Experts' Choice Award Backstreet Cultural Museum
What the experts agree on
Housed in a former Treme funeral parlor, this small museum holds an unmatched archive of Mardi Gras Indian suits, jazz funeral memorabilia, and second-line parade traditions—true insight into Black New Orleans culture.
Fodor's "Since 1999, when the Backstreet Cultural Museum opened its doors, it has become a focal point of Mardi Gras Indian, parade, and second-line culture in the city." Full review
Lonely Planet Top Choice
"This is the place to see one facet of this town's distinctive customs – its African American side – and how they're expressed in daily life." Full review
Afar Magazine "For anyone visiting New Orleans this is an amazing museum to visit, and it will show you there is much more to this city that Mardis Gras and Bourbon Street." Full review
Where "Located in a former funeral parlor, this offbeat museum seeks “to keep jazz funerals alive” with memorabilia from famous send-offs, in addition to archival items and photos from second-line parades." Full review
Atlas Obscura "The greatest collection of New Orleans masking and processional traditions covering everything from Baby Dolls to Skull and Bone gangs. " Full review
Condé Nast Traveler "Inside what looks like an otherwise residential home is a comprehensive archive of the area's African American traditions and community movements." Full review
U.S. News & World Report17.0
"One of the best places to get a feel for the city's unique identity is at the Backstreet Cultural Museum." Full review
New York Times "Among them was the Backstreet Cultural Museum, a handmade love letter to Black New Orleans carnival and masking culture. The museum has been closed for months after the building that..."
Frommer's "This small cultural gem in the heart of the Faubourg Tremé is dedicated to certain wholly unique New Orleans cultural traditions, mostly of the African-American community" Full review
National Geographic "The other day, I wrote about the glorious Mardi Gras Indian costumes on display at the Backstreet Cultural Museum. But while it’s great to see them up close (where you’re able to oogle..."
