Free Museums in Faubourg Marigny

"The National WWII Museum is a sprawling complex of modern buildings in the Warehouse District that receives thousands of visitors daily. Contextualizing a huge global event like World War II is no easy task, but through large narrative exhibits that include very detailed, personal accounts from eyewitnesses, the museum manages to do just that. The Home Front, the Pacific and European Theaters, and the D-Day Invasion are the main halls, with an immersive submarine exhibit and an awe-inspiring 4-D movie presentation you should see, even if that’s all you do at the museum."

"From the beaches of Normandy to the sands of Iwo Jima, The National World War II Museum (945 Magazine Street; 504-528-1944) provides personal accounts, artifacts, documents, photographs, and never-before-seen film footage to tell the stories of the amphibious landings that made victory in World War II possible. Museum collections and relevant traveling exhibitions further explore and illustrate the war that changed the world."

"The National World War II Museum is a humongous cultural center that can take nearly the whole day to explore. The museum tells the story of why the war was fought, how it was won and its significance today."

"The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is Smithsonian-affiliated and, as its name suggests, celebrates the culture and aesthetic of Southern artists. The permanent collection showcases more than 4,000 pieces from 15 states; in fact, with works dating back to 1733, the institution boasts the most comprehensive collection of Southern art in the world. Exhibits feature paintings, photography, sculpture, and handicrafts, and place historical works alongside contemporary artists working in the South."

"Whether you’re an art aficionado or just a lover of aesthetically pleasing works and spaces, then you should pay a visit to NOMA. It’s housed in the center of New Orleans’ City Park, where you can also easily spend a day exploring. The museum features more than 40,000 objects, ever-changing exhibits by world-renowned artists, and is the oldest fine arts institution in New Orleans."

"The South has one of the most distinctive aesthetic cultures in the US artistic universe, a creative vision indelibly influenced by the region's complicated history and deep links to the land. Few museums explore the throughlines of Southern art like the Ogden, which boasts lovely gallery spaces, an awesome gift shop and kicking after-hours performances."

"The Historic New Orleans Collection is set on a handsome campus in the heart of the French Quarter. Some of the 10 buildings on the property date back to the late 18th-century; archaeological digs have uncovered remnants of barracks that date as far back at 1720. Focusing on the history and culture of New Orleans and the surrounding Gulf South, the collection highlights subjects the War of 1812, Tennessee Williams, and jazz."

"The Historic New Orleans Collection was founded in 1966 with the goal of preserving the French Quarter area. There are eight different buildings that have been restored and are a part of the Royal Street Complex. The organization has put together eight different themed walking tours that will explore different aspects of the French Quarter depending on what is most interesting to you."

"Pictured above is Destrehan Plantation, one of the oldest plantations in the country. From slave labor to rumored pirate treasure, history is everywhere in New Orleans Plantation Country!. Destrehan Plantation, for example, was established in 1787, and remains the oldest plantation home in the South."

"The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is one of the best of this Louisiana city’s tourist attractions. It’s a fascinating and rather unusual sort of museum, which makes it all the more intriguing. Located in the French Quarter and housed within an old two-story building, the museum exhibits a huge range of healthcare and pharmacy-related memorabilia."

"Behind the museum’s main building is a gated outdoor space in 11 acres of mature parkland enriched with more than 90 works of sculpture. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden opened in 2003 and at the time of writing in 2019 had just doubled in size with an expansion that included 26 new works, mostly by 21st-century artists. On serpentine paths among pines, magnolias, camellias and live oaks draped with Spanish moss there are pieces by Henry Moore, Deborah Butterfield, Barbara Hepworth, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Robert Indiana, Gaston Lachaise and René Magritte, as well as contemporary sculptors like Katharina Fritsch, Hank Willis Thomas and Jeppe Hein."

"This five-acre sculpture garden is a park within City Park, and acts as an open-air annex to the wonderful New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA). 90 sculptures—mostly modern and abstract—are set among magnolias and live oaks, framed by bridges and reflecting pools, with world-renowned artists Henry Moore, Antoine Bourdelle, and Ossip Zadkine represented. The lake-set Virlane Tower by Kenneth Snelson is a favorite, as is the familiar Love, Red Blue sign by Robert Indiana, but it’s best to come without a map."

