Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Destrehan

"The St. Louis Cathedral isn’t one of New Orleans’ most-flocked-to points of interest for nothing. It has a special place in history as America’s longest-running, an active church of the Roman Catholic faith. The cathedral’s history stretches back to 1789, which is when it was dedicated to France’s Louis IX, but as far back as 1718, there was already a church on the grounds."

"What looks like a castle in the French Quarter is actually the oldest cathedral in North America. This alone makes it one of the best things to do in New Orleans, especially when you head inside. You see, St. Louis Cathedral was founded as a Catholic Parish in 1720 and includes both Renaissance and Spanish Colonial architecture that is totally gorgeous."

"On the north side of Jackson Square is the St. Louis Cathedral, a landmark structure in New Orleans. It was built in 1794 on the site of two earlier churches and is known for being the United States' oldest cathedral in continuous use. Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral in 1987."

"Take your food coma and march yourself over to Jackson Square for a healthy dose of New Orleans history. Jackson Square is the plaza where the final version of the Louisiana Purchase was signed (remember that from history class?). It’s also an excellent place to people watch and where a number of New Orleans’ historical landmarks like The St Louis Cathedral, The Cabildo, and The Presbytère are located (with Preservation Hall and The Historic New Orleans Collection nearby). Tons of artists, musicians, and fortune tellers hang out in Jackson Square and in the spirit of disclosure, I spent most of my time here people-watching and eating beignets."

"Part of the magic of New Orleans is its constant flow of live music. There’s always an excuse to dance, especially when you’re with your loved one on Valentine’s Day!. Jackson Square is beautiful as is, but live music creates an incredibly romantic atmosphere to dance hand-in-hand under the stars."

"Initially laid out with the rest of the old French Quarter, Jackson Square sits in front of the St. Louis Cathedral. Also called the Place d’Armes, it is the oldest space in the city. Trees and walkways were added to it in the 1830s and the equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson was added in 1856."

"Preservation Hall played a big part in the revival of New Orleans jazz in the 1940s when the genre took a back seat to rock ‘n’ roll. Previously an art gallery, the venue was an accidental success, with musicians invited to rehearse at the venue by the gallery proprietor and jazz enthusiast Larry Borenstein. Now a full-time jazz venue, Preservation Hall features up to 5 performances a day from some of the most respected musicians in the industry."

"If you’re a fan of live jazz performances, then you must make plans to attend an upcoming show at Preservation Hall. Situated in the heart of the French Quarter on St. Peter Street, the venue presents intimate, acoustic New Orleans Jazz concerts featuring ensembles from a collective of more than 50 local master practitioners."

"Three blocks from the mighty Mississippi is Preservation Hall, a haven for well-rounded jazz musicians to play the soundtrack of New Orleans to sold-out crowds.[Learn more]"

"Though Napoleon House never actually housed Napoleon Bonaparte, that was the idea. The owner at the time offered up the building to Napoleon as refuge during his exile. Now an historic landmark and beloved local restaurant, this 1797 building has been family-owned since 1914."

"But you have to go to Napoleons House Bar to get a Muffuletta. This place has been here FOREVER. They have homemade bread with all their sandwiches and the highest quality ingredients to go inside."

"On a typically hot July summer day In 1966 my fiance, now wife, and I first entered Napoleon House for a late afternoon drink. We were greeted by a…"

"A few blocks from the French Quarter, St. Augustine has been the gravity center of the Tremé neighborhood since the 1840s. New Orleans’ large and vibrant community of free people of color was involved in the church from its beginnings. Often called “Creoles of color,” these property owners, artisans, businesspeople and professionals were several generations removed from slavery and sometimes were slave owners themselves."

"Until 2014, the banks of the Mississippi River bordering the city's downtown Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods were essentially unwalkable. The city invested in a large renovation program that's transformed unsightly, post-industrial wasteland into a lovely riverside park. Crescent Park is a mile-and-a-half long and feels very much like a local spot; you're unlikely to find Mardi Gras-beaded tourists here."

"This 1.4-mile, 20-acre urban park on the riverfront offers landscaped gardens, a dog park, walking paths, public restrooms, swings, and panoramic downtown views. Don't miss the David Adjaye-designed Piety Street Bridge, a pedestrian walkway that rises above active railroad tracks to connect the river with the Bywater community. A post shared by BJ Knights (@bj_knights) on Sep 5, 2016 at 8:32am PDT"

"This park was created in 2014, when a formerly derelict area of the city near the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods was targeted for redevelopment. The park runs along the river; it is 1.4 miles long and is spread out over 20 acres. The main attraction in the park, apart from the pleasant green spaces, is the Piety Street Bridge."

"A post shared by Magazine Street (@magazinestreet) on Apr 22, 2018 at 5:54pm PDT Magazine Street is six miles long and runs through six different neighborhoods in New Orleans. In the Garden District area, it has tons of cute coffee shops and cafes, little boutique shops and of course, plenty of historic homes. You can actually follow the street all the way down to Audubon Park if you wish."

