Located right off the Spanish Plaza, Vue Orleans is a fun, historic observation tower allowing for…read moreunobstructed views of the riverside and French Quarter. For an observation deck it's reasonably priced as well. Checking in is very easy and it's right next to the Canal Street trolley station making it a convenient stop. When you enter you're greeted with videos and short exhibits outlining New Orleans' deep and rich cultural history. This part really sets a tone for the city and is a great introduction into some of the city's culture if you're unfamiliar with it. When we went it was pretty empty and we felt like we had a lot of time to explore. Heading up into the elevators you watch a short clip on the walls which shows New Orleans throughout the ages and lets you see history well beyond when it was even known as New Orleans. Once you reach the main deck you are inside the tower with panoramic views of the city. There are also exhibits there showing more history. One more short elevator ride later and you are at the outdoor deck. The deck itself is pretty barren but does allow for great photo ops weather pending. We unfortunately went on a very windy day so if you're looking to take photos make sure to check the weather and plan ahead as best as possible. This observation deck isn't as classic or immersive as Sears Tower in Chicago or some of the ones in NYC, but for what it is, it's a very beautiful and fun way to learn more about the vibrant city of New Orleans.

Great immersive and educational museum and observation deck. If you get the city pass, you can get…read morea discount on their Bayou Breeze cocktail at their observation deck cafe. My family and I enjoyed this experience as it is interactive and very interesting. And the 360 view of New Orleans is beautiful.

Terrific comprehensive museum of all things Mardi Gras and New Orleans. Pricing is slightly…read moreaggressive, but it's worth it for the comprehensive look. someone recommended this as a "all tourists should see this "exhibit and it was definitely a must see.

Staff was amazing and it was great to try on the costumes! Def worth the visit and time.read more

Today I had a reading with Miss Raven! The shop was able to schedule me in and before I knew it,…read moreRaven was whisking me away for our read! It was amazing! I laughed, almost cried, felt seen!!! Thank you so much for your wisdom, insight, and time with me!

Came in here with my wife and mom. I'm from California and I'm a third generation legacy witch…read more I've seen this place all over TikTok and knew that it was on my list of places to checkout. When we walked in there was a film crew, recording a video. The woman at the front desk immediately snapped and said "we are filming!!!" First of all...if you need it to be quite close early or put a sign on the door stating you're filming. Boom. But then to be rude on top of it?! Yikes. I was actually planning on spending a lot here but given the treatment I was totally turned off by the behavior. Weirdly enough a beige family came in and didn't have the same verbal hostility that our group did. This business should do better.

I had the distinct pleasure of visiting this interactive cultural funhouse, highlighting the Joy /…read moreArt / Music of New Orleans. It was truly a love letter to the city, full of colorful, unique, and creative art exhibitions, all made out of recycled materials (which I found to be impressive and admirable)! There was a curated playlist of amazing jazz music playing throughout, which really set the tone delightfully! Upon entering, guests are welcomed into the space and there was a personable and helpful guide who described the space, then led us into the opening rooms. The first one was blue with neon pink, green, and glowing, with letters, symbols, and TV screens, comprising of one big puzzle. The next is a long hallway of hot pink with blue detailing and lights throughout, along with cool protruding, spongy shapes representing organs on the walls. Very psychedelic vibes! This led into a large space with sculptures of a larger than life alligator mouth open wide, creature atop a huge pot with the words "Stir the Pot," crawfish, tall lily pads, insect jazz band, peacock and more. There was also a cool, pretty flower wall, and upon closer inspection, I discovered they were made out of records. From there, I headed upstairs to see the blue, purple, and pink room holding the gorgeous Fountain of Youth glowing bright blue, filled with gold coins in them for wishes. The ceiling was lush and leafy with a lovely hanging light, as well as a pearly oyster shell inspired one. In addition, there was a shotgun style house with a balcony we could go in. Back downstairs, I explored a bar neon colored words related to New Orleans all over the walls, with upside down piano & drinks. Next, I checked out a decorative white a black room, featuring a glowing green stand. With the press of a button, it turned the room disco-y blue with a glow in the dark effect. After that, I went into the beautiful Desire themed room with humongous pearl structures hanging down, where you can write and release your true desires. Such a dreamy, ethereal feel to this one! There was a little sleek and sexy speakeasy space, called Candlelight Lounge. Then was one of my favorite exhibits: Feast Mode, displaying glittery New Orleans culinary delight classics in true indulgent style, as well as super funky, fun paintings and art pieces. Near this room was a window with full of shiny, delicately constructed objects of vibrant colors representing New Orleans. This was a glitzy video opp with props offered, with the phone going in the center, spinning around and capturing us dancing, shimmying, or whatever suits your fancy! The remaining few installations were music themed with drums and large silver circles, which could be played, emitting different sounds to create a symphony of song. At the end, there was a room showcasing larger than life sculptures of heads of musical greats, including Louis Armstrong, Lil Wayne, and Big Freedia. I really enjoyed my time here. Staff were super welcoming, accommodating, and helpful with photos throughout. The artistry, detail, and care was visible throughout each and every art piece and room. JAMNOLA was such a fun experience and I recommend you check it out for yourself!

