New Orleans Museum of ArtAbout New Orleans Museum of Art
The New Orleans Museum of Art is a fine art museum located inside New Orleans City Park; it dates to the early 20th century and serves as the principal art museum for the city. The site is notable for its permanent collection and a major outdoor sculpture garden on the same grounds.
The museum displays collections of European and American painting, decorative arts and non-Western objects across its galleries in the main building. The adjacent Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden covers about 11 acres and features over 60 large-scale outdoor sculptures along landscaped paths.
The institution was established in the early 1900s with philanthropic support and has grown through added galleries and acquisitions across the 20th century. The sculpture garden was developed later to expand the museum’s public-program footprint in City Park.
The museum sits within City Park in New Orleans, at the park’s core cultural complex, making it accessible from downtown and residential neighborhoods by car or public transport.
- Best time to visit: The outdoor sculpture garden is a separate ticketed or timed area in peak season and is especially good in late afternoon light for photography.
- Access: Located within City Park, the museum is easy to combine with other park attractions and is a short drive from downtown New Orleans.
What to See#
- Besthoff Sculpture Garden: An 11-acre outdoor sculpture garden on the museum grounds that contains more than 60 works by international artists and open-path landscaping.
- Main building: The museum’s main building, housing rotating temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent collection of European, American and non-Western art.
Nearby Attractions to New Orleans Museum of Art
Best Time to Visit New Orleans Museum of Art
Best visited in spring or fall for pleasant weather and smaller crowds; indoor galleries are fine year-round.
Weather & Climate near New Orleans Museum of Art
New Orleans Museum of Art's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 34°C. Abundant rainfall (1594 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 6° - 17° | 12° | 139 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 8° - 19° | 13° | 140 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 11° - 23° | 17° | 136 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 14° - 26° | 20° | 117 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 19° - 30° | 25° | 125 mm | - | - | 3.2 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 22° - 33° | 27° | 141 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 23° - 34° | 28° | 167 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 23° - 33° | 28° | 156 mm | - | - | 2.3 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 22° - 32° | 27° | 141 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 16° - 27° | 22° | 79 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 11° - 23° | 17° | 120 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 8° - 19° | 13° | 133 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to New Orleans Museum of Art
Take the Canal Streetcar from downtown New Orleans to the City Park/Museum stop (end of the line). From the French Quarter allow 20-30 minutes. Driving: I-10 to City Park Ave, follow signs for City Park; there is paid parking near the museum.
Tips for Visiting New Orleans Museum of Art
- Arrive when the museum opens to walk the Sydney and Waldo Besthoff Sculpture Garden with few people - the garden is free and feels like a separate attraction.
- Buy combination tickets or check the museum website for rotating-exhibit surcharges; the permanent collection is covered by the main admission.
- Head to the second-floor European gallery first - light is better in the morning and the rooms warm up in the afternoon due to City Park sun.
- Take the Canal streetcar as far as the City Park/Museum stop and walk in to avoid parking headaches on weekend festival days.