New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Located at the site of the first licensed apothecary shop, the Pharmacy Museum includes cures for anything that ails you including voodoo potions and other weird medicines.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: French Quarter
A small and teeming network of laissez-faire living lounged out on the balmy banks of the Mighty Mississippi, the French Quarter has long been a port of call for folks in search of a good time and a great story. Perpetually inebriated Bourbon Street runs across its midriff like a strand of cheap ribbon tied around an otherwise rather pretty and impressively well-kept vintage dress. Throughout the rest of the Quarter, brightly colored Victorian homes and businesses, famously done up with wrought-iron features, provide a distinct and immediately recognizable backdrop for all varieties of fun. At any given moment in this historic riverside setting, some of America’s finest meals are being cooked, most potent cocktails are being mixed, and most engaging music is being performed.
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • Whitney Q
    Florence, Kentucky112 contributions
    Brainstorm and must see!
    This museum was a lot bigger then I expected. It was very reasonably priced at $10 a person. It’s self guided and has two floors. I do not believe the second floor was AC accessible to the handicapped but I couldn’t be sure. It really was organized beautifully and gave you the impression that you had stepped back in time!
    Visited January 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 18 January 2023
  • Suzanne G
    26 contributions
    A step back into the 1800's
    This museum was so educational and enlightening. My daughter suggested we go, and I am glad she did. It felt like you were stepping back in time to the 1800's. So many displays about not only pharmacy related topics, but also general medicine, women's health and ophthalmology. The woodwork of the various cabinets throughout were beautiful. The courtyard in the back was equally stunning. If you want to learn more about life in the 1800's and life in New Orleans, this is a great place to visit - and it isn't that expensive. A hidden gem for sure.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 19 January 2023
  • ClaireWithLove
    824 contributions
    Great if you have an interest in medicine in the 1800's
    More than an apothecary museum with old glass jars, this a two floor museum with interesting artifacts from the 1800 and 1900's including a few voodoo dolls, how people ordered "love potions," tools for curing headaches or head pressure, a tonic made from coca that celebrities endorsed including Alexandre Dumas, old fashioned bed pans and urinals, a wheel chair, and a nice assortment of medical instruments from different specialties such as as eye, ears/nose/throat (ENT), gynecology and obstetrics, and ophthalmology. There is a re-creation of what an apothecary looked like as well. I think it was well worth the entrance fee. You can see the museum in about an hour, maybe more if you want to read more or sit out in the courtyard. The interesting medical artifacts are on the 2nd floor, and you need to climb beautiful curved wooden stairs. If you have mobility issues, you would need to ask if there is another way up. I didn't see an elevator, and it is an old building. I did not see a bathroom either. The staff was very nice.
    Visited January 2023
    Written 29 January 2023
  • Heidi_loves_travel
    Melissa, Texas340 contributions
    Easily worth the $10 to enter. Fascinating collection and well-presented.
    This was actually a very informative and interesting little museum. The displays are well labeled, and they have audio tours if you are so inclined. The collection of artifacts is large even though it is a relatively small space. I loved learning about both the ridiculous things that used to be part of the practice of medicine and also the early success stories that are presented.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 March 2023
  • Heather M
    8 contributions
    Great and educational experience
    Hidden treasure. I love learning about old pharmacies and medicine, and this place did not let me down. It is free on the Go City Pass. Kind of tricky to find (New Orleans map and Google Maps did not cooperate).
