Top New Orleans Attractions & Museums

Witness a different side of New Orleans history on a visit to the dynamic National WWII Museum, the official World War II museum of the US. While away the hours exploring wartime artifacts and discovering fascinating facts and histories at this world-class museum. Ideal for history buffs, students, or as a rainy-day activity in New Orleans.

Step into the captivating realm of illusions, where reality is never exactly as it appears. Museum of Illusions is a one-of-a-kind, visual, sensory, and educational experience designed to engage your sense of wonder and challenge perceptions through the science behind optical illusions. We offer over 50 immersive, hands-on exhibits to explore. Our illusion rooms, installations and holograms let you defy gravity, grow and shrink your body, walk into a life-size kaleidoscope, and play tricks on your senses at every turn. It’s a mind-bending journey that deceives the senses and reveals how the brain interprets reality.

Take a peek beneath the surface with a visit to the state-of-the-art Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium. Marvel at more than 3,600 animals from over 250 species in an AZA-accredited aquarium voted one of the top five aquariums in the USA Today 10 Best reader poll. Explore a vast underwater world spanning the Caribbean and the Amazon Rainforest to the waters that give New Orleans its lifeblood: the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. Touch sharks and stingrays in the Shark Discovery Touch Pool, and enter a 30-foot-long tunnel to admire aquatic creatures as they swim through the Great Maya Reef habitat. In the Amazon Rainforest gallery, discover lush plant life, free-flying birds, stunning aquatic species. Feel amazed by the array of aquatic life in the aquarium’s largest exhibit, the 450,000-gallon Gulf of Mexico habitat. Please note these are GA tickets and our facilities are self guided, we welcome guests to enjoy the facilities for as long as they wish.

Set on a sprawling 6-acre (2.5-hectare) campus in downtown New Orleans, the National World War II Museum is the official United States museum of World War II and a must for any visiting history buffs. This ticket package includes timed entry to the groundbreaking 4D *Beyond All Boundaries* film narrated by Tom Hanks, with vibrating seats, atmospheric effects, and more: pick your desired screening time and arrive beforehand.

Enjoy stunning and Iconic collections in world class accredited facilities, set aside the famous Mississippi river in both Uptown and Downtown New Orleans. Set aside the time to connect with the wonders of nature in these celebrated local favorite attraction as an oasis of inspiring animals and lush tropical scenery.

Enjoy an only-in-New-Orleans experience when you embark on a paddle-wheel boat tour of the mighty Mississippi River. In the evening, hop aboard the Steamboat Natchez or her sister vessel, the Riverboat City of New Orleans, and admire views of the city from the water's edge. This cost-saving package additionally includes a Creole‐inspired dinner (if option selected), plus live jazz music to set the mood.

Discover a different side of New Orleans–and learn about wildlife you can’t spot anywhere else–with a ticket to the city’s famous Audubon Zoo, including the option to upgrade to include access to the Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium located downtown. See endangered species including whooping cranes and Amur leopards, watch animal care demonstrations, and learn facts about the over 1,700 animals who live here.

Exploring New Orleans in the evening can seem like an intimidating quest on your own, but this ghost, voodoo, and vampire walking tour takes you to the city’s eeriest sights at night in the safety of a group led by a guide. Stop by top attractions such as the LaLaurie Mansion and New Orleans Pharmacy Museum while listening to your guide’s detailed stories of the paranormal and beyond.

Visit the Old Ursuline Convent Museum, the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley, where New Orleans’ rich past comes to life. Nestled in the heart of the French Quarter, this iconic landmark reveals the enduring influence of the Catholic Church through captivating permanent and temporary exhibits. Delve into our newest exhibit featuring Pope Leo XIV. The fascinating legacy of Pope Leo XIV, whose ancestral ties to New Orleans run deep—traced through his maternal lineage, connecting him to the city’s vibrant history. Discover the remarkable contributions of the Ursuline nuns, pioneers in education and community service who helped shape the region. From its days as a meeting place for the Louisiana Legislature to its role as the residence of the Archbishops of New Orleans, this historic site has witnessed centuries of change. Explore the stories that unfolded within these walls—from 1752 to the present day—and immerse yourself in the culture that defines the Crescent City.

Be enchanted by the historic and iconic French Quarter on this guided small-group walking tour that reveals the area’s past, superstition, and individuality. Your passionate guide will show you what life was like in the past and provide you with access to the Pontalba Apartments of 1850 House Museum.

Guarantee your entry to New Orleans' Storyville Museum by securing your tickets ahead of time. Conveniently located in the French Quarter, the museum dives into the history behind Storyville, the city's Red-Light District known for music, entertainment, gambling and prostitution in the early 1900s. Explore immersive exhibits, artifacts, and more at your own pace.

