Choose from 59 Fun Things to Do in Louisiana
ShowingFilter 41-59 of 59 listings.
Steamboat Natchez
When in New Orleans, there's no better, more classic way to experience the mighty Mississippi than on a river tour aboard the Steamboat Natchez. The historic stern-wheeled steamboat makes its home on the riverfront next to the French Quarter, and slowly and gracefully plies the river for brunch, lunch, or dinner cruises with live traditional jazz on board.
The Basics
The Natchez—New Orleans’ only steamboat—heads out for daytime and evening cruises year-round, all with traditional jazz music and optional meals. Enjoy an indulgent Sunday brunch cruise with local specialties, including Creole and Cajun dishes; have a more casual buffet lunch replete with a calliope concert; or opt for a romantic dinner cruise. You can upgrade your experience to include a private tour of the historic steam-engine room.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Cruises are two hours long.
- Be at the dock at least 30 minutes before departure time.
- The recommended attire for daytime cruises is casual, though the Natchez suggests “dressy casual” for the dinner cruises.
- Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
How to Get There
The Steamboat Natchez is docked at the Toulouse Street Wharf on the Mississippi River, adjacent to the French Quarter near Jackson Square. Tour buses stop near the dock and there are some streetcar stops nearby, but it's also easy to reach on foot.
When to Get There
The Steamboat Natchez operates year-round. The boat undergoes maintenance work every January or February and these dates vary, so check the cruising schedule in advance. Cruises are canceled only when the Coast Guard raises an alert about particularly bad weather. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, so diners stay warm and dry even in inclement conditions.
Cruise Music: Live Jazz and Steam Calliope
True to New Orleans' love of music, live jazz accompanies every Steamboat Natchez cruise. Dinner cruise guests, for instance, often enjoy the Dukes of Dixieland, a Grammy-nominated jazz band playing old favorites. But music lovers don't even need to board the boat to hear its famous steam calliope: The historic steam-pipe organ is played when the boat is docked, once or twice every day. Walk over to the dock to see the columns of steam that the calliope produces as it's played. Daytime harbor cruises include a calliope concert as well.
Address: Toulouse Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, USA
Hours: Cruises at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, and 7:00 pm
Admission: Adults: $25–65
From $ 34
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
The St. Louis Cemetery consists of three cemeteries, and St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is New Orleans’ oldest and most famous resting place. On the National Register of Historic Places, the Roman Catholic cemetery was established in 1789, and most of the graves and vaults are above ground.
The Basics
The final resting place of thousands, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 occupies one square block just outside the French Quarter. Many notable New Orleans residents are interred here, including Homer Plessy and Etienne de Boré. Famous voodoo queen Marie Laveau is also rumored to be entombed here.
Most tours of the cemeteries are offered as a part of city sightseeing excursions via bike or bus. A guided walking tour through the burial ground is a true trip through Louisiana history and the only way to enter St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese has closed St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to the public due to a rise in vandalism. Visitors must be accompanied by a licensed tour guide.
- These cemeteries still host several funerals per year. Be respectful during an active burial.
- No pets are allowed on tours, with the exception of service animals.
How to Get There
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is located within walking distance of Treme and the French Quarter. The cemetery is accessible via the city's streetcars, buses, or by car, but since you are required to visit with a licensed guide, you may meet your party elsewhere and arrive at the site together.
When to Get There
New Orleans cemeteries are open daily but close weekdays around 3pm and even earlier on weekends. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is only accessible to those on guided tours with licensed tour companies.
Society Tombs
New Orleans cemeteries feature society tombs and wall vaults containing the remains of people who chose to be buried with their social organizations rather than their families. Examples include the French Mutual Benevolent Society, the New Orleans Musicians Tomb, and the Orleans Battalion of Artillery Tomb.
Address: 1300 St. Louis Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA
From $ 40
Louisiana Children's Museum
Fun for all ages, the Louisiana Children’s Museum has got everything you need to entertain you and your young ones for hours on end. Over 30,000 square feet of fun with everything that might spark interest or creativity, in the Louisiana Children’s Museum not only do kids get to be kids, but adults get to have fun and partake as well. Play shop in the Little Winn-Dixie grocery store, pretend to captain a tug boat down the mighty Mississippi with a working crane, launch ping-pong balls off of self-made rollercoaster ramps, take apart modern technology, or leave a lasting impression in the glow-in-the-dark booth. Arts and crafts are also encouraged, as the museum’s ethos is to educate as well as entertain.
