At 400 Esplanade Ave, on the edge of the French Quarter, the New Orleans Jazz Museum traces the music’s roots and its ties to African American and New Orleans history. It occupies the Old U.S. Mint, and exhibits bring together photographs, instruments, recordings and music snippets. Start on the first floor and follow the story through the jazz displays upstairs; the building also has exhibits about its minting past. Free courtyard concerts are scheduled at 5 pm, though check whether a performance is planned during your visit.
Jazz history in the Old U.S. Mint
The New Orleans Jazz Museum is at 400 Esplanade Ave, on the edge of the French Quarter. Its home, the Old U.S. Mint, connects the city’s musical history with its earlier role in coin production. The building’s mint exhibits provide another thread to follow alongside the jazz displays.
The museum focuses on jazz in New Orleans and the music’s roots in African American history. Photographs, instruments, recordings and music excerpts tell the story across different eras. The exhibits also connect jazz to the wider history of the city.
How to follow the exhibits
Start on the first floor and continue upstairs through the jazz displays. This gives you a chronological starting point, although the exhibit route is not always clearly marked. Photographs, instruments and audio help bring the history into focus; visitors interested in particular musicians can look for displays about figures such as Louis Armstrong and Fats Domino.
The first floor also has exhibits about the Old U.S. Mint. If you have limited time and are primarily here for jazz, head to the jazz displays first, then return to the mint material if it interests you.
Concerts and performances
Live music is part of the museum experience. Free courtyard concerts are scheduled for 5 pm, and performances may also take place on the third floor. Check what is happening during your visit, as the performance location and schedule can differ. The concerts can be a good option for families who want to hear jazz in a museum setting.
FAQ
Where is the New Orleans Jazz Museum?
It is at 400 Esplanade Ave, on the edge of the French Quarter, in the Old U.S. Mint.
How long should I spend at the museum?
Allow about an hour to explore the exhibits.
Are there live concerts at the museum?
Free courtyard concerts are scheduled for 5 pm. Check whether a concert or a third-floor performance is planned during your visit.
What should I see at the museum?
The jazz exhibits include photographs, instruments and recordings. The building also has exhibits about its history as a mint.
