New Orleans is home to over 40 museums.  In them, you can discover a world of fine art, history, Mardi Gras, and much more.  Many of these museums are world-famous, such as the The National World War II Museum, and some, such as the Backstreet Cultural Museum, are known only to locals and lovers of New Orleans culture.  Some of our best museums are not even included in the New Orleans Museum website nor is the insider info on area museums widely known.  That is why 411 NOLA is here—to give you the info nobody else does.

Spotlight on the African American Museum

Experience the cultural heritage of the city at the New Orleans African American Museum.  Located the now-famous Faubourg Tremé, this museum is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and promoting the history, art, and culture of African Americans in New Orleans and the African Diaspora.  In five restored buildings, visitors can enjoy both established and emerging artists’ work in sculpture, painting and other artistic expressions.  Visitors can also relax and roam through the serene gardens surrounding the villa.  The beautifully landscaped grounds cover one city block.

The New Orleans African American Museum hours of operation are Wednesdays through Saturdays 11:00 a. m. to 4:00 p. m. and by appointment on off days. Admission for adults is $7, students and seniors are $5 and children ages 2 to 12 are $3.

More Museums

• The Diboll Gallery at Loyola University never has an admission charge.  Located at 6363 St. Charles Ave. on the 4th floor of the Monroe Library, it features artifacts of Belgian Congo and rotating exhibits that showcase the works of Loyola students and faculty.  The gallery is open Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a. m. to 6:00 p. m., and Sundays from noon to 6:00 p. m.  For more information, contact Gallery Director Karoline Schleh at gallery@loyno.edu or by 504-865-5456.

• Preservation Resource Center:  At the PRC visitors can learn the difference between a Creole cottage and a double-gallery Garden District mansion and between a standard shotgun house and a camelback.  The center features both permanent and rotating exhibits on New Orleans architecture and historic neighborhoods.  Admission is free, but donations are accepted.  Find the PRC at 923 Tchoupitoulas St. in the Warehouse District.  The center is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m.

• There is a “secret museum” most people, including locals, have never heard of.  It is part of the New Orleans Public Library and can be found by clicking here.  You can visit this “museum” 24/7, 365 days a year at no charge.

Special Deals

• FREE to all school groups with a chaperon.  This includes K-12, colleges and universities.  The Louisiana State Museum http://www.crt.state.la.us/museum/  operates five properties in the French Quarter: the Cabildo, Presbytere, 1850 House, Old U.S. Mint and Madame John’s Legacy along with the Jackson House and the Creole House on Pirates Alley.  Contact Patrick Sheppard for more information.

• Every Wednesday, everyone gets in free to the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) located in City Park.  On Wednesdays, museum hours are noon to 5:00 p. m.  For more info, call 504-658-4100.

• Located next to NOMA is the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden.  The garden is free and open to the public seven days a week, 10:00 a. m. to 4:45 p. m. and ’til 8:45 p. m. on Fridays.  Lagniappe:  The garden offers a free tour.  The tour can be accessed via your cell phones.

• Admission to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is free every Thursday, 10:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m.  for all Louisiana residents.

• If you have a current ID for Loyola, Tulane, Nunez Community College, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Our Lady of Holy Cross, UNO, Delgado or Xavier, you get in FREE to the New Orleans Museum of Art because these universities pay to be members.  This offer is good for faculty, staff, and students of these educational institutions.  Just bring you current school ID with you and get in free!