Old Ursuline Convent Museum
Old Ursuline Convent Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
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
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
The Old Ursuline Convent was erected in 1745 and occupied until 1824 by Ursuline nuns as a convent, orphanage and school for girls. This historic building is now home to a brilliant museum with both permanent and changing exhibits.
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Neighborhood: 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.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
264 reviews
Excellent
130
Very good
98
Average
29
Poor
6
Terrible
1
penelope p
4 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
This off-the-beaten-path gem has a great history that I was happy learn about. The place is beautiful...a wonderful contrast to the many atteactions in the French Quarter.
Written 26 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.
plgarlepied
New Orleans, LA1,521 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
Currently, the tours are offered at 10, 11 & 1 thurs, Fri & sat. We went on the 11 am tour today which I recommend over the 10am tour bc Phillip did not have another tour until 1pm & said he wanted to give us a full 1.5 hr tour, which he did & even stayed around later for questions. He & his parents are/were life long residents & he packs a LOT of stories into his tour. It is extremely interesting even if you are not catholic as he includes info on New Orleans history as well, including in depth burial process at the cemeteries.
It is also a fabulous value for the price paid for ANY tour in nola by far! Phillip also answered questions that were off topic from the “convent tour” & had info & stories for this too! He is a wealth of info, friendly & approachable. Ask him anything!
Once the tour is over, you are free to look around again (LOTS of stuff to read) & take pics & use the bathrooms. No cafe: just a water fountain. Including Arriving a few min early, we spent~1hr& 50min here.
It is also a fabulous value for the price paid for ANY tour in nola by far! Phillip also answered questions that were off topic from the “convent tour” & had info & stories for this too! He is a wealth of info, friendly & approachable. Ask him anything!
Once the tour is over, you are free to look around again (LOTS of stuff to read) & take pics & use the bathrooms. No cafe: just a water fountain. Including Arriving a few min early, we spent~1hr& 50min here.
Written 5 May 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.
Allison G
Boston, MA131 contributions
Mar 2023
A really nice museum. Beautiful gardens, statues, and stained glass. Loved learning about the history of New Orleans and how 80% of the city burned down and this museum was saved. So it's a great way to see one of the oldest buildings in the area. Only open for a few hours and tours are on the hour so make sure you plan ahead.
Written 12 March 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.
Megan M
1 contribution
Nov 2022
We took a tour here while in town for a wedding in Nov 2022.
It was an easy ~20+min walk from the Loews hotel (passed by Jackson Square, did get cursed at by one unwell man, otherwise uneventful).
Started pouring rain right when we got there, so not much time spent in the garden, but there was plenty of beauty inside the old convent and St. Mary's Church.
Our tour guide, Philip, was a lifelong New Orleans resident and very knowledgeable about the city, its history, & the convent museum of course. He packed lots of content into the 1hr tour.
Obviously, this would be of particular interest to Catholics but I'd recommend to anyone looking to spend an hour learning some local history in a beautiful, uplifting setting.
It was an easy ~20+min walk from the Loews hotel (passed by Jackson Square, did get cursed at by one unwell man, otherwise uneventful).
Started pouring rain right when we got there, so not much time spent in the garden, but there was plenty of beauty inside the old convent and St. Mary's Church.
Our tour guide, Philip, was a lifelong New Orleans resident and very knowledgeable about the city, its history, & the convent museum of course. He packed lots of content into the 1hr tour.
Obviously, this would be of particular interest to Catholics but I'd recommend to anyone looking to spend an hour learning some local history in a beautiful, uplifting setting.
Written 24 November 2022
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.
mlahm
Charlottesville, VA215 contributions
Oct 2022
If you are at all interested in NOLA history a visit to the Ursuline convent is an hour or so well spent. This history of the order in NOLA, the story of the mission and the building and grounds are a unique part of the city's story. Check the times of the partially guided tours, hours are limited.
Written 8 November 2022
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.
John Speller
Dagenham, UK659 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
We visited here by chance, having seen it mentioned outside the Cathedral. We arrived just in time for the 11 am talk, which was very good. The displays about the history of the convent, and indeed New Orleans, were excellent,as were the artifacts The gardens and Chapel are beautiful. A must visit. Be warned: you can only access the convent at three times, 9 am, 11 am or 1 pm. Check the website first
Written 17 October 2022
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.
Lily Anne B
Seattle, WA14 contributions
Jul 2022
Very pretty grounds. Quiet and reflective. Lots of beautiful artifacts. It was hot when we went and wished we could have spent more time on the grounds. Very interesting history!
Written 8 September 2022
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.
Fred N
Austin, TX225 contributions
Jun 2022
Tours on the hour are guided by Ann, who is a retired teacher and historian with a sense of humor. The historical significance and preservation of this former convent, school, etc. deserves a visit. The church within it is gorgeous.
Written 5 June 2022
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.
sonic1us
Overland Park, KS448 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Very interesting grounds and history. My mom and I like this one. Something off the path. Bathrooms have a fireplace. They give a senior discount. They open the front doors on the hour. They give a short introduction and let you roam.
Written 18 April 2022
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.
StephenCross
Dublin, Ireland18,408 contributions
Feb 2022 • Couples
This was the first girls school in Louisiana and the oldest building in the Mississippi valley. Remains in good condition.
Written 11 February 2022
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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