Louisiana's museums offer a deep look into the stories, history, creative talent and engineering that have all shaped Louisiana to be what she is today.
The Bayou State treasures its long history and values the ongoing artistic contributions of its many talented citizens and keeps them preserved and on display. The result is an abundance of museums in every corner of the state including–but not limited to–nine State Museums, galleries and historic structures that preserve and exhibit the state's most valued assets for anyone who chooses to see them.Â
Explore the expected and unexpected aspects of Louisiana's culture and heritage including cotton, trains, voodoo, Mardi Gras, lighthouses, dolls, boat building, military history, African American history, art and a whole lot more.Â
Featured Exhibitions
Take A Look Inside Louisiana's Museums
Welcome to one of the most historic buildings in the French Quarter. The Presbytère is located next to St. Louis Cathedral, overlooking Jackson Square. This Louisiana State Museum features revolving exhibitions along with permanent Mardi Gras artifacts. Add 751 Chartres Street in New Orleans as a must-visit on your itinerary!
Get a glimpse of the museum that tells the American story of WWII. The museum is located at 945 Magazine Street in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The old New Orleans Mint is now the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The Louisiana State Museum is located at 400 Esplanade Avenue in New Orleans.
DId you know Coca-Cola was first bottled in Monroe, Louisiana? Learn about that and more on a visit to the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens.
Curious about New Orleans' voodoo history and culture? The New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum will educate and entertain you in their location at 724 Dumaine Street.
Planning a trip to Baton Rouge, Louisiana's Capital City? Stop by one of the first "green" buildings in the Red Stick–The Shaw Center for the Arts–and experience the LSU Museum of Art! The museum is located in the heart of the city at 100 Lafayette Street.
Eddie G. Robinson is one of Louisiana's greats! Learn what made him a Louisiana legend with a visit to the Eddie G. Robinson Museum on the campus of Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana.
Visit Louisiana's only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Pioneer, Louisiana near Monroe and learn about our ancient civilization.
Learn all about Louisiana's sports legends at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches, Louisiana.
Did you know Bonnie and Clyde's interstate crime spree ended in Louisiana? Visit the Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum in Gibsland, Louisiana to see a replica of their car and other artifacts from the notorious criminals.
Learn about the history and culture of enslaved and free African Americans in rural South Louisiana.
The Lafayette Science Museum is a playful portal into a vast universe of discovery. Visitors can experience a hands-on and fun experience for curious minds of all ages. The museums features rotating exhibits, installations and a planetarium.
Head to Ruston, Louisiana to experience the North Louisiana Military Museum where you'll see military uniforms, vehicles, weaponry and memorabilia.
Head to Morgan City, Louisiana and visit the only museum in the world where the public can walk aboard an authentic offshore oil drilling rig at the International Petroleum Museum & Exposition.
Head to Ferriday, Louisiana to learn about Louisiana music legend like the three cousins–Jimmy Swaggart, Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley–and more!
This museum interprets Louisiana's storied history of its oil industry from past to present. Louisiana State Oil and Gas Museum is located in the aptly named Oil City, near Shreveport in North Caddo Parish, Louisiana.
One of nine Louisiana State Museums, the Capitol Park Museum is located across from the State Capitol and features interactive exhibits from across the Bayou State.
Learn about the down-the-bayou aquaculture at the Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum in Houma, Louisiana.
Learn about the history and culture of the Native Americans, Acadians, and Creoles in this living history museum.
Learn about the history of Webster Parish in this Minden, Louisiana museum.
Learn about Louisiana's rich political history and the democratic process through exhibits, programs and the arts. The beautiful Gothic building overlooks the Mississippi River in downtown Baton Rouge.
The USS Kidd is recognized as one of the most authentically restored vessels in the world by the Historic Naval Ships Association. Attached to the vessel is the Veterans Museum, which displays a variety of artifacts that celebrate veteran and naval military history, with displays and interesting artifacts for all generations.
This museum honors the pop princess who calls Kentwood home–Britney Spears, WWII veterans and the history of the famous Kentwood Spring Water. Experience this museum and more in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.
Love a good roadside attraction? Then you'll love this quirky, eclectic gem tucked away in the quaint town of Abita Springs on the Louisiana Northshore! While you're there, be sure to stop at Abita Brewing Company for a tour!
