Free Museums in New Orleans

"Address: 945 Magazine StreetNew Orleans, LA 70130Phone: (504) 528-1944Website. The museum’s exhibits cover “the war that changed the world” through exhibits that focus on world leaders, events, and the war’s courageous men and women. Stay on the Museum’s campus at the Higgins Hotel and Conference Center, an art-deco style property offering first-class accommodations."

"The National World War II Museum in New Orleans was designated by the United States Congress as America’s official WWII museum. There are many different exhibits depicting different pivotal moments in the world. Read the stories and see different photographs and artifacts from the beaches of Normandy and the events that happened on D-Day."

"The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world — 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 by what they learn."

"Mid-CityThe art museum that bears the name of the city is a grand one indeed (dating back to 1911), and its permanent collection of over 40,000 objects is definitely worth your time and money. Exhibitions range from classical to contemporary art, from traditional to avant garde, with of course an emphasis on local artists. If you’re a starving artist (and one who happens to be a Louisiana resident), you’ll be happy to know that you can visit NOMA for free every Wednesday."

"In the south part of City Park is the New Orleans Museum of Art, one of the finest of its kind in the South. The museum features an excellent collection of French and American art, as well as African and Japanese pieces. On site and another of the institutions highlights is the outdoor Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, with more than 60 sculptures, as well as walking paths, lagoons, and mature live oak trees."

"When the NOMA opened in 1911, it only held nine pieces of art. Today, its permanent collection is composed of more than 40,000 objects, with a particularly strong representation of American and French art. Highlights include works by Matisse, Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Pollock, O’Keeffe and Degas, who lived in New Orleans from 1871 to 1872."

"Founded in 1966, The Historic New Orleans Collection has two campuses: one on Royal Street and the other on Chartres Street. Its Royal Street campus has a permanent gallery on Louisiana history; a hall for rotating exhibitions; and house museum called the Williams Residence—which, according to the THNOC, “is the only French Quarter house open to the public with its original furnishings.”. Its Chartres Street campus holds the Williams Research Center, the Boyd Cruise gallery, and thousands of historic artifacts that encapsulate life New Orleans over the last 300 years."

"It’s also an excellent place to people watch and where a number of New Orleans’ historical landmarks like The St Louis Cathedral, The Cabildo, and The Presbytère are located (with Preservation Hall and The Historic New Orleans Collection nearby). Tons of artists, musicians, and fortune tellers hang out in Jackson Square and in the spirit of disclosure, I spent most of my time here people-watching and eating beignets. However, if you want to be a little more cultured than I was, visit one or several of the above-mentioned landmarks for even more NOLA history."

"It’s got plenty of space making it ideal for families, with a backyard perfect for running around in. The classic cottage is as stunning on the inside as it is on the outside, with the guest suite providing cosy accommodation for up to four visitors."

"This historic building on Chartres Street in the French Quarter hasn’t changed much since the 19th-century. Once home to America’s first licensed pharmacist, Louis Dufilho Jr., today the space lives on as the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, which celebrates this history through a treasure trove of antiques and ephemera. The collection includes hundreds of artifacts, from hand-blown apothecary bottles, potions once used by Voodoo practitioners, surgical instruments, prosthetic devices, and old wheelchairs."

"The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is located in the former home and apothecary of the first licensed pharmacist in the United States, Louis J. Dufilho, Jr. Here you will be able to view an extensive collection of apothecary jars with original ingredients, medical instruments, prosthetic devices, surgical tools and more. You will also learn about Dufilho whose work played a vital role in promoting public health."

"The Pharmacy Museum has quite an interesting tour – don’t let the name fool you!. It’s all about old school remedies and how they evolved through history, with a local twist."

"If you’re searching for what to do in New Orleans City Park with kids, the Louisiana Children’s Museum has to top your list. Kids will delight in playing throughout the indoor and outdoor areas. Outside, your kids can explore exhibits on the water, in the garden, and more!"

"In the heart of City Park in New Orleans, sits the wonderful Louisiana Children’s Museum. The museum offers over 56,000 square feet of space for your little ones to run wild right alongside their imagination. There is so much for kids of all ages to discover and explore."

"Take the famous St. Charles Streetcar to Central City to visit the McKenna Museum of African American Art. The museum’s mission is to make African Diasporan fine art available and accessible to visitors of all ages. They work to preserve the culture of the African American community in Louisiana."

"The McKenna Museum is a fine art institution with a direct focus on African Diasporan pieces. In addition to their collection, McKenna offers a range of diverse programming such as guest speakers, workshops and book readings to further their mission and work."

"A post shared by Whitney Plantation (@whitneyplantation) on Mar 29, 2018 at 1:39pm PDT Unless you have a car with you, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to visit a plantation the same day as doing a swamp tour because they’re located far apart. However, if you do choose to do a plantation tour, choose Whitney Plantation, the only plantation museum in Louisiana with a focus on slavery. Unfortunately, I did not do my research and visited a different plantation house and was incredibly disappointed that they didn’t address slavery whatsoever."

"Whitney Plantation, on the other hand, focuses on slavery and what life was like for the slaves living on the plantation. There are personal narratives and exhibits of the slaves who lived on the plantation which can certainly be more emotional but important history to understand nevertheless."

"If you’re going to visit any plantations, please make The Whitney Plantation a priority. It’s the first slavery museum in America, dedicated to telling the history of slaves in their own words, taken from historical records."

"Get your dose of nature at one of New Orleans’ two large parks.City Park is larger than Central Park in New York and is home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, as well as several gardens.Audubon Parkboasts the Audubon Zoo and is easily accessible by street car. Either way, both are excellent options for a relaxing afternoon."

"Located in the center of City Park is NOMA, New Orleans Museum of Art which the building itself is beautiful holding a permanent fine art collection of over 40,000 pieces. We will be checking this out on our next trip as well!"

"Local music fans, neighborhood drinkers, and curious tourists all come to see one of the city's favorite sons, Kermit Ruffins, in action at his namesake bar. Inside has the feeling of a tricked-out family basement, but with Mardi Gras colored tiling. The drinks are cheap, the food is (often) free, and the music flows like the lifeblood of the Seventh Ward."

"Before visiting New Orleans for the third time last fall, I binge-watched the HBO series Treme on Amazon Prime. The show is named after the neighborhood north of the French Quarter, where jazz music was born in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Several of the lead characters are musicians; viewers are treated to a lot of terrific music."

"Are you looking for a great place to watch live entertainment around New Orleans, Louisiana?. If so, you should head on over to Kermit's Treme Mother in Law..."

"If you’re down in the CBD or headed toward the French Quarter, one small church lies hidden on Rampart Street. Peering through the doors, you see a rather simple sanctuary and some of the homeless asleep on the pews. The real beauty is to either side of the altar: the shrines to St. Jude and Our Lady of Guadalupe."

"French QuarterArchitecture enthusiasts will quickly and easily fall in love with New Orleans, and for good reason; the city is prized for its distinctive architectural style. And nowhere will you find a better example of this than at Madame John’s Legacy, a primo example of Louisiana’s 18th-century architectural design, and an official National Historic Landmark."

"Long thought to be the oldest building on the Mississippi River, Madame John’s Legacy has proven to be not quite the oldest. It was one of the few buildings in the quarter to escape the great fire of 1795 in New Orleans. Architecture fans can appreciate the 18th century design."

"Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, (504) 262-0750; 2904 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 885-5565; 3233 Magazine St., (504) 262-6019; 9647 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge, (504) 737-8146; www.breauxmart.com. Crawfish dip is made with crawfish tails, cream cheese, sour cream, onions, hot sauce and lemon juice."