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Discover New Orleans' notorious past at the Storyville Museum with all-access, exhibits on jazz origins, vice history, and a recreated red-light district.
Exploring New Orleans’ Storyville Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the city’s provocative history. For $35, visitors enjoy an all-access ticket that opens the door to over 7,000 square feet of immersive exhibits and multimedia displays, all within a one-day visit. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, this museum is perfect for those curious about Storyville’s role in shaping jazz, its gilded age of vice, and the city’s early reputation as America’s original Sin City.
The museum’s focus on the 1800s era brings to life the golden age of gambling, prostitution, and vice. It also features recreated scenes of Storyville’s Basin Street, complete with the ghosts of opulent brothels and the sex-cribs of the turn of the century. While the exhibits are highly detailed, note that guests must be 18+, and smoking is not permitted on the premises.


The Storyville Museum is situated in the bustling French Quarter, making it easy to include in a day of sightseeing. Its central location allows visitors to combine the museum visit with other nearby attractions or enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s historic district.
The museum’s accessibility is a plus, with wheelchair access provided. Its compact size means most visitors can comfortably see all exhibits in 1 to 2 hours, making it suitable for a flexible day itinerary. The convenient location ensures you won’t waste time traveling, and the skip-the-line ticket feature helps avoid long waits.
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The all-access ticket provides entry to every exhibit within the 7,000-square-foot space. This includes immersive displays, artifacts, and multimedia presentations that recreate the glamorous and gritty side of Storyville. Visitors can relive the lively streets, visit the ghostly brothel scenes, and understand the role of Storyville in jazz’s early development.
This ticket feature ensures you won’t miss any aspect of the museum’s offerings. There are many photo and video opportunities around the recreated scenes, perfect for documenting your visit. The exhibits are designed to be informative and visually engaging, making for an educational yet captivating experience.

A standout feature of the museum is its recreated streets of Storyville, offering a pedestrian experience of what it was like during the district’s heyday. Visitors can walk through these scenes, seeing the luxurious and seedy sides of the district side by side.
The ghostly brothel scenes add an eerie charm, giving the sense of opulence and vice that defined the area. Visitors are encouraged to capture photos of these settings, which are meticulously designed to reflect the opulence of the era. The sex-cribs provide an authentic feel of turn-of-the-century work environments, adding a layer of raw historical insight.

Storyville was instrumental in shaping early jazz music, and the museum dedicates significant space to explain this connection. Through multimedia displays, visitors learn how jazz musicians thrived in the district’s lively nightlife. The history of jazz is woven into the exhibits, illustrating how the district’s vice-driven energy helped foster the music’s growth.
The guides are well-versed in this history, providing context that enhances understanding of why Storyville’s legacy remains influential today. The exhibits successfully connect the vices of the past with cultural development, showing how music and vice were intertwined in New Orleans’ story.
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The museum is open for one day only, with starting times available based on availability. Visitors should plan to reserve in advance, as the tickets can be booked and paid later—offering flexibility for travel planning. The full refund policy if canceled up to 24 hours in advance adds peace of mind.
Since the museum is 18+ only, families with minors will need to explore other attractions. Smoking is not permitted on site, so visitors should plan accordingly. While the experience is engaging, the focus is on adult topics, making it less suitable for children under 18.
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Unlike typical city tours or cultural museum visits, this experience dives into the seedy underbelly of New Orleans’ history. Its recreated streets and interactive exhibits provide a more visceral understanding of Storyville’s vice economy and its role in music history.
What sets it apart is the dedication to storytelling through visual reconstructions and artifacts, offering a more immersive perspective than traditional museums. The knowledgeable guides help bring scenes to life, transforming the visit from mere observation into a learning experience.

The New Orleans Storyville Museum offers a unique window into the city’s past, especially for those interested in jazz, vice, and history. Its comprehensive exhibits and recreated scenes vividly illustrate Storyville’s impact on music and culture.
The $35 ticket provides excellent value for a 1-2 hour exploration filled with photo opportunities and informative displays. The location in the French Quarter, combined with skip-the-line entry, makes it a convenient and engaging addition to a day in New Orleans.
While it is tailored for adults and history enthusiasts, its visual storytelling and historic recreations can appeal to a broad audience interested in the city’s colorful past. The guides’ expertise ensures that the story behind the exhibits is well explained, making this tour a not-to-miss for those wanting to understand New Orleans’ true local flavor.

Is there an age limit for visiting the Storyville Museum?
Yes, visitors must be 18 or older to enter, due to the subject matter related to vice and adult themes.
How long does the visit typically last?
Most visitors spend around 1 to 2 hours exploring all the exhibits and recreations.
Can I buy tickets on the day of my visit?
Yes, tickets can be reserved up to 24 hours in advance with options to pay later, ensuring flexibility and avoiding long lines.
Are there facilities for visitors with mobility issues?
The museum is wheelchair accessible, making it easy for visitors with mobility needs to explore the exhibits comfortably.
What makes this experience different from other New Orleans attractions?
This tour specifically focuses on Storyville’s vice history and early jazz, with recreated streets and interactive scenes offering a more immersive dive into the district’s past.
Discover the sinful charm and musical legacy of Storyville at this comprehensive museum experience—an excellent addition to any New Orleans itinerary.
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