Maximize your New Orleans experience with a convenient digital pass that offers entry to over 25 top attractions in the area, including the National WWII Museum, Mardi Gras World, and more. Get skip-the-line for many of the attractions, and choose from different pass durations to fit the length of your stay. Enjoy flexible exploration of the city's rich culture and history.

Visit a real Louisiana sugar plantation that's off the radar of most New Orleans visitors. St. Joseph’s Plantation was sold after the Civil War and has remained in the same family ever since. It's now used as a living museum, and has been featured in many TV shows and films. Explore the well-preserved main house on a guided tour, and learn about the free and enslaved people who have lived here throughout its long history.

Step into the past at the Gallier House in New Orleans—one of the finest surviving examples of 19th-century townhome living in the French Quarter. On a guided tour, see authentic Victorian furnishings and architectural details, including innovative 1860’s features like indoor plumbing. Plus, learn about the history and former inhabitants of this urban plantation home and the enslaved people whose labor supported the wealthy Gallier family.

This restored French Quarter home built in 1831, includes a Federalist architectural façade, original operating open-hearth kitchen, urban slave quarters, and expansive courtyard. The Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann-Grima House, looks at the experiences of those who were enslaved in an urban setting, how that differed from those enslaved in rural settings, and how the contributions of people of African descent have shaped New Orleans. Condé Nast Traveler voted it one of the best tours in New Orleans and the only tour listed from a museum. We believe that nothing tells a story like a home. In addition, the property’s 19th-century carriage house is home to the The Exchange Shop, originally founded in the 1881 by The Woman’s Exchange and one of the oldest women-led non-profits in the South.

Experience New Orleans’ wild bayou country first-hand on an exciting, family‐friendly airboat ride. This boat tour winds through the mossy cypress swamp near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, named for the 19th-century pirate and smuggler. While onboard, enjoy lively commentary from a local guide as you admire lush, forested shoreline and spot local wildlife. Gators appear most commonly in the summer months, so keep your eyes peeled.

If you're looking for no-holds-barred frights in New Orleans, explore the city’s dark history on this adults-only tour. Set off after nightfall to discover a new perspective on the city, and steel yourself for gruesome tales and fearsome encounters: Your guide saves the most grisly true-crime stories, voodoo legends, and paranormal frights for this tour, and takes you past the French Quarter's most supposedly haunted locations.

Join us for an eclectic adventure through the Arts District of New Orleans, where fun, food, and art collide—with that unmistakable NOLA flair! Spend 2 unforgettable hours exploring with a professional local guide. Wander through vibrant galleries, discover unique local artwork, and enjoy complimentary bubbles as you go. Art galleries provide the bubbles— you bring your curiosity! Optional food tastings and signature cocktails available for purchase from celebrated neighborhood restaurants. Please note guide gratuities are not included. Food, cocktails, and art purchases are optional and not included in the tour price.

Get a glimpse into the history and life along the Mighty Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Experience one-of-a-kind pieces such as Napoleon's Death Mask, Lincoln's life mask, a 1916 Rex costume, crowns and jewelry, the original Mr. Bingle, the only 35-star American flag, sugar cane carriages and equipment, and the original Mardi Gras Indian costume. Visit original oil paintings of the local landscape, steamboat paintings, and portraits of the plantation owners in the area. Explore the history of the Louisiana Purchase, the Battle of New Orleans, and the Civil War. This 30,000-square-foot museum also offers a buffet for breakfast and lunch for an additional $25, available to purchase on site. Located beside Houmas House Estate and Gardens!

Explore New Orleans’ "City of the Dead" on the only ghost tour offering cemetery access after dark. While most haunted history tours stay in the bustling French Quarter, this one takes you into the silent, shadowy realms of one of the city’s oldest and most haunted graveyards. Hear chilling tales of paranormal activity while exploring the curious above-ground burial practices of these famous final resting places.

The American South has a fascinating Jewish history that most New Orleans visitors (and locals) know little about. Gain a better understanding of the struggles and successes of the Jewish community from the Revolutionary War era through the Civil Rights Movement years at the unique Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. Book your ticket in advance to optimize your time and explore the permanent galleries and rotating special exhibitions at this award-winning museum.

Learn about four generations of Creole history at the Laura Plantation during a tour of this well-preserved estate. Located roughly an hour from New Orleans, Laura Plantation provides a vivid window into Louisiana's past. Learn about the family and enslaved people who lived here during a guided tour of the manor house, slave quarters, and gardens.

Streamlined guided touring of The Arsenal of Democracy, Road to Tokyo, Road to Berlin, Liberation Pavilion, and US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center. Wireless audio headset for tour guide narration.

Experience New Orleans with ease on a minibus tour and avoid the hassle of navigating the city on your own. Ride in air-conditioned comfort as a local guide offers insight into the city’s rich history, diverse architecture, and vibrant culture. Travel through neighborhoods including the French Quarter and Garden District, and get a comprehensive introduction that’s ideal for first-time visitors.