We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.
TripAdvisor
Mobile
Trips
Inbox
More
    Help Center

    Mobile Carnival Museum

    496 Reviews
    #5 of 56 things to do in Mobile
    Museums, Specialty Museums
    Closed Now: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    355 Government St, Mobile, AL 36602-2315
    Open today: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    Save
    Review Highlights
    “Excellent displays and information”

    This place is amazing. Take a guided tour and then explore on your own. Guide provided... read more

    Reviewed 1 week ago
    TravelingGranny3
    ,
    Wisconsin
    “well worth a visit!”

    if you arent from the South and dont really understand Mardi Gras, a visit to this museum is worth... read more

    Reviewed 1 week ago
    616EmilyM616
    ,
    Mobile, Alabama
    via mobile
    Read all 496 reviews
    270
    All photos (270)
    Full view
    Certificate of Excellence
    Traveler Overview
    4.5496 reviews
    • Excellent70%
    • Very good23%
    • Average5%
    • Poor1%
    • Terrible1%
    Travelers talk about
    “mardi gras”(322 reviews)
    “king and queen”(21 reviews)
    “gift shop”(45 reviews)
    About
    This museum documents Mobile's long affair with the winter carnival.
    Closed Now
    Hours Today: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    See all hours
    Contact
    355 Government St, Mobile, AL 36602-2315
    Website
    +1 251-432-3324
    Call
    Improve This Listing
    Improve This Listing

    Improve This Listing

    Recommended experiences in and around Mobile
    LoDa Stroll - Bienville Bites Food Tour
    21 Reviews
    from $55.00
    More Info
    Wacky Adventure Walk Game - Mobile, AL
    from $10.00
    More Info
    GulfQuest Interactive Maritime Museum...
    1 Review
    from $14.00
    More Info
    Delta Wildlife Eco Boat Tour
    31 Reviews
    from $23.87
    More Info
    Reviews (496)
    Write a Review
    Filter reviews
    494 results
    Traveler rating
    348
    117
    27
    1
    1
    Traveler type
    Time of year
    LanguageEnglish
    348
    117
    27
    1
    1
    Show reviews that mention
    All reviews mardi gras king and queen gift shop past kings and queens guided tour ball gowns introductory film on display fascinating history short film amazing collection mobile area visiting mobile lots of fun great place to visit costumes robes
    FilterEnglish
    Updating list...
    1 - 10 of 494 reviews
    Reviewed 1 week ago
    Excellent displays and information

    This place is amazing. Take a guided tour and then explore on your own. Guide provided interesting background on Mardi Gras - 2 of his daughters had been queens. There are numerous gowns and photos and pictures from past celebrations. A definite must do when...More

    Date of experience: February 2019
    Thank TravelingGranny3
    Reviewed 1 week ago via mobile
    well worth a visit!

    if you arent from the South and dont really understand Mardi Gras, a visit to this museum is worth your time but I highly recommend that you take a guided tour because you will learn so much more. I am from the northeast and found...More

    Date of experience: February 2019
    Thank 616EmilyM616
    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    More than a drunken parade

    Our tour was guided by the museum's director who provided a great overview of the history, the background the culture and the costumes.

    Date of experience: January 2019
    Thank Stph
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    A New Understanding of What Carnival Really Means

    The Carnival started in Mobile. These people know how to party! Learn the whys and hows of this holiday that starts in February and is not necessarily tied to Fat Tuesday

    Date of experience: January 2019
    Thank Robert S
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    Hundreds of fabulous Mardi Gras costumes

    Fascinating history of Mardi Gras in Mobile. Who knew? An entire historic house sheltering the Mardi Gras costumes from the last century. A must see even if you have no interest in finery, the insights into the tradition are remarkable.

    Date of experience: February 2018
    Thank 478marthaf
    Reviewed 4 weeks ago
    Must stop here!

