Daily Visitation
The LSU Rural Life Museum welcomes visitors daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with closures on New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Please note that the front gate at Essen will be closed for entry at 4:30 p.m. daily, and the property grounds will close at 5:00 p.m.
Self-Guided Tour
Your visit is self-guided. Upon your arrival, we will supply you with a map to help you select which areas to visit. For admission prices to both the LSU Rural Life Museum and the Windrush Gardens, please see our Hours and Prices page.
Audio Tour Wands
Enhance your self-guided tour experience with our audio tour wands, available for $5.00 each. The wands are available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. To ensure the return of the wands, we kindly request either your keys or identification (such as a license or passport), which will be securely held at the front desk until you return the audio wand. Our dedicated LSU Rural Life Museum staff is readily available to assist you and address any questions you may have during your visit.
Time Needed for Visit
For an optimal experience at the LSU Rural Life Museum, we recommend allocating a minimum of two hours for your visit. Families with young children might find a shorter duration suitable. Additionally, plan about 30-45 minutes to explore the Windrush Gardens. Please be mindful of the closing times, as the museum closes at 4:30 p.m., and the gardens close daily at 5:00 p.m.
Accessibility
We are dedicated to ensuring a delightful and educational experience for all guests at the LSU Rural Life Museum, especially those who may require special accommodations. Wheelchair accessibility is available for the Exhibit Barn, Gift Shop, and Restrooms. Should a member of your party require a wheelchair during the museum tour, please feel free to approach a front desk staff member. We provide complimentary wheelchair loans on a first-come, first-served basis. To better cater to your needs, we kindly request advance notification if your family or group includes individuals with special needs. Your comfort and accessibility are of the utmost importance to us.
Reservations
Advanced reservations are not required for regular daily visitation. However, two weeks advanced notice is required for docent led tours of ten or more people. For more information about docent led tours, please see our Tour Group page or contact the museum at 225-765-2437.
Check-In and Payment
Check-in and admission payments are done at the front desk/gift shop area of the museum. After walking through the main entrance, the front desk and gift shop are to your left.
Accepted forms of payment are cash or credit card.
Parking
The LSU Rural Life Museum is located to the back of the property. After driving through the front gate at Essen Lane, drive 1.5 miles back and the Museum will be on your left. Parking is free and available at the front of the museum.