Musee Conti Historical Wax Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana
Situated in the historic French Quarter, just a block and a half from busy Bourbon Street, the Musee Conti Historical Wax Museum of New Orleans is a must-see attraction for anyone visiting this vibrant city. Not just a wax museum but also an excellent venue for parties and social events of any kind, this attraction tells the story of New Orleans and a visit is a great way for travelers to learn more about the city and its rich history.
A tour of the museum will put you face-to-face with some of the most important characters in New Orleans history, beginning at around 1700. These life-sized wax figurines are very well done and are set in attractive and imaginative vignettes that tell even more about each historical character and his/her pertinence to the city. You’ll find figures of Napoleon jumping out of the bathtub as he hears news of the Louisiana Purchase, the famous Madame Lalaurie discovered in the act of torturing her slaves, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor at a gala Mardi Gras ball, and a portrayal of Marie Laveau selling her voodoo amulets to visitors. There’s a great miniature depiction of the Mardi Gras parade as well. Visitors can read the written explanations located at each scene or may opt for an audio tour. Audio guides are available in French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese.
Unfortunately, the museum portion of this attraction has regular hours only on Monday, Friday, and Saturday, but other visits can be arranged by appointment, including reservations for large groups. Individual tours are self-guided but group tours with reservations will be assigned a guide.
“The Wax”, as it is called, is also an excellent venue for parties and events, either social or business-related. The building and the rooms inside are a wonderful example of turn-of-the-century French Quarter architecture and, hence, a party held here screams New Orleans. The banquet room, known as The Legend Room, is located above the museum and is typical New Orleans, with cypress windows, original pine floors, and much more. It measures about 4,500 square feet in size and is ideal for either sit down dinners or buffet-style affairs. Guests at all parties are greeted by costumed guides as they enter and will be treated to the sounds of a 3-piece jazz band as they enjoy appetizers.
Musee Conti Historical Wax Museum is also a popular place for weddings. The venue can accommodate both the ceremony and the reception, and the onsite party planner can help the bride and groom organize everything from flowers to table favors. A personal attendant remains on site at all times during the event. The museum offers a variety of packages to fit all budgets ranging from simple to quite elaborate.
Musee Conti is open on Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. The museum is closed on Mardi Gras Day and during the week preceding Christmas, including Christmas Day.
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