    Visited July 2023
    Written 28 July 2023
  • ShaFlorida
    47 contributions
    Pleasantly Surprised - Small but well set up & very educational
    We weren't expecting much as we knew this was quite small and considered skipping it. I'm so glad we didn't! This greatly exceeded our expectations. We go to many museums, and this one is definitely different. It's set up will with papers explaining what you're seeing. It's quite interesting! We all learned something new. It's two stories and includes a small garden area, so it's actually a little larger than we'd thought.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 10 August 2023
  • Dakota B
    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma8 contributions
    Cool Little Museum
    Fun little museum. Very cool to see all of the old pharmacy antiques. The staff was friendly, and there was a beautiful courtyard. Definitely a great little activity to get out of the heat. Close to the Museum of Death and would recommend doing them together.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 28 August 2023
  • Scarlettraveller
    Brisbane, Australia62 contributions
    Worth the time but not the money
    This is a small museum about the pharmacy and the first pharmacist that worked there. There is plenty of information but none on the notorious murders that occurred here. The entry is $10 and definitely not worth it but it seems to be the going rate for museums in New Orleans.
    Visited August 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 5 September 2023
  • Wade C
    Knoxville, Tennessee415 contributions
    Well worth the $10 admission
    Easily spend 1-2 hours looking over and reading about where the pharmacy industry started. The place is self guided so you can go as fast or slow as you want. The place has 2 floors of just about everything from potions and elixirs to voodoo medicines and equipment. Enjoyed every minute of it. It also has a great little place outside in that back for photos.
    Visited September 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 September 2023
  • EddieGams
    Los Angeles, California12 contributions
    Ask for tour guide Grace
    A fascinating spot with well curated artifacts at a beautiful location in the French Quarter. The tour guide Grace was the perfect blend of informative and performative. A perfect way to learn more about New Orleans as well as the history of medicine/cosmetics/(soda) pop culture/technology.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 29 October 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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EddieGams
Los Angeles, CA12 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
A fascinating spot with well curated artifacts at a beautiful location in the French Quarter. The tour guide Grace was the perfect blend of informative and performative. A perfect way to learn more about New Orleans as well as the history of medicine/cosmetics/(soda) pop culture/technology.
Written 29 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mkettrey
Vero Beach, FL63 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
Lots of interesting artifacts. Amazed at differences between medical now and back then. Nice garden area but no info of why it is there. Learned lots of new stuff.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alicia G
Rome, Italy3 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
10/10. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and warm. Great history and so much to look at. I’ll be back!!
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melinda D
4 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Allow yourself time in this museum. Alot of very interesting historical medical and surgical information
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wade C
Knoxville, TN415 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Easily spend 1-2 hours looking over and reading about where the pharmacy industry started. The place is self guided so you can go as fast or slow as you want. The place has 2 floors of just about everything from potions and elixirs to voodoo medicines and equipment. Enjoyed every minute of it. It also has a great little place outside in that back for photos.
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Scarlettraveller
Brisbane, Australia62 contributions
Aug 2023 • Solo
This is a small museum about the pharmacy and the first pharmacist that worked there. There is plenty of information but none on the notorious murders that occurred here. The entry is $10 and definitely not worth it but it seems to be the going rate for museums in New Orleans.
Written 5 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dakota B
Oklahoma City, OK8 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
Fun little museum. Very cool to see all of the old pharmacy antiques. The staff was friendly, and there was a beautiful courtyard. Definitely a great little activity to get out of the heat. Close to the Museum of Death and would recommend doing them together.
Written 28 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Diane K
5 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Self-guided tour only. Don't need to spend for the guided tour as EVERYTHING is available with a QR coded guide sheet. Really interesting!
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ShaFlorida
Florida47 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
We weren't expecting much as we knew this was quite small and considered skipping it. I'm so glad we didn't! This greatly exceeded our expectations. We go to many museums, and this one is definitely different. It's set up will with papers explaining what you're seeing. It's quite interesting! We all learned something new. It's two stories and includes a small garden area, so it's actually a little larger than we'd thought.
Written 10 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Heather M
8 contributions
Jul 2023
Hidden treasure. I love learning about old pharmacies and medicine, and this place did not let me down. It is free on the Go City Pass. Kind of tricky to find (New Orleans map and Google Maps did not cooperate).
Written 28 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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NEW ORLEANS PHARMACY MUSEUM: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

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