Mobile Carnival Museum
A museum showcasing America's earliest Mardi Gras traditions, with ornate king and queen costumes and floats that are hard to take in all at once.
Mobile has celebrated Carnival since 1703, earlier than New Orleans, and is considered the birthplace of American carnival. The museum occupies an 1872 historic mansion on Government Street. Its more than ten galleries display the elaborate gowns of past Carnival 'kings' and 'queens,' with trains several meters long, along with masks, medals, parade floats, and the history of the Mystic Societies. There are also replica floats for photos. Admission is charged. It is usually open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and since opening days are limited, check in advance. It is within walking distance of the city center.
Opening hours
Mon, Wed, Fri & Sat 09:00–16:00 (check official website)
Nearby sights
- Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
- Lower Dauphin Street Historic District
- Bienville Square
- Conde-Charlotte Museum House
- Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
- Fort Condé
- History Museum of Mobile
- GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico