Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Faubourg Marigny

"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. However, if you want to be a little more cultured than I was, visit one or several of the above-mentioned landmarks for even more NOLA history."

"Originally built in 1727, the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis is flanked by the historic Cabildo on one side and the Presbytère on the other. After the great fire of 1794, the original structure was rebuilt. The current structure was finished in 1850 and overlooks Jackson Square."

"Formerly known as "Place d'Armes" in the 18th century and later renamed as Jackson Square in honor Andrew Jackson who was a hero in the Battle of New Orleans, the historic Jackson Square is a beautiful space and popular tourist attraction in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans. Facing the Mississippi River and surrounded by historic buildings, including the Louisiana State Museums of the Cabildo and the Presbytere, and the magnificent St. Louis Cathedral, this famous landmark is packed with things to see and do. A favorite site for visitors and locals, the Square has shops, restaurants, cafés and coffee shops, galleries, museums and more, along with a renowned open-air artist colony who has been displaying their work on the square's iron fence for more than 50 years."

"Jackson Square is the main square in the heart of the French Quarter, originally known as Place d'Armes. In the center of the square, surrounded by trees and greenery, is an equestrian statue (1856) of General Andrew Jackson. Standing prominently at one end of the square is the landmark St. Louis Cathedral, with its white façade and cone shaped spires."

"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. However, if you want to be a little more cultured than I was, visit one or several of the above-mentioned landmarks for even more NOLA history."

"Preservation Hall is an unassuming old building that has long been an institution in New Orleans known for jazz music. The historic hall still features traditional jazz by local artists. The building is small, creating an intimate setting, and seating is limited."

"This park pays tribute to one of the Big Easy’s most esteemed legends, Louis Armstrong. The park is all about art, jazz, and music, featuring different events throughout the year at the historic Congo Square. It’s only a block from the jazz-inspired Hotel St. Pierre; so grab your food and find a peaceful spot among the trees, or spread out a blanket along the banks of the lagoon."

"Just outside of the French Quarter is Louis Armstrong Park, a public space honoring the jazz musician it was named after. Inside, there are iconic sites like Congo Square, a historic meeting place for slaves in the 1800s. There are also sculptures, a duck pond and plenty of green space where you can relax after spending your morning walking around the city."

"Another well know park and named after a famous musician, is the Louis Armstrong Park. It’s located in Treme near the French Quarter. It has sculptures and vendors selling food and crafts."

"The St. Louis Cemetery was founded in 1789 and is the oldest burial ground of New Orleans’ most illustrious residents. There, you’ll find the gravesite of Voodoo queen Marie Laveau, as well as actor Nicolas Cage’s future tomb. Book with Save Our Cemeteries to have an up close and personal look at an array of wall vaults and tombs just steps from the French Quarter—and don’t forget the sunscreen."

"We highly recommend taking a cemetery tour through Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1. This is the oldest and most famous cemetery in New Orleans and has the tombs of famous people like Marie Laveau, the notorious voodoo queen, Homer Plessy’s tomb, from the famed Plessy vs. Ferguson civil rights case, and even Nicholas Cage’s strange pyramid tomb for when he dies."

"I recommend Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1 to see the tomb of Marie Laveau, a famous mixed race Voodoo priestess. Though other cemeteries are free to explore, to see this one you’ll need to take a walking tour offered Monday through Saturday at 10am, 11:30am and 1pm, and Sunday at 10am."

"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."

"In the French Market District, Crescent Park is a linear park, 1.4 miles long beside the Mississippi. You can get there by crossing the levee and railway via the “rusty bridge”. On the water there’s a supreme view west to the French District and Central Business District, accompanied by lots of public art, a series of mixed-use pavilions, native landscaping and paths for cyclists and pedestrians."

"This waterfront park is our favorite spot in the city for taking in the Mississippi. Enter over the enormous arch at Piety and Chartres Streets, or at the steps at Marigny and N Peters Streets, and watch the fog blanket the nearby skyline. A promenade meanders past an angular metal-and-concrete conceptual "wharf" (placed next to the burned remains of the former commercial wharf)."

"A scenic ride through Uptown on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line takes you right to the park’s entrance. Stunning oak trees draped with Spanish moss, tranquil lagoons, and sprawling green lawns can be found in every corner of the park, along with exciting attractions like the Audubon Trail Golf Course and Audubon Zoo. This natural space dates back to 1898, and its beautiful landscape draws visitors and locals alike."

"Formerly the plantation of Etienne de Boré, the father of the granulated-sugar industry in Louisiana, this large, lush patch of greenery…"

"Features an impressive collection of original paintings, works on paper, and sculpture by some of history’s most revered artists. Representing over five centuries of fine art, we specialize in original works from the old masters to the modern masters, as well as a select group of renowned contemporary artists."

