Top 10 Things to Do for Mardi Gras 2026 When Visiting New Orleans for the First Time

If this is your first visit for Mardi Gras, you are in for a citywide celebration that feels like a moving festival: parades, marching bands, costumes, king cake season, and that unmistakable New Orleans soundtrack floating out of doorways and down the streets. Mardi Gras 2026 lands on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and the broader Carnival season runs from January 6 through February 17. That timing is great news for first-timers because you can balance parade time with classic New Orleans attractions and experiences without melting in peak summer heat.

Still, do not assume it is always warm. February can feel mild one moment and breezy the next. Average highs are often in the mid 60s Fahrenheit, and evenings can be noticeably cooler. The best strategy is to mix outdoor parade energy with a few indoor or sheltered activities so you can reset, warm up, and keep your stamina up for the big nights.

That is exactly what this guide is for. Below are ten first-timer-friendly things to do during Mardi Gras 2026 that help you see more of the city, soak up local culture, and make your trip feel like more than just “parades and Bourbon Street.” (You can still do those too, of course.)

featured image source: people.com

Take a City Bus Tour

Mardi Gras season can be chilly, breezy, or damp, and that is where a bus tour really earns its place on your Mardi Gras 2026 itinerary. Cajun Encounters runs its City Bus and Cemetery Tour in a climate-controlled bus, so you can keep sightseeing comfortably even if the weather is not cooperating. It is also an easy way to get your bearings fast and save your outdoor stamina for parade time later.

Must see neighborhoods

This tour is designed to hit major “first time in New Orleans” areas in a short window, including the French Quarter and the Garden District. In the French Quarter, you are introduced to the historic heart of the city, with classic highlights like Jackson Square and the French Market that help you understand the layout and energy of the area before you start hopping between parade plans, meals, and must-see stops. You will also get a look at Magazine Street, a long, lively corridor that runs through diverse neighborhoods, making it a useful mental map for shopping, dining, and exploring beyond the most tourist-heavy blocks.

St. Louis Cemetery #3

Another standout for first-time visitors is the cemetery portion of the City Bus and Cemetery Tour, which includes St. Louis Cemetery #3. It is known for its above-ground tombs and elaborate mausoleums, and it offers a uniquely New Orleans window into local history, architecture, and traditions that you simply will not get from a standard sightseeing loop.

Take a Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour

Mardi Gras 2026 is the perfect time to pair the parade excitement with a must-see Louisiana experience, and a Cajun Encounters swamp tour does exactly that. You explore the renowned Honey Island Swamp with local expert captains who share insights about the swamp and its natural inhabitants, so you leave with a better understanding of the region, not just photos. If you want a little extra story with your scenery, the tour also highlights local legends like the Whiskey Tree, a landmark tied to Prohibition history and even connected to Disney’s creative research for The Princess and the Frog.

Nature and plant life you will experience

The setting is the star. Honey Island Swamp is known for its lush wetlands, including cypress trees draped in Spanish moss and other plant life like magnolias, plus wildflowers, ferns, and aquatic plants that thrive in the water and along the banks. This change of scenery feels like stepping into the Louisiana backdrop that influences so much of New Orleans culture.

Wildlife you may see on the tour

When it comes to animals, this wetland is home to classic swamp wildlife like alligators, wild boars, raccoons, and a variety of birds including egrets and herons. The guides focus on helping guests observe animals in their natural habitat and learn how the ecosystem works, which makes the experience feel like more than a quick ride.

Original swamp tour vs VIP small boat swamp tour

Cajun Encounters offers two main options. The Original Swamp Tour runs on a custom-built 22-passenger flat-bottomed boat, while the VIP Swamp Tour uses a smaller 10 to 12 passenger boat for a more intimate experience. The VIP tour is designed for deeper access into narrower waterways and a quieter approach that can help you get closer to wildlife, plus it tends to feel more personal because there are fewer people asking questions at once. One important planning note: the VIP tour is ages 13+ unless you book it as a private tour.

Visit Jam NOLA

When you need a break from outdoor crowds during Mardi Gras 2026, Jam NOLA is a fun, indoor reset that still feels completely New Orleans. It’s described as a “cultural funhouse” with 30 exhibits that spotlight the city’s art, music, food, and theatrics through the work of 100+ local artists and collaborators.

Wander through immersive New Orleans themed exhibits

Jam NOLA is built for exploring at your own pace, moving room to room through immersive installations that celebrate the things people love most about the city. You get the same creative spark you feel on parade routes, just in a more controlled space that’s easy to enjoy even when the weather is not cooperating.

Make the experience pop with 3D glasses

One of the most popular upgrades is Chromadepth 3D glasses, which create a glowing 3D effect that makes colors look like they pop, float, and shimmer. You can add them on, or choose a Flex Anytime ticket, which includes a complimentary pair.

