Mordern, Free, Best Art Museums in Boutte

"Whether you’re an art aficionado or just a lover of aesthetically pleasing works and spaces, then you should pay a visit to NOMA. It’s housed in the center of New Orleans’ City Park, where you can also easily spend a day exploring. The museum features more than 40,000 objects, ever-changing exhibits by world-renowned artists, and is the oldest fine arts institution in New Orleans."

"Art by Southern artists, made in the South, about the South, and exploring Southern themes fills this elegant five-story building. The…"

"Mid-CityWhile the adjacent New Orleans Museum of Art charges an entrance fee on most days (see below), the glorious sculpture garden on its grounds is open seven days a week and totally gratis to all comers. Meander the footpaths and marvel at over 60 impressive -- and sometimes disturbing -- works of sculpture by a bevy of international artists. When you get tired, you can always avail yourself of mini-golf, beignets at Morning Call, or any other variety of fun activities to be had in City Park."

"Just outside NOMA’s front door, find the recently expanded Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, a collection of sculptures set among City Park’s oaks and lagoons. The three-acre expansion includes 27 outdoor artworks. Admission to the sculpture garden is always free."

"The Contemporary Arts Center, housed in a large redbrick building that stands out in the relatively muted Central Business District, is one of the city’s most prestigious spaces for the full gamut of contemporary arts, including painting, film, theater, and music. Exhibits, which rotate every four to eight weeks, can include any visual art form, from photography to sculpture and painting. The featured works are well-curated—sometimes around themes, sometimes around individual contemporary artists."

"The CAC (900 Camp Street; 504-528-3805) has been in the heart of the Warehouse District since 1976. It is the place to find new and exciting expression in the medium of painting, theater, music, performance art, dance, photography, video, sculpture and more in New Orleans. Love is in the air at the NOMA Sculpture Garden in City Park."

"Right next door to The National WWII Museum is the Contemporary Arts Center, known to locals as the CAC. This artistic hub hosts a variety of exciting contemporary art exhibits and events. To open the 2018 season, the CAC is presenting “Constructing the Break,” their annual open call exhibition of 29 regional artists."

"Get your dose of nature at one of New Orleans’ two large parks.City Park is larger than Central Park in New York and is home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, as well as several gardens.Audubon Parkboasts the Audubon Zoo and is easily accessible by street car. Either way, both are excellent options for a relaxing afternoon."

"Gracing the main entrance to City Park since 1911, this traditional fine-arts museum draws from classic Greek architecture, with several…"

"After voodoo (or vodou) came to New Orleans in the 1700s—first via West African slaves, then with Haitians after the Haitian Revolution—it entwined with the city’s identity. Which is why, since the 1970s, a French Quarter visit has been deemed incomplete without a stop at the tiny Historic Voodoo Museum. If it’s lore you seek, you’ll find it here."

"Take the famous St. Charles Streetcar to Central City to visit the McKenna Museum of African American Art. The museum’s mission is to make African Diasporan fine art available and accessible to visitors of all ages. They work to preserve the culture of the African American community in Louisiana."

"The McKenna Museum is a fine art institution with a direct focus on African Diasporan pieces. In addition to their collection, McKenna offers a range of diverse programming such as guest speakers, workshops and book readings to further their mission and work."

"Located in the swanky Roosevelt Hotel on Canal Street, on the edge of the French Quarter and the CBD, Domenica dazzles with chef, co-owner Alon Shaya's regional Italian cuisine and what may be the best thin crust pizza in town. Shaya gets ingredients from partner John Besh's farm, so the emphasis is on seasonal freshness. Pastry chef Lisa White, a CIA grad, gives Italian desserts a New Orleans sensibility - as in her zuppa inglese made with rum-soaked banana cake, fresh bananas butterscotch mousse and peanut brittle and a light and slightly fizzy Zabaione made with Lambrusco (instead of traditional Marsala) and fresh Louisiana strawberries."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. The perfect Domenica trifecta: Lasagne, Calabrese, & Squid Ink Tagliolini. Remember, we have happy hour until 5pm and dinner is served until 9pm!"

