What to do and see in New Orleans, Louisiana (LA): The Best Sights & Landmarks

September 1, 2021 Vivienne Hutton

Laissez les bons temps rouler! In New Orleans the good times are perpetually rolling down Bourbon Street, which, thanks to the city’s annual Mardi Gras celebration, has quite a party animal reputation. Once you’ve soaked up the scenery of the historic French Quarter, tour the elegant Garden District and meet the colorful characters of Frenchmen Street. Experience the city's supernatural vibe at the Voodoo Museum or by taking a guided ghost or vampire tour through taverns, alleyways, and cemeteries.
Restaurants in New Orleans

1. Immaculate Conception Church

130 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA 70112-2304 +1 504-529-1477 http://jesuitchurch.net/
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 515 reviews

Immaculate Conception Church

Reviewed By PatC703 - Baton Rouge, United States

As group of us visited the church for the 3:15 tour offered on Saturday. An excellent docent told us of the history of the church, pointing out the beautiful stained glass windows, mosaics, statues, wrought iron pews and altar. This church is of the old European style, much nicer than the Cathedral!

2. Our Sacred Stories

410 Basin St, New Orleans, LA 70112-3536 +1 504-452-9237 http://www.oursacredstories.com
Excellent
97%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 208 reviews

Our Sacred Stories

Reviewed By BorneAppetit - Indianapolis, United States

Denise has many roots in NOLA. So if you are wanting a tour from an authentic Voodoo practitioner who is well educated in the Christian Saints as well as the St Louis cemetery residents, stories, and symbols then book your tour with Denise.

3. French Quarter

New Orleans, LA 800-672-6124 http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/fq/
Excellent
58%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 22,334 reviews

French Quarter

The heart and cultural center of New Orleans is the French Quarter, a must-see for its high energy, rich history, diverse architecture, music, street performers, renowned jazz clubs, lively nightlife and the finest art galleries and restaurants in the city.

Reviewed By clarissajg1 - East Haven, United States

the music the people the history the mystery the atmosphere the lore the legends the smell the eclectic air its all the French quarter. you either love it or hate it. I love it it is a part of me. there are great restaurants fun shops wonderful music amazing architecture people watching shopping walking cocktails - its truly amazing -- wear your walking shoes and come experience life

4. Jackson Square

615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116-3234 +1 800-800-0550 http://www.experienceneworleans.com/jackson-square.html
Excellent
61%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16,042 reviews

Jackson Square

Fun area with street painters, musicians and jugglers.

Reviewed By debbiesE2403PL

Jackson Square is a beautiful little area filled with local artists, music, gorgeous flowering plants (these are inside the gated area), horse-drawn carriages, and tons of opportunities to people watch. A definite must-see when visiting New Orleans.

5. St. Louis Cathedral

615 Pere Antoine Aly, New Orleans, LA 70116-3291 +1 504-525-9585 [email protected] http://stlouiscathedral.org
Excellent
69%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,299 reviews

St. Louis Cathedral

The major landmark of the French Quarter is the oldest continuously active cathedral in the U.S.

Reviewed By Michellereneelove - Chaska, United States

Good opportunity to see beautiful art and architecture even if you aren’t Catholic... gorgeous old church that is meticulously maintained.

6. Gallier House

1126/1132 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116 +1 504-525-5661 [email protected] http://www.hgghh.org
Excellent
68%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 107 reviews

Gallier House

Gallier House is a historic home in the New Orleans French Quarter and was built in 1857 by James Gallier, Jr. This home offers a glimpse into the past with opulent decorations, innovative household features and many personal touches. Guests will learn not only about the Galliers and enslaved residents of the property but also about New Orleans during the time period. Guided tours are available on the hour Thurs-Sun to enjoy the architecture, decor, and history of both the Gallier family and this breathtaking residence they once called home. For group tours and more, please contact us for more detaills.

Reviewed By kmullett2018 - Campbell River, Canada

Excellent tour. We happened to come during a slow time and as a result had our own private tour. We were shown through nearly the entire townhouse and yard filled with period accurate furniture. We learned of the family who lived in the home in the mid 1800’s and of the house itself. How it was built what was unique about it and how the family lived during this era. We love looking at old homes and learning about the history so this was a dream tour for us. Our tour guide was excellent and passionate about history. Highly recommend it.

7. Garden District

St Charles Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70130-5968
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 8,808 reviews

Garden District

An area of the city that features numerous historic homes.

Reviewed By bron1962 - Dural, Australia

Beautiful area and we just took streetcar and walked around ourselves - lovely houses, beautiful mansions and easy just to wander through the streets. We got off at washington street and walked down various streets and got back on streetcar at Louisanna Street

8. Old Ursuline Convent Museum

1100 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70116-2505 +1 504-529-3040 http://www.oldursulineconventmuseum.com
Excellent
48%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 256 reviews

Old Ursuline Convent Museum

The Old Ursuline Convent was erected in 1745 and occupied until 1824 by Ursuline nuns as a convent, orphanage and school for girls. This historic building is now home to a brilliant museum with both permanent and changing exhibits.

Reviewed By dendres

An opportunity to tour one of the oldest buildings in New Orleans -- the former Ursuline convent. There is not too much on the sisters themselves, but good exhibits on local Catholic history and a chance to see the former bishop's chapel in the nearby church (not open otherwise to the public).

9. Chalmette National Historical Park

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, New Orleans, LA +1 504-589-2133 http://www.nps.gov/jela/chalmette-battlefield.htm
Excellent
46%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 340 reviews

Chalmette National Historical Park

This is where Andrew Jackson and his troops fought the Battle of New Orleans, which was bloody and decisively ended the war of 1812. Closed due to damage suffered in Hurricane Katrina.

Reviewed By MarineAir10 - Vancouver, United States

This is the site of the famous Battle of New Orleans. Read about the battle first and it will help your understanding. It’s a short trip from New Orleans.

10. Preservation Hall

726 St. Peter Street, New Orleans, LA 70116-3182 +1 504-522-2841 [email protected] http://preservationhall.com/hall/
Excellent
73%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5,774 reviews

Preservation Hall

New Orleans' Preservation Hall was established in 1961 to honor one of America's truest art forms - Traditional New Orleans Jazz. Operating as a music venue, a touring band, and a non-profit organization, Preservation Hall continues its mission today as a cornerstone of New Orleans music and culture. Situated in the heart of the French Quarter on St. Peter Street, the Preservation Hall venue presents intimate, acoustic New Orleans Jazz concerts over 350 nights a year featuring ensembles from a current collective of 100+ local master practitioners. On any given night, audiences bear joyful witness to the evolution of this venerable and living tradition.

Reviewed By 226tandyc - Six Mile, United States

Preservation Hall was a lot smaller and more intimate than I had envisioned, but it was perfect, and we loved our experience. We booked tickets ahead of time, which was fortunate since the line of people waiting to get in was extraordinarily long, and those without reservations who were able to buy on-site tickets had to sit on the floor or stand at the back. We sat on a bench at the front; the wooden benches are probably original, hard and unpadded (for those with bad backs). Surprisingly, there are no bathrooms inside; they send people to the bar next door. You can bring food and drinks inside. The musicians are gifted, funny, and engaging. The whole experience was memory-making. So glad we booked this piece of historic New Orleans.

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