Museums and galleries in New Orleans

261 museums and galleries in New Orleans, from the big collections to small independent spaces.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 261.

Photo: Infrogmation, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence)

SeeArt museumMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
Worth a visit for art lovers; the art of this fine museum was fortunately high enough to escape the flood. Highlights from the permanent collection include a fine collection of jewelry, and paintings from France and Latin America. Open until 8:30PM Thursday nights. Louisiana residents get in free after 5PM with ID.
Tu,Th-Su 10:00-17:00; We 12:00-19:00; Mo off · Wi-Fi · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumFrench Quarter
Cabildo
Colonial city hall, now a museum; Louisiana Purchase agreements transferring the city from France to the USA were signed here.
Tue-Sun 9AM-4PM (last ticket sales 3:30pm) · $10 adults, $8 students/seniors/military, free for children 6 and under
SeeScience museumCentral Business District
Audubon Insectarium
An attraction opened in 2008 in the historic old Custom House Building on Canal Street. As it's in a Federal building, you'll pass through a metal detector.
Tue-Sun 10AM - 430PM · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumFrench Quarter
Presbytere
Colonial church offices, now another museum, including exhibits on New Orleans Mardi Gras and the city's recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
Tue-Sun 9AM-4PM · $7 adults, $6 students/seniors/military, free for children 6 and under
SeeMuseumCentral Business District
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a museum dedicated to art by artists from the southern United States in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was established in 1999.
Mo-Su 10:00-17:00
SeeHistory museumCentral Business District
National World War II Museum
Formerly the "D-Day Museum". Exhibits on the United States in World War II on the battlefronts and the home front. It has a restaurant, the "Victory Theater" presenting multi-media historical presentation, and the "Stage Door Canteen" featuring live music shows in the style of World War II-era USO shows.
Mo-Su 09:00-17:00
SeeArt museumCentral Business District
Contemporary Arts Center
The Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans is an arts complex located in historic downtown New Orleans. Founded in 1976, the center plays host to events and performances from visual arts to concert performances and lectures. General gallery admission is free to Louisiana residents, with varying hours and ticket arrangements for concerts and other special events.
Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumFrench Quarter
1850 House
The Louisiana State Museum's 1850 House is an antebellum row house furnished to represent life in mid-nineteenth-century New Orleans. It is located at 523 St. Ann Street on Jackson Square in the French Quarter.
Tue-Sun 10AM-4:30PM · $3 adults, $2 students/seniors/military, free for children 12 and under · Limited wheelchair access
SeeMuseumTremé
Backstreet Cultural Museum
Costumes of "Mardi Gras Indians" and other artifacts of Tremé culture. An easy walk a block and a half from the French Quarter; well worth the $8 admission fee not only for the displays but also for fascinating narration about local culture by the neighborhood curators.
Tue-Sat 10AM-4PM · Standard $20; Locals, Seniors & Veterans $15; Children 12 & Under $10
SeeScience museumFrench Quarter
Pharmacy Museum
See and learn about medical practices of the mid 19th century. Calling ahead to verify hours is recommended. Reservations required for guided tours.
Guided Tours: Thu-Sat 10:00am - 11:00am. Self-Guided Tours: Tue & Wed 10:00am - 4:00pm; Thu-Sat 11:00am - 4:00pm · Guided Tours: Adult $15, Senior/Student/Military $10; Self-Guided: Adults $10, Senior/Student/Military $7. Children 6 and under: Free
SeeAttractionCentral Business District
Mardi Gras World
The colorful floats for many of the parades of New Orleans Mardi Gras are made here. Experience a taste of Mardi Gras any time of year.
$22 adult, $17 student & senior
SeeHistory museumFrench Quarter
Historic New Orleans Collection
Museum with changing exhibits of local history. Also has a research center nearby on Chartres Street.
Tue-Sat 9:30AM-4:30PM, Sun 10:30AM-4:30PM · Free · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseumMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
Pitot House Museum and Gardens
Historic house of a former mayor from the era of the Louisiana Purchase at the start of the 19th century.
