New Orleans Tour and learn first-hand this city’s rich musical heritage.

If you haven’t had your fill of the fun surrounding the carnival procession and parties that extend late into the night, then why not use the following day to visit Mardi Gras World? Closed on the actual day of Mardi Gras, this is the perfect time to get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into making the Parade the colorful celebration that it is.

Here you’ll get to step into the studio where the famous floats are designed and stored, from 1950s floats to present-day creations. You’ll also be able to take a tour through some of the finest works by local float designers and see what up-and-coming artists are working on for next year's celebration.

You'll get a chance to get into the festival spirit too - take a twirl in a costume and tuck into a complimentary slice of Louisiana-style King Cake. Delicieux!

Music Tour
What you get with a Go New Orleans pass

Freedom to choose - visit as many attractions as you like. 

Great savings and easy budgeting. 

Choose as you go - mix your pre-booked activities with dozens of flexible experiences.

All on one digital pass.

Remember to Save on Attraction Admission

So there you have it. Our list of some fantastic things to do in New Orleans over the electric Mardi Gras celebrations.

Remember, some of these great options are included on the Go New Orleans pass, where you can save up to 35% on combined admission vs paying at the gate.

Please note, the special events taking place at some of these attractions may be separately ticketed and not included with the Go New Orleans pass.

 
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