7 Must-See Museums During New Orleans Museum Month

Each August, museums around the Crescent City collaborate to offer patrons a special reason to visit. Members of any of the 16 institutions participating in New Orleans Museum Month will have the opportunity to visit all of the other participating museums for free during the month of August.

Whether you pay a visit to one of these outstanding institutions this August or any other time of year, we think you’ll agree that these 7 New Orleans museums are worth the trip.

The National WWII Museum spans three buildings in downtown New Orleans and features exhibits on all aspects of the war that changed the world. (Photo courtesy Flickr user Michael Hicks.)
The National WWII Museum spans four buildings in downtown New Orleans and features exhibits on all aspects of the war that changed the world. (Photo courtesy Flickr user Michael Hicks)

1. The National WWII Museum

Consistently ranked one of the best things to do in New Orleans, as well as one of the top museums in the nation, The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world. The extensive exhibits span four buildings and cover all aspects of WWII, from the European and Pacific fronts to the Louisiana home front. BB’s Stage Door Canteen recreates the exciting musical productions and big band performances of the 1940s, while Final Mission: USS Tang Experience offers an interactive look at one of the most epic submarine battles of the war.

2. Contemporary Arts Center

Right next door to The National WWII Museum is the Contemporary Arts Center, known to locals as the CAC. This artistic hub hosts a variety of exciting contemporary art exhibits and events. To open the 2018 season, the CAC is presenting “Constructing the Break,” their annual open-call exhibition of 29 regional artists.

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3. Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Located adjacent to the CAC and The National WWII Museum is the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, a must-see for all art lovers. The museum showcases folk art and the handcrafted heritage of the Southern region as well as contemporary works from Southern artists and designers. Much like the CAC, the Ogden hosts local entertainment each Thursday evening for their Ogden After Hours event.

4. The Historic New Orleans Collection

Our own French Quarter neighborhood offers plenty of history to explore, including some of the best museums in New Orleans. The Historic New Orleans Collection is both a museum and research center dedicated to the study and preservation of local and regional history. They have two French Quarter locations, and at the Williams Research Center (410 Chartres Street) you can visit their exhibit, “African Heritage of New Orleans: 300 Years in the Making,” which tells the story of the “African presence in New Orleans and its development of a uniquely African cultural identity in New Orleans, from its founding in 1718 to the post-Civil Rights period.” The exhibit is open until December 8, 2018, and admission to this exhibit is free.

The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum houses a unique assortment of antique medical supplies. (Photo via Flickr user meeralee)
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum houses a unique assortment of antique medical supplies. (Photo via Flickr user meeralee)

5. New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

Experience what getting medical treatment was like in 1823 at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic building, and the exhibits offer plenty of historical curiosity as well. Get a glimpse into questionable 19th-century medical practices and step into a recreated physician’s study and sick room.

6. The New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint

If you’re visiting New Orleans because you love our rich history of jazz music, The New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint is a must-see attraction while you’re here. Located where the French Quarter meets the live music corridor of Frenchmen Street, this museum offers interactive exhibits dedicated to some of New Orleans’ most famous musicians like Louis Armstrong and Pete Fountain. The museum also hosts live musical performances.

The lobby of the New Orleans Museum of Art buzzes with excitement. (Photo courtesy Flickr user Steven Depolo)
The lobby of the New Orleans Museum of Art buzzes with excitement. (Photo courtesy Flickr user Steven Depolo)

7. New Orleans Museum of Art

Established in 1911, the New Orleans Museum of Art, or NOMA, is the city’s oldest fine arts museum. NOMA houses a collection of more than 40,000 art objects, including photography, glass, and artworks from America, France, Africa, and Japan. The museum’s Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, located just outside of the museum in City Park, is also worth a visit.

Book Your Trip To New Orleans Today!

While these museums are open year-round, the special savings of New Orleans Museum Month only last through the month of August. Similarly, our special summer rates will end on September 8, 2018. Don’t miss out. Book your room today!

Each August, museums around New Orleans offer patrons special savings with New Orleans Museum Month. We think you'll agree that these museums are worth the trip.

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