Visit the Audubon Aquarium

During Mardi Gras 2026, the Audubon Aquarium is one of the easiest ways to take a break from the crowds without losing the “New Orleans trip” feeling. It’s indoors, comfortable, and simple to fit into a day when parade timing shifts or the weather turns chilly. It also sits on the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans, so it’s a convenient reset between sightseeing, meals, and your evening parade plan.

Dive into a variety of marine habitats

The aquarium is set up like a journey through marine environments near and far, with exhibits that include everything from coral reef style habitats to majestic sharks. It’s the kind of classic New Orleans attraction that works for first-timers because you can keep it casual, stay as long as you want, and still feel like you did something memorable before heading back into Carnival energy.

Get hands-on at the manta ray touch pool

If your group likes interactive experiences, build in time for the manta ray touch pool. It’s a fun change of pace from walking parade routes, and it gives families, couples, and adult friend groups something hands-on to do instead of just “looking at tanks.”

Do not miss the massive Gulf exhibit

One of the biggest showstoppers is the aquarium’s largest exhibit, a 400,000-gallon, 17-foot-deep habitat packed with sharks, stingrays, and sea turtles. This is the kind of “wow” moment that makes the aquarium feel worth it even if you are mostly in town for parades.

Watch African penguins at play

Another fan favorite is the penguin exhibit, home to nearly two dozen African penguins. It’s an easy mood boost during Mardi Gras week because it’s pure joy watching them waddle on land and then move effortlessly in the water.

See the Insectarium and Butterfly Garden with the same ticket

A big bonus right now is that Audubon Insectarium is included with aquarium admission, so you can turn this into a longer indoor block if you need it. The Insectarium experience includes a butterfly garden overlooking the river, plus 50+ live arthropod exhibits and other hands-on features.

Take a Riverboat Cruise

During Mardi Gras 2026, a riverboat cruise is an easy way to slow the pace for a couple of hours and still do something that feels unmistakably New Orleans. Creole Queen offers a few cruise styles, so you can choose the vibe that fits your schedule, whether you want live music, local history, or a daytime meal with river views.

Mississippi River Dinner Jazz Cruise

For the most classic “New Orleans at night” experience, the Dinner Jazz Cruise pairs a scenic ride with live traditional New Orleans jazz. You can add a Creole buffet dinner in the dining room, then head out to the promenade deck for skyline views and river breezes between songs.

Historic River Cruise

If you want a cruise that doubles as a history lesson, the Historic River Cruise is narrated by a local historian and covers 300 years of New Orleans history as you travel downriver. It also includes a stop at Chalmette Battlefield at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, with a one-hour shore excursion and guided talks by National Park Rangers.

Jazz Brunch Cruise

For a daytime option that still feels festive, the Jazz Brunch Cruise features a traditional New Orleans jazz band and the option to enjoy brunch while you cruise. It’s a great fit if you want something relaxed before a parade afternoon, or if your group prefers daytime activities with plenty of photo-worthy views of the Mississippi River and the city skyline.

Take a Distillery Tour

Mardi Gras 2026 is all about celebration, but a distillery stop gives you a more craft-focused version of the fun. Seven Three Distilling’s tours are an easy fit between daytime sightseeing and parade time, and each option comes with a different level of tasting, access, and hands-on experience.

Tour and Tasting

This is the classic starter option: a guided tour through the production facility plus a spirit tasting. It’s a quick, easy win when you want something fun and local without overplanning.

Barrel Experience: Premium Tasting

Want a step up? This option includes the full tour and tasting, with a focused sampling of select aged spirits. It also comes with a complimentary bourbon sipping glass.

Private Tour with Distiller

This is a more behind-the-scenes experience: a private distillery tour, spirit tasting, and extra learning around the bottling and barreling process. It’s ideal if your group wants more interaction and more time for questions.

Personalized Bottle Fill

If you want a souvenir that is not a t-shirt, this one delivers. You’ll take a full tour and fill your own bottle of a limited-release spirit, with options that include Whiskey Tree Bourbon, Gentilly Gin, or Black Pearl Rum.

Private Tour with Head Distiller + Personalized Bottle Fill

This is the ultimate combo: a full tour led by the head distiller experience plus spirit tasting and learning the bottling and barreling process, then you fill your own bottle of limited-release Bywater Four Grain Bourbon. It’s the most special option if you want the full story and a hands-on take-home bottle.

Eat at Coterie Restaurant & Oyster Bar

During Mardi Gras 2026, it pays to plan at least one sit-down meal that feels like a real reset. Coterie Restaurant & Oyster Bar (in the French Quarter) is known for made-from-scratch Cajun and Creole cooking, plus plenty of seafood favorites.

