Mardi Gras Park: A Celebration of Carnival History

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Celebrate the birthplace of Mardi Gras in this downtown Mobile park featuring statues, history, and year-round Carnival spirit.

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Mardi Gras Park

Mardi Gras Park in downtown Mobile commemorates the city's unique position as the birthplace of Mardi Gras in the United States [3, 6, 7, 10]. Located on the site of the old Mobile County Courthouse, the park features statues of iconic Mardi Gras figures and offers a year-round celebration of Carnival season [6, 8, 10].

A brief summary to Mardi Gras Park

104-148 S Royal St, Mobile, Central Business District, Alabama, 36602, US
Click to display

Monday 12 am-12 am
Tuesday 12 am-12 am
Wednesday 12 am-12 am
Thursday 12 am-12 am
Friday 12 am-12 am
Saturday 12 am-12 am
Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

Visit during the Mardi Gras parade season to experience the park's lively atmosphere as parades pass by [3, 6].
Take photos with the statues of iconic Mardi Gras figures like Joe Cain and the first Mardi Gras queen [7, 8].
Check out nearby attractions like the History Museum of Mobile and the Exploreum Science Center [3].

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Getting There

Walking

Mardi Gras Park is located in downtown Mobile at the intersection of Government and Royal Streets [3, 5, 6, 7, 11]. From most downtown hotels and attractions, the park is easily accessible on foot. Look for the park at the site of the old Mobile County Courthouse [6, 8, 10].
Public Transport

Mobile's public transportation system, The Wave, has bus routes that serve the downtown area [9]. Check the Wave Transit website for the most up-to-date routes and schedules to find the closest stop to Mardi Gras Park. A single ride fare is $1.25.
Taxi/Ride-share

Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Mobile. A short ride from the Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal or the Amtrak station to Mardi Gras Park will typically cost between $8 and $15, depending on demand and traffic.
Parking

Street parking is available near Mardi Gras Park [3]. However, during events, especially during Mardi Gras, parking can be limited. Several parking garages and lots are located within walking distance of the park. During Mardi Gras, designated parking areas are available for a flat rate of $10 for all-day parking [4, 12, 13]. These parking locations can be paid via the Premium Parking app, debit, or credit card [4, 13, 14].

Discover more about Mardi Gras Park

Mardi Gras Park, situated in downtown Mobile at the intersection of Government and Royal Streets, stands as a tribute to the city's rich Carnival history [3, 6, 7, 10, 11]. Mobile holds the distinction of hosting the first Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, dating back to 1703 [3, 6, 7, 10]. The park, which opened in November 2016, occupies the site of the former Mobile County Courthouse [7, 8]. The park showcases statues of significant figures in Mobile's Mardi Gras tradition, including Joe Cain, who is credited with reviving the celebrations after the Civil War, and Ethel Hodsgon, Mobile's first Mardi Gras queen [7, 8]. Visitors can also find statues of jesters and other Mardi Gras royalty [3, 6, 8, 10]. The park provides a space to celebrate the Carnival season and Fat Tuesday year-round [3]. Mardi Gras Park is located along the parade route and provides a great viewing spot during the annual celebrations [3, 6]. While in the area, visitors can explore nearby attractions such as the History Museum of Mobile, the Exploreum Science Center, and Colonial Fort Conde [3].