If you’re interested in the effort that goes into costuming during Mardi Gras, then check out this French Quarter museum. Featuring the collection of Carl Mack, the museum has maskings worn by carnival kings and queens, Mardi Gras Indians, and independent costuming groups.

Built in 2013, this museum located near the edge of the French Quarter has a Spanish Courtyard and a coffee and whiskey bar. Through several interactive kiosks and an exclusive documentary showing, the museum showcases the contributions of Irish residents in New Orleans, dating back to the mid-19th century.

Founded in 1966, The Historic New Orleans Collection has two campuses: one on Royal Street and the other on Chartres Street.

Its Royal Street campus has a permanent gallery on Louisiana history; a hall for rotating exhibitions; and house museum called the Williams Residence—which, according to the THNOC, “is the only French Quarter house open to the public with its original furnishings.”

Its Chartres Street campus holds the Williams Research Center, the Boyd Cruise gallery, and thousands of historic artifacts that encapsulate life New Orleans over the last 300 years.

Part of the Louisiana State Museum system, it has two permanent exhibits on the development of New Orleans over the last 300 years. The Cabildo has a three-story exhibit that follows the contributions of several ethnic groups to New Orleans, as well.

The Cabildo formerly operated as New Orleans’s seat of government. It’s also where the Louisiana purchase took place in 1803.

This museum has art, relics, and document that track the development of Voodoo in the city. Officials at the museum lead a Voodoo-based cemetery tour in the city, too.

This is the second of two buildings that flank the St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square. Created to complement the Cabildo in the late 18th century, the city used this building as a courthouse until 1911. The Louisiana State Museum was then given authority over this building.

The Presbytère holds an exhibit on life in New Orleans after hurricanes Betsy and Katrina. Until December 30 of 2018, it will host an exhibit of the development of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, and a separate installation on the history of women in Mardi Gras.

This French Quarter structure dates back to 1752, and stands as one of the oldest buildings from the French colonial period. The museum operated as a convent, orphanage, and school until 1824.

Today, the Old Ursuline Convent has a lavish courtyard and a series of permanent and rotating exhibits. You’ll find brilliant sculptures, historical artifacts, and a magnificent sanctuary. Apart of New Orleans tricentennial, the museum has an exhibit on the history of Catholicism in the city.

This Louisiana State Museum celebrates the city’s development of jazz through rotating exhibits. It often holds artifacts, documents, and recordings of jazz icons. The museum holds concerts in its state-of-the-art performance hall, located on its third floor.

The New Orleans Jazz Museum has plans for a permanent exhibit in 2020.