Historic Sites in St. John the Baptist Parish

"Located on the corner of North Rampart Street, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church is the oldest house of worship in New Orleans. Originally named the Mortuary Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua, the place of worship was built in 1826 to serve as a burial church for the victims of yellow fever. The current name of the church was received in 1918."

"If you’re down in the CBD or headed toward the French Quarter, one small church lies hidden on Rampart Street. Peering through the doors, you see a rather simple sanctuary and some of the homeless asleep on the pews. The real beauty is to either side of the altar: the shrines to St. Jude and Our Lady of Guadalupe."

"The Beauregard-Keyes House is significant and worth a tour for its Greek Revival architecture, lovely quaint garden, and for once having been the residence of Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, a New Orleans native who ordered the first shots of the Civil War and remained a hero in the South long after the war was lost. Ursuline nuns used the property from the early 1700s until the 1820s when the new house was designed to combine elements of a Creole cottage with Greek Revival features, including a Palladian facade, curved twin staircases, Tuscan portico, and generous dining room. In 1945, author Frances Parkinson Keyes was looking for a place to write and live in New Orleans."

"The Beauregard -Keyes House museum includes past residents such as Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and American author Frances Parkinson Keyes. The house has elements of a Creole cottage with Greek Revival features, including a Palladian façade. It also has twin curved staircases leading to a Tuscan portico."

"Tours run twice every evening (5pm and 8pm) and include visits to the Lalaurie Mansion (where American Horror Story Coven was filmed), LaFitte’s Blacksmith Shop, and more. Our guide had plenty of creepy tales to share and clearly believed a lot of the ghost stories herself, which made it all the more fun. Our tour group was a little on the larger side, but otherwise, the experience was entertaining."

"Wander down to Governor Nicholls Street to see Lalaurie Mansion, once the home of actor Nicholas Cage, and one of the homes used for American Horror Story Coven. There are also other fancy homes like the New Orleans home of Angelina Jolie down this beautiful street."

"3524 Severn Ave., Metairie, (504) 455-2266; www.riccobonospeppermill.com. Sauteed veal Josephine is topped with lump crabmeat and shrimp and served with brabant potatoes. Reservations accepted."

"126 Lake Drive, Covington, (985) 327-7111; 4801 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 889-1550; www.donsseafoodonline.com. Char-broiled Jacked-Up oysters are topped with bacon, jalapenos and pepper Jack cheese. Reservations accepted for large parties."

"A little more than a year old, Wishing Town Bakery Cafe took over the former Morning Call on Severn Avenue, neighbors to the complimentary Sharetea Nola. While also a bakery, Guangzhou-born couple Vivi and Kevin Zheng version of Chinese specialties are some of the best in town. An extensive array of dim sum and cold noodle salads round out a menu of beautiful cakes and pastries, perfect for a celebration."

"What you're getting: The Do’sant You have to give it to Manhattanjack for being the first in town to mimic the Cronut (™) with its “Do’sant,” which is likely just as good as the one your cousin is waiting four hours in line for in New York. You also have to give it up for its excellent coffee and breakfast sandwiches."

"On picturesque Prytania Street, this bakery specializes in their own confections, cookies, and other baked goods — but their donuts are delivered fresh every morning by way of Tastee Donuts. Choose from regular glazed, chocolate iced, blueberry, and chocolate cake donuts, along with their famous buttermilk balls."

"The gist: While this petite pastel café serving pastries, meat pies, coffee, and espresso drinks has yet to reopen its dine-in space, the porch is open and offers both spacious seating and excellent neighborhood people watching. The food: The sweet and savory pastries are baked from scratch daily. Expect cakes topped with buttercream and cream cheese frosting alongside vegan oatmeal cookies, kolache, meat hand pies, and sausage rolls."

"This Mid City joint is easy to spot from the street with its unusual architecture, but it's what's inside that makes it a must-try. Sweet and savory baked goods made in-house accompany a robust coffee menu, with espresso drinks, Chemex and V60 pourovers. Everything's made with high quality products in house, so you can't go wrong."

"Formerly a filling station, this renovated cottage has a unique pitched purple roof. Inside, you’ll find a lovely exposed wood ceiling, concrete floors, and a surprisingly airy layout, thanks to architect Gunner Guidry. A post shared by David (@davidnola) on Jan 10, 2018 at 11:13am PST"

"Bagels can make just about anything better, and Laurel Street is offering curbside takeout and delivery of its sweets and bagels. Don’t forget to get a tub of their special cream cheese, like the date and honey or olive pimento, while you’re at it. Cost: Bagels are $1.75 each or $18 for a dozen; spreads are $1.75 for a single serving or $4 for a half-pint; order online through Seamless or Grubhub"

"This bakery and cafe has found a sweet spot (sorry!) in a pocket of Broad (at one time, it was actually on Laurel Street) that for years was in desperate need of one. Step inside sunny and hip Laurel Street Bakery, and it’s hard not to feel an uptick in good vibes. More than anything, it’s bagels that rule the day with a solid selection including spreads, all made in-house."

"Grilled salmon nicoise salad includes tomato, hard-boiled egg, roasted red potatoes, green beans, shaved red onion, olives and mixed greens in apple cider vinaigrette with ciabatta toast."