Location: French Quarter
Top Things to do in French Quarter
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The 10 Best Specialty Museums in French Quarter, Louisiana (LA)
Laissez les bons temps rouler! In New Orleans the good times are perpetually rolling down Bourbon Street, which, thanks to the city’s annual Mardi Gras celebration, has quite a party animal reputation. Once you’ve soaked up the scenery of the historic French Quarter, tour the elegant Garden District and meet the colorful characters of Frenchmen Street. Experience the city's supernatural vibe at the Voodoo Museum or by taking a guided ghost or vampire tour through taverns, alleyways, and cemeteries.
Restaurants in New Orleans
1. Bambi DeVille Vintage
2. 1850 House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 435 reviews
Few places offer the chance to experience the lifestyle of our ancestors of more than 150 years ago. The 1850 House is one of these rare places, offering a glimpse of middle- and upper-class life in antebellum New Orleans, the most prosperous period in the city's history. This furnished rowhouse in the Lower Pontalba Building, represents a mid-19th century home. Visitors encounter the stories of the Baroness Pontalba, the woman who constructed the building and the people who lived here in the 1850s.
Reviewed By carolinebradley3 - Spotsylvania, United States
Nancy was our guide for this house. I have always admired these Pontalbo apartments and to see one in its original configuration was a real treat. Nancy has spent time studying the personalities and materials that created these buildings and could answer any question from her extensive knowledge. Her passion inspired me to learn more about the designer, Almonester Pontalbo and after I finish my book about her(available in the excellent gift shop), I will be back to ask Nancy more questions!
3. The Historic New Orleans Collection
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 663 reviews
The Historic New Orleans Collection is a museum, research center, and publisher with three locations in the French Quarter: * the original location at 533 Royal St. (featuring a a house museum and a self-guided exhibition chronicling the history of Louisiana) * the Williams Research Center at 410 Chartres St. (where materials relating to the history and culture of the area are made available for further study) * the new exhibition center at 520 Royal St., which opened in 2019 and features educational galleries, a French Quarter exhibition, and changing exhibitions. Admission is free. Guided tours are $5 per person. Royal Street properties are open Tues-Sun, and the research center on Chartres Street is open Tues-Sat. In addition to being closed on Monday, THNOC is closed New Year's Day, MLK Jr. Day, Mardi Gras weekend (Sat-Tues), Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.
Reviewed By phvi2617 - Anaheim, United States
This is a collection of several original buildings which house a number of different exhibits on the history of Louisiana and New Orleans. Their collections are extensive and include a number of really interesting artifacts. Additionally, the buildings are a great showcase of New Orleans architecture. Be sure to chat with the wonderful volunteer docents, who are happy to share their vast knowledge about local history. Best of all, it's completely free!
4. The Presbytere
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 954 reviews
The Presbytere was designed in 1791 to match the Cabildo, alongside St. Louis Cathedral in the French Quarter. It stands today as a beautiful reminder of both Louisiana's singular past and its vibrant present.The Presbytere, originally called Casa Curial or "Ecclesiastical House," was built on the site of the residence, or presbytere, of the Capuchin monks. The building was used for commercial purposes until 1834 when it became a courthouse. In 1911, it became part of the Louisiana State Museum. Two exhibitions are on display-"Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond" tells of rescue, rebuilding and renewal, and "Mardi Gras: It's Carnival Time in Louisiana" captures the fun and fantasy of the annual celebration.
Reviewed By PhebeT_11 - Astoria, United States
As part of the Louisiana State Museum, The Presbytere is a fascinating place to visit in combination with The Cabildo and the 1850 House. Because all three are right there in Jackson Square, buy a combo ticket and allot 3-4 hours to get great insight to New Orleans. The Presbytere focuses on Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans resilience as well as the culture and customs of Mardi Gras. I feel smarter!
5. New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,097 reviews
Located at the site of the first licensed apothecary shop, the Pharmacy Museum includes cures for anything that ails you including voodoo potions and other weird medicines.
Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum showcases an extensive collection of medical and pharmaceutical artifacts from the 18th and 19th century and also highlights the history of Louis J. Dufilho Jr., America's first licensed pharmacist, whose work symbolizes the beginning of a system of certifying the professional competence of pharmacists and recognizing the vital significance of that competence for the public health. Located in a historic two-story building at 514 Chartres Street in the French Quarter, this museum also provides educational programming on the history of pharmacy and health care. Among the holdings is a large collection of apothecary jars containing their original ingredients, old wheelchairs, black leather physician's bags, medical instruments, eyeglasses, optical prosthetic devices and surgical tools all displayed in hand carver, glass-fronted cabinets. Don't miss the array of voodoo potions, including the famous "Love Potion No. 9" and a white ceramic jar labeled "Leeches" next to an antique brass cash register. The back of the museum has a recreated pharmacist's work area complete with mortar and pestle, microscopes and wooden blenders used to mix talcum powder and alum for use in purifying river water, which was otherwise consumed directly from the polluted Mississippi River. The museum also highlights the original role of the soda fountain, which once served the purpose of helping pharmacy customers chase a particularly nasty tasting medicine, like Castor Oil. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of the museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the telling of the history of Dufilho, who was the first to pass the licensing examination ordered by Governor Claiborne in 1804, therefore making his pharmacy the first U.S. apothecary shop to be conducted on the basis of proven adequacy. Previously, a person could apprentice for six months and sell his or her own concoctions or medications without any regulations or standards. For a $5 admission fee, a visitor can obtain a great education into the history of medicine in this country.
