Top New Orleans Museum Tickets & Passes

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.

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.

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.

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.

Discover a different side of New Orleans—and admire a new perspective from the water's edge—on this steamboat tour down the Mississippi River. Board the historic riverboat—either the Steamboat Natchez or her sister vessel—for a morning or afternoon tour. Stroll the deck, admire the iconic paddlewheel, enjoy live music, and snap photos of the picturesque shoreline. This family‐friendly excursion offers an optional lunch (additional expense).

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.

Create memories that will last a lifetime on the mighty Mississippi River and experience the royal treatment about the Steamboat Natchez. Your experience begins with a complimentary Champagne cocktail and front-row access to the night’s entertainment, the Dukes of Dixieland. For dinner, indulge in a buffet dinner as you listen to live jazz performance. Take the chance to tour the historic vessel after dinner.

Get a taste of 18th-century New Orleans while exploring its most notorious haunts aboard a mule-drawn carriage. Join a small group of no more than eight people for an intimate evening tour through the French Quarter, where rollicking nightlife conceals a past filled with dark deeds, natural disasters, and supernatural sightings. Hear the city's most salacious history from a guide as you clip-clop your way past iron-laced balconies, darkened alleys, and southern mansions steeped in legend.

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.

Discover historic New Orleans in an open‐top double‐decker bus on this hop‐on hop‐off sightseeing tour. With your 1-day ticket, design a personal itinerary with multiple stops, including the French Market, Jackson Square, and the Garden District. Enjoy unobstructed views and fun onboard commentary as you soak up The Big Easy.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Discover the solemn Mourning customs of 19th-century Louisiana on this limited-time tour at St. Joseph Plantation. From October 1st through November 3rd, the home is draped in traditional mourning attire, reflecting how Creole families honored death and remembrance. Guests will walk through authentically decorated rooms, learn about funeral rituals, and understand how grief was expressed in everyday life. This seasonal experience offers a rare glimpse into a practice once central to Southern culture. Limited-time tour from October 1st to November 3rd Evening Mourning Tours available on Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30 PM Explore mourning attire, funeral customs, and traditions Guided insights into how families honored the dead Unique opportunity to see the plantation in full mourning decor

In a city known for its rich culture and layered history, the BK House stands out as one of the French Quarter’s oldest—and most storied—residents. Built in 1826 and located on a quiet residential block, this house has lived through nearly 200 years of change, from antebellum opulence to wartime struggles, from immigrant resilience to modern preservation. Join us for a guided tour through elegant rooms, hidden corners, and a lush courtyard, and hear the real stories of the people who lived and labored here—enslaved people, free people of color, Sicilian immigrants, and others who helped shape the house and the city around it. ️ Walk through nearly two centuries of New Orleans history Hear French Quarter stories you won’t get anywhere else Experience the house as a witness to the city’s evolving cultural landscape ✔️ Small group tours ✔️ Family-friendly ✔️ Air-conditioned ️ Book now—tours fill fast, especially on weekends!

Enter the exceptional and private sanctuary of ICONS. The world's only art museum dedicated exclusively to the greatest modern icons. The private tours, carried out by the artist himself, makes for one of the most unique and fascinating art experiences available anywhere.

Gain insight into American history–and visit two important landmarks in one day–on this tour of Louisiana’s St. Joseph and Felicity Plantations. Learn about the legacy of enslaved people while seeing inside original plantation houses, visiting their outbuildings, and taking in exhibits at a museum with documents and objects relating to the sugarcane industry. Along the way, look out for locations that have been used to film movies.

Gain a deeper understanding of American history–and discover a popular filming location–on this visit to the Felicity Plantation, including a guided tour inside, access to its grounds, and those of the neighboring St. Joseph Plantation too. Learn about the legacy of enslaved people, step inside preserved cabins, and view exhibits related to agricultural history. Hear stories and insights from local guides along the way.

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.