Best New Orleans Museums: 12 Must-Visit Museums & Attractions
Must-Visit Museums in New Orleans
Start with the city’s standout museums, from world-class exhibits to the music and history that make New Orleans so unique.
THE NATIONAL WWII MUSEUM
The National WWII Museum is one of New Orleans’ most fascinating attractions, offering an immersive journey through one of the most defining periods in world history. Its expansive campus features six buildings filled with interactive exhibits, personal artifacts, historical documents, and firsthand accounts that bring the stories of World War II to life.
Explore the European and Pacific theaters, experience the powerful 4D film Beyond All Boundaries, or visit the Priddy Family Foundation Freedom Theater for a moving multimedia look at the war and the meaning of the Allied victory.
The museum also hosts special exhibitions, including Come Back Fighting: USS New Orleans at War and Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin and the Art of War, offering fresh perspectives on the people and stories behind the conflict.
With so much to discover, you could easily spend an entire day here and still leave wanting to see more. It’s a memorable stop for history lovers and curious travellers alike.
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ MUSEUM
You can’t visit New Orleans without getting a taste of jazz, and the New Orleans Jazz Museum is a wonderful place to start. Housed in the historic Old U.S. Mint on the edge of the French Quarter, the museum celebrates the music that helped shape the city’s identity.
Through fascinating exhibits, historic instruments, recordings, and videos, you can explore jazz’s roots and discover legendary musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Danny Barker, and Louis Prima. There’s even an exhibit dedicated to Congo Square, a place deeply connected to the musical traditions that helped inspire jazz.
Beyond its collections, the museum regularly hosts live performances and music events, bringing the spirit of jazz to life within its historic walls.
The New Orleans Jazz Museum is a lovely way to connect with the city’s rich musical heritage.
New Orleans City Tour: French Quarter, Garden District & Cemetery
Art & Creative Culture
Discover the visual art, artistic expression, and creative spirit that make New Orleans unique.
NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART (NOMA)
Nestled in the beautiful surroundings of City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is a lovely stop for anyone who appreciates art, beauty, and inspiring spaces. As the city’s oldest fine arts institution, it houses an impressive collection spanning centuries and cultures, from French and American paintings to African and Japanese art, photography, glass, and silver.
Alongside its permanent collection, rotating exhibitions offer fresh perspectives and new discoveries with every visit.
One of the highlights is the nearby Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, where striking sculptures blend seamlessly with lush greenery and peaceful walking paths. You can easily pair a visit to the museum with a leisurely afternoon exploring City Park, browsing the museum shop, or simply soaking up the scenery.
JAMNOLA
JAMNOLA, short for Joy, Art, and Music New Orleans, is a colorful, playful celebration of everything that makes this city so special. With immersive installations created by local artists, each room offers a glimpse into New Orleans’ vibrant culture, from its music and food to its Mardi Gras traditions and fascinating history. It’s more than a museum; it’s an experience where you can laugh, explore, interact with the art, and take plenty of photos along the way.
JAMNOLA art experience also showcases how local artists turn discarded Mardi Gras beads, cups, and other parade waste into creative works of art.
It is fun, creative, and surprisingly meaningful, leaving you with an even greater appreciation for the people, artistry, and spirit of New Orleans. If you love unique experiences and supporting local artists, don’t miss it!
Visitor tip: JAMNOLA is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so plan your visit for another day of the week.
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History & Heritage
Historic buildings and museums that bring the city’s past to life.
HERMANN-GRIMA HOUSE
Nothing tells a story quite like a home, and Hermann-Grima House is a wonderful place to explore New Orleans’ history through the lives of the people who lived and worked there. Built in 1831, this National Historic Landmark is one of the French Quarter’s finest examples of Federal-style architecture, featuring a beautiful courtyard, an original stable, and a remarkably preserved open-hearth kitchen.
What makes the visit especially meaningful is the thoughtful interpretation of urban slavery and the stories of the enslaved people whose labor sustained the household. Guided tours explore the complex lives of the home’s residents, as well as 19th-century domestic life and Creole culture.
Depending on the season, you may also experience historical cooking demonstrations that highlight the culinary knowledge of enslaved cooks and their lasting influence on New Orleans cuisine. Check the event calendar for special exhibitions and programs before visiting.
OLD URSULINE CONVENT MUSEUM
With its beautiful gardens and centuries of history, the Old Ursuline Convent offers a peaceful escape into New Orleans’ French Colonial past. Completed in 1752, it is widely recognized as the oldest surviving building in the Mississippi River Valley.
Originally home to the Ursuline nuns, the convent served as a school for girls and an orphanage, reflecting the important role the sisters played in the city’s early education and community life. Over the years, the building also housed Louisiana legislators and New Orleans archbishops.
Today, its museum explores the religious, architectural, and cultural history that helped shape the city. Take time to admire the elegant colonial architecture, including its distinctive windows and doors designed to encourage cross-ventilation in Louisiana’s hot, humid climate, and enjoy the tranquil gardens outside.