Practical Info:
The Louisiana Children’s Museum is located at 420 Julia Street in uptown New Orleans. Admission is $8 per person, adults and children. Parking in nearby lots is $5, though street parking is available but metered.
Address: 420 Julia St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Hours: Fall, winter, spring: Tues–Sat 9:30am–4:30pm, Sun noon–4:30pm. Summer: Mon–Sat 9:30am–5pm, Sun noon–5pm
Admission: Adults and Children $8
From $ 60
Louis Armstrong Park
Located on the outlying border of the famous French Quarter, the Louis Armstrong Park is a lovely 32 acre haven, full of beautiful grassy knolls, lagoons, and cultural auditoriums and structures that are everything jazz.
In the southern corner of the park is the historic Congo Square, a cobblestone laden open space that was used in the 17th century as a gathering point, where African-American slaves came to socialize and make music, one of the earliest signs of African influence in jazz.
Behind the square lay a plethora of buildings such as the Mahalia Jackson Center for the Performing Arts, Jazz National Historical Park, and the recently renovated Perseverance Hall, where there is now a jazz exhibit and a line of scheduled performances throughout the year. All these places and more are a testament to Louisiana’s long and prospering music tradition in the face of oppression and hard times.
In the southern corner of the park is the historic Congo Square, a cobblestone laden open space that was used in the 17th century as a gathering point, where African-American slaves came to socialize and make music, one of the earliest signs of African influence in jazz.
Behind the square lay a plethora of buildings such as the Mahalia Jackson Center for the Performing Arts, Jazz National Historical Park, and the recently renovated Perseverance Hall, where there is now a jazz exhibit and a line of scheduled performances throughout the year. All these places and more are a testament to Louisiana’s long and prospering music tradition in the face of oppression and hard times.
Practical Info
Since the park is located so close to the French Quarter, it is also a
convenient walk from the famous Bourbon Street and Jackson Square. It is
also a short walking distance to accommodations sprawling all around
the neighborhood. If you are coming in from a different part of New
Orleans, you can take the northeast bound route 10 that passes just a
few blocks from the park.
Address: 835 N. Rampart St, New Orleans 70116, USA
From $ 25
Houmas House
Locals call this beautiful plantation the Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road, partly because of its rich history and partly because of its incredible old-world architecture. Established as a sugar farm around 1803, Houmas House was open to the public in 1963. The traditional southern plantation home has seen its share of generals, Union forces and colonels, too. The same gardens, mansion and peaceful grounds that drew men in search of respite in times of war, draw travelers today who are in search of a nearby escape from the energy and gluttony of the Big Easy.
Daily tours treat visitors with true Southern hospitality and welcome them to the grounds not as tourists, but as guests. Expert guides lead travelers through the elaborate halls of the plantation’s mansion, through galleries of antiques and art, and across the well-kept grounds of the Houmas Gardens. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that’s available only south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Practical Info
Houmas House is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m with the last tour starting at 7 p.m. Travelers with cars can take I-10 to Gonzales and Take Exit 179 from Baton Rouge, or I-10 East across the Bonnet Carre Spillway, past LaPlace and Gramercy to Exity 182 coming from New Orleans.
Address: 40136 HWY 942, Darrow, Louisiana 70725, USA
Hours: Daily 9am-8pm
Admission: $24
From $ 26
The Presbytere
Even if you can’t visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras, you can still learn all about the famous New Orleans tradition at the Presbytere. Part of the Louisiana State Museum, the Presbytere boasts an interactive exhibition that includes an impressive collection of Mardi Gras artifacts and memorabilia.
"Mardi Gras: It’s Carnival Time in Louisiana," documents the celebration’s extensive history, from its origins to present day traditions. Visitors also learn about Mardi Gras events in Louisiana’s rural areas.
The Presbytere building has a unique history of its own. It gets its name from its location. It is built on the site of the residence, or presbytere, of the Capuchin monks. It was designed in 1791 to match the Cabildo on the other side of St. Louis Cathedral. The Presbytere was used as commercial space and even served as a courthouse from 1834 to 1911 before becoming part of the Louisiana State Museum.
Practical Info
Centrally located on Jackson Square, the Presbytere is easy to visit when in New Orleans. It is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10am to 4:30pm. It is closed Mondays and state holidays.
Address: 751 Chartres St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116, USA
Admission: $6
From $ 20
Royal Street
Royal Street often plays second fiddle to its more-recognizable bigger brother Bourbon Street. And while Bourbon Street has its place and charms, there is a lot more going on along Royal Street for those with a more casual disposition and a more discerning eye.
Known for its art galleries, restaurants, and curio shops, Royal Street is just a block away from the hustle of Bourbon Street, but retains all of the French Quarter character and charm. A shopper paradise, the casual explorer of Royal Street will note the French and Spanish architecture, while those with a photographer’s eye will likely fall in love with the wrought ironwork, the fern-filled courtyards, and the cobblestone and brickwork.
Royal Street has something for everybody, which is why many prefer it to Bourbon-just one block over, but a whole world of difference. Take a stroll down Royal Street to see why those that come to the Vieux Carrie fall in love with Royal Street.
Practical Info
Royal Street is located in the French Quarter district of New Orleans, is one of the oldest streets in the city and runs the length of “the quarter.”
Address: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
From $ 25
Mardi Gras World
Step inside the colorful life of New Orleans at Mardi Gras World. The annual Mardi Gras festival is as much a part of the fabric of the city as jazz music and the Mississippi River. This fun and informative museum brings together a dazzling collection of floats and costumes from the event.
The Basics
The museum’s founder, Blaine Kern, built his first parade float with his father way back in 1932. After a long career building lavish, intricate floats, “Mr. Mardi Gras” as Kern is known, decided to open his collection to the public and launched the museum in 1989.
Visitors can tour the artists’ workshops, where huge sculptures are crafted in Styrofoam and see some of the most famous floats and costumes from previous years. Behind-the-scenes tours run throughout the day. You can pair a visit to the museum with a jazz-themed brunch river cruise.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Book your tour in advance and enjoy free shuttle service to and from the museum.
- Discounted tickets are available for seniors, students, and children.
- Make sure you try a slice of “king cake,” a delicious brioche-style dough topped with colorful icing.
How to Get There
The museum is located at 1380 Port of New Orleans Place, at the bottom of Henderson Street in the Central Business District. There is paid parking available opposite the museum, or you can take the free shuttle bus as part of a prebooked tour. Alternatively, you can ride the streetcar. The nearest stop is Hilton Riverside Hotel, a short walk away.
When to Get There
Mardi Gras World is open seven days a week year-round, from 9am–5:30pm. The museum is closed on Christmas Day, Thanksgiving, Easter, and Mardi Gras.
Experience the Magic of Mardi Gras
For an unforgettable experience, visit New Orleans in February or early March (the exact dates change each year) for the annual Mardi Gras festival. For two weeks, city streets come alive with music, dancing, and parades of gigantic Mardi Gras floats. Revelers wear elaborate costumes, and the fun culminates in a huge party on Mardi Gras day, also known as Fat Tuesday.
Address: 1380 Port of New Orleans Pl, New Orleans, LA 70160, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 22
Longue Vue House and Gardens
Step back in time for a taste of New Orleans history at Longue Vue House and Gardens. One of the last Country Place Era homes to be built in the United States, Longue Vue represents a bygone era of Deep South luxury, with priceless antiques and 8 acres (3 hectares) of gardens.
The Basics
Longue Vue was completed in 1942 for Edgar and Edith Stern, pillars of the New Orleans community. The Sterns often hosted dignitaries from the 1940s and 1950s here, including John F. Kennedy and Eleanor Roosevelt. The house was designed in classical revival style and is still furnished with its original collection of American and English antiques and artwork by the likes of Wassily Kandinsky.
Ellen Biddle Shipman designed the gardens, which are inspired by the grounds of the Alhambra Palace in Spain. Longue Vue’s Spanish Court, with an array of fountains and pools, is one of the best-loved landscapes in New Orleans. Visitors can take a self-guided tour through the house and gardens, or combine a visit to Longue Vue with stops at some of New Orleans’ most notable historic sites on a small-group sightseeing tour. The New Orleans Power Pass includes free admission to the Longue Vue House.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Discounted tickets are available for seniors, students, and children.
