All free museums and attractions to visit in Louisiana

Louisiana (United States) has a lot to offer for you culturally, even if you're on a budget, including free museums, free activities and free attractions. 40 museums and attractions in Louisiana can be visited without charge.

Are you looking for free things to do in Louisiana? These are the best places to visit:

  1. Louis Armstrong Park1

    Louis Armstrong Park

     New Orleans, LA
    Louis Armstrong Park, named after the New Orleans-born Jazz legend, is a 32-acre park situated in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. Its location is just across Rampart Street from the French Quarter, making it easily accessible for tourists exploring the city. The park was created after a controversial urban renewal project in the 1960s and has since become a significant part of the city's landscape.
  2. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve2

    Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve

     New Orleans, LA
    The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is a unique American National Park located in Louisiana. It is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich natural and cultural resources of the Mississippi Delta region. The park is named after the buccaneer Jean Lafitte and aims to illustrate the influence of the environment and history on the development of a unique regional culture.
  3. Old Louisiana State Capitol3

    Old Louisiana State Capitol

     Baton Rouge, LA
  4. Jackson Barracks Military Museum4

    Jackson Barracks Military Museum

     New Orleans, LA
    Jackson Barracks, located in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana, serves as the headquarters of the Louisiana National Guard. The base was established in 1834, originally known as New Orleans Barracks. However, in 1866, it was renamed in honor of Andrew Jackson, the seventh President of the United States, who was a prominent general during the War of 1812.
  5. Newcomb Art Museum5

    Newcomb Art Museum

     New Orleans, LA
    The Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane University is situated in the Woldenberg Art Center, within the campus of Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. This museum is a significant cultural institution in the region, offering visitors a chance to explore a diverse range of art exhibits.
  6. Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site6

    Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site

     Plaquemine, LA
    The Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site in Plaquemine, Louisiana, is a commemoration of an early example of hydraulic engineering design. It also highlights the historic significance of Bayou Plaquemine, a crucial navigable waterway that was once a distributary of the Mississippi River. This site provides a unique insight into the history of hydraulic engineering and the importance of waterways in the development of the region.
  7. Hilltop Arboretum7

    Hilltop Arboretum

     Baton Rouge, LA
    The Hilltop Arboretum, a 14-acre property, is situated at 11855 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is owned and maintained by the Louisiana State University. This location is easily accessible and offers a serene environment for visitors to explore and enjoy.
  8. The Historic New Orleans Collection - Williams Research Center8

    The Historic New Orleans Collection - Williams Research Center

     New Orleans, LA
    The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC) is a multifaceted institution that serves as a museum, research center, and publisher. Its primary focus is on the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region of the United States. This makes it a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this unique part of the country.
  9. The Historic New Orleans Collection9

    The Historic New Orleans Collection

     New Orleans, LA
    The Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC) is a multifaceted institution that serves as a museum, research center, and publisher. Its primary focus is on the study and preservation of the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region of the United States. This makes it a valuable resource for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the region's rich history and diverse culture.
  10. Louisiana Governor's Mansion10

    Louisiana Governor's Mansion

     Baton Rouge, LA
    The Louisiana Governor's Mansion, located in Baton Rouge, serves as the official residence of the governor of Louisiana and their family. This historic building offers a glimpse into the life of the state's highest-ranking official and is an important part of Louisiana's political history.
  11. Louisiana History Museum11

    Louisiana History Museum

     Alexandria, LA
    The Louisiana History Museum is situated in the historic downtown area of Alexandria, Louisiana, USA, in close proximity to the Red River. This location not only offers a rich historical context but also provides a scenic backdrop for visitors. The museum's location in the heart of the city makes it easily accessible for tourists.
  12. E.D. White Historic Site12

    E.D. White Historic Site

     Thibodaux, LA
    The Edward Douglass White House, also known as Edward Douglass White Louisiana State Commemorative Area, is a state historic site located near Thibodaux, Louisiana. This site is significant as it was the home of Edward Douglass White, Sr., the tenth governor of Louisiana, and his son, Edward Douglass White, a U.S. senator and a Chief Justice of the United States.
  13. Shreveport Water Works Museum13

    Shreveport Water Works Museum

     Shreveport, LA
    The Shreveport Waterworks Pumping Station, also known as the McNeil Street Pump Station, is a historic water pumping station located at 142 North Common Street in Shreveport, Louisiana. This site is not just a museum, but a piece of history that has been preserved for the public to explore and learn from. It offers a unique insight into the evolution of water pumping technology over the past century.
  14. Chennault Aviation and Military Museum14

    Chennault Aviation and Military Museum

     Monroe, LA
    The Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, situated in Monroe, Louisiana, is a significant site that showcases the development of the local aviation industry. Visitors can gain insights into the history and evolution of aviation in the region, making it an interesting destination for those interested in military and aviation history.
  15. Germantown Colony Museum15