Learn about North Caddo Parish's railroad history and other fun facts about the area when you visit Vivian, Louisiana. There's plenty to see and do along Louisiana's Boom or Bust Scenic Byway!
Originally the seat of the Spanish government in New Orleans, The Cabildo is one of the most historically significant buildings in the city. When you visit the Crescent City, head to Jackson Square and explore the museum.
The dual focus of this museum site highlights two very distinct—and compelling—aspects of Louisiana’s rich history: aviation and lumbering.
The Wedell-Williams Aviation Collection highlights the legacy of Louisiana aviation pioneers Jimmie Wedell and Harry P. Williams, who formed an air service together in 1928 in Patterson. The Cypress Sawmill Collection documents the history of the cypress lumber industry in Louisiana, the state’s first significant manufacturing industry.Â
The Lafayette Museum is dedicated to sharing and promoting the history and culture of Acadiana. The Museum, also known as the Alexandre Mouton House, is a historic house that served as the home of 11th Governor and first Democratic Governor of Louisiana Alexandre Mouton.
Learn the stories of General Claire Chennault and other historic military figures and events from WWII through Operation Iraqi Freedom at the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum in Monroe, Louisiana.
Step into the country in the heart of Baton Rouge and visit the LSU Rural Life Museum. The museum preserves the culture of 18th and 19th century Louisiana and features multi-faceted exhibits. Don't miss the opportunity to stroll through the 25-acre grounds including Windrush Gardens when you visit.
The Gueydan Museum & Cultural Arts Center houses a permanent collection of rare photographs and artifacts that tell the history of an area known for its rice farming and duck hunting. The museum also features changing art exhibits. Â
The Zigler Art Museum list is on the must-stop list for any aesthete visiting Louisiana. The newly renovated cultural center places an emphasis on art education and developing Louisiana artists. Located in Jennings, Louisiana, the museum is located between Lake Charles and Lafayette in Jeff Davis Parish, Louisiana.
Located in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana, SUMA features African-American art from the permanent collection of Southern University in Baton Rouge. The museum is dedicated to maintaining a standard of excellence in the care and collection of art and artifacts.
The Mansfield Female College Museum was the first women's institute of higher learning west of the Mississippi River. The museum, located about a half-hour's drive south of Shreveport, features much of the art, pottery and crafts produced by the students as well as a surprising array of memorabilia.
A food lover and avid gardener, TABASCO® founder Edmund McIlhenny sowed tabasco pepper seeds and the rest is history. Experience the history and production of TABASCO® on Avery Island, Louisiana. Enjoy a self-guided tour of the TABASCO® Museum, Pepper Greenhouse, Barrel Warehouse, Avery Island Conservation, Salt Mine diorama, TABASCO Country Store®, TABASCO® Restaurant 1868! and the 170-acre natural beauty of Jungle Gardens.
The Southern Forest Heritage Museum is a complex of historic buildings, all on the National Register of Historic Places, preserved from an old sawmill in the beautiful piney woods of Long Leaf, Louisiana. In addition to being one of the nation’s most complete historic sawmill complexes, the area is known for its significant contributions to World War II, and now houses an extensive collection of memorabilia from the timeframe.Â
Located in Monroe, the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum provides a safe, educational place where children of all ages can plan and learn through a number of interactive exhibits. Exhibits include: "The White House," "Baby Bayou," "Discovery Hospital" and more.
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The Martin Homeplace is a rural life museum that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Transport yourself to 17th century Louisiana and experience folklife customs and northern Louisiana lifestyles from the 1800s.
Housed in a historic railroad depot on the banks of the Mississippi River, the Louisiana Art & Science Museum offers educational entertainment for visitors of all ages. Located in Baton Rouge, the museum features fine art exhibits, interactive art and science galleries for children, an Ancient Egypt gallery and a planetarium with a rotating docket of shows.
Go back in time at the Leatherwood Museum, which dates back to 1888. It is said to have been a railroad company house, boarding house, hospital, family home and museum. The museum features exhibits showcasing early medical equipment, military uniforms, native wildlife, Native American culture and more.
