JavaScript must be enabled

Page will not work without JavaScript enabled

Louisiana

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Program No. 13229RJ

Learn the story of Mardi Gras in the city that celebrates it best, New Orleans, where you’ll witness grand parades, enjoy expert lectures and revel in this festive tradition.

Watch Video Wishlist

Start

Festivals, Misc.

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Program

At a Glance

Duration

6 days

Program Begins

New Orleans, Louisiana

Program Concludes

New Orleans, Louisiana

Meals

12 ( 5B, 4L, 3D )

Activity Level

“Mardi Gras” (Fat Tuesday) merges religious and secular in an unrivaled expression of joie de vivre that concludes Carnival season. The one-and-only New Orleans Mardi Gras is a must-see experience at the heart of the Crescent City’s vibrant culture, where families watch parades on the same corner for years. Experience the inimitable mix of royal ritual and joyful excitement as the collective soul of the city rises to reaffirm its tremendous appetite for living life to the fullest. Enjoy access to private parade stands, special musical performances and instruction by local experts who will lead you on this journey of learning and celebration.

Best of all, you'll...

Learn from experts about the unique history of Carnival in New Orleans and its many krewes from Bacchus to Rex to Zulu.
Watch spectacular parades from a privileged vantage point right in front of your hotel and see the differences in each krewe’s floats, costumes and themes.
Learn how kings and queens of Carnival are chosen and what the unique Mardi Gras Indians are all about.

View Full Itinerary

General Notes

Road Scholar participants will have private parade seating. This is a Road Scholar Large Group program. The number of participants in this program may be as high as 130; the whole group will be together for most lectures, performances, and meals. For some activities participants will be separated into smaller groups with a dedicated Group Leader. The schedule for your group may vary from the published itinerary, but each group will have an opportunity to experience all program elements. If you are traveling with companions who are not your roommate and you would like to be grouped together, please list their names on your “Personal Information & Preferences” in your Road Scholar “My Account” page.

Anne Peery

Anne Peery is a Mississippi native and Tallahassee resident with experience in the Florida executive branch and cabinet staff positions; executive leadership of a statewide historic preservation non-profit; conservation real estate project management with a national non-profit organization; private sector real estate brokerage and land use consulting; and numerous state and community service activities. She was the first executive director of the Florida Communities Trust and director of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation, responsible for producing major educational conferences across Florida.

Please Note:

This expert may not be available for every date of the program

View All Experts

Lyndel Brauninger

Lyndel Brauninger, a native New Orleanian, is a retired educator who taught in the metropolitan New Orleans area for more than 30 years. Besides leading Road Scholar groups, she leads walking “foodie” groups in the French Quarter, where she has been a licensed exploration leader since 1996. Lyndel enjoys experiencing and learning everything the Crescent City has to offer, particularly the architecture, history, music, food, and amazing theater. She is thrilled to share her passion for New Orleans with people from all over the world.

Robin Rocque

Robin Rocque's favorite city to share with guests is her hometown of New Orleans. Its diversely unique culture and musical background provides a lovely backdrop during its introduction. Robin has happily led groups in many cities and several countries. Robin has been a licensed New Orleans tour guide since 2004, and a certified international tour manager since 2011. She is an alumna of Vassar College, and recently served as a board member of a nonprofit organization that provides community support in and around New Orleans.

Lauree Nunez

Lauree Nunez is a lifelong native of New Orleans. Her career started with Road Scholar in September 1993 as an office staffer, and she progressed over time to manage all of the office functions, as well as being a group leader. In 1991, she graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a B.A. in business. Lauree's charity, Spaymart Kitten Foster, has placed over 7,000 animals over more than a decade. She owns a property management company, and lives with her husband, Derrick, and their two cats.

Debbie Clark

Debbie Clark is a Mississippi native who has always considered New Orleans her backyard. She completed a 37-year career with a chemical company before pursuing her passion. She informally led trips to Italy, Costa Rica, Alaska, and other locations prior to becoming a certified group leader in 2016. She is licensed in New Orleans, New York City, and Washington, D.C. Debbie participates in the Greater New Orleans Camera Club photo competitions, supports Make-A-Wish, and is an active member in an antique car club.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Accessing the Mardi Gras grandstand will require one to walk up to 100 feet, and up to 7 rows of stairs. The bleachers have one set of non-continuous handrails running down the middle. Objects like beads and souvenirs will be thrown into the stands from parade floats. One must be mobile and be able to maneuver quickly to dodge or catch objects. One must also be able to stand for up to 2 hours at a given time and walk up to 2 miles a day at a moderate pace of 2 mph on city streets, and 3 mph when crossing intersections. Attending activities and meals will require up to 8 blocks of walking in each direction. Parades are unpredictable, and force street closures. One must be able to walk up to 1 mile at a given time in the event a street closure forces the group to walk around police barricades. Sidewalks are narrow, extremely crowded, and have uneven pavement. Mobility devices like wheelchairs, walkers, and scooters cannot be accommodated both on streets/ sidewalks and in the bleachers.

Suggested Reading List

View Full List (5 Books)

You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?

We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!

Call 800-454-5768

Start Enrolling

Enroll with Confidence

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan

Road Scholar's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.
Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Enroll with Confidence

Protecting the Environment

Recommended For You