6. Germaine Wells Mardi Gras Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Find old Mardi Gras costumes and ball gowns dating back to the early 20th century.
7. Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes and Culture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By sarad62 - Lorain, United States
This is a great little museum explaining the origins of Mardi Gras and the differences in all the different groups that take part. I Loved seeing all the fantastic costumes up close. The guide did a great job and was very knowledgeable.
8. Haunted Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Haunted museum & Voodoo spirit shop in a documented 200 year old French Quarter Haunted House! Museum tours by day, Ghost Hunts by night! Come shop curios, hoodoo, crystals, bones, tarot, Voodoo art & make your own Voodoo dolls. Come get a psychic reading & catch a free Pop up class! Then Pass through the Hall of altars where we honor the dead, relax at our luxurious haunted courtyard & feel paranormal presence in the Haunted attic. Continue to the Historic Hall of Who’s Who of New Orleans ghosts, visit the Seance parlor & see Haunted collections, occult artifacts & Ghost Photos. Maybe meet one of 12 of our resident ghosts! Our spirit guides open the way- the rest is up to the spirits. Guided museum tours 1, 3 & 5PM + self guided & privates! Continue to Day & Night Cemetery City Tours Ghost Hunt combos. Join Special events & Voodoo rituals + Meet author, curator Voodoo Queen bloody Mary! Seen on Ghost adventures, Paranormal Lockdown, A Haunting, Haunted History & Buzzfeed: Unsolved
Reviewed By Sailormouth83 - Fort Walton Beach, United States
my husband and I brought our 12 year old and her best friend to NOLA for her birthday gift. we caught the last little bit of the guided tour and then did a self guided tour of upstairs. there was an almost uncomfortable vibe in the upstairs rooms but it was one of those gets your adrenaline going type of creepy feelings. had my hands resting on the old stove piled with money and cigarettes. wasn't aware of the story behind the upstairs area and the stove and Zach and Addie untill the next morning when my husband had looked up online about the house, won't give out any spoilers but it's been 3 days since we were there and I still feel uncomfortable ha ha. the voodoo doll making was a really fun activity to do with the teen girls. we had learned about the positivity behind voodoo and the herbs and charms at the museum's voodoo doll alter were all meant for love, protection and healing. the awakening and blessing of the dolls was fun and educational. my daughter loves that she has to "feed" her doll and give it attention. I highly recommend stopping by this place for a fun voodoo treat and also a little bit of a chill down your spine.
9. Cabildo
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 417 reviews
A visit to New Orleans' historic French Quarter would not be complete without a stop at Jackson Square, which is where you will find the Cabildo. This elegant Spanish colonial building neighbors St. Louis Cathedral and houses many rare artifacts of America's history. Among them is Napoleon's death mask. It was made from a mold crafted by Dr. Francesco Antommarchi, who was one of Napoleon Bonaparte's physicians at the time of his death. The popular tricentennial exhibition "We Love You, New Orleans" gives a great overview of all there is to love about the city.
Reviewed By Yog-Sothoth - Trenton, United States
The Louisiana State Museum has two buildings -- the Cabildo and the Presbytere -- one on either side of the cathedral on Jackson Square. We were exploring New Orleans for the first time, and were asking ourselves a lot of questions about Katrina (can you believe it was nearly 15 years ago?). These are answered in the excellent exhibit in the latter building; it features plenty of interviews with victims plus shows clearly where the levees broke, etc. There's an extensive exhibit on Mardi Gras upstairs for those who are interested.
10. New Orleans Jazz Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 583 reviews
The New Orleans Jazz Museum celebrates jazz in the city where it was born. Through dynamic interactive exhibits, multigenerational educational programming, reaserch facilities, and engaging musical performances, the music New Orleans made famous is explored in all its forms. Housed in the historic Old U.S. Mint, strategically located at the intersection of the French Quarter and the Frenchmen Street live music corridor, the New Orleans Jazz Museum is in the heart of the city’s music scene. Through partnerships with local, national, and international educational institutions, the New Orleans Jazz Museum promotes the global understanding of jazz as one of the most innovative, historically pivotal musical art forms in world history.
Reviewed By AlanEthard - Madison, United States
The New Orleans Jazz Museum is housed in the historic U.S. Mint building, located at the intersection of the French Quarter and the Frenchmen Street live music corridor. It's a joint effort of the National Park Service, the State of Louisiana, Tulane University, and a bunch of other entities. Besides the exhibits about notable New Orleans jazz figures, there's a live performance series and a state-of-the-art recording facility. Don't expect exhibits about jazz musicians from NYC, Chicago and elsewhere. This is the New Orleans Jazz Museum and it's worth the price of admission, which is less than $10.
