9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1380 Port of New Orleans Place. In addition to serving as float warehouse, or “den,” and parade-staging area, this massive riverfront complex houses a working studio for making sculptures, props and thematic architecture not just for Mardi Gras but also an international clientele including theme parks, casinos, aquariums, restaurants and retail emporiums. All kinds of realms and characters come to life here. Jesters mingle with Hindu deities. Movie stars and famous musicians compete for attention with dragons, prancing satyrs and gods and goddess from myth and legend. Superheroes and storybook characters take their place alongside famous athletes and historical personages. From jungle animals and undersea creatures to spooky ghouls and gargoyles; from robots and Biblical characters to Southern belles and Buddha—the denizens of this phantasmal funhouse run the gamut.

Touring the facility provides a sense of Mardi Gras as mixture of centuries-old traditions and high-tech innovations. Artisans sculpt, finish and paint giant disembodied heads and other figures made from Styrofoam, fiberglass and papier mâché. They work amid an array of fully assembled parade floats. Some are towering, multi-section constructions tricked-out with razzamatazz—fiber-optic lighting, powerful sound systems and other special effects.

Mardi Gras is New Orleans’s most important cultural institution, and big parades with glitzy floats are the prominent visual manifestation of the celebration. At Mardi Gras World, you can experience the fun, excitement and artistry of it all year round.

Open 7 days a week. Tours are offered every 30 minutes, with the last tour starting at 4:30 PM. Closed on Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter Sunday and Mardi Gras Day. Free hotel shuttle available.

For reservations or more information, call 504-361-7821 or visit MardiGrasWorld.com.