5 Best Entry-Free Museums In New Orleans, Louisiana

1. The Historic New Orleans Collection

What is more wonderful than having the chance to visit a museum that will take you to seven architectural treasures where you can see various exhibits that will surely bring out the art aficionado in you? A museum in the Royal Street Complex founded by General L. Kemper Williams and his wife Leila in the year 1966, The Historic New Orleans Collection, is a place of restoration and preservation of the city’s rich culture and history. It is also a house of research where visitors have access to the wealth of materials available in the facility, and you might be wondering what makes THNOC different from other museums. Well, aside from exhibitions, the museum has programs that aim to promote Louisiana’s unique culture, history, and arts. It also has a cafe that features local produce and showcases the region’s diverse mix of international cuisines. It also offers vegetarian dishes. The admission fee is 5 USD, but if you are a THNOC member, you can visit the museum for free.

The Historic New Orleans Collection

Address: 520 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States

Website: The Historic New Orleans Collection

Opening hours: Sun: 10:30am - 4:30pm; Tue - Sat: 9:30am - 4:30pm (closed on Mon)

2. House of Dance and Feathers

Would it be nice to tour around a museum while having a conversation with its founder? Nestled in a backyard on Tupelo Street founded by Ronald W. Lewis, a man with a great love for arts, in the year 2003, House of Dance and Feathers showcases the living culture of New Orleans and Lower Ninth Ward. It aims to promote this culture to the world and pass on the knowledge and traditions from generation to generation. So what could you expect to see inside the museum? Inside, you will find masks, suits, figures, books, and photos as well as other conversational pieces. The founder, Ronald, has a vast knowledge of the city’s history, street culture, and traditions, and he won’t let visitors go home without talking to them and sharing all the things he knows. They say when you visit the place, you will come as a stranger but leave as a friend. You don’t need to pay anything when you tour around the facility. However, they will appreciate any amount of donation from you.

House of Dance and Feathers

Address: 1317 Tupelo Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA 70117

Website: House of Dance and Feathers

3. Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum

What makes a museum special? What are the things that you usually look for when you visit one? Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum aims to celebrate the history of Lower Ninth Ward, share new stories, and layout a better plan for a great future. When you tour around the facility, you will see exhibits presenting the neighborhood’s rich history dating back to the 1700s when the place was used as a colony for escaped slaves. The museum features oral histories through its partnership with the residents living in the area who graciously shared generations of stories and experiences to be included in the final exhibits. Visitors do not need to pay for an entrance fee because admission is always free.

Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum

Address: 1235 Deslonde Street, New Orleans, LA 70117

Website: Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Museums that are free on certain days

4. Ogden Museum of Southern Art (Thursday)

What usually comes to your mind when you hear the word museum? History? Culture? Preservation? Restoration? But have you ever thought of live entertainment in a museum? Ogden Museum of Southern Art opens its doors to Louisiana residents for free every Thursday from ten in the morning until five in the afternoon. It features arts from 15 Southern states, including the District of Columbia. But aside from being home to the biggest and most complete collection of Southern art in the world, it has a weekly entertainment series where you can witness musical performances, film screenings though they happen randomly and book-signings. They also have various food pop-ups and a cash bar. And all this great stuff happens on Thursday. Members of the museum enjoy their privilege of visiting the place for free any day of the week.

Ogden Museum of Southern Art (Thursday)

Address: 925 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Website: Ogden Museum of Southern Art

Opening hours: Sun - Wed, Fri - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Thu: 10am - 8pm

Price: 14 USD

5. The New Orleans Museum of Art (Wednesday)

Have you heard of a museum that started with a few works of art but is now recognized as one of the top museums in the southern part of the US? A museum with humble beginnings that grew in the rich soil of New Orleans, located within the City Park, New Orleans Museum of Art, is now taking care of a USD 200 million collection in 46 Galleries. It showcases French and American art. It also displays African and Japanese works. It is continuously growing and expanding, making it one of the prime art museums in the South. It also caters to special events. The facility offers free admission to Louisiana residents on Wednesdays. For visitors age 19 and younger, you may also tour around the establishment for free. If you have a teen pass, it gives free entrance for students aged 13 to 19.

The New Orleans Museum of Art (Wednesday)

Address: One Collins C. Diboll Circle, City Park, New Orleans, Louisiana 70124

Website: The New Orleans Museum of Art

Opening hours: Sun: 11am - 5pm; Tue - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 15 USD

A walk-through the historical past of New Orleans

Named after the Duke of Orleans, the city is well-known for its jazz music and annual festivities. Madi Gras, a late-winter carnival celebration that features costume parades and street parties, is just one of the things that tourists should experience during their trip. While you’re having a great time exploring the area, do not miss to visit the best entry-free museums in New Orleans, Louisiana.