    Did you know that Carnival/Mardi Gras actually started in Mobile, AL, and that Mobile is older than New Orleans by 15 years? You'll learn all kinds of cool history at this museum, all with a Carnival/Mardi Gras theme! Great gift shop, very helpful staff!

    Date of experience: January 2019
    Thank RebelThriverSC
    Reviewed 5 weeks ago via mobile
    Interesting stop

    My wife and I are not followers of the Mobile Mardi Gras, but we found this museum to be very interesting. The robes they make for the king and queen are incredible. Worth a stop.

    Date of experience: January 2019
    Thank Relax742797
    Reviewed January 18, 2019 via mobile
    Well Worth Visiting

    As someone who knows nothing about Mardi Gras I found the visit very informative! Like most people I associated Mardi Gras with New Orleans! I did not know that it originated in Mobile. Be sure to take the escorted tour.

    Thank xperiencedcanuck
    Reviewed January 17, 2019 via mobile
    Carnival Museum aka Mardi Gras

    What a wonderful surprise! There are so many interesting exhibits of the Carnival Season in Mobile where Mardi Gras began. Beautiful gowns, etc & stories to match. You won’ be disappointed!

    Date of experience: January 2019
    Thank Usna1956
    Reviewed January 16, 2019 via mobile
    Decent history lesson of Mardi Gras

    I loved the many beautiful Mardi Gras dresses and trains. The trains were unbelievably long and gorgeous.

    Date of experience: February 2018
    Thank Jasmine P
    View more reviews
    123456…50
    Nearby
    Nearby HotelsSee all 68 nearby hotels
    Holiday Inn - Mobile Downtown/Historic District
    578 reviews
    .07 miles away
    Malaga Inn
    588 reviews
    .08 miles away
    Quality Inn Downtown Historic District
    229 reviews
    .12 miles away
    The Admiral Hotel Mobile, Curio Collection by Hilton
    833 reviews
    .13 miles away
    Nearby RestaurantsSee all 758 nearby restaurants
    Noja Fine Dining
    200 reviews
    .19 miles away
    Mediterranean Sandwich Co.
    336 reviews
    .18 miles away
    The Noble South
    193 reviews
    .24 miles away
    Spot of Tea
    857 reviews
    .16 miles away
    Nearby AttractionsSee all 133 nearby attractions
    Crescent Theater
    148 reviews
    .24 miles away
    Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
    383 reviews
    .12 miles away
    Mobile Symphony Orchestra
    16 reviews
    .18 miles away
    See all 68 nearby hotelsSee all 758 nearby restaurantsSee all 133 nearby attractions
    See all
    Questions & Answers
    Ask a question
    See all 5 questions
    travelismypassion
    March 21, 2018|
    AnswerShow all 3 answers
    Response from andymitchWi | Reviewed this property |
    I have no idea, but I'm assuming so. I'd call them directly.
    0
    Votes
    RoMondatony E
    January 21, 2017|
    AnswerShow all 13 answers
    Response from mardigrasgirl1702 | Property representative |
    The location of the Mobile Carnival Museum used to be the Mobile History Museum and it housed the displays you describe. In 2005 that museum moved to a larger space on Royal Street and it is now known as the History Museum... More
    2
    Votes
    853roberti
    October 12, 2016|
    AnswerShow all 5 answers
    Response from georgiagirl777 | Reviewed this property |
    yes, my sister was in a wheel chair.
    1
    Vote
    12
    Related to items you viewed
    History Museum of Mobile
    History Museum of Mobile
    268 Reviews
    History Museums
    Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
    Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
    383 Reviews
    Churches & Cathedrals
    The Fort of Colonial Mobile
    The Fort of Colonial Mobile
    287 Reviews
    Historic Sites, Military Museums
    Dauphin Street
    Dauphin Street
    493 Reviews
    Points of Interest & Landmarks
    Mobile Botanical Gardens
    Mobile Botanical Gardens
    99 Reviews
    Educational sites, Gardens
    Church Street Historic District
    Church Street Historic District
    47 Reviews
    Historic Walking Areas