We-Fr 10:00-15:00
SeeMuseumMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
Louisiana Children's Museum
Indoor and outdoor exhibits of fun and education for children
We-Sa 09:30-16:30; Su 11:30-16:30; Mo-Tu closed
SeeAttractionTremé
Basin Street Station
The old Southern Railway train station has been remodeled; the ground floor has a visitors information center with gift shop, informative film and local museum exhibits free of charge.
9AM-5PM
SeeAttractionFrench Quarter
Madame John's Legacy
18th-century Creole home.
Tue-Sun 10AM-4:30PM · Free
SeeMuseumFrench Quarter
Hermann-Grima House
1830s mansion.
Mon-Tue Thu-Fri 10AM-2PM, Sat noon-3PM · $10 adults, $8 students/seniors/children 8-18/AAA members, free for children under 8. Joint admission with the Gallier House $18 adults, $15 students/seniors/children 8-18/AAA members
EatFaubourg Marigny
Flora Gallery and Coffee Shop
Ultra-funky coffeehouse with light fare, as well as poetry readings, board games, and the like.
7:30AM-midnight daily
SeeMuseumFrench Quarter
Musee Conti Wax Museum
Experience more than 300 years of history, legend and scandal with the 154 life-size figures displayed in historically accurate settings.
Mon Fri-Sat 10AM-4PM · $7 adults, $6.25 seniors, $6 children
SeeMuseumFrench Quarter
Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve
Headquarters for National Park that includes several historic sites in and near New Orleans. Has a small museum and visitor's center. Show up by 9AM to get a place on the informative free walking tour of the French Quarter.
Tu-Sa 09:00-16:30 · Free entry · Wheelchair accessible
SeeHistoric siteFrench Quarter
Royal Street
Strolling Royal Street by day is as essential a New Orleans experience as Bourbon Street by night. 1 block away in distance, a world in attitude. There are art galleries, upscale antique stores, landmark hotels and interesting specialty shops. Lots of temptations for those with money, but is also fun window shopping for those not spending a dime.
SeeMuseumCentral City
Southern Food and Beverage Museum
Museum founded in 2004 about the food of the southern US.
Wed-Mon 11:00AM - 5:30PM · $10.50
SeeEthnography museumTremé
New Orleans African American Museum
Call ahead to make sure they'll be open.
Wed-Sat 11AM-4PM · $7
SeeFrench Quarter
Cigar Factory New Orleans & Museum
History and tradition of one of New Orleans' oldest traditions -- cigar rolling! Watch the masters at work daily in the only operating cigar factory since the 1950s.
10AM-10PM daily · Free
SeeBywater
Dr Bob's Art Gallery
A small gallery run by local self-taught folk artist, (you'll see examples of his work at local bars, cafes, and restaurants all over town) with eccentric artwork for sale that will immediately conjure New Orleans and the nearby Cajun Country.
Officially open by appointment only, but if you're passing by and see the gates open with the
SeeLower 9th Ward
Jackson Barracks Military Museum
Jackson Barracks military base has been here since the 1830s. This is an unorthodox choice for most Lower 9th visitors, but the Louisiana National Guard has an interesting military museum, with artifacts, weapons and memorabilia from every major American war.
Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM · Free
SeeFrench Quarter
Old U.S. Mint
Coins haven't been minted in New Orleans for decades, so the building is now a museum, with the minting process downstairs and the world's top exhibit on New Orleans jazz upstairs.
Tue-Sun 10AM-4:30PM · $6 adults, $5 students/seniors/military, free for children 12 and under
BuyFaubourg Marigny
Scott Edwards Photography Studio & Gallery
A gallery specializing in regional and New Orleans based Photography.