I took my 12 year old daughter to JAMNOLA and we had a blast…read more Every room was something different, super colorful, interactive, and just fun. She was excited the whole time, and honestly so was I. It's one of those places where you can actually enjoy it as an adult and still let your kid have their moment too. We definitely got some really cute pictures, so if you're into that, you're going to love it. It's very "stop, pose, next room, do it again" in the best way. It's not a super long experience, but it's worth it. I'd say give yourself about an hour, maybe a little longer if you're taking your time with photos. Only tip is try to go when it's not too crowded, because some people really turn it into a full photoshoot and you'll be waiting a little. Overall, I'd definitely recommend it, especially if you have kids or just want something different to do in the city.

Amazing show and even better memories! Would recommend for a girls trip…read more The food was also tasty!

I've been to some of the best burlesque and drag shows in the country. I've seen gravity defying,…read moresultry, sophisticated shows in New York. While this is not that . . . it's perfect for New Orleans and the south and has it's own flavor. I loved the show here! Madame Kennedy was the perfect emcee (and also put on a wicked black light bubble show). Some acts were sexy and seductive. Some acts were acrobatic and martial arts based, as Madame Kennedy said, "I'm sure someone is missing their anime character somewhere." There were hula hoops, feathers, and grinders! One act was a woman who put a grinder against a metal plate on her belt and sparks flew everywhere! I also saw my first (as far as I can remember) burlesque by a transgender man. It was so much fun! We did the reserved tickets, so we got a table right up front. There isn't a bad seat in the house, but I really prefer being in the center of the action. Doors open at 6:30 for a 7 PM show, but ours was running late (we didn't mind). They have a basic bar with decent prices. They also do dance classes, varying show themes, comedy routines, and more. So you'll always be able to see something different.

As an Afghanistan veteran who served as a medic with the 101st Airborne Division, and as someone…read morewho has always loved military and World War II history, this museum completely blew my mind. However, I think it is equally important to mention that my girlfriend attended with me. She only had a general knowledge of the war, yet she also considered it a five-out-of-five experience. You certainly don't need to be a historian or veteran to appreciate what this museum has created. The National WWII Museum is massive. You could easily spend most of the day here, especially if you take your time reading, watching the films, and exploring everything. The museum covers multiple buildings and levels, so be prepared for a considerable amount of walking. During our visit, the exhibits appeared accessible to guests with mobility needs. There is an excellent mixture of immersive environments, historical artifacts, educational displays, interactive features, and video presentations. The exhibits are modern, detailed, and arranged in a way that makes an enormous and complicated conflict easier to understand. Whether you are already familiar with the subject or walking in with only basic knowledge, there is something here that will capture your attention. The entire museum was exceptionally clean, and every staff member we encountered was polite, knowledgeable, and willing to help. We saw visitors from nearly every age group, and everyone appeared engaged, reading the displays, discussing the artifacts, and interacting with the exhibits. History is treated with great care here, but it never feels stale or lifeless. The sections concerning the airborne forces naturally struck a particularly deep chord with me. At one point, I could almost feel the spirit of my 101st Airborne forebears flowing through me, the courage, sacrifice, and proud legacy of those who wore the Screaming Eagle long before I did. It was an emotional reminder that although generations change, the history and brotherhood remain. Their presence apparently remained with me even after leaving the museum. That evening, while venturing down Bourbon Street, I discovered that I could drink with a stamina I had never previously possessed. Whether this was airborne pride, supernatural intervention, or several deceased paratroopers temporarily occupying my liver remains a question for historians and medical professionals to debate. A phenomenal museum and an absolute must-see while visiting New Orleans. Give yourself plenty of time, wear comfortable shoes, and prepare to be humbled, educated, and possibly accompanied onto Bourbon Street by the spirits of the 101st. Airborne--all the way!

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans was absolutely great! The entire campus is incredibly well…read morelaid out, packed with tons of interactive exhibits that keep you fully engaged from start to finish. A massive highlight was the 4D theater movie narrated by Tom Hanks--it was awesome and is highly recommended if you visit. Make sure you give yourself definitely a few hours to go through everything so you can properly learn and take in as much as possible. If you are staying next door at the Higgins Hotel, there is a small ticket discount available, which is a nice perk. We didn't get to try the food inside the museum, choosing instead to go offsite to Magazine Pizza. It's located within steps of the museum and turned out to be a smarter choice cost-wise, I think!