    Germantown Colony Museum

     Minden, LA
    The Germantown Colony and Museum is a significant historical preservation project located in Webster Parish, Louisiana. It is situated approximately 7 miles north of Minden in the northwestern part of Louisiana. This museum offers a unique opportunity to delve into the history of the region and learn about the early settlers' way of life.
  16. Louisiana Museum of Natural History16

    Louisiana Museum of Natural History

     Baton Rouge, LA
    The Louisiana Museum of Natural History is situated on the campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. This location makes it easily accessible for visitors, as it is within the university grounds and close to other local attractions. The museum is the state's official museum of natural history, making it a significant destination for those interested in the natural world.
  17. House of Dance & Feathers17

    House of Dance & Feathers

     New Orleans, LA
  18. DeQuincy Railroad Museum18

    DeQuincy Railroad Museum

     Dequincy, LA
    The DeQuincy Railroad Museum is housed in the historic Kansas City Southern Depot, located at 400 Lake Charles Avenue, in DeQuincy, Louisiana. This location is not only a museum but also a significant piece of history, as it was a key station in the Kansas City Southern Railroad line that was completed in 1897. The depot itself was built in 1923, featuring Mission Revival architecture, and is one of only three such urban railroad stations still existing in Louisiana.
  19. Vivian Railroad Station Museum19

    Vivian Railroad Station Museum

     Vivian, LA
    The Vivian Railroad Station Museum is housed in the Kansas City Southern Depot, a historic building in Vivian, Louisiana. This building was recognized for its historical significance and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. This recognition underscores the importance of the building and the museum it houses, providing visitors with a glimpse into the past.
  20. Arna Bontemps African American Museum20

    Arna Bontemps African American Museum

     Alexandria, LA
  21. Louisiana State Exhibit Museum21

    Louisiana State Exhibit Museum

     Shreveport, LA
  22. Spring Street Historical Museum22

    Spring Street Historical Museum

     Shreveport, LA
  23. Masur Museum of Art23

    Masur Museum of Art

     Monroe, LA
    The Masur Museum of Art, situated in Monroe, Louisiana, holds the distinction of being the largest visual arts museum in the northeast region of the state. This museum is a significant cultural landmark in the area, offering a wide range of visual arts exhibits for visitors to explore.
  24. Louisiana Political Museum24

    Louisiana Political Museum

     Winnfield, LA
    The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame is situated in Winnfield, Louisiana. This museum is a significant location that showcases the political history of the state. It provides an opportunity for visitors to learn about the state's political figures and their contributions to Louisiana's history.
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    Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge

     Bell City, LA
    The Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge is situated about 25 miles southeast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, in the north central part of Cameron Parish. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the area, offering a unique opportunity to explore the diverse wildlife and ecosystems of the region.
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    Louisiana State Arboretum State Preservation Area

     Ville Platte, LA
    The Louisiana State Arboretum is home to over 150 species of plant life native to Louisiana. The varied topography of the arboretum makes it suitable for nearly all types of Louisiana vegetation, with the exception of those found in prairies and coastal marshes. This diversity of plant life provides a unique opportunity for tourists to explore and learn about the state's native flora.
  27. 27

    Independence Botanical Gardens

     Baton Rouge, LA
    The Independence Park Botanic Gardens are situated in the heart of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 7950 Independence Boulevard. This location is easily accessible and offers a serene environment for visitors to explore and enjoy the beauty of nature.
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    Laurens Henry Cohn Sr. Memorial Plant Arboretum

     Baton Rouge, LA
    The Laurens Henry Cohn Sr. Memorial Plant Arboretum is a 16-acre arboretum situated at 12206 Foster Road in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This location is easily accessible and open to the public daily, making it a convenient destination for tourists and locals alike.
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    Louisiana State Archives

     Baton Rouge, LA
    The Louisiana State Archives, established in 1956, is a significant institution under the Secretary of State of Louisiana. Its primary function is to collect, preserve, and make available for public use the state's historical records. This makes it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of Louisiana, offering a unique insight into the state's past.
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    National Hansen's Disease Museum

     Carville, LA
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    Lower Ninth Watd Living Museum

     New Orleans, LA
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    Basin St. Station

     New Orleans, LA
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    Meadows Museum of Art

     Shreveport, LA
    The initial collection of the Meadows Museum of Art was the Indochina Collection, which consists of paintings and drawings by French Academic artist Jean Despujols. These works document his time working in Indochina for the French government between 1936 and 1938. This collection provides a unique insight into the region during this period.
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    Fort Polk Museum - U.S. Army Center of Military History

     Fort Polk South, LA
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    Fireman’s Museum

     Opelousas, LA
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    Chalmette Battlefield

     Chalmette, LA
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    Eunice Depot Museum

     Eunice, LA
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    Beauregard Museum

     DeRidder, LA
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    Zigler Art Museum

     Jennings, LA
    The Zigler Art Museum, also known as ZAM, is an art museum situated in Jennings, Louisiana. It is conveniently located within the City Hall, making it easily accessible for visitors.
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    LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens

     Baton Rouge, LA