New Orleans museums are many and varied, whether its art, history, war or hurricanes, New Orleans probably has a museum for you. For the children we have the awesome New Orleans Children's museum. For the Word War II enthusiast there is no match for the New Orleans World War II Museum. For the art lover we have the Ogden Museum and the New Orleans Museum of Art. For the history buff we have the Confederate Museum, the Cabildo Museum and the Historic New Orleans Collection Museum. If you are interested in hurricane Katrina then a visit to the Presbytère Museum in the French Quarter is a must. We also have the Longgue Vue House and Gardens, the Edgar Degas House, and the New Orleans African American Museum in the Tremé
The Cabildo Museum * French Quarter at Jackson Square
While you are vacationing in New Orleans I recommend that you visit the Cabildo Musuem in the French Quarter. The Cabildo is the premier historical attraction in New Orleans and a great place to learn about Louisiana history. The Cabildo is the site of the Louisiana Purchase ceremonies in 1803 and the room where the signing took place has been reproduced as it appeared on that day. The Cabildo’s exhibits are basically divided into the following chronological sections: Native Americans * Colonial Louisiana * The Louisiana Purchase * Territory to Statehood * The Battle of New Orleans * Antebellum Louisiana * The Civil War * Reconstruction. The Cabildo is open Tuesday through Sunday. 10 am - 4:30 pm. Closed all legal holidays.
The Presbytère Museum * French Quarter at Jackson Square
The current exhibit at the Presbytère is “Living with hurricanes – Katrina & beyond”. This is an exhibit that covers the history of New Orleans becoming a settlement, hurricane Betsy in 1965, hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. For hurricane Katrina there is a section from during the storm with awesome video footage ; a section about the rescue effort, a section about the chaos after the storm; a section about rebuilding after the storm; and an interactive section about the effects of coastal erosion on the marsh and the Crescent City. You should allow for about an hour for your visit.The Presbytère Museum is the is an important historical building in New Orleans and is located in the French Quarter along Jackson Square, to the right of the St. Louis Cathedral. It was designed in 1791 to match the Cabildo on the other side of St. Louis Cathedral. The second floor, however, was not completed until 1813. The building initially was used for commercial purposes until 1834 when it was used by the Louisiana Supreme Court. In 1847 the structure's mansard roof was added. In 1853, cathedral officials sold the Presbytère to the city and in 1908 the city sold it to the state. In 1911 it became part of the Louisiana State Museum.
Visit the Historic New Orleans Collection Museum * French Quarter
The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region. Located in the French Quarter the museum is housed in the Merieult House at 533 Royal Street which was built in 1792. The museum has both permanent and changing exhibitions. The museum shop features Louisiana books, prints, and specialty gift items.
Visit the New Orleans National World War II Museum * Warehouse District
A visit to the New Orleans World War II Museum is a must, especially if you are a World War II enthusiast. The Museum honors the more than one million Americans who were part of World War II. It explains the American involvement in the war, what led the United States into World War II, and how the war was won. You will want to allow AT LEAST 3 hours for your visit. The National World War II Museum host many activities and ongoing events. Check the museum’s Events page for dates and times. The Museum is open seven days a week, 9am to 5pm, but closed on some holidays. You will want to check the National World War II Museums web site for details. The National World War II Museum is located in the New Orleans Central Business District on the corner of Andrew Higgins and Magazine Street. The St. Charles Street streetcar will take you within one block of the World War II Museum.
The Louisiana Civil War Museum * Warehouse District
The Louisiana Civil War Museum (Memorial Hall) contains the second largest collection of Confederate memorabilia in the United States and is the oldest continually operating museum in Louisiana. Memorial Hall is dedicated to the preservation of Civil War memorabilia, specifically related to the South and Louisiana. Memorial Hall contains thousands of Civil War artifacts on site. As many as one thousand of these items are on display at any one time. You will find battle flags, artifacts from the Confederate Infantry, Calvary, and Artillery. Memorial Hall is proud to display the personal artifacts of Confederate artilleryman, including many items from the famous Washington Artillery, the premier artillery unit of the Civil War. The Civil War Museum is located at 929 Camp Street which is right across the street from the WWII Museum and next door to the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. All three are in the historic Warehouse District and just one block off of the St. Charles Street car line.