Oysters are the main event

If you want the “oyster bar” moment to feel official, order the chargrilled oysters, or go for the 2+2+2 option that mixes Bienville, Chargrilled, and Rockefeller oysters.

Go classic with Cajun and Creole comfort food

Beyond oysters, Coterie is also known for dishes like étouffée, gumbo, jambalaya, blackened redfish, and crabcake pasta, which are exactly the kind of hearty meal that fuels a long parade night.

Grab a cocktail at Bar Coterie

If you want a quick toast before heading back into the crowds, their bar menu highlights staples like a Cajun Bloody Mary, an Old Fashioned, and the Blue Drink.

Have Beignets at Cafe du Monde

On a first trip for Mardi Gras 2026, beignets at Cafe du Monde are basically a rite of passage. The original French Market coffee stand has been serving its iconic combo of coffee and beignets since 1862, so it feels like a real New Orleans tradition, not just a tourist stop.

The classic order: Beignets

Cafe du Monde’s beignets are square pieces of fried dough covered in powdered sugar, served three to an order. This is the “powdered sugar everywhere” moment people picture when they think of New Orleans.

Pair it with café au lait

The signature drink is café au lait made with coffee and chicory, served with milk. You can also order it iced or frozen if you want something extra refreshing between parade plans.

Pick the best location for your schedule

The most famous stop is the French Market location at 800 Decatur Street, which is open late during the week and even later on weekends. If you want a similar experience with a different vibe, there’s also a City Park location, which can be a smart choice on a park day.

Explore Fort St. John Near New Orleans City Park

When Mardi Gras 2026 is in full swing, City Park is one of the best places to step away from the busiest streets and see a calmer side of New Orleans. It spans 1,300 acres and is home to the largest collection of mature live oaks in the world, with some trees said to be over 800 years old, so even a short visit feels like a reset.

Walk the Old Spanish Fort ruins

Near City Park and Bayou St. John, you can visit the spot commonly known as the Old Spanish Fort, where the ruins are still standing today. It’s a quick, memorable stop if you like hidden-history places that feel far from the parade crowds.

Learn the site’s layered history

This location has seen multiple eras: it began with a fort built in 1701 to protect an entrance to Bayou St. John, was later replaced under Spanish control, and was decommissioned in 1823. After that, the site evolved into a major recreation area and amusement destination where early jazz bands performed, and it later became a public park.

Visit the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden

If you want a calm, beautiful break during Mardi Gras 2026, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden is an easy win. It’s a nationally recognized outdoor sculpture installation in City Park next to NOMA, designed for slow wandering, fresh air, and a quieter rhythm than the parade route.

Stroll nearly 100 works of art outdoors

This is not a quick “look at a few statues” stop. The garden features over 90 sculptures and NOMA notes 97 works you can identify as you walk, so it feels like a real museum experience, just outside.

Enjoy the landscape while you explore

The setting is part of the appeal: meandering footpaths, reflecting lagoons, pedestrian bridges, and classic New Orleans greenery like Spanish moss covered live oaks, pines, and magnolias.

How to Make These 10 Things Work Around Mardi Gras 2026

The secret to enjoying Mardi Gras 2026 as a first-time visitor is pacing. Mardi Gras Day is February 17, 2026, but the broader season and parade build-up spans weeks. If you treat every day like a marathon, you might burn out right before the moments you care about most.

A simple rhythm that works for many first-timers is this: choose one main daytime activity, eat a real meal, then commit to your parade plan. That is why experiences like a bus tour, aquarium visit, Jam NOLA, or a distillery tour are so helpful. They give you structure and comfort, especially when February temperatures can be cool and changeable.

You also do not have to do it all in one day. Spread these experiences across your trip, and you will feel like you truly visited New Orleans, not just a parade route.

Final Thoughts

A first Mardi Gras trip can feel overwhelming in the best way. The sounds, the colors, the costumes, the traditions, the food, and the pure joy of strangers celebrating together can make the whole week feel like a fever dream you do not want to wake up from. But the smartest first-timers build a trip that includes both the famous street-level excitement and a handful of experiences that reveal the city’s depth.

Use these ten ideas as your backbone for Mardi Gras 2026. Ride a bus tour to get your bearings. Head into the swamp to see the Louisiana landscape that shapes the culture. Step inside Jam NOLA for an immersive art hit of local personality. Cool down at the aquarium. Take the riverboat cruise for a classic view of the city. Do the distillery tour for a craft-minded break. Eat oysters, do beignets, and give yourself at least one City Park day that includes the sculpture garden and a touch of history.

If you do that, you will leave New Orleans with more than beads and photos. You will leave with a sense of place, and that is what makes a first Mardi Gras trip turn into a lifelong tradition.