10 Best Museums in New Orleans

The New Orleans Museum of Art is filled with collections that span over 5,000 years of art. Located in City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art was opened in 1911 and is regarded as one of the finest art museums in the country. The collection includes works from the Italian Renaissance through to the modern era. You’ll see American furniture, 18th-century French decor, and a vast collection of European and American works from Degas, Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Georgia O’Keeffe. Another highlight is the Besthoff Sculpture Garden that holds over 90 modern and contemporary sculptures in a natural space.

The National WWII Museum is a Smithsonian affiliate with galleries dedicated to the Pacific, WWII aircraft, D-Day, and the experience on the Home Front. It is a military history museum that chronicles the role of the United States in World War II and is located in the Central Business District. The museum is the official National WWII Museum of America. You’ll see a wide range of artefacts and exhibits in the museum. Some of the notable exhibits include an Enigma machine, a Sherman tank, a Higgins boat, an air-raid shelter, a portion of the Atlantic, a Supermarine Spitfire, and a Douglas C-47 Skytrain.

The Southern Food & Drink Museum is a cultural museum dedicated to how food and drink influence culture in the South and around the world. Located in the Oretha Castle Haley area, the museum features several cultural entities, including the Museum of the American Cocktail and the John & Bonnie Boyd Hospitality & Culinary Library. You’ll see a range of unique exhibits in the Southern Food & Drink Museum, including exhibits on harvesting crawfish, the evolution of jambalaya, the sugar industry, and the food from the Gulf of Mexico. Another highlight is the Gallery of the South: States of Taste, which features recipes, brands, dishes, industry, and cooking techniques for the “food geography” of each state.

The Cabildo captures Louisiana history with collections about everything from Mardi Gras to Hurricane Katrina. Located in the former Spanish colonial city hall in Jackson Square, the building itself is a historical landmark and was the site of notable moments, such as the Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremonies. Some of the highlights of the museum’s collection include vintage planes from the Golden Age of Aviation, and artefacts and exhibits on the state's history, appropriate since it is called Louisiana's state museum. You can also explore the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame to see important athletes from the state.

The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum that’s focused on the culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region. Located in the French Quarter, the museum is home to house museums, history galleries, and a variety of permanent exhibitions. Some of the highlights of the museum include the Williams Residence, an Italianate property from 1792, and the Louis Adams House, a Spanish Colonial-style house that survived the New Orleans fires. Collections include a private collection of Tennessee Williams artefacts, jazz memorabilia, militaria from the region, and photographs of Clarence John Laughlin.

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art highlights the traditions and culture of the South with famous artists and timely exhibits. Located in the Warehouse Arts District, the museum has a comprehensive collection of artwork, music, literature, and culinary artefacts. The museum features over 4,000 works of paintings, watercolours, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and crafts representing Southern artwork. Some of the notable artists include James Michalopoulos, George Rodrigue, Will Henry Stevens, and Benny Andrews. The museum also has rotating exhibitions throughout the year to highlight topical issues and movements.

The New Orleans African American Museum is a museum dedicated to the contributions of Black people in New Orleans and Louisiana culture throughout history. Located in the Tremé area, a historic Black community, the museum chronicles Black hisory through American slavery to modern times. The museum is spread across historical buildings on a former plantation, including a former master’s house and former slaves’ quarters. One of the main highlights of the collection is the Louisiana-Congo, a collection of African beadwork, masks, textiles, costumes, and instruments, some of which originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The 1850 House is a historic antebellum terrace house that depicts life in New Orleans in the mid-century. The house is located on Jackson Square in the French Quarter and was home to many prominent people over the years, including members of the Soria family and Amelia Zacharie Saul Cammack and her family. The museum comprises not only the historic terrace house but also the artefacts from the period. You’ll see domestic goods, decorative arts, artwork, and other authentic features that reflect middle-class life at the time. Some examples include bedroom suites with armoires, washstands, and dressing tables, Old Paris porcelain, and New Orleans silver.

The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum showcases cemetery walks, ghost tours, psychic readings, and academic research. It is a fascinating museum that chronicles voodoo history in New Orleans' culture. Located on Dumaine Street in the French Quarter, the museum is designed to showcase voodoo culture and provide entertainment to visitors. When you visit, you’ll see artefacts of ritual alters, gris-gris, zombie lore, and depictions of voodoo saints. You can walk through the museum yourself or book a guided tour to learn more about the background of the intriguing religion and lore.