"Local celebrity-chef John Besh and executive chef Alon Shaya continue to wow diners here with rustic Italian cooking, a rarity in New Orleans...Read More"

"If you’re craving a bit of Mexico in New Orleans, Espíritu is the place to go. Sustainably sourced mezcal and fantastic Mexican cuisine are on the menu here. Whether it’s National Tequila Day or just “Tasting Thursdays”, there’s always something fun going on at this cocktail bar in New Orleans."

"A beacon of locally made art and jewelry on Frenchmen Street since 2013, this evening market is open nightly from 7 pm to midnight or 1, depending on crowds. Right next door to the Spotted Cat and in the heart of the Frenchmen Street nuttiness, this brightly lit marketplace boasts a revolving roster of serious artists creating everything from sculptures made from flatware to Impressionist style streetcar scenes and inventive offbeat t-shirt designs. This is where locals in the know buy their gifts and art for the wall and wearing."

"For some reason, Frenchmen Street remains an undiscovered gold mine to most first-time tourists, and even for many of the seasoned visitors; the Frenchmen Art Market is one of the gems of the city. If you are traveling with family or simply strive for more depth than the bars and nightclubs can provide, take a stroll under the lights illuminating the fantastic displays. This weekly nighttime market truly personifies the ambiance of this magnificent city."

"It’s a stretch of road spanning three blocks located in the famous Faubourg Marigny in New Orleans. It has a reputation for being a must-do for music lovers thanks to its unofficial status as the greatest location in the city for live music. As you stroll through the street, you’ll be treated to the sight of delightfully cultural shops, charming old-fashioned cottages of a Creole style, and all the fun of a standard tourist location without the crowded state of Bourbon Street."

"Frenchmen Street is one of the greatest New Orleans attractions. The most famous section of this street consists of three short blocks that pack in a lot of action of the musical variety. Who doesn't enjoy live music while out to eat or out for the evening?"

"Up there with the United States’ great shopping and dining experiences, the French Market is in long iron-framed halls designed in the late-19th century by Joseph Abeilard, one of America’s first African American architects. As a place of commerce, this location goes back centuries to a Native American trading post by the Mississippi. The market runs for five blocks from Jackson Square and the famed Café du Monde to a flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue."

"The French Market is a six-block-long bustling, open-air shopping center that can hold as many as 220 vendors on a busy day. You can shop for local art, t-shirts and hats and all things Mardi Gras while enjoying New Orleans street music and the aroma of fresh gumbo and jambalaya from the food stalls. The market has a ton of history, having existed on the same piece of land for more than 200 years."

"The French Market is a bustling, open-air shopping center that can hold up over 220 vendors on a given day. You can shop for paintings, clothing and specialty items while enjoying the famous New Orleans street music and smells of fresh gumbo and jambalaya. The market has a ton of history, having existed on the same piece of land for more than 200 years."

"Don’t let the plain Jane sign outside this Gentilly BYOB scare you away. Good Time sushi and hibachi is a cute little neighborhood sushi place with fresh options and good service. The lunch menu is cheap, cheap, and specialty rolls, like the “good time” and “the tiger,” are generous of portion and fresh."

"Set in a renovated home with an outdoor deck on funky Freret Street, Origami has line-up of specialty rolls with topical (and dated?) names like FEMA roll, chocolate city roll, and bye-bye Katrina roll, the latter including layers of smelt roe, cucumber, eel, and shrimp tempura wrapped in tender soy paper, and garnished with snow crab and a drizzle of sweet and salty eel sauce. The fish is pristine and chopped with the kind of expertise that comes from years of experience. Six oyster shooters with spicy ponzu sauce for $6.95 is a deal."

"While from the outside it may look like your average home, Origami is far from ordinary. The menu is extremely versatile– from a poke salad with chili ponzu sauce to seafood gumbo to crawfish sushi. The prices are very reasonable, making it perfect for a night out with friends."

"Just as Little Tokyo advertises, they offer food for the adventurous and the not-so-adventurous. From the Chicken Teriyaki Bowl to the Spicy Tuna Rainbow Roll, their versatile menu is sure to please. This is one of my favorite lunch places, mainly because I am a huge fan of their Donburi."