If there is one thing New Orleans is famous for – it’s MARDI GRAS!

The world’s largest party, Mardi Gras happens every year starting on Twelfth Night (Jan 6th) and culminating on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. However, you can channel that Mardi Gras feeling all year round by visiting one of these magical Mardi Gras museums during your visit to New Orleans.

Mardi Gras World

The largest float designing and building facility in the world, Mardi Gras World offers a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the Mardi Gras parades.

During the tour, visitors learn about the many traditions surrounding Mardi Gras parades, balls and music, as well as the intricacies of float designing and building. You also get to try a slice of the famous Mardi Gras treat, King Cake.

I really enjoyed getting up close to the massive parade floats and models, and learning about the whole design process behind them. There was even a giant robotic arm!

Mardi Gras World is open seven days a week, and perfect if you are looking for a rainy day activity.

The Presbytere Museum

Dating to c.1791, the Presbytere is part of the Louisiana State Museum and can be found at Jackson Square in the heart of the famous French Quarter. The museum houses two great exhibitions – one on Hurricane Katrina, and one on everything Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana offers a window into the annual celebration of Mardi Gras. There are parade floats to climb, costumes to see and historical throws on display as well as rare glimpses into the secretive social club society from which modern-day Mardi Gras krewes evolved.

I was really impressed by this comprehensive exhibition – I learnt SO MUCH about the history of Mardi Gras. I especially loved the vast costume displays and learning all about the history of Mardi Gras balls. If you only have time to visit one Mardi Gras museum during your visit to New Orleans, make it this one!

Like many attractions in New Orleans, the museum is closed on Mondays.

The Germaine Casenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum @ Arnaud’s Restaurant

This Mardi Gras museum is a bit of a hidden gem! Not even some locals know of its existence!

Go upstairs at upscale dining establishment Arnaud’s in the French Quarter, and you will find this great little museum. It opened in 1983 and is named after Germaine Cazenave Wells, the founder’s daughter. She reigned as queen of 22 Mardi Gras balls, which is more than any other women in the history of Mardi Gras.

This collection is definitely one for the fashion history lovers! Its full of elaborate vintage costumes. There is also more than 70 vintage photographs, Carnival masks and faux jewels,  krewe invitations and party favours.

Viewing of the collection and memorabilia is free to the public during restaurant hours seven days a week.

All the Mardi Gras museums I visited during my time in New Orleans were different in their own way and all worth a visit. If you want to learn about present day Mardi Gras then you should visit Mardi Gras World. However, if you want to learn all about the background and history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans then I simply cannot recommend the Prysbetere highly enough.

Have you visited any one of these wonderful Mardi Gras museums in New Orleans? Let us know what you thought of them in the comments below.

Looking for more historically-inspired international travel inspiration?! Then check out my travel guide to historical Seville.