A group of people listens to a man speaking in a room. The man is gesturing with his hands, standing next to a large touchscreen table. The room has a warm ambiance with a brick wall in the background.

Shortcut Talks

Enjoy free, daily talks that explore Gulf South history and culture through the lens of our exhibitions.

Short on Time? Take a Shortcut!

Join us for Shortcuts—brief, 20-minute gallery talks led by expert interpreters that offer insights into HNOC’s exhibitions and artifacts. Shortcuts are free and open to the public: no registration is required.

A group of people in a gallery listens to a man standing near framed photographs on a wall. The man appears to be explaining the artwork. The floor is wooden, and the walls are gray with blue text. Some people are taking notes or photos.

Shortcut Talks

Offered daily at 2 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday*
Free and open to the public (no registration required)
Duration: Approximately 20 minutes
Location: 520 Royal Street

*Shortcuts are presented on a rotating basis and may not always be available on the specified days and times. Seasonal offerings may be available for a limited time or on different days of the week—learn more about available topics below.

For groups of 10 or more, please contact tours@hnoc.org.Opens in new tab

Shortcut Talk

Beyond the 13 Colonies: New Orleans and the American Revolution

In this talk presented in conjuction with American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition, explore how Spanish New Orleans played a vital role in our nation’s fight for independence.

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A map from 1776 depicting southern British colonies in America (present day southeast US).

Shortcut Talk

Visualizing Sound: Music, Memory, and Identity in New Orleans

Discover how visual artists have captured the vibrant musical traditions at the heart of the city, presented in HNOC's New Orleans Musicians in Art exhibition.

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Shortcut Talk

French Quarter Closeup: How Slavery Built New Orleans

Learn about how slavery shaped the city in this talk presented in HNOC’s French Quarter Galleries.

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A historical illustration of a slave auction inside the Rotunda in New Orleans. A large crowd gathers around central platforms where individuals are being auctioned. The architectural dome is intricately detailed. Text reads: SALE OF ESTATES, PICTURES AND SLAVES.

Shortcut Talk

The New Orleans Sound: From R&B to Rock ’n’ Roll

Discover how New Orleans musicians introduced a new American sound in this talk presented in HNOC’s French Quarter Galleries.

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Antoine “Fats” Domino and Dave Bartholomew at a piano in a recording studio, 1957.

Shortcut Talk

Sewers & Sidewalks: The Pumps That Sank New Orleans 

Discover the technologies that helped build (and sink) New Orleans in this talk presented in HNOC’s A Vanishing Bounty exhibition.

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Shortcut Talk

More Than Mud and Water: Why Our Wetlands Matter

Explore how Louisiana’s wetlands nourish and protect wildlife and humans alike in this talk presented in HNOC’s A Vanishing Bounty exhibition.

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A black and white photo of a fisherman in a small boat with a net, somewhere in Louisiana's marshlands.

Plan Your Visit

Hours & Location

520 Royal Street
Tuesday–Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m .
Sunday, 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

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Admission

Admission is free but tickets are required. Stop by the front desk or reserve tickets online. Ticket includes admission to all exhibitions and regular daily programs.

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