Best History Museum in Jefferson

"Consistently ranked one of the best things to do in New Orleans, as well as one of the top museums in the nation, The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world. The extensive exhibits span four buildings and cover all aspects of WWII, from the European and Pacific fronts to the Louisiana home-front. BB’s Stage Door Canteen recreates the exciting musical productions and big band performances of the 1940s, while Final Mission: USS Tang Experience offers an interactive look at one of the most epic submarine battles of the war."

"Warehouse DistrictSuffice it to say, if you served in the United States Military during WWII, you’re granted free admission to the National WWII Museum, which is a really amazing place worth paying to visit, anyhow. But if you’re not a member of “The Greatest Generation,” but still a US veteran, you can still visit the museum for free on certain national holidays (check the website for details). Again, though, you should pay to check this place out: it has boats, and tanks, and airplanes, and a 4D cinematic experience narrated by Tom Hanks."

"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."

"Founded in 1966, The Historic New Orleans Collection has two campuses: one on Royal Street and the other on Chartres Street. Its Royal Street campus has a permanent gallery on Louisiana history; a hall for rotating exhibitions; and house museum called the Williams Residence—which, according to the THNOC, “is the only French Quarter house open to the public with its original furnishings.”. Its Chartres Street campus holds the Williams Research Center, the Boyd Cruise gallery, and thousands of historic artifacts that encapsulate life New Orleans over the last 300 years."

"Commemorating 300 years of New Orleans, the Historic New Orleans Collection houses multiple exhibits including two historic homes (from 1792 and 1890), a bookstore, and an art gallery. The THNOC includes 10 historic buildings that cover two campuses in The Quarter. Four exhibition spaces present permanent and rotating exhibitions showcasing New Orleans history and art."

"18th century home of Jean Francois Merieult|© Marla Holden / Alamy. General L. Kemper Williams and Leila Moore Williams founded the Historic New Orleans Collection to showcase their various Louisiana artefacts, with the aim to preserve local history. Several historic buildings stand near the institution, with each housing more than three centuries-worth of items."

"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."

"– One of the most unique museums in New Orleans is the Pharmacy Museum. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10-4 pm with a free guided tour at 1 pm (except for Saturday)."

"It’s also an excellent place to people watch and where a number of New Orleans’ historical landmarks like The St Louis Cathedral, The Cabildo, and The Presbytère are located (with Preservation Hall and The Historic New Orleans Collection nearby). Tons of artists, musicians, and fortune tellers hang out in Jackson Square and in the spirit of disclosure, I spent most of my time here people-watching and eating beignets. However, if you want to be a little more cultured than I was, visit one or several of the above-mentioned landmarks for even more NOLA history."

"A visit to The Presbytère is recommended and worthwhile for at least three reasons. (1) Built in the 1790s as a matching structure to the Cabildo, which flanks the St. Louis Cathedral on the other side, it is one of the nation's best examples of formal Spanish Colonial style, with a full panoply of Renaissance architectural forms. Destroyed by a hurricane in 1915, the cupola was restored to match the one atop its twin, the Cabildo, and in 1970 the structure was designated a National Historic Landmark."

"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."

"French QuarterArchitecture enthusiasts will quickly and easily fall in love with New Orleans, and for good reason; the city is prized for its distinctive architectural style. And nowhere will you find a better example of this than at Madame John’s Legacy, a primo example of Louisiana’s 18th-century architectural design, and an official National Historic Landmark."

"One of the oldest houses in the French Quarter, Madame John’s Legacy is an example of eighteenth-century Louisiana Creole architecture. The house was raised high enough to withstand frequent flooding of the area and has ventilating features to alleviate the subtropical heat. It also managed to survive the great fire of 1794."

"Long thought to be the oldest building on the Mississippi River, Madame John’s Legacy has proven to be not quite the oldest. It was one of the few buildings in the quarter to escape the great fire of 1795 in New Orleans. Architecture fans can appreciate the 18th century design."

"After voodoo (or vodou) came to New Orleans in the 1700s—first via West African slaves, then with Haitians after the Haitian Revolution—it entwined with the city’s identity. Which is why, since the 1970s, a French Quarter visit has been deemed incomplete without a stop at the tiny Historic Voodoo Museum. If it’s lore you seek, you’ll find it here."

"After Hurricane Katrina swept through Louisiana, much of New Orleans was flooded as the levees broke and the sea rushed in. The 9th Ward in particular was one of the hurricane’s biggest victims, suffering losses in both lives and properties when the Industrial Canal levee broke. This corner of the city has since remained largely empty, with many of its original residents simply choosing to not return."

