Juneteenth in New Orleans

Located inside Louis Armstrong Park in Tremé, Congo Square is one of the most historically significant sites in New Orleans. Throughout the 19th century, enslaved Africans and free people of color gathered here for music, dance, trade, and cultural celebrations, helping preserve traditions that would later influence jazz and other forms of American music. Today, visitors can explore historical markers, public art, and the surrounding greenspace of Armstrong Park while experiencing one of the city’s most important cultural landmarks.

Explore the streets of the French Quarter through a self-guided audio experience highlighting New Orleans’ role in the transatlantic slave trade. Developed as part of the city’s Tricentennial Commission, the tour shares the stories and experiences of enslaved Africans through historic sites connected to their imprisonment, sale, and labor. It’s a meaningful way to better understand the history that shaped New Orleans and its culture today. For a more in-depth experience, local companies like All Bout Dat Tours offer Black heritage and jazz tours featuring landmarks like Congo Square, Tremé, and Bayou Road while sharing the lasting influence of African American culture on New Orleans music, food, and community traditions.

Located about 45 minutes outside of New Orleans, Whitney Plantation is the only plantation museum in Louisiana dedicated entirely to the experiences of enslaved people. Through guided tours, preserved buildings, memorials, and artwork, visitors can learn more about the realities of slavery and its lasting impact on Louisiana history. During Juneteenth season, the plantation also hosts special programming and community events honoring freedom and remembrance.

One of the best ways to celebrate Juneteenth is by supporting the Black-owned businesses that continue to shape New Orleans culture year-round. From restaurants and coffee shops to bookstores, galleries, and boutiques, the city is home to a vibrant community of Black entrepreneurs. Explore local businesses throughout the city, including along Bayou Road, and discover Black-owned food, shopping, nightlife, and cultural experiences.

Check out our Self-Guided Black-owned Food and Drink Tour here.

Located on Tulane University’s campus, the Amistad Research Center is one of the nation’s leading archives dedicated to African American history, civil rights, and the African Diaspora. Through exhibitions, digital archives, photographs, oral histories, and educational resources, the center preserves and shares stories that shaped both New Orleans and the broader American experience. Visitors can explore exhibits in person or browse collections here online year-round.

Located in Tremé, the New Orleans African American Museum celebrates the history, art, and contributions of African Americans in New Orleans and beyond. The museum features rotating exhibitions, public programs, and works from Black artists highlighting culture, history, and social change. Visitors can also attend Saturdays at NOAAM, a monthly event featuring free admission, live music, and community programming.