MUSEUMS
Mardi Gras World
If you want a real, behind-the-scenes look at New Orleans Mardi Gras, then there’s only one way to get it: take a tour at Mardi Gras World. Mardi Gras World creates many of the big, beautiful floats that parade through the streets every Mardi Gras season in New Orleans as well as around the world. During the tour, you’ll get to see floats and props being created from the ground up, try on Mardi Gras costumes, and even eat some king cake.
National World War II Museum
The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world™, and there are hundreds of stories just waiting to be told. This must-see attraction transports you to a time when victory hung in the balance. Guaranteed to move and educate, The National WWII Museum features a 4D cinematic experience, interactive exhibits, soaring aircraft, personal histories and more.
New Orleans Museum of Art
The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), has almost 40,000 objects as part of their permanent collection alongside a constant stream of touring exhibits. The collection is well-know for their French and American art, photography and glass. Be sure to venture outside to the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden and stroll among another 60 works of art.
Laura C. Hudson Visitor Centers
The Laura C. Hudson Visitor Center features an extensive exhibition of the history and conflict that surrounded the founding and shaping of the present-day French Quarter.
Old U.S. Mint
The Old U.S. Mint, built in 1835, is the only building in America to have served both as a United States and a Confederate Mint. It was established by President Andrew Jackson to help finance development of the nation’s frontier. There are a number of permanent exhibits in the Old U.S. Mint including the “New Orleans Jazz” exhibit featuring instruments played by significant jazz musicians, sheet music, and memorabilia chronicling the history of jazz from its humble beginning on the streets of New Orleans.
Louisiana Children’s Museum
With more than 100 engaging hands-on exhibits, daily art activities and educational and entertaining programs, your kids will stay engaged all day long at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. This interactive learning experience is great for children of all ages.
Pharmacy Museum
Louis Joseph Dufilho, Jr. of New Orleans was America’s first licensed pharmacist. His 1823 apothecary shop houses what is widely believed to be the largest and most diverse pharmaceutical collection in a single location in the U.S. containing old patent medicines, books and pharmaceutical equipment dating back as far as the early 1800s.
The Presbytere
The Presbytere, part of the Louisiana State Museums, was designed to match The Cabildo. It opened in 1813 for commercial purposes and then became a courthouse in 1834. It now houses an elaborate collection of Mardi Gras artifacts and memorabilia. The story of New Orleans’ Mardi Gras tradition is dynamically told in a high-tech, interactive, permanent exhibition titled “Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in New Orleans.”
The 1850 House
This historic house, part of the Louisiana State Museums, is furnished with domestic goods, decorative arts and art of the period. It depicts middle class family life during the most prosperous period in New Orleans’ history.
The Historic New Orleans Collection
Founded in 1966 by General L. Kemper and his wife Leila, the HNOC has a mission of preserving the history of the French Quarter and New Orleans.
The Cabildo
The Cabildo is one of the most historically significant buildings in America. It was built between 1795 and 1799 as the seat of the Spanish municipal government in New Orleans. A second floor room, known as the Sala Capitular, was the site where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803. The structure also houses important items such as the death mask of Napoleon Bonaparte and the “founding stone” of the colony from 1699.
PARKS
Audubon Park
Once a plantation, this large park in the Uptown area adjacent to Audubon Zoo stretches from Tulane University down to the Mississippi River. Its extensive grounds incorporate a golf course, tennis courts, walking trails, horseback rides and breathtaking views of the river. Audubon Park is accessible via the St. Charles Avenue streetcar.
American Aquatic Gardens
Located in the Marigny district of New Orleans, bordering the French Quarter, this commercial nursery is a marvelously relaxing spot dominated by water features such as fountains, sculptures and various aquatic plants including rare water lilies. Whether you buy anything is entirely up to you.
City Park
City Park is arguably the most loved park in New Orleans offering beautiful landscaped gardens, oak trees and walking trails. There are several attractions within the park including the Botanical Gardens which boast a tropical conservatory, water lily pond and a formal rose garden; the New Orleans Museum of Art, one of the city’s premier arts attractions; Children’s Storyland, home to a carousel and other rides; and the Train Garden, a bizarrely beautiful and intriguing representation of New Orleans buildings and suburbs complete with a magnificent model train set.
Longue Vue House and Gardens
A lovely Greek Revival mansion dating back to 1942 and set among beautiful landscaped gardens of distinct styles, Longue Vue mansion is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Louis Armstrong Park
Louis Armstrong Park, and specifically Congo Square, is a historically significant meeting place for black slaves during the 19th century and it is here that the regular African dance and drumming celebrations played an important role in the development of jazz music.
Louisiana Nature Center
Incorporating Joe Brown Park, the Louisiana Nature Center in New Orleans is home to several kilometers of boardwalks taking you through several kinds of ecological environments and showing off some local wildlife. Guided walks are available and often guides will catch baby alligators for kids to pat.
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
A relatively small park hugging the Mississippi river front, Woldenberg Riverfront Park features a wooden promenade known as the ‘Moon Walk’ along its French Quarter section and excellent views of the river.
MARKETS
Frenchmen Art Market
For some reason, Frenchmen Street remains an undiscovered gold mine to most first-time tourists, and even for many of the seasoned visitors; the Frenchmen Art Market is one of the gems of the city. If you are traveling with family or simply strive for more depth than the bars and nightclubs can provide, take a stroll under the lights illuminating the fantastic displays. This weekly nighttime market truly personifies the ambiance of this magnificent city. Afterwards, if you fancy some live music and a nightcap, walk across the street to the world-famous Café Negril.
Crescent City Farmers Market
This market is open four days a week; however, the location of the Crescent City Farmers Market varies. On Tuesdays, it opens at 200 Broadway Street in Uptown, on the bank of the Mississippi River. On Wednesday, it opens at 1235 N. Peters Street in The French Quarter, within the historic French Market. On Thursdays, it opens at 3700 Orleans Avenue in Mid-City; and, on Saturdays, it opens at 700 Magazine Street in Downtown, New Orleans. This series of weekly markets brings the different communities together, supporting the success of the locals in every section of the Crescent City.
Freret Market
In 2007, this market was launched in the hopes it would aid in the revitalization of New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Opening on the first Saturday of the month, excluding July and August, the Freret Market exudes the spirit of New Orleans. Enjoy the company of great local artists showing off their pieces while you dine on some delicious finger food with the sounds of local musicians permeating your ears, heart, and soul.
Algiers Mini Mart Flea Market
This market is not for everyone. Many people may look down at the ragged and battered setup of the Algiers Mini Mart Flea Market. They’d be missing the true beauty of a struggling community, supporting one another through the worst storms of life. The Latin American spirit thrives every weekend on the forgotten west bank; a multitude of favorite comfort foods, from various countries, are prepared for the feast.
The French Market
The title for the best market in New Orleans is undisputed, it isn’t even a competition, the French Market has a history of more than 200 years and covers six blocks of real estate in the French Quarter. The market has rapidly expanded in recent years and now includes a variety of small cafes and food joints. Do not buy your souvenirs until you have walked this expansive establishment; if you want it, there is a good chance this market has it, and at a fair price.
