List of museums in New Orleans facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

New Orleans, Louisiana, is a city full of history, music, and amazing culture! One of the best ways to explore all these cool things is by visiting its many museums. A museum is a special place where interesting objects are collected, cared for, and shown to the public. These objects can be about art, science, history, or different cultures.

This list will help you discover some of the fantastic museums in New Orleans. Get ready to learn about everything from old houses and famous artists to exciting Mardi Gras traditions and even World War II history!

Museums to Explore in New Orleans
Museums That Are No Longer Open
See also

Museums to Explore in New Orleans

1850 House

Located in the French Quarter, this museum shows you what a middle-class home looked like in the 1850s. It's part of the Louisiana State Museum and gives you a peek into daily life long ago.

Algiers Folk Art Zone & Blues Museum

This unique spot in Algiers Point celebrates folk art and blues music. You can see cool outdoor sculptures made from different materials and a small museum with music items and art by self-taught artists. You can find more info on their website.

American Italian Museum

Learn about the history of Italian Americans in the Southeast United States and their important contributions. This museum is in the New Orleans Central Business District and is run by the American Italian Cultural Center.

Ansel M. Stroud, Jr. Military History and Weapons Museum

This museum is the official museum of the Louisiana National Guard. It's located in the Jackson Barracks Complex and shares the history of the military, including weapons and stories from the past. It used to be called the Jackson Barracks Military Museum.

Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium

Get ready to explore the amazing world of insects! This museum in the French Quarter teaches you all about bugs and even lets you see live insects and beautiful butterflies up close.

Backstreet Cultural Museum

In the Tremé neighborhood, this museum celebrates the vibrant African-American culture of New Orleans. It focuses on traditions like the colorful Mardi Gras Indians, lively Jazz Funerals, and Social Aid & Pleasure Clubs.

Beauregard-Keyes House

Step back in time at this historic house in the French Quarter. It shows what a home was like in the 1860s and has a collection of antique dolls and teapots.

The Cabildo

This historic building in the French Quarter is part of the Louisiana State Museum. It was the site where the Louisiana Purchase was officially transferred in 1803. Today, it has exhibits about Louisiana's history and its many different cultures.

Confederate Memorial Hall Museum

This museum in the Central Business District focuses on the American Civil War and the Confederate States of America. It displays artifacts and tells stories from that important time in history.

Contemporary Arts Center

The Contemporary Arts Center in the Central Business District is a place for modern art and performances. It features many different types of art, including visual art and live shows.

Degas House

Visit the house where the famous artist Edgar Degas lived and worked from 1872 to 1873. It's in the Tremé neighborhood. You can learn more on their website.

Diboll Art Gallery

Part of Loyola University New Orleans, this art gallery is also known as the Collins C. Diboll Art Gallery and Visual Arts Center. You can find their website at [1].

Gallier House

This historic house in the French Quarter shows what homes were like in the 1850s. It's a great way to see how people lived in New Orleans during that era.

Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum at Arnaud's

Located within Arnaud's restaurant in the French Quarter, this fun museum celebrates Mardi Gras. It has a collection of fancy Carnival court gowns, costumes, and other special items from past celebrations.

Hermann-Grima House

This beautiful Creole house in the French Quarter dates back to the 1830s-1860s. It offers a look into the life and architecture of that period.

Historic New Orleans Collection

This collection in the French Quarter includes a museum with exhibits about the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region. It also features the Williams Residence, which shows how people lived in the 1940s-1950s.

House of Broel

In the Garden District, this Victorian-period house is open for tours by appointment. It's famous for its dollhouse museum, which is a favorite for many visitors. Check out their website.

House of Dance and Feathers

This museum in the Lower Ninth Ward celebrates the art, history, and culture of the Mardi Gras Indians, local Social Aid and Pleasure Clubs, Skull & Bones Gangs, and Baby Dolls. You can learn more on their website.

Irish Cultural Museum of New Orleans

Discover the history of the Irish people in New Orleans at this museum in the French Quarter. Their website has more information.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

The French Quarter Visitor Center for this park teaches about the history and traditions of New Orleans and the delta region. It's a great place to learn about the local environment and culture.