- Select areas of the house and gardens are wheelchair accessible.
- Children will love the interactive discovery garden.
How to Get There
Long Vue is located at 9 Bamboo Road, in New Orleans’ Lakewood district. The house is accessible by car or guided tour with round-trip transport. Alternatively, visitors can walk from the Canal and Cemeteries stop of the Canal St. streetcar, a journey of around 25 minutes.
When to Get There
The house and gardens are open from 10am–5pm Monday to Saturday and 1pm–5pm on Sunday. They are closed on most major holidays, so check in advance if your planned visit falls on a holiday. The site is busiest in the middle of the day, so plan to visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds.
Gardening Events for Little Ones
Turn your little ones into little gardeners with a morning attending one of Longue Vue’s special kids events. The Sprouts program, every last Saturday of the month, aims to inspire toddlers to explore the natural world, while the Seedlings program, every first Saturday of the month, encourages kids to plant seeds, make art, and investigate the different insects living in the garden.
Address: 7 Bamboo Road, New Orleans, LA 70124, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 60
St Joseph Plantation
One of the last few remaining sugar plantations in the South, St. Joseph Plantation is a must-visit for anyone looking for an authentic Southern experience. Built in 1830, the largely preserved house offers a fascinating look into plantation life in pre-Civil War America, when the sugar industry was booming.
The Basics
St. Joseph Plantation was built for the Scioneaux family using slave labor. Gabriel Valcour Aime, known as the Louis XIV of Louisiana, later bought it for his daughter when she married. After the Civil War, it was sold to the Waguespack family, who have retained ownership ever since.
Visitors can tour the house and its manicured grounds, see the cabins where the family’s slaves lived, and explore interesting exhibits detailing what life was like on the plantation both for the slaves who worked the sugar fields and the wealthy owners that lived here. Visitors often combine a trip here with a visit to the Museum of Slavery or visit as part of a plantations tour.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Admission to the plantation is via paid ticket.
- Discounted tickets are available for students, youths, seniors, and active military. Children under 5 go free.
- A visit to St. Joseph’s connected sister plantation, Felicity, is included in the ticket price.
- The renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson was born here in 1838.
- Throughout October, the plantation hosts daily “mourning tours” detailing the Creole customs and rituals that used to be observed after the death of a family member.
- Parts of the movie 12 Years a Slave were filmed at the Felicity plantation.
How to Get There
St. Joseph Plantation is located at 3535 Highway 18 in Vacherie, 50 miles (80 kilometers) outside New Orleans. Most people opt to visit as part of a tour with transport provided, or by car. There is free parking at the plantation. Access via public transport is difficult.
When to Get There
St. Joseph Plantation is open from Thursday to Tuesday. It is closed on Wednesdays and major holidays. Guided tours depart on the hour from 10am–3pm, with tours early in the day tending to be quieter.
Museum of Slavery
Gain insight into what life was like for the slaves who spent their days working in the fields and homes of plantation owners at the nearby Whitney Plantation’s Museum of Slavery. Through first-person narratives, the museum aims to present a true picture of the often terrible conditions in which the enslaved people lived and the many hardships they had to endure.
Address: 3535 Louisiana 18, Vacherie, Louisiana, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 65
Laura Plantation
Steeped in history far richer than the former plantation owners could have dreamed of owning, the Laura Plantation lies just beyond the reaches of the Greater New Orleans area. Originally built in 1804 by a French naval veteran of the American Revolution by the name of Guillaume Duparc, the plantation was erected on the site of an old Colapissa Indian village. A Creole-owned sugar plantation, the Laura Plantation differed from most plantations in its Code Noir ethics, its somewhat removed societal circumstances, and its beautiful sprawling sugar plantation landscape. Touring this iconographic plantation, you’ll learn the difference between Creoles and Cajuns, hear chilling ghost stories, and see how a bygone way of life now heralds itself as one of the top Louisiana cultural attractions.
