Backstreet is not a fancy museum, but if you are interested in New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian culture it will blow your mind. My favorite museum in New Orleans. Info about second line parades, jazz funerals and of course the Indians. You will see Mardi Gras Indian "suits", or costumes which are hand made and can weigh up to 150... More

I find this a very interesting aspect of NOLA culture - I hope this museum and the attention it brings will help this tradition survive.

I really don't want to be too hard on this 'museum' but I have to say it does a massive disservice to the fascinating culture of Mardi Gras Indians, a subject matter I am deeply interested in. The owners are an husband and wife team, and they make a very poor show of showing of some excellent exhibits. They were... More

This is a very cool little place that is a must-do if you are interested in NO history and culture. It's not a big place and it won't take more than an hour or so to go through. The guide gives a very interesting overview and history of Mardi Gras Indians, jazz funerals (with video), and more. The costumes are... More

My husband and I visited this little museum during the weekend of Jazzfest. We absolutely enjoyed ourselves. We were the only patrons as we began our self guided "tour". This is small place that is chocked full of history and information. We were joined by one of the proprietors shortly after we entered who was happy to share his knowledge... More

Not friendly and info given on seeing indians plain lies and a money making racket

So, the Backstreet Cultural "Museum" is really just two rooms and a hallway of stuff in the front part of a house. Which is not to say it's not worth a visit, just don't go thinking it's a proper museum. It's run by a local photographer/historian and his wife. There are about 5-6 written plaques of information on the walls... More

This is the laid-back place to celebrate Mardi Gras....offering an ironic 'open house' in which the museum is locked, but the staff is in the back alley, cooking up red beans and rice and turkey necks for the street party out front. Then heads turn and necks crane as the first of the Mardi Gras Indians appear down the street,... More

It took us 6 trips to NOLA to finally get to the Backstreet Museum. This is an amazing place that is helping to preserve a very unique aspect of NOLA life. Sylvester spent well over an hour showing off his prized collection and answering all of our questions. He also gave us a heads up about a 2nd line the... More