This is a place you must go, plan 30-60 mins. Miss Minnie Lewis is a wonderful and knowledgeable…read morehost who brought the museum's collection to life for us. Great for locals and visitors alike. Call ahead.

To get a down to earth true ninth ward view of the Mardi Gras Indians and their history along with…read moresocial and pleasure clubs of the lower ninth ward, you only need to stop at one place and this is it. Ronald Lewis does an excellent job with this tiny museum located in his backyard on Tupelo street. He has history in there from before and after Katrina and a myriad of information to share about his experiences as well as what it takes to be a Mardi Gras Indian. You get a real feel for the culture in this place it is a homey small place but to be honest I would rather learn about our culture by going here rather than a large sterile museum. You need to phone ahead to see his amazing personal collection of items and bring some cold water as you won't find air conditioning here. What you will find is is years of New Orleans culture and get a closer look at what makes the Mardi Gras Indians so special.

I've been to Ashé for a few things but always leave feeling I need to spend more time there…read more Fashions, Afrikan art or jewelry on sale, art gallery and meeting place; this is a real cultural center. Although the website is wrong on Yelp, I try to keep up with the Events Page https://www.ashenola.org/events. The staff is kind and knowledgeable. There's street parking and a lot. Most recently I was there for an art exhibit: In the Spirit of Black. Excellent. Varied artists, traditional dance, community elders and installations at the Ashé Theatre. Ashe Cultural Center is a true gem for the community and visitor. Stop by, stay a while, learn love or buy something and donate!

What does community look like in your city? What does community engagement feel like in your city?…read moreWho actually represents for the "culture" we always speak of or hear of in popular music? Where do you find culture, art, and history in your city? The Ashe Cultural Arts Center is setting the bar high!!! A necessity and true gem for all to cherish. In my 12 days in the Big Easy, I had the opportunity to watch a documentary on the Loving v. Virginia case here as well as pay homage to Shakor White and his amazing artwork. I even took my students to his art gallery in the French Quarters. Thank you to Rachel and the welcoming staff for helping me sort through the boutique dresses and jewelry that I ultimately bought for my mother back home in Texas. Ashe is unapologetically black yet so open to everyone of all creeds. Spread love, it's the NOLA way!!!

I can't believe this museum is free. I only had time for the exhibit on The Revolutionary War, and…read moreit was remarkably well done. The interactive virtual experience provided a lot of interesting information and insight to the battles and events of this time period. I especially enjoy that you could see what the historical sites look like in the present time and how some of them are preserved. I really enjoyed this exhibit and learned quite a lot. The staff was helpful and it was easy to check in at the front desk.

At some point during my research for an upcoming trip to New Orleans I started getting ads for this…read moreplace. I was a little annoyed, but figured I might want to keep in mind this free museum about New Orleans. While there is so much to do in New Orleans, its nice to have something to do if you are feeling like you won't want to spend a lot of money or might want to leave quickly if you don't like. This is much bigger than it looks like from the outside. It also really nice on the inside, everyone I talked to here was really friendly. There are a variety of exhibits to check out. Some held my interest more than others, but this was definitely a good way to spend a couple hours. Even if you don't want to check out the museum there is a super cute coffee shop and courtyard on site which looks like a nice place to spend some time sitting. There's a store too, but I did not have time to check this out. I enjoyed learning that this used to be a rich person's residence and that he was the owner of the organ. We did watch the organ presentation and I found it very interesting. The ipad interactive American Revolution exhibit did not hold my interest as much, but I am sure many people enjoyed it. You do have to get a free ticket for this exhibit, which I assume is so they don't run out of ipads. Looks like this was just starting and we must have been one of the first people to check this out. I found the current Civil Rights and French Quarter parts to be much more interesting to me. The 18 minute video is a little hard to watch with images appearing on all 4 walls, but it is a good place to sit down and take a break. Looks like the exhibits change regularly and there are many other tours available at different times (some do cost money). I would certainly stop here on my next trip, especially if I just had a couple hours to kill and was feeling like I had not checked out enough museums. Its nice to have free educational things to round out a vacation. There were some kids doing a scavenger hunt who seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Such a great spot to get information on the area, meet up for the St. Louis Cemetery tour and the…read morehop on/off tour bus. They have a cute gift/souvenir shop with coffee cups, magnets, t-shirts, hats, etc. Clean, accessible bathrooms. The staff here is so incredibly friendly and helpful. The adjacent lot has parking for only $5 for up to 10 hours .

What an incredible spot in New Orleans to rest and relax. There are lots of seating areas where you…read morecan cool off. Basin St. Station has a wonderful snack bar and a very nicely well-stocked gift shop. All the information about the trains in New Orleans was SO interesting. The old railway station is one of the main stops on the "Hop On-Hop Off" tour bus that we were using during our stay in New Orleans. It is also the spot where you can purchase tickets for the "official" tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.