Museums have a way of sparking the imagination, painting pictures of the past, forcing us to think in ways we haven’t before.  Typically, an experience at a good museum will shift our perception, enlighten us, open our minds. Louisiana is home to many good museums of all types but we have compiled a list of the best.

1. The National World War II Museum, New Orleans, LA
   This epic museum is in the Central Business District in New Orleans and as so host’s tourists from all over the world. It is no wonder that this museum has continued to expand and incorporate groundbreaking attractions such as Tom Hanks’ “Beyond All Boundaries,” which incorporates a 4D tour of the war with first-person encounters. Speaking of first person encounters, actual veterans of the war are often stationed around the vast levels of memorabilia from the war and are happy to share their own experience with visiting guests. You can also catch a ride back in time at BB’s Stage Door Canteen where acts such as The Vic-Tones, celebrate the music of the 1940s. Other attractions include “The Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theatre Galleries,” the John E. Kushner Restoration Pavilion, U.S. Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center, and many more attractions all about World War II.

2. LSU Rural Life Museum, Baton Rouge, LA
   Dedicated to preserving the lifestyles of 18th and 19th century rural Louisiana, the Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum is truly a trip back in time. This mostly outdoor museum, hosts a variety of activities all around the property utilizing the largest collection of architecture and artifacts from that period. Volunteers can be seen making cuisine such as homemade sausage, doing blacksmith work, or displaying cultural dances of the time. Three distinct areas make up the museum. The Exhibit Barn is where hundreds of artifacts from these periods are set out for display for each guest to view. The Plantation Quarters has a setup of an entire plantation property including the blacksmith shop, sugar house, and grist mill that are all authentically furnished to display the true nature of life on a plantation in the 19th century. Lastly, Louisiana Folk Architecture displays the various cultures that settled in Louisiana back in the day as the various architectural styles, such as shotgun, Acadian, and dogtrot houses, are in full view to enjoy.

3. Alexandria Museum of Art, Alexandria, LA
   As one of the top art museums in central Louisiana, the Alexandria Museum of Art hosts some of the best exhibits in the state. Current exhibitions include “Tierce: Artists of Louisiana Francophone Culture,” which celebrates the rich French connection that thrives in the state till this very day. Artists of French heritage are on display as well as pieces by French artists themselves. More exhibits include “Beyond Mammy,” “Jezebel,” and “Sapphire: Reclaiming Images of Black Women,” and “Faculty & Friends: Reminiscing,” which highlights 13 artists who have had strong ties to the museum in its 40-year history. Come celebrate the brilliant local and international art displays as well as yearly competitions at this central Louisiana museum.

Click here for a full list of the top Louisiana museums.

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