Practical Info:
From New Orleans, the Laura Plantation is off of Exit 194 on I-10 West. Go 4 miles south on HWY 641 to the BIG Mississippi River bridge. Cross the bridge & immediately take the FIRST ramp exit on your right. At the levee, turn LEFT and drive 4 miles to Laura Plantation. The first tour of the day begins at 10:00 am, the final at 4:00 pm. Adult tickets are $18.
Address: 2247 Louisiana 18, Vacherie, LA 70090, USA
Hours: Open daily, except certain major holidays. Ticket office opens at 9:30am, first tour of the day begins 10am and the final tour begins at 4pm.
Admission: Adult $18, Child $6
From $ 65
Jackson Square
Bordered by Chartres, St. Peter, St. Ann and Decatur Streets near the Mississippi River in the French Quarter, Jackson Square is a colorful city plaza and home to the elegant St. Louis Cathedral. A National Historic Landmark, the square attracts visitors and locals who gather to listen to street performers and buskers, have their palm read by a gypsy, browse the shops, have a chicory coffee and beignet at Café du Monde or just relax under a tree while life in the French Quarter moves around them.
Jackson Square is a great place to pick up some local art, as well. Artists must have permits to sell their work in the square, and only 200 are issued annually, meaning you’ll be browsing through pieces by legitimate and talented artists. Across Chartres Street sits the Cabildo, the 18th-century building where the Louisiana Purchase was signed.
Jackson Square is a great place to pick up some local art, as well. Artists must have permits to sell their work in the square, and only 200 are issued annually, meaning you’ll be browsing through pieces by legitimate and talented artists. Across Chartres Street sits the Cabildo, the 18th-century building where the Louisiana Purchase was signed.
Address: Decatur Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116, USA
From $ 15
Court of Two Sisters
The Court of Two Sisters restaurant is a historic New Orleans institution. Named after sisters Emma and Bertha Camors, the three-story building is a piece of Louisiana history that sits on Governor's Row, the 600-block of Royal Street. Emma and Bertha came from an aristocratic Creole family and exemplified New Orleans high society with their formal gowns, lace and perfumes all imported from Paris. The sisters were very close and even died within two months of each other in 1944.
The Court of Two Sisters has one of the largest courtyards in New Orleans and today welcomes visitors looking to enjoy authentic southern cuisine. One of the most popular options is the jazz buffet brunch; morning hot dishes include made-to-order omelets, eggs benedict, bacon, sausage, grits, shrimp pasta and more. Afternoon offerings are specialties like turtle soup, oysters Bienville, duck àl'Orange, Creole jambalaya and shrimp etouffee. Look for dessert options such as Mardi Gras king cake, Bananas Foster, bread pudding and southern pecan pie.
At dinner, you will still find signature menu items like corn fried des allemands catfish and roasted half duck àl'Orange and desserts like chocolate espresso torte and bread pudding with whiskey sauce.
Practical Info
The Court of Two Sisters hosts a la carte dinner from 5:30 to 10 p.m. nightly, and the jazz brunch buffet is served daily from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Dress code is nice casual, with no coat or tie required for brunch or dinner.
Address: 613 Royal St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130, USA
Hours: Daily 9am-3pm & 5:30pm-10pm
From $ 49
Whitney Plantation Museum
The Whitney Plantation was one of the most infamous plantation estates in Louisiana, having housed some 60 slaves between 1819 and 1860. Today, the site serves as one of the only slavery memorial museums in the United States, having opened in 2014. Through original period buildings, art exhibits, and first-person narratives, visitors can gain an understanding of the lives of slaves in 19th-century America.
The Basics
The plantation site, on the National Register of Historic Places since 1992, includes a stately plantation home and a number of historic outbuildings. While the visitors center museum exhibits are self-guided, the other plantation buildings—including the French Creole–style Big House, slave quarters, and a church—can only be visited by 90-minute guided tour, included with admission. The poignant exhibits and memorials help visitors see the stark contrast of the lives of slaves and slave-owners in pre-Civil War Louisiana. Most travelers see the Whitney Plantation has part of an extensive plantation tour from New Orleans.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Guided tours of the plantation site are included with admission; self-guided tours are not permitted.
- Whitney Plantation tours are 90 minutes long; plan to spend about two hours onsite.