Tue-Thu noon-8PM, Fri Sat noon-midnight
EatMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
The Bean Gallery
637 N. Carrollton. Coffee, sandwiches, gelato. Wi-Fi.
Su-Th 06:30-24:00, Fr,Sa 06:30-21:00 · Outdoor seating · Vegetarian options
SeeMid-City and Esplanade Ridge
City Park
The large park has winding lanes through old trees for walking or driving through, and includes such attractions as an outdoor sculpture garden, a botanical garden. As of 2022, renovations and improvements since Katrina have City Park looking more beautiful than ever. "Storyland", a children's playground based around fairy tale characters, has been a favorite of local children for generations. The Carousel Gardens Amusement Park has a beautiful merry-go-round (known to local old timers as "the flying horses" dating back to 1906, as well as an assortment of other amusement park rides including a miniature railway to ride around part of the park. During nights of the Christmas season there is an elaborate celebration with lights, additional rides, and music in the park called "Celebration in the Oaks". In 2020, the Louisiana Children's Museum moved to new larger quarters in City Park.
SeeMuseumFrench Quarter
Old Ursuline Convent
Completed in 1752, open for tours.
Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM · $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students, free for children under 6
SeeHistory museumFrench Quarter
Gallier House
Home of famous local 19th-century architect.
Mon Fri 10AM-2PM, Sat noon-3PM · $10 adults, $8 students/seniors/children 8-18/AAA members, free for children under 8. Joint admission with the Hermann-Grima House $18 adults, $15 students/seniors/children 8-18/AAA members
SeeLower 9th Ward Not mapped
House of Dance and Feathers
1317 Tupelo Street. Small museum dedicated to local Mardi Gras Indians and Second Line culture. Curator Ronald W. Lewis has interesting stories. Open by appointment only; contact in advance. Dan Baum's critically acclaimed book, "NIne Lives, Death and Life in New Orleans", which spans the 40 year history between Hurricane Betsy and Katrina, appropriately begins and ends with Ronald Lewis. If you are coming to New Orleans to just drink on Bourbon Street, there is no need to stop here. If you are coming to find a piece of the puzzle that makes The Big E what it is, Ronald's museum and history are worth an hour or two of your time. Have him sign your "Nine Lives" and consider purchasing his own wonderfully documented history of Mardi Gras and the Mardi Gras Indians with help from Neighborhood Story Project. Good stuff.
donations
DoLower 9th Ward Not mapped
Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center
This is a really cool complex with art films/indie films shown nearly every night. Check the calendar before coming, but mostly just to see what's on—it's a busy, thriving arts complex! On the second Saturday of each month 11AM-4:30PM, Zeitgeist opens the Och Gallery, which always has interesting art exhibits. The store is a great browse too, and is open one hour before nightly events.
$7
SeeMuseum
New Orleans Mint
The New Orleans Mint (French: Monnaie de La Nouvelle-Orléans) operated in New Orleans, Louisiana, as a branch mint of the United States Mint from 1838 to 1861 and from 1879 to 1909. During its years of operation, it produced over 427 million gold and silver coins of nearly every American denomination, with a total face value of over US$307 million. It was closed during most of the American Civil War and Reconstruction.
Tu-Su 09:00-16:00; PH off · Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseum
New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum
New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum is a voodoo museum in New Orleans, United States. Its exhibits focus on mysteries, history, and folklore related to the African diaspora religion of Louisiana Voodoo. It is situated between Bourbon and Royal Streets in the centre of the French Quarter.
Mo-Su 10:00-18:00
SeeHistoric site
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park is a U.S. National Historical Park in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, near the French Quarter. It was created in 1994 to celebrate the origins and evolution of jazz. Most of the historical park property consists of 4 acres (16,000 m2) within Louis Armstrong Park leased by the National Park Service.
Wheelchair accessible
SeeMuseum
Confederate Memorial Hall;Confederate Memorial Hall Museum
Confederate Memorial Hall Museum is a museum located in New Orleans which contains historical artifacts related to the Confederate States of America (C.S.A.) and the American Civil War. It is historically also known as "Memorial Hall". It houses the second-largest collection of Confederate Civil War items in the world, behind the American Civil War Museum in Richmond, Virginia.
Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00; Su-Mo closed
SeeAudubon and University
Newcomb Art Gallery
SeeLower 9th Ward Not mapped
Katrina National Memorial Foundation Museum
Commemorates the natural disaster that struck here.
Mon-Sat 11am-5pm · suggested donation of $20

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to New Orleans (CC BY-SA 4.0). Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Place data from Overture Maps. Some descriptions from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).