In this article, we will be exploring the top 10 must-visit places in New Orleans, Louisiana. The video featured in this article showcases these attractions and provides a detailed guide on what to see and do in this vibrant city. Starting with the famous Bourbon Street and the French Quarter, known for their rich history, colorful buildings, and lively nightlife, we will then move on to Jackson Square and the Mississippi River, popular attractions that offer breathtaking views and host public events. The article further highlights City Park, the Garden District, Louis Armstrong Park, and Canal Street as must-see locations, each offering its own unique charm and experiences. Additionally, the article emphasizes the art scene and the presence of historic architecture, sculptures, and murals throughout the city. Lastly, it mentions Oak Alley Plantation, a Greek Revival-style estate with a famous alley of oak trees, and the opportunity to explore the intricate network of swamps outside of New Orleans through guided boat tours. So, get ready to dive into the vibrant culture and rich history of New Orleans with this comprehensive guide!
Bourbon Street and the French Quarter
Known as the crown jewel of New Orleans, the French Quarter is a high-energy neighborhood that offers a mix of rich history, colorful buildings, fine art galleries, and vibrant nightlife. Located in the French Quarter, you will find the famous Bourbon Street. Named after the House of Bourbon, the royal family that ruled France at the time, Bourbon Street is a must-visit destination. Here, you’ll find traditional Cajun restaurants, cocktail bars (such as the 200-year-old staple, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop), street musicians, and famous jazz clubs. Drinking alcohol on the streets is legal in New Orleans, so it’s the norm on Bourbon Street. Many bars here are actually just tiny spaces where you can try all types of drinks, which are conveniently served in plastic go-cups. The French Quarter and Bourbon Street are also main venues for Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, where you can watch the carnival from Bourbon balconies and throw beads on the parade-goers. New Orleans is also famous for voodoo, so be sure to check out Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo in the neighborhood. Take a walk along Royal Street to further discover the unique charm of the French Quarter.
Jackson Square and the Mississippi River
Located in the French Quarter, Jackson Square is a public space spanning 2.5 acres. It gets its name from the bronze statue of Andrew Jackson, a prominent figure in American history. With more than two million local and international visitors every year, Jackson Square serves as a venue for public events, weddings, and photo sessions. It has also been a filming location for several movies and TV shows. Jackson Square, which has retained its original Parisian landscape design, features iron fences, walking paths, and benches. It is also home to the Cabildo, a local history museum, street performers, and an outdoor art colony where artists create their pieces and display them on the iron fences. You can even buy the artists’ works or have one of them draw your portrait. From Jackson Square, you can admire the majestic St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in North America. You can also continue to explore the charming open-air French Market, the oldest of its kind in the United States. Explore modern boutiques, cocktail bars, antique stores, and authentic restaurants. Alternatively, take a traditional New Orleans carriage for a laid-back tour of the area. For a relaxing experience, stroll along Moonwalk, a riverfront park, and watch ships floating on the adjacent Mississippi River. Nearby, you can also visit the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, which was created to celebrate the origins and development of jazz.
City Park
City Park has been a part of New Orleans since 1854 and is among the oldest and most beautiful urban parks in the country. This 1,300-acre green space offers something for everyone. You can smell the roses in the Botanical Garden or admire the French and American pieces at the Museum of Art. The park also features an open-air sculpture garden called the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Don’t forget to check out the Singing Oak, which is part of the world’s largest roof of mature live oaks. Located near the Big Lake, if you sit under the impressive Singing Oak, you will hear a coordinated tune created by wind chimes hanging from the tree. City Park is also home to other notable oaks, such as the Dripping Oak and the charming Clongowes Bridge, one of the most photographed spots in the park.
The Garden District
The Garden District is best known for its grand mansions and elegant landscaping. It provides a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter. Take some time to walk around and admire the architecture and details that distinguish one mansion from another. While in the area, you can visit the Garden District Bookshop in the Magazine shopping center and Commander’s Palace, one of the most reputable Creole restaurants in the city. Just across the street, you’ll find the Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, one of the most historic and beautiful cemeteries in New Orleans. Graves are built above the ground in New Orleans to address the city’s high water table and unpredictable flooding. There are other interesting cemeteries in New Orleans to explore as well.
Louis Armstrong Park
Louis Armstrong Park, honoring the jazz legend Louis Armstrong, spreads over 32 acres and is famous for its entrance arch, sculptures, duck ponds, and open spaces. The park is home to various buildings, such as the Mahalia Jackson Theatre for Performing Arts. Located inside the park is Congo Square, where African slaves and free Creoles gathered on Sundays throughout the 19th century to sell food, perform rituals, dance, and play their traditional instruments. The music created in Congo Square laid the groundwork for jazz, making it one of the most significant places in the history of music.
Jazz and Heritage Festival
With its intertwined European, Latin American, and African American cultures, New Orleans has always been an important center for music. The city is especially known for its strong association with jazz and is universally regarded as the birthplace of the genre. If you’re visiting in late April or early May, don’t miss the annual Jazz and Heritage Festival, also known as Jazz Fest. You can also get your jazz fix at one of the many clubs in the city. Notable venues include the Jazz Playhouse at the Royal Sonesta New Orleans, which features the city’s most talented jazz musicians, unique appetizers, and cocktails inspired by the local jazz culture. There are many other jazz clubs, such as Preservation Hall or Fritzel’s European Jazz Club, so be sure to check our travel guide for more suggestions.
Canal Street
Canal Street serves as the boundary between the French Quarter and the modern central business district. It separates the colonial-style neighborhood from the more contemporary area of the city. Historically, the Creole population lived in the French Quarter, while other ethnic groups found their way into New Orleans through the Mississippi River. After the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, many Americans from Kentucky and states in the Midwest moved into the city and lived uptown. Canal Street was planned to form the dividing line between the Creole and American populations. Even today, all street medians in the city are known as “neutral grounds.” Enjoy the view of the traditional streetcars, a charming and convenient way to experience the many areas of New Orleans.
Art in New Orleans
Art can be found everywhere you go in New Orleans. Aside from its historic architecture, you will come across different forms of public art, such as sculptures and murals. Local organizations, including the Arts Council of New Orleans and the NOLA Mural Project, have helped the arts thrive and inspire people in the city. Street art, in particular, has become a prominent element of the local landscape. Browse the shops in the French Quarter or visit Jackson Square for local artists and galleries. Head uptown to Magazine Street or the Arts Warehouse District, home to numerous art studios and an abundance of street art. Learn about black history, civil rights leaders, Hurricane Katrina, and contemporary culture through different art installations and massive murals.
Oak Alley Plantation
Plantations play a vital role in the history of the southern United States, specifically the pre-American Civil War era. Oak Alley Plantation was formerly a sugar cane plantation and now showcases the history of sugar cane plantations in the region. The main house, built in Greek Revival style, is a sight to behold. It features 28 colossal freestanding columns, creating a majestic facade. Oak Alley is also home to a 300-year-old double row of giant oak trees, forming an 800-feet-long alley, which gives the plantation its name. The plantation offers various points of interest, from the artist’s slavery exhibit to the sugar cane exhibit and theater. You can also visit the blacksmith shop and a civil war tent.
Swamp Tours
Head outside of New Orleans to explore Louisiana’s intricate network of swamps. These swamps are home to unique flora and exotic wildlife. Admire the Spanish moss and cypress trees as you navigate the waterways. Keep an eye out for alligators, turtles, white boars, nutria, raccoons, cranes, and many more incredible creatures. Guided boat tours are available, offering an educational and exciting experience. Explore the beauty and wonders of the swamps while learning about their ecological significance.