- Dress for the weather, bring water, and wear closed-toe walking shoes.
- Although children under 6 enter for free, some tour material may be unsuitable for kids.
- The visitors center is accessible to those with limited mobility; the second floor of the Big House is not. There are gravel paths throughout the plantation.
How to Get There
The Whitney Plantation is located in Wallace, Louisiana, 46 miles (74 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans. Group and private tours offer round-trip transportation from New Orleans, while ride-sharing applications are not readily available in the area.
When to Get There
The Whitney Plantation is open year-round but closed on Tuesdays and on New Year's Day, Mardi Gras, Easter Sunday, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Understanding Louisiana’s Dark History Through Art at the Whitney Plantation
Words and art are used at the Whitney Plantation to honor the lives of the slaves who worked and died there. Throughout the site are The Children of Whitney, life-sized sculptures of slave children by American artist Woodrow Nash. In the Field of Angels exhibit, the 2,200 children who died under slavery in Louisiana are commemorated, with their names listed on granite. Names of Whitney Plantation slaves are recorded with their ages and skills on the Wall of Honor, and in the Allèes Gwendolyn Midlo Hall, the names of all 107,000 people recorded in the Louisiana Slave Database line 18 walls, along with quotes and pictures from the time of slavery.
Address: 5099 LA-18, Wallace, Louisiana, USA
Admission: Varies
From $ 65
Magazine Street
This iconic street in the heart of New Orleans is home to some of the Big Easy's best shopping, eating and drinking establishments, making it a top spot for tourists and locals any time of day. Street-side cafes with open-air tables offer some of the best people watching on an afternoon about the town, while nightfall sees the street's restaurants and nightclubs brimming with visitors eager to taste traditional Creole fare and boogie into the early hours.
Travelers who want to make the most of their time in New Orleans will find plenty of tour options for exploring this dynamic street as well as other parts of the city. Whether it's a hop-on hop-off bus ride, a Segway, food or walking tour of the French Quarter, or a bike ride along the Big Easy's most famous thoroughfare, Magazine Street offers visitors endless ways to join in on the Nola spirit.
Practical Info
Magazine Street stretches across six miles of New Orleans, including parts of the famed French Quarter, Central Business District and Lower Garden District. It is easily accessible using the #11 RTA bus or the St Charles Streetcar.
Did you know? The street is named after an old warehouse"”at the time, known as a magazine"”once stationed on the road. Today, it is a popular parade route during Mardi Gras and Saint Patrick's Day.
Address: Magazine Street, New Orleans, USA
From $ 49
Storyville District
Storyville was established in 1897 when the New Orleans City Council, under orders from councilman, Alderman Sidney Story, set out to regulate prostitution with the aim to restrict the red light district to a controlled area. The district was soon nicknamed Storyville after the councillor, and for the next 20 years the streets of North Basin, North Robertson, Iberville, and St. Louis on the edge of the French Quarter were filled with brothels, saloons, and other businesses. It is said that jazz and swing music originated within the saloons and dance halls of Storyville during this time, with musicians such as Tony Jackson and Jelly Roll Morton performing in the area.
Storyville was easily accessible via a nearby train station and immensely popular, from its 50-cent brothels right through to the higher end of the market. In 1917, when the US entered World War I, the federal government closed down Storyville and legal protests by local businesses failed to ever revoke the decision. Today, not much of the old era remains and the neighborhood is currently the site for a number of housing projects.
Practical Info
The area known as Storyville lies in the neighborhood of Faubourg Treme in New Orleans.
Address: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
From $ 20
Lower Ninth Ward
A shell of its former vibrant self, the Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood is still dotted with the abandoned houses and overrun, empty lots that serve as reminders of the devastating impacts of Hurricane Katrina. The working class and predominantly African American neighborhood suffered the worst impacts of the 2005 storm, with floodwaters reaching 12 feet in some places, lifting houses from their foundations.
Visitors to the region today will find some reminders of that troubled time—a handful of eerie search team marks still adorn garage and home doors—but the vibe in the Lower Ninth today is one of hope, inspiration, and resilience. Revitalization and repopulation has been painstakingly slow, but new construction is taking place, including more than 100 ultramodern and energy-efficient homes built by a foundation headed by the actor Brad Pitt.