"The sculpture garden that sits just outside the New Orleans Museum of Art is a wooded quilt of streams, pathways, lovers' benches and, of course, sculpture, mainly of the modern and contemporary sort. During spring and summer, theatrical productions are often put on here, but it's a lovely spot for a stroll any time of year."

"If you like arts and culture, you might enjoy a trip to the New Orleans Museum of Arts aka NOMA. Here you’ll find art work from famous artists like Picasso, Joan Miro, Georgia O’ Keffe, and also some local Louisiana artists. The art exhibition are divided into arts from different regions of the world. NOMA has a nice cafe, a cute garden to enjoy a picnic and a lake behind to kayak."

"Two current exhibits are “Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana,” which traces the celebration from its 19th-century origins to the current day emergence of parades and festivities that attracts millions of visitors each year. The “Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond” exhibit details the rescue, rebuilding, and renewal from the storm that devastated the city back on August 23, 2005."

"The Cabildo’s twin, facing Jackson Square on the north side of the cathedral, is from 1791 and held as one of the masterpieces of colonial Spanish architecture. Previously the domestic quarters, or presbytère, for the cathedral’s Capuchin monks had stood on this spot, which explains the name. This ornate building has come through a few different uses, and was a courthouse from 1834 to 1911."

"The Presbytère is located on the northwest side of Jackson Square, between St. Louis Cathedral and St. Ann Street. It matches the Cabildo, which stands on the other site of the Cathedral. The Presbytère was built in 1791, and is currently one of the United States’ best examples of colonial Spanish architecture."

"The Mississippi River is a very prominent part of New Orleans, so you have to get a picture along its banks. My favorite spot is just south of Jackson Square where you can get a nice shot of the Crescent City Connection Bridge in the background. This shot below was late in the day we arrived after a long flight."

"If you have younger children, a couple of hours at Storyland (also located in City Park) would be a worthy investment of your time. Storyland is a child’s dream come true and a fairytale come to life. The imaginative outdoor spot is filled with 20 larger-than-life colorful sculptures and playscapes in the shape of storybook characters."

"Just like LCM and Cafe Du Monde, Storyland is located in New Orleans City Park. Within the walls of Storyland, your children’s favorite storybook characters come to life!. There are over 25 larger than life exhibits waiting to be climbed on, explored, and played on."

"Filled with 25 larger-than-life sculptures modeled after storybook characters, this unique playground boasts a dragon slide, Captain Hook's pirate ship, and the whale from Pinocchio. A post shared by nataliekcochran (@nataliekcochran) on Mar 13, 2018 at 7:11pm PDT"

"If you need to take a break in between exploring some of the historic architecture in Algiers Point, this unique community-centered playground is perfect for kids between two to five years old. A post shared by Sarah Kelly Adams (@iwearmyheartonmyback) on Nov 9, 2016 at 8:17am PST"

"If you’re in need of some inspiration, consider trying these things: Chocolate Frozen Yogurt, Vanilla Ice Cream, and Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream."

"If your picnic plans bring you to fabulous City Park, this local cafe is an excellent place to grab some takeout. It’s only a hop, skip, and a jump away and offers various delicious sandwiches, paninis, po-boys, salads, and more. Plus, if you plan to bring your pup along with you to the park, there’s a pet-friendly patio where you can sit while you wait for your order."

"126 Lake Drive, Covington, (985) 327-7111; 4801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 889-1550; www.donsseafoodonline.com. Char-broiled Jacked-Up oysters are topped with bacon, jalapenos and pepper Jack cheese. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"1009 Poydras St., (504) 309-6530; Clearview Mall, 4436 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 273-1233; 69796 Stirling Blvd., Covington, (985) 900-2234; www.walk-ons.com. Bayou pasta features fried shrimp over linguine with crawfish cream sauce, green onions and garlic bread."