New Orleans Museum of Art

The New Orleans Museum of Art gives families two different ways to look at art. Inside, the permanent collection and changing exhibitions fill three floors with work from ancient times through the present. Outside, the free Besthoff Sculpture Garden places 100 works along winding paths in City Park. Combining the two helps children reset between quieter galleries and a longer outdoor walk.

The strongest value is the youth admission policy. Every visitor age 19 or under receives free museum admission. Adult admission is $18 for Louisiana residents and $23 for out-of-state visitors.

That makes museum admission $36 or $46 for a family with two adults and two children. Louisiana residents receive free general admission on Wednesdays, and the sculpture garden is free for everyone seven days a week.

Children do need to follow art-museum rules. They may not touch the work, run or climb. Dry sketching materials are allowed on paper or tablets no larger than 8.

5 by 14 inches, which gives patient children a useful job in the galleries. Backpacks and umbrellas must go to coat check, and the museum cannot store luggage. The sculpture garden paths are stroller accessible, but the official site does not state a complete indoor stroller policy.

Plan two to three hours for both areas. Start indoors on a hot or rainy day, then decide whether the weather supports a garden walk. Families visiting only the garden can spend less than an hour or stay longer to search for favorite sculptures.

The museum is closed Monday, though the garden remains open. Wednesday museum hours begin at noon and continue until 7:00 PM; other open days run from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Arrival is fairly simple for a city museum. NOMA lists free parking on Lelong Drive and surrounding City Park streets, plus accessible spaces near the entrance ramp. Café NOMA serves pastries and lunch, but no official children's menu is published. Check the Kids & Families page and event calendar for programs tied to your visit date.