New Orleans is a city best known for its unique heritage and historical significance. Luckily, it is also a city that is determined to preserve and celebrate its world renowned culture. As the birthplace of jazz and the inspiration for countless artists and musicians, New Orleans has no shortage of museums dedicated to both intriguing tourists and enticing long-time residents.
Whether you're looking to indulge in the art scene or learn more about New Orleans' colorful and sometimes unusual history, there's a museum just for you. From the history of New Orleans Voodoo to the lived Jewish experience in the South, come check out all hidden facets of NOLA life at any one of these celebrated museums.
10 Must See New Orleans Museums
1. New Orleans Museum of Art
1 Collins Diboll Circle, (504) 658-4100
noma.org
Opened in 1911, the New Orleans Museum of Art, also commonly known as NOMA, is one of the oldest and finest arts institutions in the Crescent City. The museum has a great collection of pieces that range from antiquities, textiles, photography, and paintings, as well as traditional African, Native American, pre-Columbian, and Asian art.
Visitors can also walk through the museum's Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, which has more than 90 different unique and interesting sculptures to see and ponder. The museum also offers many different programs and events from summer camp and kids activities to yoga and tai chi classes. Be sure to visit NOMA's website to keep up to date with any new exhibits that the museum is currently hosting, as well as ones that will be coming to the museum in the future
2. The National World War II Museum
945 Magazine St., (504) 528-1944
nationalww2museum.org
History buffs absolutely have to pay a visit, or multiple visits, to The National WWII Museum. This Smithsonian Institution affiliated museum extensively covers the many different facets of World War II and provides a ton of information for people to learn and absorb.
Some of the exhibits on view at the museum include the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, an exhibit about Higgins Industries called Bayou to Battlefield, and two exhibits about the European and the Pacific Theaters called the Road to Berlin and the Road to Tokyo. There's also the Beyond All Boundaries 4D film, plenty of dining options at the museum and at the Higgins Hotel & Conference Center, special concerts and lectures, and so, so much more to enjoy while at The National WWII Museum.
3. Ogden Museum of Southern Art
925 Camp St., (504) 539-9650
ogdenmuseum.org
Founded in 1999, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art has the most comprehensive collection of Southern art in the United States. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors come to the museum to experience the culture of the American South, represented by interesting and unique visual arts created by artists who have called the South their home.
The museum has more than 4,000 works of art done by people either from or associated with 15 Southern states, stretching from Texas, Arkansas, and the Deep South to West Virginia and Maryland. Some of the famous Louisianans who have work featured in Ogden include Clementine Hunter, Walter Anderson, George Dureau, Kendall Shaw, and Ida Kohlmeyer. Ogden also hosts traveling exhibits and special events, so visit their website to stay up-to-date.
4. Contemporary Arts Center
900 Camp St., (504) 528-3805
cacno.org
The Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans (CAC) is a wonderful museum that aims to showcase the best pieces of modern art the city has to offer. Widely regarded as the flagship establishment of contemporary art throughout the Gulf Coast, the CAC enhances the relationships between artists and communities through public engagement and special events.
In addition to their emphasis on promoting the value of contemporary art, the CAC is also devoted to facilitating conversations around social justice by examining the interaction between art and society. These efforts include youth programs, artist residencies, and more. Of course, there is also the Mr. Wolf Espresso and Books Café located inside the CAC Atrium. If you're interested in diving into the world of contemporary arts or to just relax with some coffee and a good book, the Contemporary Arts Center of New Orleans has got it all.
5. New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
514 Chartres St., (504) 565-8027
pharmacymuseum.org
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, located in the Vieux Carré Historic District, is an educational institution dedicated to sharing the rich history of healthcare in Louisiana. This mission is achieved by hosting events and programs detailing people such as Louis J. Dufilho Jr., the first licensed pharmacist in American history.
Those who choose to visit the museum, which is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m to 4 p.m, will have the opportunity to go through a self-guided tour with no reservation necessary. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $7 for seniors, students, and military members. Finally, to top it off, children 6 and under gain admission to the museum for free.
