Must-Visit Multicultural Museums in New Orleans

Learn about the history, art, and culture of New Orleans at their incredible museums. In New Orleans, you can find everything from art and history museums, to Mardi Gras and multicultural museums, and much more.

New Orleans has a unique gathering of cultures and neighborhoods, all of which have maintained centuries of traditional values, music, art, and cuisine. All around the city, you’ll find museums dedicated to showcasing these ethnic and cultural treasures. Here are some great multicultural museums in New Orleans.

The Backstreet Cultural Museum

About: The Backstreet Multicultural Museum is located in the oldest African American neighborhood in America, the Treme neighborhood. You can find a plethora of memorabilia from jazz funerals, Mardi Gras, and other New Orleans exclusive traditions.

The Backstreet Cultural Museum holds the city’s most extensive collection of Mardi Gras Indian costumes. These costumes are brightly colored, have elaborate designs, and are handmade by local artisans. The Mardi Gras Indian costumes cost upwards of $10,000, having thousands of rhinestones, shells, sequins, and beads!

The museum also has an extensive collection of video footage and still photographs of jazz funerals, Mardi Gras Indians, and second lines.

Location: 1116 St. Claude Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116

Phone: (504) 522-4806

New Orleans African American Museum

About: The New Orleans African American Museum is also located in the Treme neighborhood, the oldest African American neighborhood in the U.S. This museum aims to preserve, protect, and promote the art, communities, and history of the African Diaspora and African Americans in New Orleans.

The New Orleans African American Museum is located in the Treme Villa, which is considered by many to be one of the best examples of a Creole villa in New Orleans. The Treme Villa was built in 1828-1829 and still has many of its original details.

The museum houses a collection of intricate African costumes, textiles, masks, beadwork, divination objects, and musical instruments. Visitors can also see artwork (sculptures, paintings, and more) from both established and newly emerging artists and spend some time out in the beautiful gardens surrounding the villa.

Address: 1418 Governor Nicholls St, New Orleans, LA 70119

Phone: (504) 218-8254

The Irish Cultural Museum of New Orleans

About: The Irish Cultural Museum of New Orleans is located in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans. Here you will learn about the history, culture, and stories of Irish adventures, priests, mercenaries, soldiers, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, public servants, and much more.

Address: 933 Conti St, New Orleans, LA 70112

Phone: (855) 514-8139

George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art

About: This museum features the private collection of Dr. Dwight McKenna and is an institution the collects, preserves, and exhibits the visual aesthetic of the African Diaspora. The George and Leah McKenna Museum of African American Art has an intimate boutique style touring and is only open to the public by appointment.

Address: 2003 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Phone: (504) 586-7432