New Orleans

New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)

Worth a visit for art lovers; the art of this fine museum was fortunately high enough to escape the flood. Highlights from the permanent collection include a fine collection of jewelry, and paintings from France and Latin America. Open until 8:30PM Thursday nights. Louisiana residents get in free after 5PM with ID.

Tu,Th-Su 10:00-17:00; We 12:00-19:00; Mo off · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible

Cabildo

Colonial city hall, now a museum; Louisiana Purchase agreements transferring the city from France to the USA were signed here.

Tue-Sun 9AM-4PM (last ticket sales 3:30pm) · $10 adults, $8 students/seniors/military, free for children 6 and under

Audubon Insectarium

An attraction opened in 2008 in the historic old Custom House Building on Canal Street. As it's in a Federal building, you'll pass through a metal detector.

Tue-Sun 10AM - 430PM · Wheelchair accessible

Presbytere

Colonial church offices, now another museum, including exhibits on New Orleans Mardi Gras and the city's recovery from Hurricane Katrina.

Tue-Sun 9AM-4PM · $7 adults, $6 students/seniors/military, free for children 6 and under

Ogden Museum of Southern Art

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a museum dedicated to art by artists from the southern United States in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was established in 1999.

Mo-Su 10:00-17:00

National World War II Museum

Formerly the "D-Day Museum". Exhibits on the United States in World War II on the battlefronts and the home front. It has a restaurant, the "Victory Theater" presenting multi-media historical presentation, and the "Stage Door Canteen" featuring live music shows in the style of World War II-era USO shows.

Mo-Su 09:00-17:00

Contemporary Arts Center

The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans is an arts complex located in historic downtown New Orleans. Founded in 1976, the center plays host to events and performances from visual arts to concert performances and lectures. General gallery admission is free to Louisiana residents, with varying hours and ticket arrangements for concerts and other special events.

Wheelchair accessible

1850 House

The Louisiana State Museum's 1850 House is an antebellum row house furnished to represent life in mid-nineteenth-century New Orleans. It is located at 523 St. Ann Street on Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

Tue-Sun 10AM-4:30PM · $3 adults, $2 students/seniors/military, free for children 12 and under · Limited wheelchair access

Backstreet Cultural Museum

Costumes of "Mardi Gras Indians" and other artifacts of Tremé culture. An easy walk a block and a half from the French Quarter; well worth the $8 admission fee not only for the displays but also for fascinating narration about local culture by the neighborhood curators.

Tue-Sat 10AM-4PM · Standard $20; Locals, Seniors & Veterans $15; Children 12 & Under $10

Pharmacy Museum

See and learn about medical practices of the mid 19th century. Calling ahead to verify hours is recommended. Reservations required for guided tours.

Guided Tours: Thu-Sat 10:00am - 11:00am. Self-Guided Tours: Tue & Wed 10:00am - 4:00pm; Thu-Sat 11:00am - 4:00pm · Guided Tours: Adult $15, Senior/Student/Military $10; Self-Guided: Adults $10, Senior/Student/Military $7. Children 6 and under: Free

Mardi Gras World

The colorful floats for many of the parades of New Orleans Mardi Gras are made here. Experience a taste of Mardi Gras any time of year.

$22 adult, $17 student & senior

Historic New Orleans Collection

Museum with changing exhibits of local history. Also has a research center nearby on Chartres Street.

Tue-Sat 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sun 10:30AM-4:30PM · Free · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Pitot House Museum and Gardens

Historic house of a former mayor from the era of the Louisiana Purchase at the start of the 19th century.

We-Fr 10:00-15:00

Louisiana Children's Museum

Indoor and outdoor exhibits of fun and education for children

We-Sa 09:30-16:30; Su 11:30-16:30; Mo-Tu closed

Basin Street Station

The old Southern Railway train station has been remodeled; the ground floor has a visitors information center with gift shop, informative film and local museum exhibits free of charge.

9AM-5PM

Madame John's Legacy

18th-century Creole home.

Tue-Sun 10AM-4:30PM · Free

Hermann-Grima House

1830s mansion.

Mon-Tue Thu-Fri 10AM-2PM, Sat noon-3PM · $10 adults, $8 students/seniors/children 8-18/AAA members, free for children under 8. Joint admission with the Gallier House $18 adults, $15 students/seniors/children 8-18/AAA members

Flora Gallery and Coffee Shop

Ultra-funky coffeehouse with light fare, as well as poetry readings, board games, and the like.

7:30AM-midnight daily

Musee Conti Wax Museum

Experience more than 300 years of history, legend and scandal with the 154 life-size figures displayed in historically accurate settings.

Mon Fri-Sat 10AM-4PM · $7 adults, $6.25 seniors, $6 children

Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve

Headquarters for National Park that includes several historic sites in and near New Orleans. Has a small museum and visitor's center. Show up by 9AM to get a place on the informative free walking tour of the French Quarter.

Tu-Sa 09:00-16:30 · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible

Royal Street

Strolling Royal Street by day is as essential a New Orleans experience as Bourbon Street by night. 1 block away in distance, a world in attitude. There are art galleries, upscale antique stores, landmark hotels and interesting specialty shops. Lots of temptations for those with money, but is also fun window shopping for those not spending a dime.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum

Museum founded in 2004 about the food of the southern US.

Wed-Mon 11:00AM - 5:30PM · $10.50

New Orleans African American Museum

Call ahead to make sure they'll be open.

Wed-Sat 11AM-4PM · $7

Cigar Factory New Orleans & Museum

History and tradition of one of New Orleans' oldest traditions -- cigar rolling! Watch the masters at work daily in the only operating cigar factory since the 1950s.

10AM-10PM daily · Free

Dr Bob's Art Gallery

A small gallery run by local self-taught folk artist, (you'll see examples of his work at local bars, cafes, and restaurants all over town) with eccentric artwork for sale that will immediately conjure New Orleans and the nearby Cajun Country.

Officially open by appointment only, but if you're passing by and see the gates open with the

Jackson Barracks Military Museum

Jackson Barracks military base has been here since the 1830s. This is an unorthodox choice for most Lower 9th visitors, but the Louisiana National Guard has an interesting military museum, with artifacts, weapons and memorabilia from every major American war.

Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM · Free

Old U.S. Mint

Coins haven't been minted in New Orleans for decades, so the building is now a museum, with the minting process downstairs and the world's top exhibit on New Orleans jazz upstairs.

Tue-Sun 10AM-4:30PM · $6 adults, $5 students/seniors/military, free for children 12 and under

Scott Edwards Photography Studio & Gallery

A gallery specializing in regional and New Orleans based Photography.

Tue-Thu noon-8PM, Fri Sat noon-midnight

The Bean Gallery

637 N. Carrollton. Coffee, sandwiches, gelato. Wi-Fi.

Su-Th 06:30-24:00, Fr,Sa 06:30-21:00 · Outdoor seating · Vegetarian options

City Park

The large park has winding lanes through old trees for walking or driving through, and includes such attractions as an outdoor sculpture garden, a botanical garden. As of 2022, renovations and improvements since Katrina have City Park looking more beautiful than ever. "Storyland", a children's playground based around fairy tale characters, has been a favorite of local children for generations. The Carousel Gardens Amusement Park has a beautiful merry-go-round (known to local old timers as "the flying horses" dating back to 1906, as well as an assortment of other amusement park rides including a miniature railway to ride around part of the park. During nights of the Christmas season there is an elaborate celebration with lights, additional rides, and music in the park called "Celebration in the Oaks". In 2020, the Louisiana Children's Museum moved to new larger quarters in City Park.