NEW CANAL LIGHTHOUSE
Set along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, the New Canal Lighthouse offers a unique blend of local history, coastal science, and hands-on learning.
Operated by the Pontchartrain Conservancy, this historic landmark serves as both a museum and an education center dedicated to protecting Louisiana’s coastal environment. Explore the lighthouse’s history through guided or self-guided tours, then dive into interactive activities that bring the science of the region to life.
You can experiment with a 3D sandbox to see how rainwater moves across the landscape, learn about coastal restoration, or even help grow native plants destined for Louisiana’s marshes. Visitors can also arrange to bring in water samples from the Pontchartrain Basin for a closer look at local water quality.
With engaging activities for all ages and a mission rooted in preserving the coast, the New Canal Lighthouse is an enjoyable and educational stop for families, curious travelers, and anyone interested in Louisiana’s unique natural environment.
African American Culture & Traditions
Places that celebrate the communities, artistry, music, and traditions that have shaped New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM (NOAAM)
The New Orleans African American Museum (NOAAM) is a meaningful tribute to the history, art, and cultural contributions of African Americans in New Orleans and across the African Diaspora. Located in the historic Tremé neighborhood, the museum offers immersive exhibitions showcasing powerful works by artists alongside stories that illuminate the community’s rich heritage.
Although the museum is currently operating from its administrative building, known as the Blue House, while its historic grounds undergo restoration, the exhibitions are well worth exploring.
Interactive displays offer an engaging way to connect with the stories and traditions that have helped shape the city. The surrounding grounds also feature outdoor exhibits, adding another dimension to the experience. It’s a small but important cultural stop that celebrates the people, creativity, and history at the heart of New Orleans, and it’s exciting to imagine what the museum will offer when its historic campus fully reopens.
BACKSTREET CULTURAL MUSEUM
Located in the historic Tremé neighborhood, the Backstreet Cultural Museum celebrates the traditions, artistry, and community spirit at the heart of New Orleans’ African American culture. Founded by Sylvester “Hawk” Francis, the museum preserves decades of photographs, films, costumes, and memorabilia documenting the city’s vibrant cultural traditions.
Its collection includes spectacular Mardi Gras Indian suits adorned with intricate beadwork and feathers, colorful Baby Dolls costumes, and artifacts from second-line parades and jazz funerals.
Each exhibit tells a story of creativity, resilience, and cultural pride passed down through generations. You’ll also discover the North Side Skull and Bone Gang, whose members roam the streets on Mardi Gras morning in handcrafted skeleton costumes to announce the start of Carnival.
Tip: Try some delicious Caribbean food at Love Orleans, a restaurant just a two-minute walk from the Backstreet Cultural Museum!
Unique & Unusual Museums
Something…a little different from a traditional museum visit.
NEW ORLEANS PHARMACY MUSEUM
Who knew the history of medicine could be so intriguing? Tucked away in the French Quarter, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum occupies the former apothecary of Louis Dufilho Jr., the first licensed pharmacist in the United States. Inside, you’ll discover a fascinating collection of antique medical instruments, old medicine bottles, pharmaceutical recipe books, and remedies that reveal just how much healthcare has changed over the centuries.
From unusual historical cures to the evolution of modern pharmacy, the exhibits offer a glimpse into a time when medicine often mixed science with superstition. It’s a small but memorable stop for anyone curious about the stranger side of history.
And here’s a little tip: the museum is only a four-minute walk from the iconic Café Beignet on Royal Street, making it easy to combine the two during your French Quarter wanderings.
NEW ORLEANS STORYVILLE MUSEUM
For a different side of New Orleans history, the New Orleans Storyville Museum offers a captivating look at the city’s notorious red-light district, which operated from 1897 to 1917. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, this immersive museum takes you back in time through historical photographs, original artifacts, interactive displays, and reconstructed scenes that reveal what life was like in Storyville.
Discover vintage editions of the infamous Blue Book, explore the world of gambling and absinthe, and learn how the district helped create an environment where early jazz flourished. Featuring legendary musicians, colorful characters, and stories that go beyond the usual tourist trail, the museum presents this complex chapter of New Orleans history in an engaging and thoughtful way.
For an extra twist, you can even explore the exhibits after dark with a special evening experience.
After Dark Haunted New Orleans City and Cemetery Bus Tour
THE SAZERAC HOUSE
Cocktail lovers, this one is for you! The Sazerac House is a three-story interactive museum dedicated to the history of New Orleans’ cocktail culture, with a special focus on the iconic Sazerac.
Each floor offers something different, taking you through the origins of classic cocktails, the Prohibition era, and the craft behind the spirits themselves. Along the way, you’ll find engaging exhibits, learn about distilling and bitters production, and even enjoy complimentary tastings. There are also cocktail-making classes and special guided tasting experiences for those looking to dive deeper into the world of spirits. Best of all, general admission and self-guided tours are free, making this a fantastic stop even if you’re simply curious about the city’s drinking traditions.
Keep an eye out for seasonal events and special experiences throughout the year.
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