Sights and landmarks in New Orleans

416 sights worth seeing in New Orleans: landmarks, galleries, monuments and viewpoints.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 416.

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
SeeHistoric siteFrench Quarter
Jackson Square
The old town square, often live music is going on here, as well as street corner painters and tarot readers. Around the square are:.
Wheelchair accessible
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
See7th, 8th, and Upper 9th Wards
St Roch Market
This building at St. Claude Avenue & St. Roch is an historic landmark. Before Katrina it was a bit on the ramshackle side, but still busy specializing in fresh seafood; the city's second oldest functioning market after the famous French Market in the French Quarter. For more than 6 years after "the Federal Flood", it remained boarded up and unrestored but is now open for business.
Mo-Th,Su 07:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 07:00-23:00; PH closed · Outdoor seating · 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
SeeCentral Business District
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
A fine aquarium at the foot of Canal Street. Take advantage of the combination ticket, which enables access to the Aquarium, the adjoining Entergy IMAX Theatre, and the Audubon Zoo which is uptown (shuttle provided).
Wheelchair accessible
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
SeeCentral Business District
Lafayette Square
The center of what was the "Old American Quarter" in the early 19th century, with the city's neo-classical city hall and a belle epoch courthouse.
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
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.
SeeHistoric siteTremé
Perseverance Hall #4
At the Saint Claude entrance to the park, is a 19th-century dance hall, usually vacant, but sometimes used for music, exhibits, and other events.
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
SeeHistoric siteFrench Quarter
Pontalba Buildings
4-story brick apartment buildings have specialty shops, restaurants, and a tourist information office on the ground floors.
SeeFrench Quarter
Moon Walk
A brick walking path along the Mississippi River across Decatur Street from Jackson Square. The curious name comes from its dedication to former New Orleans mayor Moon Landrieu.
SeePublic artTremé
Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts
This is one of the largest performance venues in the city, and is frequently used by the Louisiana Symphony Orchestra and for large scale dance performances and musicals. The official address is listed as 801 N Rampart St, but it is away from Rampart towards the back of the park.
SeeAudubon and University
Audubon Zoo
Very good zoo, see the rare white alligators, at the upper end of Magazine Street. Riverboats connect the Zoo to the Central Business District; also accessible from the St. Charles Streetcar via a shuttle bus that runs back and forth from the main entrance to Audubon Park on St. Charles to the Zoo.
Mon-Fri 10AM-5PM, Sat Sun 10AM-6PM
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
SeeUptown
Latter Branch, New Orleans Public Library
Yes, you can read a book or get a bit of internet time, but this branch of the library is in a 1907 vintage mansion, formerly the home of silent film star Marguerite Clark. This makes it a St. Charles mansion you can see the elegant interior of for free!
Mon-Thu 10:00AM–7:00PM, Fri Sat 10:00AM–5:00PM, closed Sundays
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
SeeFrench Quarter
St. Louis Cathedral
A symbol of New Orleans, this is the oldest Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States and has a giant statue of the Virgin Mary with her arms extended gracing the middle of the courtyard.
The cathedral is open for self-guided tours daily from the end of morning mass until 4PM; see website for mass times · Free
SeeCentral City
Ashé Cultural Center
Ashé's mission, essentially, is to be a community gathering space for the creation of art, but also to help drive community renewal. You'll need to check the website, but they have occasional events that would appeal to a visitor, like drum workshops, film screenings, etc.
SeeCentral Business District
Caesars Superdome
It was built as the Louisiana Superdome, and is home of the NFL's New Orleans Saints. When no games or events are scheduled, you can take tours.
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.

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).