New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

The basics

The Pharmacy Museum is small and can easily be seen in less than an hour. The first floor is home to a soda fountain counter and displays of apothecary bottles, show globes, voodoo potions, and surgical devices from the 19th century and beyond. Climb up to the second floor to see the physician’s office, sick room, and special exhibits.

Many New Orleans attraction passes include museum admission, so it's a quick and easy stop to fit in while strolling around the French Quarter. 

Things to know before you go

• Check out the Prescriptions and Compounding exhibit in the back corner to see where the pharmacist would mix up elixirs.
• The historic courtyard and carriageway can be rented out for private events; this may affect opening hours.
• Self-guided museum tours are offered in the afternoons, Wednesday through Saturday
• The museum is free for children under 6, though some vintage surgical equipment on display may be unsettling for kids.

How to get there

The Pharmacy Museum is located at 514 Chartres Street between St. Louis and Toulouse Streets in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

When to get there

The museum is open in the afternoons, Wednesday through Saturday.

Nearby French Quarter Attractions

The Pharmacy Museum is conveniently located within walking distance to many other landmarks in the historic “Vieux Carré. Step inside a Victorian mansion at the Hermann-Grima House, learn about colonial history at the Cabildo, browse Mardi Gras artifacts at the Presbytere, or explore secretive practices at the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum. 

Ways to explore

The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is small and can easily be seen in under an hour, making it a handy stop while exploring the highlights of the French Quarter. The first floor displays 19th-century apothecary bottles, surgical tools, voodoo remedies, and an old soda fountain. Upstairs, there’s a recreated sick room, a physician’s office, and rotating exhibits. Many New Orleans attraction passes include admission, and sometimes broader walking tours that cover ghosts, vampires, and voodoo history offer commentary on the site.

Accessibility

The museum isn’t fully wheelchair accessible, as there are stairs between floors.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Portable power bank, small bag

What to wear

Comfortable shoes, casual clothing

Not allowed

Littering, touching exhibits, smoking

Amenities

Museum shop, event spaces, restrooms

Address

The New Orleans Pharmacy Museum is in the French Quarter, and super easy to reach on foot, by rideshare, or as part of a guided walking tour of the area.

Driving

Parking near the French Quarter tends to be limited and expensive, so a rideshare is your best bet if you’re going by car.

Public transportation

It’s simple to reach the French Quarter using public transit. Hop on an RTA streetcar—both the Riverfront line and the St. Charles Avenue line offer convenient stops within walking distance of the Quarter.

Best times to visit

Come to the museum in the morning if you can—close to opening time—for a more peaceful experience.

Best days to visit

Hours and tour schedules may change seasonally, but the museum is often open for self-guided tours from Tuesday to Saturday, and for guided tours, which must be reserved in advance, on weekend mornings.

Best months to visit

March through May are great months to visit for events in the city, with mild weather.

Special events

There are special events year-round, such as Mostly Ghostly—a tour about spiritualism, ghosts, and mysticism—in October.