Where to Go and What to See
Immerse yourself in the rich art, history, and culture of New Orleans. From world-class art exhibitions to quirky museums housing significant cultural treasures, New Orleans is ripe for discovering the past.
As one of the most culturally significant cities in the United States, New Orleans boasts several world-renowned museums. The National WWII Museum is as impressive as any other in the country, and the New Orleans Museum of Art firmly holds its place on the national stage.
Given that this is New Orleans, there are also several surprisingly quirky options. The Museum of Death and the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum both fit in with the city’s eclectic vibe, while the Backstreet Cultural Museum celebrates traditions that could only have developed in a city like this.
More about museums
Discover the History and Culture of New Orleans
New Orleans is rich in art collections and historical homes, reflecting its turbulent Spanish, French, African, and American heritage.
The city’s cultural landscape is shaped by a strong sense of place. For example, the Southern Food and Beverage Museum offers guests a world of dishes characteristic of the American South and New Orleans in particular. Meanwhile, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art focuses on artists, whether they work in ceramics, glass, or oil.
Museums in New Orleans aren’t just about the past. The city’s vibrant culture is constantly evolving at the Contemporary Arts Center, a repository of visual and performing arts that spans the spectrum from drag cabaret to dance and music. An open and curious mind can find plenty of stimulation in this city, which oozes history, culture, and artistic beauty.
From world-class art to quirky museums housing important cultural treasures, New Orleans is ripe to discover the past.
Historical and Cultural Museums to Visit in New Orleans
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, affiliated with the Smithsonian, is known for showcasing the culture and aesthetics of Southern artists.
The museum’s permanent collection houses more than 4,000 works from 15 states, some dating back to 1733. It represents the most extensive collection of Southern art in the world. Exhibits include paintings, photographs, and sculptures, with a blend of historical works and contemporary artists.
New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
Set deep within City Park, this building is grand and imposing with its alabaster walls and Greco-Roman columns. It also features a beautiful five-acre sculpture garden with artworks under magnolias and Spanish moss-covered oaks.
Inside, the collection is equally impressive, ranging from French and American art to exhibits showcasing everything from fashion to digital media. NOMA remains one of the most significant fine art collections in the South.
Backstreet Cultural Museum
Located in the historic Treme neighborhood, one of the oldest African American neighborhoods in the country, this museum is home to one of the most extensive archives of traditions and social movements that have emerged in the area. The most colorful part of the collection is the array of Mardi Gras masks and costumes. The museum also houses information and artifacts related to jazz funerals, social aid and pleasure clubs, and other community traditions.
Historic New Orleans Collection
The Historic New Orleans Collection is housed on a beautiful campus in the heart of the French Quarter, with around 10 buildings dating back to the late 18th century. Archaeological digs have even uncovered remnants of barracks dating to 1720. Focusing on the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South, the collection sheds light on Louisiana’s history as a whole, with a particular emphasis on jazz.
The largest permanent exhibition is the “History of Louisiana,” rich with paintings and artifacts spread across 13 galleries.
Old Ursuline Convent Museum
In the French Quarter, you’ll find impressive old buildings, and the Old Ursuline Convent, built in 1752, is undoubtedly one of the best examples of French architecture in the United States. The building has lived many lives: a convent, schoolhouse, archbishop’s residence, and even a legislative building. Inside, behind the simple façade, you’ll find wooden staircases and stained glass windows.
New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
This historic building on Chartres Street in the French Quarter has seen little change since the 19th century. It was once the home of the first licensed American pharmacist, Louis Dufilho Jr. The collection includes hundreds of artifacts: handcrafted medicine bottles, potions once used by practicing voodoo doctors, surgical instruments, prosthetics, and old wheelchairs. There’s also a reconstructed 19th-century pharmacist’s work area.
The Cabildo
The Spanish arches and roof of the majestic old building "The Cabildo" in the French style add a touch of royalty to Jackson Square. This is the site of the Louisiana Purchase, giving the building its historical significance. But it also houses an extensive collection of artifacts dating back to the earliest explorers, including portraits of prominent figures, original documents, and artifacts spanning from the Civil War to Native American cultures in this region.
The most famous item is probably Napoleon's death mask — one of only four existing.
Southern Food & Beverage Museum
In 2008, this well-known food organization opened its doors at the Riverwalk Marketplace. The Southern Food and Beverage Museum, also known as the SoFAB Institute, is a non-profit organization dedicated to the study and celebration of Southern traditions in food, drinks, and culture. This popular tourist attraction offers special exhibits, demonstrations, lectures, and tastings showcasing Southern cuisine.
The museum explores the Southern food industry, examining various cuisines (African-American, Caribbean, French, and German), food producers, and restaurant entrepreneurs. The museum also houses the restaurant La Galerie d'Absinthe.
Discover the Exciting World of New Orleans Museums
Whether you're drawn to world-class art or curious about quirky museums filled with important cultural treasures, New Orleans is a city ripe for discovering the past. From the grand collections at the National WWII Museum and the New Orleans Museum of Art to the unique and offbeat Museum of Death and New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, there's something for everyone.
Explore the exciting world of New Orleans museums.
Explore the exciting world of New Orleans museums.
