Best History Museum in Lake Pontchartrain

"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."

"This sprawling complex of modern buildings in the Central Business District is one of the best narrative displays of WWII in the country. From detailed accounts from eyewitnesses to enormous exhibitions of D-Day, it’s hard to wrap up a massive event like World War 2, but the National WWII Museum comes pretty close. Inside you’ll find countless galleries and exhibits depicting the worldwide catastrophe all the way from Normandy to the sands of Iwo Jima."

"Address: 945 Magazine StreetNew Orleans, LA 70130Phone: (504) 528-1944Website. The museum’s exhibits cover “the war that changed the world” through exhibits that focus on world leaders, events, and the war’s courageous men and women. Stay on the Museum’s campus at the Higgins Hotel and Conference Center, an art-deco style property offering first-class accommodations."

"Here's your chance to experience and understand the history and culture of the city of New Orleans!. The center is dedicated to the preservation and research of New Orleans and general Southern Gulf culture and history and is located in the French Quarter. Archives include the Sugar Bowl, life after Hurricane Katrina, the William Russel Jazz Collection, and the William C. Cook War of 1812 in the South Collection."

"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."

"Located in a French Quarter building where the nation’s first licensed pharmacist, Louis J. Dufilho, Jr., lived and practiced in the 1800s, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is a time-travel extravaganza. You can visit independently, but the insightful (and included with admission) 1 p.m. tour on weekdays is worthwhile to hear about medicine’s fascinating, unsterilized history and to eyeball some seriously iffy relics, like lead syringes, bottles once filled with opium-based teething formulas, strychnine-laced cosmetics, and over-the-counter heroin; plus, here’s your chance to view a pig’s-rib toothbrush and a calcified goat’s hairball."

"This unique museum was once the apothecary of America’s first licensed pharmacist. Located just steps away from Napoleon House, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum features a quirky array of pharmaceutical and medical memorabilia including antique surgical instruments and apothecary jars containing their original ingredients. Visitors can spend hours among all the medical curiosities and wonders of decades past."

"In 1804 the State of Louisiana passed a law requiring a licensing exam for would-be pharmacists. The first person to pass this exam was one Louis J. Dufilho Jr. , becoming the first licensed pharmacist in the United States. You can drop by his premises on Chartres Street in the French Quarter, where stacks of strange remedies line the walls in historic apothecary bottles."

"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."

"We’ve already mentioned visiting the Cabildo as one of the best things to do in New Orleans – but what about its twin, The Presbytère?. It faces Jackson Square and dates back to 1791, and like its “sibling”, it boasts amazing architecture that makes it a true masterpiece. Built in a colonial Spanish style, The Presbytère was once used as its name suggests – as domestic quarters for the Capuchin monks of the Cabildo."

"The Presbytere Museum has two permanent exhibits that are extremely important to the city of New Orleans. The Mardi Gras exhibit explores the annual celebration and all the traditions that go along with it. Learn more about the Mardi Gras Indians and different Krewes that partake in the events and how they got their start."

"The Whitney plantation is the first American museum dedicated to slavery. It has records of memoirs from literate slaves and their experiences. The Whitney plantation focuses on the institution of slavery. The Laura plantation is a creole owned plantation whereby the family tell the history of the their generation."

"Whitney Plantation, on the other hand, focuses on slavery and what life was like for the slaves living on the plantation. There are personal narratives and exhibits of the slaves who lived on the plantation which can certainly be more emotional but important history to understand nevertheless."

"If you’re going to visit any plantations, please make The Whitney Plantation a priority. It’s the first slavery museum in America, dedicated to telling the history of slaves in their own words, taken from historical records."

"Before the Civil War, New Orleans was home to the largest and wealthiest population of free people of color (abbreviated to F.P.C. by the museum) in the South. To understand their journey, heritage, and achievements, schedule an hour-long tour of Treme’s Le Musée de F.P.C.—the only museum of its kind in the United States. The detailed lesson, both profoundly sobering and inspirational, begins with the founding of New Orleans in 1718 and continues to the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court decision, a case that started in New Orleans and that resulted in national segregation."

"Free People of Color (f.p.c.) is the term used to describe Blacks who were born free or freed before the Civil War. The presence of f.p.c. in New Orleans is recorded back to 1722 and New Orleans was home to one of the largest populations of f.p.c. Le Musée de f.p.c. honors those artists, artisans, entrepreneurs, educators, physicians, journalists, business owners and professionals who made New Orleans what it is today. This beautiful house displays artwork and history of f.p.c. in New Orleans and honors the contributions they made to the City."

"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."

"This nanobrewery has its brewhouse and fermentation tanks crammed in a space the size of a large bathroom but it’s pumping out beer after beer at stunning speed. From hop bombs to imperial saisons to porters to German styles, Robert Bostick and and his team at Brieux Carré have been keeping foot traffic in the Upper Quarter and Frenchmen Street happy. Get a beer to go and wander around, or find a place in the small bar or outside beer garden to enjoy."

