National Museum Month doesn’t offer museum admission for free, unfortunately. But it does turn one membership into a bit of a multi-pass for the rest of the city’s collections.
Anyone who is a member of any one of the 16 participating museums can get into all of the other spots for free. Whether you want to take in contemporary Southern Art at the Ogden, African-American art at the Ashe or odd implements at the Pharmacy Museum, National Museum Month in New Orleans has you covered.
For people who just want to take in a view, don’t miss the opportunity to walk in the New Canal Lighthouse on the Lakefront. If old-world charm is more your speed, the Longue Vue House & Gardens is participating in the month-long event.
For those who want to get zen, the Audubon insectarium and butterfly garden is open to anyone with a membership at a participating museum. And anyone who wants to go in the opposite direction and hype themselves up on the hot, hot history of jazz can do so at the French Quarter’s jazz museum.
Of course, the main thing on offer is art. And now is a perfect time to go, with many of the city’s art museums opening new exhibits after White Linen Night. The Ogden is opening a show focusing on the work of students at HBCUs while NOMA is showcasing an exhibit based around communities who have persevered through 300 years in the city.
Membership passes can be had for as low as $35, but we recommend looking around and considering which museum you might want the year-round benefits of before pulling the trigger. If contemporary art is more your style, the CAC and the Ogden are both $45 and both museums are launching Louisiana-focused exhibits over the weekend.
Check out a list of participating museums here.