Here's a list of free days offered by some of the museums in New Orleans . That includes places that are: Always free; Free once a week, Free once a month, Free on special dates, and free to certain groups of people.
Also remember that free admittance is also a perq for most "Friends Of..." or supporter memberships such as the Audubon Zoo memberships or the Friends of the Cabildo which includes free entry all of the state museum French Quarter museums
Check websites or call to find out other special deals. Museums may also offer discounts for students, kids, seniors, members of certain organizations, group visits, etc.
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Historic New Orleans Collection Tours
The New Orleans Historic Collection offers a choice of historic tours in its buildings with the Smithsonian Free Museum Day tickets.
It's worth noting that the gallery exhibitions are ALWAYS FREE, any day of the week, as the Historic New Orleans Collection. It is one of the least known and best freebies in New Orleans.
These Royal Street exhibitions are consistently first class glimpses into various aspects of the history, art, and culture of New Orleans. Check in when you are in the French Quarter because the exhibition changes often.
There is usually a fee for the building tours. Although not a Smithsonian Day option, there is usually a Halloween season tour that includes French Quarter ghost stories.For a fee, The Historic New Orleans Collections also has an Annex on Chartres Street that houses the extensive Williams Research Center. -
Sculpture Garden in City Park
The Bestoff Sculpture Garden in City Park at the New Orleans Museum of Art is free every day of every week.
It's a first class outdoor sculpture garden. The beautiful trails along the bayou would be well worth a visit even if there were no sculptures. The variety of artwork in the garden would be worth a visit without the perfect atmosphere and walk. -
New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park
Every WEDNESDAY of every week, the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) in City Park, is free to Louisiana residents with valid ID, thanks to the Helis Foundation. In the past you may remember showing your drivers license when free entry was limited to Louisiana residents. But now, Wedesdays are free for everyone including tourists from anywhere. There's no check-in - Just walk in and soak up the art.
NOMA was once called Delgado Museum of Art. It shared the same benefactor as what has become Delgado Community College. Delgado students with an ID can visit NOMA anytime on any day for Free. As of this writing, that also goes for University of New Orleans (UNO)students. Check with NOMA about free entry for other local college students -
Contemporary Art Center
The Contemporary Art Center (CAC), one of the several museums at the foot of Camp Street in the Warehouse District has FREE entry to Louisiana residents on all SUNDAYS.
Continue to 5 of 7 below. -
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, nicknamed The "O", offers FREE admission to Louisiana residents, who show proof with a valid I.D., every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. thanks to the The Helis Foundation. Children under age 5 get in free on any day.
The Ogden is also free (except for special events) for University of New Orleans (UNO) Students, Faculty, and Staff (who show a current I.D.) -
National World War II Museum
It's only fitting that U.S. World War II Veterans now have free admittance to The National World War II Museum in New Orleans at any time.
On some military-related holidays, the museum offers free admittance to all U.S. Veterans, so check the website if you are planning a visit.
Also check the website for the wide variety of events at the World War II Museum complex, including many free seminars, activities, and other events. -
Smithsonian Free Museum Day in Sept.
Free Smithsonian Magazine Museum Day is a nationwide event every September when a variety of museums across the United States - not just Smithsonians - offer free admission with a ticket obtained via the promotion's website. In addition to the New Orleans museum participants, there are nearby plantations and museums that would make a perfect day trip.