Beyond Bourbon Street: Exploring New Orleans’ Strangest Attractions

New Orleans, Louisiana is a city steeped in history and culture, known for its vibrant music scene, delicious food, and colorful celebrations like Mardi Gras. But the city is also home to some of the weirdest and most eccentric places in the United States. Here are some of the quirkiest places to visit in New Orleans.

  1. The Museum of Death
    If you’re a fan of all things morbid, you won’t want to miss the Museum of Death. This macabre museum is filled with exhibits on topics like serial killers, embalming techniques, and capital punishment. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you’re interested in the darker side of human history, the Museum of Death is a must-visit.
  2. House of Dance and Feathers
    The House of Dance and Feathers is a small museum located in the Lower Ninth Ward that showcases the traditions of the Mardi Gras Indians, a group of African American men who dress up in elaborate feathered costumes to celebrate Mardi Gras. The museum also features exhibits on other African American cultural traditions in New Orleans, including jazz funerals and social aid and pleasure clubs.
  3. Pharmacy Museum
    The Pharmacy Museum is housed in a historic apothecary shop in the French Quarter and showcases the history of medicine in New Orleans. Exhibits include antique medical instruments, old-fashioned remedies, and displays on the role of pharmacists in the city’s history.
  4. New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum
    Voodoo is a big part of New Orleans’ history and culture, and the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum offers a fascinating look at this spiritual practice. Exhibits include voodoo dolls, altars, and other artifacts related to the practice of voodoo in New Orleans.
  5. Museum of the American Cocktail
    New Orleans is known for its cocktails, and the Museum of the American Cocktail is the perfect place to learn about the city’s boozy history. The museum features exhibits on the history of cocktails, the art of bartending, and the role of cocktails in New Orleans’ social scene.
  6. The Nicolas Cage Pyramid Tomb
    Yes, you read that right. Actor Nicolas Cage has a tomb in a New Orleans cemetery that is shaped like a pyramid. The tomb is adorned with mystical symbols and is definitely one of the weirdest graves you’ll ever see.

New Orleans is a city that embraces its eccentricities and quirks, and these places are just a few examples of the city’s offbeat charm. Whether you’re interested in voodoo, history, or just the weird and wonderful, you’ll find plenty to love in the Big Easy.