Hugging the Mississippi River, the French Quarter is the oldest neighbourhood in New Orleans and a designated National Historic Landmark. It is clustered with buildings dating back to the late 18th century, many of which now house Cajun restaurants, history museums and lively jazz clubs.
Things to do in French Quarter
In the heart of the French Quarter is Jackson Square, a historic park centred around an equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson. Its leafy walking trails are backed by the soaring spires of St. Louis Cathedral, which is dedicated to King Louis IX of France. Street performers set up stage in front of the cathedral and there are plenty of benches for watching the world go by.
Stretching along the Mississippi River is Woldenberg Park, home to the whitewashed Old Man River Statue and the departure point for traditional steamboat cruises. At the park’s southern end is the Audubon Aquarium, which exhibits marine life from across the Americas. Stroll through the nine-metre-long tunnel filled with tropical fish and see piranhas in the Amazon exhibit before getting up close to sea turtles and stingrays native to the Gulf of Mexico.
Take a step back in time at the Old Ursuline Convent Museum, which is one of the oldest surviving examples of French Colonial architecture in the United States. Oil paintings and period furnishings decorate its beautifully restored rooms while a peaceful walled courtyard awaits behind the building. Nearby is the engaging New Orleans Jazz Museum, which occupies an 1830s mint.
Getting around French Quarter
The French Quarter is around 25 minutes’ drive from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, which has flights to destinations across North America. Light rail services connect to several stations along the edge of the Mississippi River, with most of the French Quarter’s attractions accessible on foot from here.