"With a laissez faire approach to brewing, Brieux Carre aims to “embody the New Orleans spirit” in all of their beers. This brewery was tucked in right off of the popular Frenchmen Street, giving imbibers perfect access to craft beer. The interior of Brieux Carre in New Orleans is narrow and tight, but keep heading down the hall to get to the back courtyard for more seating."

"Whether you’re in for a shot of beer or some quality food, Gordon Biersch has you covered. This pub-style restaurant creates their own award-winning beer to compliment their delicious bar snacks for a truly original time. Try their GB Beer Mushroom Chicken served with asparagus and a bit of brew in their stunning location, and then you’ll see what makes Gordon Biersch the winner of “Best Bar Patio” by beer-drinkers as well as the 2nd best place to drink beer in New Orleans."

"A post shared by Gordon Biersch New Orleans (@gb_nola) on Nov 26, 2017 at 2:36pm PST. Chain hangout for house-brewed, German-style beer & a pub menu served in a casual setting. Located right across from Harrah’s Casino and within walking distance of the French Quarter."

"Dan Gordon and Dean Biersch’s dream came true when Gordon Biersch Brewing Company opened its doors. The brewery opened in Palo Alto, California, in July 1988. The duo worked together to bridge fresh, handcrafted beer and world class cuisine."

"They pride themselves with joining other local brewing pioneers to re-establish the brewery scene in New Orleans. Urban South Brewery offers carefully crafted beers using only the finest ingredients in New Orleans. The brewing process at Urban South Brewery is a mixture of cultural legacy and the bold innovation of the European beer making."

"Located in a French Quarter building where the nation’s first licensed pharmacist, Louis J. Dufilho, Jr., lived and practiced in the 1800s, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is a time-travel extravaganza. You can visit independently, but the insightful (and included with admission) 1 p.m. tour on weekdays is worthwhile to hear about medicine’s fascinating, unsterilized history and to eyeball some seriously iffy relics, like lead syringes, bottles once filled with opium-based teething formulas, strychnine-laced cosmetics, and over-the-counter heroin; plus, here’s your chance to view a pig’s-rib toothbrush and a calcified goat’s hairball."

"This unique museum was once the apothecary of America’s first licensed pharmacist. Located just steps away from Napoleon House, the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum features a quirky array of pharmaceutical and medical memorabilia including antique surgical instruments and apothecary jars containing their original ingredients. Visitors can spend hours among all the medical curiosities and wonders of decades past."

"In 1804 the State of Louisiana passed a law requiring a licensing exam for would-be pharmacists. The first person to pass this exam was one Louis J. Dufilho Jr. , becoming the first licensed pharmacist in the United States. You can drop by his premises on Chartres Street in the French Quarter, where stacks of strange remedies line the walls in historic apothecary bottles."

"833 Howard Ave., (504) 299-8792; G’s Kitchen Spot, Balcony Bar, 3201 Magazine St., (504) 894-8888; 4840 Bienville St., (504) 483-6464; www.gspizzas.com. A Bienville Supreme pie includes pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, black olives, mozzarella and tomato sauce."

"After exploring the Mid-City cemeteries, stop by G's Pizza to refuel. This funky little spot is tucked away on Bienville (there are two other NOLA locations, too), and they serve delicious pizza, pasta, salads, and sandwiches. I love their NOLA Green Roots Pizza!"

"Serving fresh food and good vibes, this mid-city eatery has upped its hours and is now serving clean eating options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Located in the same building as Swan River Yoga, the folks at Good Karma offer visitors homemade vegan plates, fruit smoothies, fair trade organic coffee, and house-brewed tea. Our go-to dish is the Good Karma plate, made fresh and served daily."

"Inside of Mid-City’s Swan City Yoga, Good Karma is the place to go for vegan coffee. Lynn Lalka notes they make their own almond milk (though you can also request coconut cream or organic soy) and they use organic syrups. “Plus, they’re delicious!"

"This breakfast and lunch spot is a local favorite on Magazine Street. Slim Goodies serves classic comfort food with bold twists, all made with fresh ingredients (and lots of love). Everyone loves the slammers: hash browns slathered in something delicious – think crawfish étouffée or chili with bacon and cheddar cheese – but the sweet potato pancakes are not to be missed."

"What you're getting: The Creole Slammer If you haven’t had the Creole Slammer at Slim’s, you have yet to fully live. What could be better than a plate of hash browns and eggs than a plate of hash browns and eggs generously topped with crawfish étouffée and a buttermilk biscuit?. Fair warning: there’s a sizable wait on weekends if you don’t get there early enough."

"A classic diner, Slim Goodies prepares quintessential breakfast and brunch foods with a selection of plant-based adjustments. The Garden Slammer is a breakfast tofu scramble served with soy bacon and mixed veggies. Try this or one of their other slammer options made with tofu for plant-based perfection."