Five New Orleans Museums to Visit

15:00 September 10, 2020
By: Abbey Hebert

With the weekend coming up, take the time to explore the vast array of museums that New Orleans offers. Ranging from art to history to Mardi Gras, museums in NOLA cover all interests. Spend your weekend exploring and learning about a topic you love or something new that you've never heard of. PS: Don't forget your mask!

New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)

According to its website, NOMA first opened in 1911 with nine art pieces; today, this art museum has 40,000 pieces focused especially on French, American, African, and Japanese compositions. This museum reigns as "the city's oldest fine-arts institution." While visiting NOMA, take a stroll through the Besthoff Sculpture Garden (SG), since the two cultural spots are located next to each other in City Park. NOMA is open Wednesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the SG is also open Wednesday through Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here to reserve your tickets for NOMA, which cost $15 for general admission, $8 for college students, and $10 for seniors, veterans, and active military; museum members and those who are 19 and under get in for free. The SG is free of charge and open to the public. 1 Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, (504) 658-4100, noma.org

National World War II Museum

The National WWII Museum dedicates itself to depicting the American point of view of the war. Their mission is to tell the American story of WWII, such as "why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today—so that all generations will understand the price of freedom and be inspired." This museum offers extensive insight on areas of the war that are often forgotten. A walk through this museum is an engaging experience; there are visuals, movies, and plaques interspersed throughout the rooms, truly offering an opportunity to learn about this pivotal war. The WWII Museum is open every day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here to reserve your tickets, which cost $28.50 for adults, $24.50 for seniors, and $18 for active military, college students, and children (K-12); WWII veterans and children under five get in for free. 945 Magazine St., (504) 528-1944, nationalww2museum.org

Backstreet Cultural Museum

In his garage in the Treme neighborhood, Sylvester Francis set up photographs and Mardi Gras Indian mementos. Chief Victor Harris of the Mandingo Warriors donated umbrellas and costumes once he heard about this micro-museum. As the collection grew and grew, one of his friends suggested that he begin an exhibition in a building on St. Claude Avenue, which was the genesis of the Backstreet Cultural Museum. This museum is described as "the world's most comprehensive collection related to New Orleans's African American community-based masking and processional traditions." It has also hosted live dance and music performances. This museum is open Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; admission is $10 per person and cash only. 1116 Henriette Delille St., (504) 606-4809, backstreetmuseum.org

Museum of Death

Considering that Halloween is right around the corner, it's a good time to visit the Museum of Death. This museum was founded by JD Healy and Cathee Schultz in 1996 in San Diego's first mortuary. Now, there are only two locations: New Orleans and Hollywood, California. The museum claims to have "the world's largest collection of serial-killer artwork, antique funeral ephemera, mortician and coroners instruments, Manson Family memorabilia … and much more!" They also does not use replicas, so the two museums are unique in their exhibits. The Museum of Death encourages visitors to prepare before entering, as fainting (or, as the museum team calls it, "falling-down ovations") tend to happen frequently. Tickets are $15 per person. 227 Dauphine St., (504) 593-3968, museumofdeath.net

Pharmacy Museum

Take a trip to the Pharmacy Museum to learn about the history of Louisiana's pharmacies and healthcare. Exhibits on the second floor are currently closed to the public, due to social-distancing guidelines; however, the first floor's exhibits are still on show. According to their website, these exhibits include "snow globes, methods of administration, opium, perfumes and cosmetics, voodoo potions, questionable medical practices, surgical instruments…" and more. The Pharmacy Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., with 45-minute slots for visitors. Only 10 visitors are allowed in the museum at once, and the tickets, which cost just $5 per person, need to be bought in advance (click here to purchase your tickets). 514 Chartres St., (504) 565-8027, pharmacymuseum.org


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