Mobile Carnival Museum 🇺🇸

You will find the rich history of Mardi Gras in downtown Mobile, Alabama, at the Mobile Carnival Museum. Situated inside the historic Bernstein-Bush mansion on Government Street, this dedicated history museum chronicles over 300 years of local Carnival and Mardi Gras traditions. As you explore the exhibits, you will discover how these iconic celebrations evolved from their earliest days into the vibrant modern tradition enjoyed today.

Inside the Queen's Gallery, you can admire intricate gowns, elaborate trains, and shimmering jewels worn by historic queens of Carnival, including striking attire worn by a 1920s flapper queen. The museum also showcases colorful costumes from jesters of well-known parading societies alongside original Mardi Gras art, vintage posters created by local artists, historic doubloons, detailed tableau designs, and classic ball invitations. Before you complete your visit, head over to the mansion's former carriage house.

Here, you can engage with hands-on interactive exhibits that let you step right onto a Carnival float, giving you the chance to experience what it feels like to ride and throw doubloons yourself. It is a fantastic stop to immerse yourself in Mobile's deep-rooted festive culture.

What to see at Mobile Carnival Museum

• Queen's Gallery featuring gowns, trains, and jewels
• Interactive float exhibit to ride and throw doubloons
• Attire from a 1920s flapper queen and society jesters
• Original Mardi Gras art, posters, doubloons, and invitations
• Historic Bernstein-Bush mansion location on Government Street

Visiting tips

Make sure to visit the former carriage house so you can experience throwing doubloons from an actual Carnival float exhibit.

How long: 1-2 hours · Best time: Morning

How to get there & what’s nearby

Mobile Carnival Museum is easy to reach on Mobile’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and Trinity Episcopal Church. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Mobile travel guide.