"Opened in 2011 by three NOPD officers, this bright blue building on Canal Street sells out more days than not, thanks in no small part to its signature maple bacon long john doughnut. The cops are gone now — they sold to a baker in 2017, but all doughnuts are still made by hand at Blue Dot Donuts, a point of pride for this busy shop. Get there early, and on the weekends, expect a line."

"Over in Mid-City, Blue Dot Donuts features a wide assortment of freshly made glazed, filled, cake, buttermilk and specialty doughnuts. The shop at 4301 Canal St. has earned four stars out of 181 reviews on Yelp. Look for raspberry doughnuts topped with powdered sugar, chocolate iced with coconut, Bavarian cream and an assortment of doughnut holes."

"Back in 1991, Phillip Songy started his family-owned donut shop that has since blossomed into a full-service neighborhood restaurant, Terrytown Cafe & Donuts. In 2015, the signature glazed donut was voted "Best Doughnuts City Wide" in a local competition. The hand-cut classic donuts are incredibly affordable; a single donut is less than a dollar."

"This 24/7 neighborhood bakery on the West Bank won over Times-Picayune judges with its glazed doughnut and apple fritter. The T-P crowned Terrytown as having the best doughnuts and for the best value. But Terrytown Cafe and Donuts’ regulars already knew that."

"You may very well hear this tree before you see it: a massive live oak in the middle of City Park. The Singing Oak is an art installation by artist Jim Hart that features wind chimes measuring as long as 14 feet. Part of the charm of The Singing Oak is just finding it."

"On the block of Plum and Burdette Street in Uptown New Orleans sits Plum Street Snowballs, a colorful neighborhood stand first established in 1945. Serving over 50+ sno-balls from March through October, this vintage spot, which represents NOLA’s authentic culture, serves its house-made creations with real snow made from a generations-old patented ice machine, fruit-flavored syrups and delicious condensed milk. 1300 Burdette St, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, +1 (504) 866-7996"

"The shaved ice here is beloved for its smooth, soft texture (not an ice chunk in sight), and comes in a miles-long list of flavors, including options like plum (of course), strawberry, piña colada, mocha, and passionfruit. Remember to bring some bills, as this spot is cash-only. And put your phone away when you approach the counter (or else)."

"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."

"St. Augustine Catholic Church is the oldest African-American Catholic parish in the nation. It is located on Saint Claude Avenue near the French Quarter on the site of the old Claude Tremé plantation. The church is the location of the annual Jazz Mass that is held in conjunction with the Satchmo Festival, which pays homage to Louis Armstrong."

"Marrero/French QuarterNamed after famed privateer Jean Lafitte (whose pirate treasure is still totally up for grabs, by the way), Lafitte National Park displays the beauty and complexity of the local ecosystem at its best. And by “ecosystem,” we of course mean “swamp.” As part of the National Park Service, it is free to the public. And though it may be only a 30- to 45-minute drive from the city to the park’s Barataria Preserve site -- spanning 23,000 acres -- entering the preserve is like being thrown into Jurassic Park."

"Jean Lafitte National History Park, located about 30 minutes south of New Orleans, was a highlight of the trip for me. There are a couple boardwalks that go through the swamp that provide amazing scenery and a chance to encounter all kinds of wildlife. We saw snakes, lizards, toads, egrets and, of course, an alligator. If you are both lucky and brave (or a bad parent like us), you could even take a picture with a wild alligator."

"Named after a famous pirate and privateer who helped defend New Orleans from the British in 1815, Jean Lafitte National Historical Park offers a sight to behold. See the treasures that the park hides as you stroll along the Bayou and learn about Cajun Culture. Find out the different science behind the hundreds of plants and animals that reside there!"

"Famed for the 300-year-old allée of live oak trees dripping with Spanish moss that flank its main entrance, Oak Alley Plantation has more to offer visitors than a quintessential view of a Southern plantation. Highlights include numerous exhibitions exploring the complexities of Southern and Louisiana history, 1,300 acres (526 hectares) of grounds, and the historic house itself—all within easy driving distance of New Orleans.More"

"New Orleans has many plantations which, while they all have a past fraught with slavery and horror, offer a slice of Louisiana that make them among the best ways to look into New Orleans’ past. Oak Alley Plantation sits along the Mississippi’s western bank. An alley flanked by oak trees, all planted in the 1700s, runs up from the bank to the home."

"For a day of exploring in the French Quarter, Woldenberg Park is an essential stop. Located right where the Quarter meets the mighty Mississippi, the park begins at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and runs along the water to St. Philip Street. Picnic spots, gazebos, and waterfront benches provide some of the city’s best views of the river."

"For example, at the Woldenberg Riverfront Park is a 16-acre park in front of downtown near everything. Woldenberg Riverfront Park is a wonderful place to go jogging or picnic. You’ll find people playing their music in the park."