6. New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum
724 Dumaine St., (504) 680-0128
voodoomuseum.com
A small but mighty museum at the heart of the French Quarter, the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum can satisfy the curiosity of any visitor interested in how Voodoo has shaped the culture and heritage of the city. Since its establishment in 1972, the museum has served to educate tourists and New Orleans residents about the history of Voodoo, which includes everything from folklore rituals to zombies.
The museum incorporates multiple events and programs for visitors to enjoy. With museum walkthroughs and cemetery tours, visitors will get the chance to explore all aspects of Voodoo and see everything the museum has to offer. The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum also serves as an excellent resource for academics looking to strengthen their knowledge on the unique folklore traditions of the area. Come join the decades, writers, documentary makers, graduate students, and movie producers who have all visited the museum to glean some insight into the famous Voodoo traditions of New Orleans.
7. New Orleans Jazz Museum
400 Esplanade Ave., (504) 568-6993
nolajazzmuseum.org
The New Orleans Jazz Museum is a celebration of the rich musical heritage of the city. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, the museum offers visitors a comprehensive look at the development and evolution of jazz music, from its earliest roots to its modern-day influence.
The museum's collection includes a wide range of exhibits and artifacts including instruments, sheet music, photographs, and recordings. One of the highlights of the museum is its interactive exhibits, which allow visitors to experience the music of New Orleans firsthand. The museum offers a unique and immersive experience that celebrates the enduring legacy of jazz in New Orleans and beyond.
8. The Historic New Orleans Collection
520 Royal St., (504) 523-4662
hnoc.org
The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) serves as a museum, a research center, and a publisher all in one. Since its inception in 1966, the HNOC has served the people of New Orleans by hosting insightful exhibitions, publishing original books and articles, and providing a public research center for both teachers and students.
In the past, the HNOC's publishing has put out award-winning books exploring all aspects of the city's art and culture. To top it off, its magazine, the Historic New Orleans Collection Quarterly, connects New Orleans history to the museum's current programs. In accordance with the founders' original wishes, admission to the HNOC remains free to the public. With three campuses throughout the French Quarter and countless free educational resources, The Historic New Orleans Collection remains an irreplaceable fixture at the heart of the city.
9. Lower 9th Ward Living Museum
5909 St. Claude Ave., (504) 220-3652
leonatatefoundation.org/lower-9th-ward-living-museum
Founded in 2011 under the Leona Tate Foundation For Change, the Lower 9th Ward Living Museum celebrates the Lower 9th Ward neighborhood's unique history. The museum educates visitors by inviting guest speakers from the community to relay oral histories from the region.
Originally built in response to the excruciatingly slow rebuilding of the Lower 9th Ward after Hurricane Katrina, co-founders Dr. Caroline Heldman and Ian Breckenridge-Jackson have since turned their sights towards educating audiences about the often ignored historical significance of this portion of the city. Open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 5 p.m, come visit the Lower 9th Ward Living Museum to learn about why this area is vital to the overall culture of the city, as well as why it was an important site of progress during the early Civil Rights Movement.
10. Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience
818 Howard Ave., (504) 384-2480
msje.org
The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience (MSJE) recognizes the unsung history of Jewish heritage in the American South. Due to the strong and growing Jewish presence in the city, as well as its steady tourism industry, New Orleans was chosen as the perfect location for this museum by a planning committee from the Institute of Southern Jewish Life.
Drawing a crowd of over 30,000 people a year, the MSJE now stands as an important institution for promoting cultural exploration, understanding, and acceptance for people of all cultural backgrounds throughout the South. Visit the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience's website for current special exhibits and upcoming events.
NOLA Has a Museum For All Interests
It should come as no surprise that a city as culturally diverse as New Orleans has countless museums to visit that are dedicated to preserving its art and history. While there are many other options out there for those interested in all museums the city has to offer, the ones highlighted in this list give a great example of just how many different topics and groups are represented throughout the region.
Whether you're interested in the history of jazz music or the Voodoo traditions of Louisiana, New Orleans doubtlessly has a museum that will satiate your curiosity.
