10 Best Museums to Visit for New Orleans Museum Month
New Orleans is built upon its long and rich history, featuring many kinds of museums that showcase its deep history. Every August, New Orleans hosts New Orleans Museum Month, where an active membership to any participating museum grants you free admission for two to over 20+ participating museums across the city.
To celebrate New Orleans Museum Month, here are the top 10 best museums to visit in NOLA.
1. The National WWII Museum
945 Magazine St., (504) 528-1944
The National WWII Museum is frequently ranked as one of the #1 attractions in the city. You can find the six-acre campus in the Warehouse District, featuring the museum, restaurants, a 4D theater, shops, and more. The museum features personal WWII artifacts, histories from the European and Pacific theaters, and much more. Plan to visit for multiple days in order to see everything!
2. The Cabildo
701 Chartres St., (504) 568-6968
Standing proudly alongside Jackson Square in the French Quarter, this
historic Spanish colonial building serves as a major part of Louisiana's
complex heritage. During the Colonial era, it famously served as the seat of
government and was the exact site of the historic 1803 Louisiana Purchase
transfer. Today, its multi-floor museum layout showcases rare artifacts
detailing early Native American culture, European colonization, and regional
wartime history. The famous bronze death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte is part of its permanent collection.
3. The Historic New Orleans Collection
520 Royal St., (504) 523-4662
This remarkable institution functions as a museum, research center, and publisher. Its public galleries host rotating exhibitions that chronicle everything from early jazz history to architectural preservation and local culinary traditions. The Historic New Orleans Collection excels at making history accessible to everyone by offering completely free admission to its permanent collection and main exhibition spaces. It is a fantastic starting point for travelers who want to separate local myths from true historical facts while exploring the French Quarter.
4. The Presbytère
751 Chartres St., (504) 568-6968
louisianastatemuseum.org/museum/presbytere
Built as a matching counterpart to the Cabildo, this beautiful French Quarter landmark houses two of the city's most emotionally resonant permanent exhibitions. On the Presbytère's ground level, the "Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond" exhibit offers a heavy, eye-opening look at the 2005 hurricane's impact and the city's ongoing resilience. Upstairs, the museum transforms into a celebration with "Mardi Gras: It's Carnival Time in Louisiana," showcasing elaborate costumes, historic throws, and the cultural evolution of parade krewes. Together, these contrasting exhibits capture the true spirit of New Orleans, balancing celebration with tragedy.
5. New Orleans Museum of Art
1 Collins Diboll Cir., (504) 658-4100
Situated in the scenic City Park, the city's oldest fine arts institution includes a permanent collection of over 40,000 global artworks. NOMA's galleries span several centuries and include notable showcases in French and American masterpieces, photography, African art, glasswork, and more. Just outside the museum doors lies the breathtaking Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, which is entirely free to the public and features over 90 modern sculptures nestled among centuries-old live oaks. Walking through this dual indoor-outdoor art space offers a tranquil and culturally enriching escape from the lively downtown streets.
6. Ogden Museum of Southern Art
925 Camp St., (504) 539-9600
This sleek museum holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of Southern visual art found anywhere in the world. The Ogden Museum's mission is to celebrate the distinct creativity, history, and diverse cultures of the American South across 15 states and Washington, D.C. The permanent collection and rotating exhibitions span from 1733 to the present day, showcasing traditional oil paintings alongside contemporary photography and outsider folk art. It offers an eye-opening perspective on how the region's complex social history continues to inspire modern visual artists.
7. New Orleans Jazz Museum
400 Esplanade Ave., (504) 568-6993
The New Orleans Jazz Museum honors the birthplace of jazz through highly interactive listening stations, rare audio recordings, and a legendary collection of instruments including Louis Armstrong's first cornet. Beyond serving as a historical archive, the facility features a state-of-the-art performance venue on the third floor that hosts regular live concert programming. It provides an immersive experience that perfectly bridges the city's rich musical past with its thriving contemporary music scene.
8. New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
514 Chartres St., (504) 490-6263
Occupying the historic 1823 shop of Louis Joseph Dufilho Jr., who was America's very first licensed pharmacist, this French Quarter museum feels like stepping back in time. The atmospheric space is packed to the ceiling with antique medical instruments, hand-blown glass potions, vintage cosmetics, and early prescription logs written in calligraphy. Visitors can explore the dark history of 19th-century medicine, including early bloodletting tools, questionable patent medicines, and the terrifying realities of yellow fever epidemics. The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is a wonderfully quirky, slightly eerie hidden gem that provides a sharp, memorable contrast to traditional history museums.
9. Mardi Gras World
1380 Port of New Orleans Pl., (504)
361-7821
Situated right along the Mississippi Riverfront, this massive working warehouse gives visitors an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the magic of Carnival season. Guests can walk directly through the active workshop floor to see artists sculpting giant papier-mâché figures and painting whimsical props. Admission includes a slice of fresh king cake, a brief historical video, and the freedom to take up-close photos with legendary parade props. Mardi Gras World is a spot to visit for Mardi Gras enthusiasts!
10. Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience
818 Howard Ave., (504) 384-2480
The Museum of Southern Jewish Experience explores how Jews in the American South influenced and were shaped by the region's distinct cultural heritage. It spans 350 years of artifact across 13 states and features over 4,000 artifacts. This is a favorite spot for those interested in local Jewish history! Visit the museum and be sure to also check out the Chapman Family Research Center.