"Explore the history of New Orleans' historic Lower 9th Ward pre-, during, and post- Hurricane Katrina. Admission is always free."

"The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, 921 Canal St., (504) 524-1331; www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/new-orleans/dining/m-bistro. Blackened redfish is served with shrimp etouffee, black-eyed peas, fried okra and dirty rice. Reservations accepted."

"The true flavor of Gulf Coast tradition is all about family, warmth and exceptional seafood. Landry's Seafood strives to bring all of those things together in each and every location, providing a fun-filled dining experience that will make you want to drop your anchor and never leave..."

"620 Decatur St., Suite 1A, (504) 581-9825; 8000 Lakeshore Drive, (504) 283-1010; www.landrysseafood.com. A lobser tail is served with drawn butter and a baked potato or sweet potato."

"Open since 1984, this Mid-City neighborhood fixture was nearly wiped out by Hurricane Katrina, when 7 feet of water wiped out most of the inside. Hard work and dedication got the restaurant back and better than ever, and it reopened in 2010 with a marker out front showing the high-water mark. Inside, Creole-Italian dishes like a gooey three-cheese crawfish beignet keep the locals returning."

"A well-known Sunday brunch spot, Katie’s is a corner restaurant that opened in 1984 in the Mid City neighbourhood of New Orleans. Favourite brunch menu items include lemon ricotta pancakes and veal grillades and grits, and diners can sip on bottomless sangria, mimosas, or bloody Marys. Katie’s closed briefly following Hurricane Katrina, but reopened in 2010 and is now better than ever."

"Katie’s first opened its doors in 1984 as a family-owned and operated corner lunch hot spot founded by former oil man Leo Leininger, who named the restaurant after his mother. It changed hands in 1993 when the Craig family – mother Mary and sons Scot and David – purchased it. The restaurant was a neighborhood icon until it was devastated by Hurricane Katrina."

"3841 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 888-9046; www.acropoliscuisine.com. Saganaki is sauteed kasseri cheese flamed with Ouzo and served with pita."

"Over in Marigny, this acclaimed neighborhood joint established in 2015 was the kind of newbie that eclectic and open-minded eaters from the area and journalists throughout the city welcomed immediately. The California-inspired cuisine of husband-and-wife team Jack Murphy and Susan Dunn, who've partnered on Paladar 511 with Susan’s brother, Chef Ed Dunn, delights within the light-filled, lofted industrial space. There’s an emphasis on inventive pizzas, such as a lamb merguez topped pie with garlic confit, roasted peppers, pine nuts and tzatziki; small plate gems like steelhead trout crudo or beef carpaccio with fried oysters, remoulade and chervil; and a new American take on classic Italian cuisine, with a nod to NOLA, in big plates or small, such as an arancini with a short rib rage, lemon, parmesan and parsley or a blue crab agnolotti with mascarpone, lemon and English peas."

"While the Marigny restaurant is offering a limited version of its usual menu, you’d do best to call ahead by 2pm daily for the family meal special. You’ll get a “Garfield-sized” lasagna, plus their insalata tre colori, a garlic herb focaccia for dipping, and a pint of ice cream for $60. All you’ll have to do is heat up the lasagna, and, eventually, will yourself off the couch.Cost: $60 for the family-style lasagna meal; pre-orders requested."

"A pizza is topped with collard greens, Gruyere cheese, applewood-smoked bacon and a farm egg. Reservations accepted. Dinner Wed.-Mon., brunch Sat.-Sun."

"After much exhaustive research, this is our go-to bowl of pho in New Orleans (short of driving to New Orleans East). The Pho Cam Ly broth is rich and exciting and textured and makes you go all kinds of 'mmm'.... Top ChoiceCreole in Garden, Lower Garden & Central City"

"Goi cuon bo nuong is a grilled beef spring roll wrapped in rice paper with vermicelli served with peanut sauce."

"A late 19th century corner store that became a sandwich-slinging pool hall and finally a come-as-you-are, neighborhood restaurant in 1932, Mandina’s serves comforting, old school Creole Italian seafood and other New Orleans classics (like po-boys, gumbo, and red beans). Get the Wednesday special, daube spaghetti, or Thursday’s bruccialone (veal rolled and stuffed with spinach, egg, and seasonings) with shell pasta."

"3800 Canal St., (504) 482-9179; Azalea Shopping Center, 4240 Highway 22, Mandeville, (985) 674-9883; www.mandinasrestaurant.com. A fried shrimp and oyster platter is served with french fries. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"Popular 2-story place serving big portions of classic, homestyle Creole dishes. Open for lunch and dinnerDress code: CasualPhone: +1 504-482-9179"