You Want Culture? New Orleans Has Got It!

Are you considering a vacation way down yonder to New Orleans?  Or perhaps you are being relocated to the Big Easy.  Maybe, just maybe, you’ve lived in the city for awhile but haven’t taken the time to fully explore it yet.  Well, leave Bourbon Street, the bars and the casino behind and check out some of these amazing things to do in New Orleans.

 

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra  In addition to regular performances, the LPO offers programs designed to introduce children to the orchestra.  Open rehearsal dates are listed on the website – for only $5, your middle or high school student can see the inner workings of a professional orchestra.

 

New Orleans Ballet Association  Featuring performances from nationally recognized ballet troupes as well as local dancers.  The Ballet Association also offers dance education through free dance classes to any child, ages 6-18.  (Classes are filled on a first come, first served basis)

 

 

Longue Vue House & Gardens  A Greek Revival mansion set on 8 acres, Longue Vue House features gardens, tours, and an extensive antique collection.  A variety of programs are featured throughout the year.  Be sure to check the family program page if you are bringing the kids.

 

 

Louisiana State Museum  The Louisiana State Museum is actually a complex of French Quarter exhibits that include the Cabildo, the Presbytere, the old U.S. Mint, the 1850 House and Madame John’s Legacy.  It seems that every child growing up in the New Orleans has visited this complex on a field trip!

 

Ashé Cultural Arts Center  Local story telling, music, dance, photography and  more are embraced in this center that is reviving a long neglected portion of the city.

 

 

 

New Orleans Museum of Art  Featuring a permanent collection of over 40,000 objects, including pieces from Degas and Picasso, NOMA is also home to traveling exhibitions.  The Sculture Garden features over 50 sculptures in a beautiful setting on the outskirts of City Park.  Walking trails, lagoons and spanish moss draped trees surround you as you tour the garden.  The driveway to the front of the museum is quite impressive, giving the feeling of approaching one of our national monuments.

 

 

Ogden Museum of Southern Art  Home to the largest collection of Southern art in the world, the Ogden Museum is a quick walk around the corner from the D-Day Museum.

 

 

 

D-Day: The National WWII Museum  Staffed with WWII volunteers, this national museum is a must on any visit to New Orleans.  From the moment you enter the lobby with its soaring ceiling, you will be captivated and brought back in time.  Interactive displays bring to life not just the story of D-Day, but the entire WWII experience.

 

 

 

Contemporary Arts Center – New Orleans  Within walking distance of both the  D-Day Museum and the Ogden Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center offers exhibitions, live performances and programs.  Showcasing local and national talents in photography, painting, theatre, performance art and more.  There are multiple galleries located within the CAC, and I’ve attended some very intimate performances there…put on by local school children!

 

 

New Orleans Jazz Orchestra  Periodic performances are held at Snug Harbor.  Be sure to check the schedule, because the orchestra travels around the country, bringing traditional New Orleans jazz to those who aren’t as lucky as we are to have these fabulously talented musicians in our hometown.

 

Please visit the individual websites for days and times of operation, along with any admission fees.  I hope you enjoy all of the culture that New Orleans has to offer.  I’d love to see you visit, play and decide to stay!

 

 

---

Copyright 2008. Lisa Heindel, All rights reserved.