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Mardi Gras World Description

Unless you time your visit to New Orleans just right, you're probably going to miss Mardi Gras itself, which may not be such a bad idea when you're traveling with kids. No worries, you can take the Algiers ferry across the river to Kern Studios and tour the warehouses where the magic gets made. Put together by Blaine Kern, whose family-run company is the biggest float-builder in New Orleans, Mardi Gras World showcases the work of the craftspeople who spend all year building the enormous parade floats, costumes, masks, props, and gigantic figures that make up the heart of the Mardi Gras parade. Your kids will never see papier-mach the same way again.

Kid Tips

Babies: Take the shuttle and skip the 10-minute walk from the ferry.

Toddlers & Pre-K: The 15-minute introductory movie may be too long for short attention spans.

School-Age Kids: Allow time for kids to dress up in the authentic Carnival costumes.

Pre-Teens & Teens: Splurge on the photo with one of the giant Mardi Gras figures. It makes for a perfect souvenir.

Planning Notes

Take a tour. Narrated in the beginning, then self-guided, you'll get to try on carnival costumes and get a behind-the-scenes look at the talented people making the floats.

Take a breather. There's a free shuttle from the ferry if the 10-minute walk seems too long.

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