Mardi Gras Party
with Private Balcony Overlooking Bourbon Street
4 Days | February 2-5, 2027 and Feb 22-25, 2028
Starting At $1,399 Double
Is Mardi Gras on your bucket list? Then come on down to New Orleans for Opening day of this famous 10 day festival. You’ll celebrate Mardi Gras with spectacular parades, vibrant costumes, elaborate floats, and other time-honored traditions. Not only will you get to experience the lively atmosphere across the city, but you will also enjoy exclusive group experiences—a King Cake Cooking Class, Mask Making at Mardi Gras World, and a Private Mardi Gras Party on a Balcony overlooking Bourbon Street.
Highlights
Tour Highlights:
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Tour Inclusions:
A Special Group Deposit of $1,000 is due on Booking. Then on Sept 1, 2026 a $500 per person. First penalty is $500 per person on Nov 1. Final Payment is Due Dec 1.
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Itinerary
Day 1 – Tuesday, February 2, 2027 – New Orleans, LA – French Quarter Lodging – Welcome Dinner with Champagne Toast – Arthur Hardy’s Mardi Gras Guide
Arrive today in New Orleans, LA where you enjoy a three-night stay in the French Quarter. (Wyndham French Quarter or similar). Your hotel will be in a prime location just steps from Bourbon Street, Jackson Square, and the city’s renowned dining and entertainment venues.
Tonight, kick off this Mardi Gras Party with an unforgettable evening in the heart of New Orleans. (Mr. Ed’s Southern Creole Kitchen or similar venue). (D)
**Each member of the group will receive a copy of Arthur Hardy’s Mardi Gras Guide, the official guide to the Mardi Gras season in New Orleans. Published each year by Mardi Gras historian Arthur Hardy, this colorful handbook includes parade schedules, krewe histories, parade routes, and insider tips to help you fully enjoy the excitement and traditions of Carnival.
Day 2 – Wednesday, February 3 – Baton Rouge, LA – King Cake Cooking Class w/Bingo – Backstreet Cultural Museum – Mardi Gras Party on Balcony over Bourbon Street
After breakfast this morning, travel to Baton Rouge, LA, for a private King Cake Cooking Class. At the Eloise Market and Cakery, dive into one of Louisiana’s most beloved Carnival traditions. Guided by passionate hosts who make the process approachable even for first-time bakers, you’ll roll out the dough, sprinkle in the sweet filling, and shape your own ring of King Cake. Plus, once your cakes are in the oven there’s a spirited round of Bingo while they cook.
Once your creation comes out warm from the oven, you’ll ice and decorate it in the traditional purple, green, and gold, add the symbolic baby, and take home not just a delicious King Cake, but also the recipe and memories to recreate the experience again.
On the way back to New Orleans, enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant.
Your afternoon in New Orleans features a tour of the Backstreet Cultural Museum in the historic Tremé neighborhood. Discover the powerful traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians. Inside, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking hand-sewn suits adorned with intricate beadwork and towering feathers — each one representing months of artistry and deep cultural pride.
Learn about the history, symbolism, and neighborhood roots of the Mardi Gras Indian tribes, whose Carnival Day appearances are rooted in heritage, honor, and community. This meaningful visit offers a deeper understanding of a tradition that is both visually stunning and culturally significant — an unforgettable glimpse into the soul of New Orleans.
Return to your hotel to relax and rejuvenate before the evening’s festivities. Now it’s time to get the party started with an exclusive Mardi Gras Viewing Party on a Balcony overlooking Bourbon Street – a time-honored tradition. Watch the crowds below from a private balcony on Bourbon Street, high above the vibrant chaos below. Savor a feast of flavorful local bites and sip festive cocktails as you watch a dazzling river of revelers swirl through the streets. Toss strings of colorful beads to the cheering crowd and feel the thrill of being part of the city’s most iconic celebration. (Beads are included in this package.) (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Thursday, February 4 – Mardi Gras World Tour & Mask Making Class – Free Time in French Quarter – Two Evening Mardi Gras Parades
After breakfast, head to Mardi Gras World. Enjoy a tour of the facility and get an introduction to the rich history of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, setting the stage for the colorful traditions that fill the streets each year. Explore the float den, where talented artists work year-round crafting spectacular floats and props that dazzle parade-goers.
After the tour, dive into the Mask Making Workshop, a hands-on, creative experience that starts with a brief history of masking in New Orleans. Then design your very own one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras mask — follow along with sample designs or let your imagination run wild. At the end, take your masterpiece home as a colorful reminder of your Mardi Gras adventure.
Next, you will have some free time to explore the French Quarter and enjoy lunch on your own. Discover vibrant shops, local art, and festive treasures, all while the streets buzz with music, color, and the unique excitement that only Mardi Gras can offer.
Dinner will be on your own this evening. Then meet your local guide in the lobby of the hotel who will walk you to the parade viewing stands and remain with you for the first two hours of parade viewing.
You will experience Mardi Gras like a true insider with grandstand seating. From your exclusive vantage point, watch spectacular floats glide by, toss beads to cheering crowds, and feel the rhythm of brass-filled marching bands energizing the streets. Tonight, you will view two parades. The Knights of Babylon followed by the all-female Super-Krewe of Muses. (You will receive a reviewing stands pass. Present the pass at the stands for entrance and sit wherever you like. No reserved seats once you enter the stands.) (B)
Day 4 – Friday, February 5 – Depart for Home
After breakfast, depart for home. (B)