Uncover the secrets behind one of America's biggest parties on this 2-hour Mardi Gras and New Orleans history walking tour. See where the annual Mardi Gras parade kicks off each year, and visit several locations central to the city’s Fat Tuesday traditions. As you stroll through the French Quarter, learn about other aspects of New Orleans culture that make it unique from any place on earth, including voodoo rituals, haunted history, pirate legends, and more.

2-hour Mardi Gras walking tour in New Orleans
Discover the traditions behind America's most famous Fat Tuesday celebration
See the parade route and famous party spots
Visit the French Quarter's historic sites
Learn about New Orleans' haunted history
Try your hand at ghost hunting

What's Included

Professional guide

Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Food and drinks (available to purchase)
Gratuities

Departure & Return

Departure Point

1200 Decatur St, 1200 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Tours meet and depart on the sidewalk in front of the American Sports Saloon located at 1200 Decatur Street New Orleans LA 70116 Tours do not meet inside the Saloon

Return Details

This activity will end right where it started.

What To Expect

Celebrate Carnival season—or any time of year—with this insider’s tour of America's most decadent and haunted city. Meet your guide in the heart of the French Quarter, and set off on a leisurely 2-hour walking tour through New Orleans culture, history, and legends. See where the world-famous Mardi Gras parade kicks off each year, and visit the locations of time-honored Carnival traditions.

Along the way, learn about the city’s unique confluence of cultures, and hear stories of famous former and current residents—from pirates and prostitutes to Hollywood celebrities who have set up house in the neighborhood’s historic Creole mansions. Stand before some the most beautiful homes of the Quarter, and visit several national historic landmarks including St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the Old Ursuline Convent.

While New Orleans is filled with mirth and celebration during Mardi Gras, a more sinister side also lurks among the storied streets. Learn how the city earned its haunted reputation as you stroll past notorious sites known for wandering spirits, ghost sightings, and vampire legends. If you like, engage in a bit of ghost hunting yourself with a provided EMF meter and paranormal detector. You might be surprised at what you find.

French Quarter

Listen to stories about documented sightings of vampires and ghosts. Discover how the traditional burial practices of New Orleans differ from elsewhere, and why the above ground cemeteries recycle their vaults again and again. During this tour, your guide will use an EMF Meter and a Ghost/Paranormal Detector for those who would like to know if there is any paranormal activity taking place around them. Visit location sites from famous movies, stopping at some of the National Historic Landmarks along the way. In total, see over 15 different attractions, such as St. Louis Cathedral, the reconstruction monuments of the Cabildo and Presbytere, the Old Ursuline Convent, and much more.

2 hours • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
This is a seasonal tour only operating during Mardi Gras.
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 28 travelers

Operated by Show Me New Orleans Tours

Cancellation Policy

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

about cancellations

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Q:What is the policy on sanitization during New Orleans Mardi Gras Walking Tour?

A:The policies on sanitization are:

Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Q:What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during New Orleans Mardi Gras Walking Tour?

A:The policies on staff health & safety are:

Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms

Reviews

4.0

4 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-2 of 4 reviews

No tour due to minimum numbers and no call back

Christopher A, Apr 2019

About an hour or so before our tour, we got notification via text that it was supposedly cancelled but listed a different time than that of the booking. So, we reached out for clarification to no avail and waited at the spot at the time but nobody ever called/messaged us back nor showed. We were interested in a rescheduled tour but like I said, no response back from anyone. A few days later and we still haven't received our refund even though it shows "Completed" on Viator.

Response from Host, Dec 2021

We always want guests to have an exceptional experience. We have been operating this tour since 2014 and oddly enough this is something that has never happened before. I can see your reservation info and you most definitely received a refund. Im curious why you wouldn’t have called Viator, the company you booked with since they are open constantly. No other guest has complained of anything like this so I have a feeling there’s more to this story. Even if you missed your tour we always work with guests to reschedule because we care and not only do we care this business is how we provide for our family. ….. I can see plainly that you were refunded. If you had not received your money and been no showed I guarantee you wouldn’t have just let it go you would have raised heck!! I still wish you the best! Kind Regards

MADRI GRAS way of style .

204macky, Aug 2018

Good experience. My family have fun dressing up the MADRI GRAS style. I only wish that they give us more time to dress up and take pictures. 15 minutes is not enough. And also to make more selection, separate the guys from ladies. So that it’s easier to pick up your choice to wear

Questions?

Product code: 25513P3

Explore Similar Things to Do

Attractions in New Orleans, United States

Privacy and Cookies Statement About Viator Careers Sitemap Supplier Sign Up Travel Agents Become an Affiliate News

Terms & Conditions