Studio BE is a 30,000 sq ft warehouse in the Bywater showcasing powerful murals and installations by BMike Odums that honor Black history, culture, and activism. It partners with Eternal Seeds, a nonprofit founded by Odums to support young Black artists through education and mentorship. Also, Louisiana residents, students, and educators get in free every Wednesday. It's a must-visit for anyone who loves New Orleans.
Al Jackson grew up in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans and has made it his life's work to study New Orleans' musical history. Now, his life’s work is reflected in the Petit Jazz Museum, where visitors can learn about New Orleans’ musical traditions like the second line, jazz funerals, and Mardi Gras Indians.
The Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum promotes community through remembering the past, sharing stories of the present, and planning for the future. Visit to explore the neighborhood’s history, which includes its past as a colony for escaped slaves and its devastation in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This small but mighty museum is well worth everyone’s time when exploring New Orleans. Nearby, the TEP Center offers tours of their building which tells the story of the New Orleans Civil Rights Movement.
Located on the beautiful New Orleans Lakefront, the New Canal Lighthouse sits at the edge of Lake Pontchartrain offering a sweeping view of the lake. Dating back to the 1830s, the lighthouse has since been restored to tell the story of the city’s coastal waters. Take a tour of the museum, then relax and watch the sun set on a perfect day in New Orleans.
This historical house museum is dedicated to the legacy of free people of color. Paintings, documents, and artifacts tell the story of Black history in New Orleans. Take a detailed guided tour or rent out the space for your next gathering.
The Backstreet Cultural Museum, nestled in historic Tremé, preserves and celebrates New Orleans’ African American parade traditions through engaging exhibits and storytelling. Visitors can explore stunning Mardi Gras Indian suits, jazz funeral memorabilia, social aid & pleasure club artifacts, Baby Dolls regalia, and Skull & Bone Gang history. Through rotating displays, film screenings, and community programming, the museum brings to life the creativity, resilience, and cultural pride of generations.
The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is an inside look at early medicine and voodoo potions circa-1800s. This two-story French Quarter museum showcases apothecary bottles (some with their original ingredients) and puts you in the mindset of what it was like to be America’s first licensed pharmacist.
The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience explores the many ways that Jews in the American South influenced and were influenced by the distinct cultural heritage of their new homes. Through exhibits, collections, and programs focused on the unique and remarkable history of Southern Jews, the Museum encourages new understanding and appreciation for identity, diversity, and acceptance.
Now at a new location in the French Quarter, JAMNOLA is back and better than ever! Weave your way through 29 interactive exhibits showcasing the iconic art, music, food, and theatrics of New Orleans. Over 100 artists have collaborated into bringing these exhibits to life. Step into the mouth of an alligator, the suit of a Mardi Gras Indian, and the tongue of a New Orleanian via the Big Easy Speakeasy, plus more! Take the whole family to wind your way through this cultural fun house.
Located on Tulane University’s campus, Newcomb Art Museum showcases a wide range of art in exhibits that change quarterly. One day it might be woven baskets and rugs, the next photographs of non-binary people throughout time. Visit for free five days a week, Tuesday through Saturday.
Foodies flock to the Southern Food & Beverage Museum for exhibits featuring vintage food products, a demonstration kitchen, and the culinary legacies and highlights of each of the Southern states. Browse the history of food and drink in the South or stop by for one of the many classes the museum offers to the public. The Deelightful Roux School of Cooking offers hands-on classes in traditional Creole cooking!
Music Box Village is an interactive music experience in the Bywater that features various “music houses,” all of which are engineered for visitors to create a symphony of sound via these larger-than-life instruments. Aside from their concerts and events, they provide open hours throughout the year to allow guests to roam the grounds and experiment with sound. Check their calendar to see their open hours.