Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book or buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
New Orleans has always been a city you feel before you understand it: the brass band drifting around a corner, the smell of beignets, the color of every shotgun house on the block. JAMNOLA bottles that feeling and lets you walk right into it.
Short for Joy Art Music New Orleans, this immersive art experience on Frenchmen Street turns the city’s music, food, Mardi Gras spirit and folklore into room after room of color, light and pure, photo-ready joy. Whether you’re planning a girls’ trip, a romantic weekend or a family vacation, here’s why it deserves a spot on your list.
What Is JAMNOLA?
JAMNOLA is an immersive cultural experience with 30 exhibits created by more than 100 local artists and collaborators, celebrating New Orleans art, music, food and theatrics. It’s open to all ages, air-conditioned and ADA accessible, which matters more than you’d think during a humid NOLA afternoon.
The idea came to co-founder Jonny Liss in 2017, and he built it with artist Chad Smith, who turns big ideas into walk-through rooms. It first opened on Royal Street in 2020, then moved in June 2025 to 940 Frenchmen Street, the former Binder Bakery building, in a space twice the size.
Explore the full JAMNOLA experience →
The Exhibits You’ll Want to Photograph
Each room is designed by local artists, so walking through feels like a guided tour of the city’s imagination. A few favorites:
Absinthe Garden
Created by artist Maggie Bard, the Absinthe Garden is one of the most talked-about rooms: a lush, mirrored space that nods to the green fairy and the French Quarter’s bohemian past. Expect playful reflections and lots of “one more photo.”
House of the Rising Sun
Named for the song every visitor hums at least once on Bourbon Street, the House of the Rising Sun exhibit turns one of New Orleans’ most famous legends into a room you can step inside.
King of Da Mardi Gras, NKOMBO: Spaceship NOLA & more
Carnival fans will love King of Da Mardi Gras, while NKOMBO: Spaceship NOLA takes the city’s creativity somewhere out of this world. Don’t miss Tatan, the glowing alligator, a bathtub filled with crawfish made for silly selfies, a gold-drenched “Golden Feast” room, a giant peacock sculpture and a heart-shaped mirror with its own disco ball.
Many exhibits have QR codes with the story behind the art, so it’s easy to learn about the artists as you go.
See all 30 exhibits and book your time slot →
Who Will Love JAMNOLA?
-
- Couples: a playful, colorful date between dinner and live music on Frenchmen Street.
-
- Girls’ trips & bachelorettes: every room is designed to be photographed, so bring a friend who takes good pictures.
-
- Families: it’s for all ages, with a scavenger hunt for kids. Children under 16 must stay with an adult.
-
- Art & music lovers: you’re seeing work by real New Orleans artists, not mass-produced installations.
-
- Rainy or hot days: it’s indoors and air-conditioned, the perfect break from the heat.
Plan Your Visit
| Address | 940 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116 (under a 10-minute walk from the French Quarter) |
| Hours | Sun, Mon & Thu 10 AM–6 PM; Fri & Sat 10 AM–8 PM; closed Tue & Wed (times shown are last entry) |
| Time needed | About 1 hour |
| Tickets | Timed-entry or flex tickets; booking ahead is recommended as slots often sell out |
| Discounts | $5 off for students, teachers, seniors, military & first responders; about 50% off weekday timed entry for Louisiana residents (ID required) |
| Payment | Cashless: cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant; strollers welcome |
Hours and policies can change, so check the official site before you go.
Insider Tips for a Perfect Visit
-
- Book ahead, especially on weekends. Timed slots often sell out.
-
- Arrive 5–10 minutes early for timed entry; late arrivals aren’t guaranteed entry.
-
- Go late on Friday or Saturday (last entry 8 PM), then walk straight into Frenchmen Street’s live music clubs.
-
- Travel light: luggage can’t be held, and food and drinks aren’t allowed inside to protect the art.
-
- Skip the parking hunt: street parking is limited; paid lots on Decatur St are about a 2-minute walk away.
Shop for Good at the Jam Shoppe
Don’t leave without a stop at the Jam Shoppe, the gift shop stocked with local art, gifts and apparel. You don’t need a ticket to shop, and you can also order online with nationwide shipping (free on orders of $75+).
The feel-good part: each of the fundraiser tees sends $10 to a New Orleans music nonprofit, including the Roots of Music, the Trombone Shorty Foundation and WWOZ. JAMNOLA reports more than $34,000 donated to the city’s music community so far.
Fan favorites include the Wodie Definition ringer tee ($29), the Wodie trucker hat ($28) and enamel pins from $10. Prices may change. Looking for a present? JAMNOLA gift cards make an easy, experience-first gift for anyone who loves New Orleans.
Shop JAMNOLA gifts & gift cards →
Loved by Visitors (and the Press)
JAMNOLA holds a 4.8-star rating from more than 2,000 visitors on Google and Tripadvisor, earned a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for 2025, and has been featured by Condé Nast Traveler, the TODAY Show, The New York Times, Forbes, Thrillist and USA Today.
YOUR NEXT NOLA MEMORY STARTS HERE
Step inside the joy of New Orleans.
Book your time slot on Frenchmen Street and see the city’s art, music and spirit like never before.
Details such as hours, ticket types, discounts and shop prices were taken from the official JAMNOLA website at the time of writing and may change.
