The nuts and bolts of running New Orleans’ most unique reptilian repository
Strolling down Magazine Street in New Orleans’ Lower Garden District, you may notice a new, bright and colorful placard with a fantastical creature beating a drum and beckoning you to come join his parade. Why, it’s none other than the Alligator King himself, inviting you to come explore his 70 million year old tale!
With ancestors dating back to the Jurassic period, alligators have seen it all, from asteroids to major climatic shifts. These rugged reptiles have stood the test of time and are thriving today thanks to their evolutionary adaptations, plus a little help from the conservation movement. 
On the other hand, the Great American Alligator Museum sign has proved not quite as durable as the apex predators it honors. The beautiful emblem that hails the masses today from our storied New Orleans attraction is, in fact, the second creation of our Gator Museum marker.
The Gator Museum’s original sign fell victim to Hurricane Ida’s strong winds and flying debris. It’s just part of life down here in New Orleans. New Orleans, like much of Louisiana and the Gulf South, is all too familiar with the strong winds hurricanes bring during storm season. Storms regularly strike the region, so we have to prepare for the onslaught, hope it spares us and clean up the mess when it hits.
Thankfully our original museum marker maker and Lower Garden District neighbor, Mystic Blue Signs is just a block away! They were able to re-create our original sign. Their fresh painting gives our emblem a vibrant boost to catch the eyes of wandering Magazine Street tourists even more than before! It’s no small feat either to recreate our sign as it’s hand-painted by a talented artist. We’re so thankful for our long-time partner in the neighborhood for nearly 20 years! 
This project is more than just the making of the sign. We had to hire a professional sign installer to bring a lift and attach the new artboard, so it will “hang tight.” Moreover, as a museum located in a historic district, we have to receive approval from New Orleans’ Historic District Landmark’s Commission before hanging.
This ordeal is all part of running a niche, quintessentially New Orleans alligator museum, the only alligator museum in the country, in fact! We look forward to welcoming you along with the many curious visitors that journey here to discover all about Louisiana’s swamps, from the storied folklore to the American alligator’s amazing conservation comeback.
Gator toes crossed for a safe storm season this year and into the future!
Plan your visit to the Great American Alligator Museum in New Orleans! Come see why we’re ranked a top tourist attraction in New Orleans. not only our handcrafted sign and interactive face cut-out, but five rooms of reptilian tales waiting to be discovered!
Plan your visit. We’re located at 2051 Magazine Street in New Orleans. Open daily. Check Google Maps for hours.