Louis Armstrong House: Jazz History in Queens

Touring Louis Armstrong's house in Queens is a must if you're into jazz history. The musician spent his last 28 years there (1943 to 1971), and he died peacefully in his bed in that house.

When Lucille, Armstrong's wife, died in 1983, the house was designated a historic landmark, and in 2003 it became the museum you can visit today.

What to See at the Louis Armstrong House Museum

The neighborhoods of Queens took in many musicians fleeing racial segregation in the American South, turning the borough into one of the nerve centers of the genre. That's one of the stories you'll learn at the Armstrong House.

When Armstrong moved to the area, Corona was a modest working-class neighborhood. It looks very different today, thanks to the number of young professionals who have settled here.

Guided Tour of the Louis Armstrong Museum in Queens

One of the most wonderful details is that the house is decorated exactly as it was when Louis Armstrong lived there. That gives you an intimate look at the musician's personal side.

To see the rooms you have to take the guided tour that leaves every hour from the reception desk. You can't wander through on your own. The tour is included with admission and lasts 40 minutes.

You can also visit an exhibition room on your own, with a selection from the enormous collection of photographs, records, letters, instruments and personal objects that belonged to Louis Armstrong. The gardens are open to explore freely too (you can browse the full collection on the official Louis Armstrong House website).

Beyond the guided tour of the rooms, the museum hosts special events and live music performances showcasing New York jazz.

If your visit lines up with one of these events, don't miss it. They often feature well-known American jazz artists.

The trumpeter's house is also a respected research center for jazz history. Experts come from all over the world in search of unreleased video and audio recordings. You'll get to see some of them in the exhibition.

After visiting the Louis Armstrong House in New York, you'll understand just how deeply Queens is tied to the history of jazz in the United States.

Nearby attractions

The Armstrong House Museum is very close to Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which holds several interesting attractions like the Queens Museum and the New York Mets stadium, to name just a couple.

You'll also be near the real Chinatown of New York, as people call the Chinese neighborhood in Flushing. It's one of the best places to eat authentically Asian food at very reasonable prices.

In short, the Louis Armstrong House Museum gives you a glimpse into the private life of the legendary trumpeter and invites you to dig into the legacy of jazz in New York.

Just steps from the museum, you can also explore the Corona neighborhood, an area that has evolved without losing its roots.

After the museum, I seriously recommend walking around the neighborhood and checking out its Latin, Asian and other international shops and restaurants, living proof of the cultural diversity that defines Queens.

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Address
34-56 107th Street
Corona, Queens

How to get there
7 train. 103rd St-Corona Plaza station

Prices:
Adults $20
Students, 65+ and under 18 $14
Under 6 free

Hours:
Thursday to Saturday 11 am to 4 pm
Closed Sunday through Wednesday and on holidays (except July 4, which is Louis Armstrong's birthday)

I recommend double-checking hours and other important visit details on the museum's official website.