Longue Vue House and Gardens

This beautiful 20th-century estate and its gardens are located in Lakewood. It's a wonderful place to see historic architecture and lovely landscapes.

Louisiana Children's Museum

Located in City Park, this museum is designed especially for kids! It offers interactive exhibits where children can learn and play. Visit their website for details.

Louisiana State Museum

The Louisiana State Museum operates several important museums in the French Quarter, including The Cabildo, New Orleans Mint, The Presbytère, 1850 House, and Madame John's Legacy.

Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum

This museum in the Lower Ninth Ward tells the history of the area through personal stories and exhibits. You can find out more on their website.

Madame John's Legacy

Operated by the Louisiana State Museum, this late 18th-century Colonial home in the French Quarter is a historic treasure.

Mardi Gras World

Ever wondered how those amazing Mardi Gras floats are made? At Mardi Gras World in the St. Thomas Development, you can see where they create and store these giant, colorful works of art!

McKenna Museum of African American Art

This art museum in Central City showcases fine art from the African Diaspora. Check out their website to see their exhibits.

Le Musée de f.p.c.

This mid-19th-century house in Tremé focuses on the history of free people of color who lived in New Orleans. Learn more at their website.

Museum of Death

This museum in the French Quarter explores the history of death and related topics. It includes items like coffins, skulls, and old mortician tools. You can visit their website.

Museum of the American Cocktail

Part of the Southern Food & Beverage Museum in Central City, this museum explores the history of mixed drinks and bartending.

National Seelos Shrine

Located at St. Mary's Assumption Church in the St. Thomas Development, this shrine and museum tells the story of Francis Xavier Seelos.

National WWII Museum

Formerly known as the National D-Day Museum, this important museum in the Central Business District focuses on the United States' role in World War II. It also highlights the Battle of Normandy. Visit their website.

New Canal Lighthouse Museum and Education Center

Operated by the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, this reconstructed lighthouse and museum in Lakeshore/Lake Vista teaches about maritime history.

New Orleans African American Museum

This museum in Tremé celebrates African American art, history, and culture.

New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum

Explore the history and folklore of rituals, zombies, and Voodoo Queens at this museum in the French Quarter.

New Orleans Fire Department Museum

Located in the Washington Avenue firehouse in the Garden District, this museum is open by appointment and showcases the history of firefighting in the city.

New Orleans Mint

Part of the Louisiana State Museum, the New Orleans Mint in the French Quarter now features a jazz museum and is a music venue. It's part of the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park.

New Orleans Museum of Art

Found in City Park, this art museum has collections of French and American art, photography, glass, and works from Africa and Japan. It also has the beautiful Besthoff Sculpture Garden.

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

This museum in the French Quarter shows what a 19th-century pharmacy looked like. It includes old medical tools, a doctor's study, and collections of eyeglasses and homeopathic remedies. Their website has more details.

Newcomb Art Museum

Part of Tulane University in Carrollton, this art museum has a collection of decorative arts made at Newcomb College from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art

In the Central Business District, this museum focuses on the visual arts and culture of the American South.

Old Ursuline Convent

This 18th-century convent in the French Quarter is a very old and important religious site.

Pitot House

This early 19th-century period house in Faubourg St. John offers another glimpse into historic New Orleans homes.

The Presbytère

Part of the Louisiana State Museum in the French Quarter, The Presbytère features changing exhibits about New Orleans history and culture.

Southern Food and Beverage Museum

Located in Central City, this museum explores the food and traditions of Louisiana and the American South. It includes exhibits like The Museum of the American Cocktail, and displays about sugar, fishing, and community cookbooks.

University of New Orleans Art Galleries

The University of New Orleans has art galleries, including the UNO St. Claude Gallery and the UNO Lakefront Campus Fine Arts Gallery. You can find more information on their website.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Musée Conti Wax Museum: This museum closed its doors in 2016.
New Orleans Jazz Museum: Since 2015, the collection from this museum has been on display at the New Orleans Mint.