Other popular Lower Ninth Ward sites include the Fats Domino House (1208 Caffin Ave.), actually a recording studio for the famed French Creole pianist and singer-songwriter; the striking, Victorian-style “steamboat houses” (Egania Street), which withstood some of the storm’s worst impacts; the Jackson Barracks Military Museum (6400 St. Claude Ave.) featuring military artifacts, weapons and memorabilia owned by the Louisiana National Guard; and the Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum (1235 Deslonde Street) with displays and oral histories from neighborhood residents.
Practical Info
The Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans is in the easternmost downriver portion of New Orleans and is connected downtown and the rest of the city by a bridge over the Industrial Canal. Several tour outfits offer walking or driving tours that explain the differences in the landscape since Hurricane Katrina. Bicycle rentals for self-exploration are also available in the area.
Address: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
From $ 49
San Francisco Plantation
The designation of being the most opulent plantation house in North America doesn’t come cheaply. Nor will you find the San Francisco Plantation mansion in any disrepair. A galleried house of the Creole open-suite style, this fabulous southern home’s riches aren’t just found on its sprawling property or wrapped up in its gorgeous architecture – the San Francisco Plantation has one of the finest and most extensive antique collections in the country. Reminiscent of Versailles and steeped in a history of rich antebellum living, slavery holdings, and sordid stories of love, wealth, death and honor, the San Francisco Plantation is not just a visit to any ordinary plantation home – it’s a surreal pastiche down history lane.
Practical Info:
Costumed tours of the San Francisco Plantation begin every twenty minutes from their first tour at 10:00 am, through their last tour at 4:00 pm. Tickets for adults are $15.
Address: 2646 Louisiana 44, Garyville, LA 70051, USA
Hours: Apr-Oct: Gates open 9:30am, First tour 9:30am, Last tour 4:40pm. Nov-Mar: Gates open 9am, First tour 10am, Last tour 4pm.
Admission: Adult $15, Military $14, Student $10
From $ 60
St. Louis Cathedral
A prominent landmark on Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral (officially the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis King of France) stands tall and proud, beckoning French Quarter visitors to take a little time out from drinking and dancing to admire the oldest continuously used cathedral in the United States. The seat of the city's Roman Catholic Archdiocese, the cathedral was built in 1789 and rebuilt in 1850, and today, its all-white, Spanish Colonial façade with three black spires is one of the most instantly recognizable landmarks in the South. The inside is just as beautiful.
The Basics
As one of New Orleans' most famous landmarks, St. Louis Cathedral deserves a spot on every visitor's itinerary. Nearly all sightseeing tours in the city include a stop here, whether a basic walking tour or a quirkier supernatural, romantic, or "drunk history" themed tour. Thanks to the cathedral's central location, it's also easy to visit on your own when mass isn't in session; volunteer docents sometimes lead tours, and brochures for self-guided tours are available at the entrance for a small donation.
Things to Know Before You Go
- St. Louis Cathedral is a perfect spontaneous stop on a stroll through the French Quarter.
- Mass takes place daily at 12:05pm.
- The cathedral is wheelchair accessible.
- Expect a full house for mass on Catholic holidays such as Easter and Christmas.
How to Get to St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral is located just across Chartres Street from Jackson Square, so it's easy to get to on foot from just about anywhere in the French Quarter. Parking in the area can be difficult to find, so travelers coming from further afield should consider taking a tour that includes hotel pickup and dropoff, catching a taxi or rideshare, or riding a streetcar to Jackson Square on the Riverfront Line.
When to Get There
While the cathedral is open daily, it closes in mid-afternoon, so it’s best to plan your visit for earlier in the day, either before or after midday mass. Those planning to attend mass on a significant holiday, such as Easter or Christmas, should try to arrive well before the service starts, as seats often fill up quickly.
Visiting the Old Ursuline Convent
Travelers planning a visit to St. Louis Cathedral should also set aside some time for a stop at the nearby Old Ursuline Convent, also located on Chartres Street in the French Quarter. The oldest building in the Mississippi Valley, the convent was built in the 1750s and today houses a museum within its French Colonial facade.
Address: 615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116, USA
From $ 19