With many of New Orleans' museums and cultural attractions beginning to reopen, some may prefer to experience the history, art, and culture from afar. Whether you're in NOLA or not, you can explore exclusive art collections, digital catalogs and more from the comfort of your own home.
View the full Virtual Experience page here to see ALL of our unique virtual tours, from streetcar rides and Bourbon street to City Park and Cafe du Monde; or check out some of the other great specially curated exhibits below.
Editor's Note: The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden reopened its doors on June 1, 2020. See here for more information.
In collaboration with the Google Cultural Institute, the New Orleans Museum of Art is offering virtual tours of the museum. The tour features high-resolution footage of five different exhibits with more added weekly. Additionally, you can take advantage of the museum’s Mobile Guide to access the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden collection. NOMA’s Youtube Channel and Instagram page are also great resources for past curator-led gallery talks, artist perspectives, interviews, and panel discussions, as well as art activities, lesson plans and recommended reading lists for little ones.
Housed on the campus of Tulane University, the Amistad Research Center is one of New Orleans’ most trusted resources for manuscripts on African-American history, race relations and civil rights. Their collection includes more than 250,000 photographs, 20,000 books 2,000 periodicals and much more. While the center is closed until further notice, staff encourages the public to visit their website to access their existing online collections. Also, Amistad on the Go! is an interactive and digital education program designed by the Amistad Research Center for grades 6-12. The app provides humanities and arts-centered activities on themes such as Slavery & Abolition, the Reconstruction Era, and the modern Civil Rights Movement.
Editor's Note: The National WW II Museum reopened its doors on Memorial Day. Reserve your visit online.
Even with its doors temporarily closed, New Orleans’ #1 attraction is sticking to its mission of looking to their collections and galleries to find sources of inspiration and leadership. As we limit our outdoor time, the National WWII Museum is expanding its digital options. The following resources are available to students, teachers and the general public at no cost:
- Live webinars geared toward students and teachers are being posted every Thursday and Friday
- Visit ww2online.org to hear firsthand perspectives from members of the WWII generation.
- Service on Celluloid podcast providing historical commentary on WWII films
- Stream-on-demand lectures and conference sessions, articles, videos, oral histories, and more on social media, our website, and via email
The French Quarter-based museum and research center preserves the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. Explore their selection of virtual exhibits including:
- Voices of Progress: Twenty Women Who Changed New Orleans
- Purchased Lives: New Orleans and the Domestic Slave Trade
- Goods of Every Description: Shopping in New Orleans, 1825–1925
- Shout, Sister, Shout! The Boswell Sisters of New Orleans
You can also research your own personal interests and browse the THNOC’s online catalog, Watch previous lectures and performances on THNOC’s YouTube Channel, and browse and listen in on THNOC’s extensive selection of oral histories.
Editor's Note: Audubon Zoo reopened its doors on June 3, 2020. Reserve your visit online.
In lieu of a springtime trip to the ever-popular Audubon Zoo, explore the facility and meet the animals with Audubon's online database. It features videos of the zoo’s various exhibits, animal profiles for all of the wildlife housed at the zoo and a host of homeschooling activities and learning materials. Explore more by heading to their official website.
Editor's Note: The Ogden Museum of Southern Art reopened its doors on June 15, 2020. Reserve your visit online.
In an effort to keep their local, national and international guests connected to the Ogden, they’ve recently launched Ogden Museum Online - featuring live interactive programming, exhibits, activities and more. On Wednesdays, immerse yourself in online meditation, teen art-making on Saturdays, curated conversations with artists and more. Their blog and social media platforms are additional outlets to help you visit the South virtually.
As a nonprofit organization, the Ogden largely relies on individual contributions and admission rates of its guests. Continued support of the Ogden Museum is vital at this time. To support their efforts, visit HERE.
The Newcomb Art Museum has launched virtually as a part of the #MuseumFromHome movement. New digital content will be rolling out via their e-newsletter and social media channels. Join a live Q&A about Newcomb pottery, and browse the art collections online. From book binding to paintings to embroidery and textiles, there's so much to explore here.
*Editor's Note: The Arts District galleries are now open. See here for more information.
The Arts District regularly hosts First Saturdays, an art walk encouraging the community to take a stroll through the gorgeous galleries of New Orleans' Arts District. While the event has been paused, you can still browse the galleries virtually by visiting their websites. The best part is, the art you see online can be yours. Consider supporting the artists by purchasing a piece for your home, which come in a wide variety of styles, sizes, and prices. Check it out here.
In addition to the city’s individual attractions offering virtual experiences and tours, NewOrleans.com has teamed up with Xplorit to offer a taste of some of New Orleans’ most iconic experiences and locations. Transport yourself into world-famous Cafe du Monde for beignets, a ride along the St. Charles on the historic streetcar, and close out your virtual tour by pressing your luck at Harrah’s Casino.
Editor's Note: The Southern Food & Beverage Museum is now open. Reserve your visit here.
The Southern Food & Beverage Museum is known for its elaborate displays that chronicle food and drink in the South. Check out their YouTube, which features virtual tours of their most popular exhibits, the Popeye's and Copeland's special collections. The kids channel includes recipes and cooking demonstration classes for kid-friendly meals.