"Afterward, head to Magazine Street, just 3 blocks from Lafayette Cemetery 1, with St. Charles Avenue at your back. At 6 miles long and stretching through a range of NOLA neighborhoods, it’s probably best to stick with the section within the Garden District, unless you plan to use the bus or grab an Uber."

"Stroll down the lower Garden District part of Magazine Street for great shops and more restaurants. Except, you’ll be full from your meal so you can check out District Donuts for dessert and coffee. Trust us, you’re going to want to leave room to try at least one donut here or get a box to go."

"Nestled in a charming Mid-City neighborhood cottage, Biscuits & Buns on Banks has gone from a locals hangout to a place well-known for some of the best American & Creole breakfast and lunch creations around. The eclectic menu includes a selection of freshly brewed coffees along with some seriously delicious vittles like the stuffed French toast, hearty crab & brie omelet, and the “wafflewhich”. A few of the restaurant’s accolades include one of Eater New Orleans 19 Essential Breakfast Spots and Best Brunches in New Orleans to Heal Your Hangover."

"What you're getting: BBB 12 hour NOLA Brisket on Biscuit  Adding to the breakfast arms race on Banks St is Biscuits and Buns, which, you might have guessed, serves both biscuits and buns. Truth be told, those biscuits are pretty fantastic (especially when packed with slow-cooked brisket), but don’t overlook the and waffles, as well as more refined fare like shrimp étouffée over creamy grits."

"At some point, you'll need a break from nonstop seafood and hearty po' boys, and there's no better palette cleanse than a soft, warm breakfast biscuit. The restaurant itself is hard to miss, as it's located in a distinctive shotgun house. The biscuits at Biscuits and Buns are exceptionally versatile."

"Liuzza's by The Track is a local gem famous around the city - the country, maybe even the world - for its gumbo. Made with a dark roux base, this gumbo is packed with freshly cooked seafood, homemade local sausage, 13 spices and a few secret ingredients. Your chicken finger and french fry experts will be happy with some of the best chicken fingers featured on a local kid's menu – definitely not from a freezer bag, plump and juicy."

"Say it out loud: “BBQ Shrimp.” It’s the most famous dish at this low-key restaurant near the Fairgrounds. Loads of peeled shrimp are swamped in a buttery sauce rife with pepper and loads of bright notes, then the lot is stuffed into a hollowed out roll. It acts like it’s food for one person but it’s sufficient for two."

"3024 17th St., Metairie, (504) 832-4117; www.theharborbarandgrill.com. A Harbor burger is a 12-ounce beef patty topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onion and mayonnaise on a toasted white or wheat bun or French bread."

"A lot of people don’t realize that “Italian Creole” is a specialty in the 504, but you’ll find some of the best po-boys nestling side by side with chicken Parm and veal scallopini at some of the finer neighborhood joints in the city. And nowhere is there a more spectacular embodiment of this phenomenon than Mandina’s, which never fails to disappoint with everything from turtle soup to soft-shell crab meuniere and, of course, spaghetti with meatballs."

"Mid-CityJust because you’re not a 100-year-old French Quarter Creole queen doesn’t mean that you aren't just as fiercely beloved by the natives. Sebastian Mandina opened up an Italian grocery at the turn of the 20th century, and it’s been an institution ever since, even if it's an un-fancy one. Go for the Italian fare like veal and eggplant Parm, and if you really want to get serious, order the Gulf fish (or soft-shell crab) meuniere or amandine."

"A late 19th century corner store that became a sandwich-slinging pool hall and finally a come-as-you-are, neighborhood restaurant in 1932, Mandina’s serves comforting, old school Creole Italian seafood and other New Orleans classics (like po-boys, gumbo, and red beans). Get the Wednesday special, daube spaghetti, or Thursday’s bruccialone (veal rolled and stuffed with spinach, egg, and seasonings) with shell pasta."

"We recommend checking out Kingfish on Chartres St in the quarter. They have a great drink menu from wine, beer, and cocktails to delicious southern dishes. We went and sampled a few items off of the appetizer menu and enjoyed the alligator wings and the crawfish gratin the most."

"337 Chartres St., (504) 598-5005; www.kingfishneworleans.com. Seared scallops are served with spicy New Orleans-style barbecue butter sauce and fettuccine. Reservations accepted."

"Category: American, Breakfast, Delivery, Po-Boys, and Seafood. Mena’s Palace Restaurant has been serving New Orleans fare for over sixty years. Located in the historic French Quarter, stop by for breakfast or lunch to experience authentic Cajun cuisine Read more..."

"Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 79A, Metairie, (504) 833-7906; www.smashburger.com. A barbecue, bacon and cheddar burger is topped with fried onions on an egg bun."