Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum
4.4(118)google
4.6(7)yelp
KidsIndoorPhoto SpotImmersiveEducationalQuirkyFolk CultureCarnival
Overview
Mardi Gras in the United States is celebrated in a number of cities and regions in the country. Most of these places trace their Mardi Gras celebrations to French, Spanish, and other Catholic colonial influences on the settlements over their history. One of the earliest Carnival observations in North America is said to have occurred at a place on the west bank of the Mississippi River about 60 miles (97 km) downriver from where New Orleans is today.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
SatClosed
SunClosed
Suggested Duration1-2 hours
Best TimeBest visited from January to March during the heightened Mardi Gras carnival season. Aim for weekday mornings around 11:00 AM inside this historic downtown brick building; early hours guarantee a quiet setting to study the incredibly intricate, crystal-encrusted royal court gowns and festival history.
Getting ThereLocated in the historic downtown grid at 792 Howard Avenue. Drive north off US-90 onto Lameuse Street for 3 blocks, then turn right onto Howard Avenue. The historic area offers free 2-hour parallel street parking directly along the museum frontage and adjacent corners.
Travel Tips
- Housed inside a protected historic urban structure, exhibit corridors and entryways are tightly constrained; large strollers or bulky luggage must be checked for free at the front desk.
- Street spaces bordering the property enforce strict 2-hour maximum multi-meters with swift code enforcement; park instead at the untimed downtown municipal lots to avoid citations.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- Exhibits feature hyper-fragile historic carnival robes that deteriorate under modern lighting; touching displays is legally banned and all camera infrared focus-assist beams must be disabled.
Reviews
Positive
- The display of gorgeous Mardi Gras costumes and exquisite crowns is visually stunning, offering deep insights into unique Southern history.
- Though small, it features an interactive area where visitors can try on Mardi Gras costumes, making the experience highly fun and photogenic.
- The ticket prices are very pocket-friendly, and the staff are incredibly warm, proactively explaining the stories behind the exhibits.
- The environment is peaceful and serene, away from the casino noise; visitor density is low, freeing you from long lines or crowds.
Heads up
- The venue is much smaller than expected and can be toured in 30 minutes; with limited exhibits, a dedicated drive might feel underwhelming.
- The signs inside are primarily in English, lacking multilingual text, making deep understanding tough for non-English speakers.
- There is no dedicated large parking lot; you have to find street parking nearby, which offers poor parking convenience during peak times.
- The infrastructure is quite basic; there are almost no rest areas for long sitting, and no vending machines for water or snacks.