Location: French Quarter
Top Things to do in French Quarter
The 5 Best History 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. Gallier House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 107 reviews
Gallier House is a historic home in the New Orleans French Quarter and was built in 1857 by James Gallier, Jr. This home offers a glimpse into the past with opulent decorations, innovative household features and many personal touches. Guests will learn not only about the Galliers and enslaved residents of the property but also about New Orleans during the time period. Guided tours are available on the hour Thurs-Sun to enjoy the architecture, decor, and history of both the Gallier family and this breathtaking residence they once called home. For group tours and more, please contact us for more detaills.
Reviewed By kmullett2018 - Campbell River, Canada
Excellent tour. We happened to come during a slow time and as a result had our own private tour. We were shown through nearly the entire townhouse and yard filled with period accurate furniture. We learned of the family who lived in the home in the mid 1800’s and of the house itself. How it was built what was unique about it and how the family lived during this era. We love looking at old homes and learning about the history so this was a dream tour for us. Our tour guide was excellent and passionate about history. Highly recommend it.
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. Madame John's Legacy
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 48 reviews
This building is currently undergoing major restoration projects and is closed to the public. The second-oldest building in the Mississippi Valley and a fine example of Creole architecture, this center offers exhibits on history and Creole-style art.
5. New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 701 reviews
There's just enough voodoo lore here to introduce you to the history and culture of this spiritual practice and to tempt you to bring home a love potion or voodoo doll as a souvenir. Guided swamp, plantation and cemetery tours are available.
Reviewed By rselman314 - Washington DC, United States
My wife and I wanted to get a true historical taste of New Orleans while in the city for a wedding. Nu’Awlons Nate, our tour guide, was amazing. What I expected to be a short little tour of voodoo history in NOLA in this tiny little museum turned out to be a huge tour of the French Quarter with voodoo history and information about Marie Laveau. We walked to the north end of what used to be the end of the French Quarter on Rampart and over to the St. Louis cemetery. We toured the cemetery and gained a fair amount of historical fact along the way. We viewed Marie Laveau’s supposed grace, saw the grave of Homer A. Plessy (Plessy vs. Ferguson) and a pyramid Nic Cage has constructed as part of a thank you to New Orleans post Katrina and as part of promoting National Treasure. Overall the tour was phenomenal and my wife and I ended up walking nearly 7 miles getting, during and after the museum tour. Would definitely recommend!