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art * Warehouse District
The Ogden Museum is home to the largest and most comprehensive collection of Southern Art in the world. Here you will find the story of the South as told through its art, music and education programs. The Museum's holdings include Southern artworks from Washington, D.C. and 15 Southern states spanning the 18th-21st centuries, and include paintings, prints, watercolors, photographs, ceramics, sculpture, crafts and design. The Museum Store which is open during museum hours, is a destination in itself. The Ogden Museum is located at 925 Camp Street which is right across the street from the WWII Museum and next door to the Civil War Museum. All three are in the historic Warehouse District and just one block off of the St. Charles Street car line.
Explore the New Orleans Children's Museum * Warehouse District
The Louisiana Children's Museum is New Orleans' most playful place for children and families to discover just how fun learning can be! Pilot a tow boat down the Mighty Mississippi. Shop until you drop in the Little Sav-A-Center grocery store then anchor the news in the WWL-TV KidWatch Studio. The Louisiana Children's Museum is located at 420 Julia Street in the historic Warehouse District and their phone number is 504-523-1357.
Visit the New Orleans Museum of Art * Mid City
The New Orleans Museum of art, the city’s oldest fine arts institution, is located at 1 Collins Diboll Circle in the New Orleans City Park. You will need your own transportation to get there and once you are there I am sure that you will enjoy City Park and the museum. The Museum is home to a collection of more than 40,000 objects with a value of about $200 million. The collection consists of European paintings and sculpture form the 16th through 20th centruries; French and American art, photography, and glass; Asian, African, Oceanic, Pre-Columbian, and Native American art. In addition, the Museum hosts a wide range of captivating special and traveling exhibitions. For more information, to view current or upcoming exhibitions, or to see a calendar or events for the Museum, visit the New Orleans museum of Art website. The New Orleans museum of Art is about 5 miles from the French Quarter. You can take the Canal Streetcar City Park/Museum streetcar to the museum; it is the last stop at the end of the North Carrollton Avenue spur line.
New Orleans African American Museum * Historic Tremé Neighborhood
Located in Tremé, the oldest surviving black community in the United States, the New Orleans African American Museum is dedicated to protecting, preserving, and promoting through education the history, art, and culture of African Americans in New Orleans and the African diaspora. Exhibits change regularly, so call ahead to find out what is on display. The Museum is housed in the beautiful Tremé Villa, 1418 Governor Nicholls St, considered by some to be one of the finest examples of a Creole villa in the city. Built in 1828-29, the home retains many of its original decorative details. There are five restored buildings to visit. Visitors enjoy both established and emerging artists' work in sculpture, painting and other artistic expressions. The mission of the New Orleans African American Museum is to preserve, interpret and promote the African American cultural heritage of New Orleans, with a particular emphasis on the Tremé community
Visit Longgue Vue House and Gardens * Lakeview
Longue Vue House and Gardens, a National Historic Landmark and AAM accredited museum, is the former estate of philanthropist and civic leader Edith and Edgar Stern. Longue Vue House, located about 5 miles from the French Quarter on the western edge of the city at 7 Bamboo Road , is a Country Place Era estate featuring a Classical Revival mansion and an impressive collection of decorative arts and modern art. The Longue Vue’s eight acres of outdoor spaces are unsurpassed, consisting of 14 distinct gardens, including the interactive Lucy C. Roussel Discovery Garden. Longue Vue offers tours daily and hosts numerous events centered around design, gardening, architecture, and more. The Shop is a destination for signature items, including garden accessories and home décor, which reflects the relationship between the house and gardens. The Longue Vue House phone# is 504.488.5488