Best Arts and Culture Places in Bayou Gauche

"A must-see on most visitors’ New Orleans itineraries, and deservedly so. The building itself, set back in City Park, is imposing and grand with its alabaster walls and Greco-Roman columns. There's also a beautiful five-acre sculpture garden, with artwork beneath magnolias and Spanish moss-laden live oaks."

"The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a Smithsonian affiliate with a permanent collection of more than 4,000 different pieces of art. The museum celebrates the culture of New Orleans and the south as a whole. There are beautiful photography collections on display which are a favorite."

"Behind the museum’s main building is a gated outdoor space in 11 acres of mature parkland enriched with more than 90 works of sculpture. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden opened in 2003 and at the time of writing in 2019 had just doubled in size with an expansion that included 26 new works, mostly by 21st-century artists. On serpentine paths among pines, magnolias, camellias and live oaks draped with Spanish moss there are pieces by Henry Moore, Deborah Butterfield, Barbara Hepworth, Pierre Auguste Renoir, Robert Indiana, Gaston Lachaise and René Magritte, as well as contemporary sculptors like Katharina Fritsch, Hank Willis Thomas and Jeppe Hein."

"Mid-CityWhile the adjacent New Orleans Museum of Art charges an entrance fee on most days (see below), the glorious sculpture garden on its grounds is open seven days a week and totally gratis to all comers. Meander the footpaths and marvel at over 60 impressive -- and sometimes disturbing -- works of sculpture by a bevy of international artists. When you get tired, you can always avail yourself of mini-golf, beignets at Morning Call, or any other variety of fun activities to be had in City Park."

"The CAC complex in historic downtown is a cultural leader, bridging the gap between the visual and performing arts by combining exhibitions, concerts, dance and plays. Past interactive events, such as Leverage by Mexican artist Pedro Reyes, had patrons delightedly playing on what resembled a giant see-saw. Upcoming exhibitions include 30 Americans, showcasing the last three decades of art by the most influential African-American artists, and Julian Sands in A Celebration of Harold Pinter, where the actor will share and provide insight into Pinter's little-known poetry."

"Visit the spacious art galleries of the Contemporary Arts Center to see some world-class fine art in the up-and-coming warehouse district in downtown New Orleans. There are different artist residences happening and constantly rotating and changing exhibits. The museum is famous for the events that it hosts with different performances and lectures."

"Take in cutting-edge exhibits, featuring both local artists and the work of national and international talent, at this cornerstone of…"

"If you like arts and culture, you might enjoy a trip to the New Orleans Museum of Arts aka NOMA. Here you’ll find art work from famous artists like Picasso, Joan Miro, Georgia O’ Keffe, and also some local Louisiana artists. The art exhibition are divided into arts from different regions of the world. NOMA has a nice cafe, a cute garden to enjoy a picnic and a lake behind to kayak."

"M Contemporary is located in a picturesque red-brick townhouse, known as The Thirteen Sisters, built on Julia Street in the 1830s. Inside the windows are lined with pretty green shutters, while the artworks on show are as mesmerizing as the building itself. The gallery is a curation of both emerging and established artists from across the US, united by their use of rich complex color and distinctive points of view."

"Brand Gallery had it’s inaugural opening in August 2015 in conjunction with the annual Whitney White Linen Night. From that point forward, we have been committed to creating a platform for emerging artists to showcase their work and to building a community around collectors who connect with each piece. We showcase the work of artists who are currently based in New Orleans or have their roots in Louisiana and the surrounding region."

"Over in the French Quarter, check out A Gallery For Fine Photography, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 15 reviews on Yelp. Treat yourself at the art gallery by heading over to 241 Chartres St. As to what the business is known for, "Founded at a time when photography was only beginning to secure a foothold both in museum collections and in the art market at large, A Gallery for Fine Photography is a living landmark in the history of photography," it states on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties."

"Established in 1998 by local artist and activist Jonathan Ferrara, this gallery showcases avant-garde painting, sculpture, installation and mixed media-based artworks by artists like David Buckingham and Krista Jurisich. From steel-line sculpture to cartoon art, the venue seeks to give a voice to emerging international artists in its trendy open gallery space. If you go in Autumn, the gallery also hosts the annual No Dead Artists International Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Art, which platforms exciting new US talent."

"While you're strolling along Royal Street be sure to make time for the Alex Beard Studio. Beard's paintings of animals in the natural world reflect his travels in Africa and are interesting in the context of African-centric New Orleans. Influenced by both his uncle, Peter Beard, and mother, Patricia Beard, Alex's creativity derives from both nature and nurture – he spent his youth around artists such as Warhol and Capote – which echoes throughout the "Abstract Naturalism" style he has created."

"American painter and author Alex Beard is best known for his elaborate wildlife compositions created in his signature style of gesturalpainting, which he has coined “Abstract Naturalism.” Raised in a family that fostered philanthropy, creativity and exploration, Alex has traveled extensively around the world. The diverse cultures, colors, and climates of Africa, India, China, the Americas, and Australia have profoundly influenced both his professional and artistic practice."

"It’s not surprising that many bakeries draw from European influences; however Maple Street Patisserie’s charming master baker and pastry chef Ziggy Chichowski, is, in fact, European. The dedication to craft and traditional Viennese and French goods are evident in Maple Street’s beautifully rendered cakes, pastries, and repertoire of classic breads. A low key but warm spot to grab and cup of coffee and a breakfast treat (sausage biscuits are divine) or a sandwich on house-baked bread."

"European baker extraordinaire Ziggy Cichowski is the mastermind behind this small bakery on Maple Street, cranking out some of the best baked goods in the city. The chocolate chip cookies are amazing, as are the tarts, éclairs, and Napoleons. But the best in show are the glazed donut twists: soft, yeasty donuts fried golden brown and covered in a decadent, sugary glaze."

"This bakery started out on Laurel St Uptown, but moved to S. Broad St. Once you get past that confusion, get down to business with house-made bagels and a schmear, or as part of a breakfast sandwich. Laurel’s sandwiches are made with house-baked bread, and sweets like turnovers, coffee cake, muffins, and croissants are not to be missed."

"With 24-hour notice, Laurel Street Bakery can whip up a few chocolate cake options. All cakes are nine-inch round, two layer cakes. Choose from devil’s food, chocolate covered strawberry, chocolate raspberry, or chocolate mousse cake."

"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."

"With three locations, Executive Pastry Chef Megan Forman has put together a wonderful holiday menu for us this year that satisfies the need for sweet and savory. Sweet options include cakes, chocolate bark, truffles, and more. The dessert that has everyone talking about Willa Jean, and yes, it’s okay to lick the beater: Cookies and Milk — ooey-gooey barely set and still warm chocolate chip cookies, cookie dough batter, and vanilla-infused milk."

"This locally owned bakery and cafe has multiple locations around town, all good go-tos for baked goods, breads, breakfast and lunch goodies. Last year they added doughnuts into the mix, all made inhouse, from fillings to dough to toppings - no mixes here. A few to try include spiced sugar twist, honey cornmeal and classic blueberry glazed."

"What you're getting: A Pretzel Croissant Pastries, pastries, and more pastries are what you’ll find at Gracious, as well as a load of sandwiches and elegant desserts. Bonus points for its creative approach to baking, which brings with it the Hazelnut “Kermit” Cruffin, as well as Pretzel Croissants."

"Swine is fine at Cochon, where chef Stephen Stryjewski (partnered here with chef Donald Link) pays homage to the old-style Cajun Boucherie with the hand crafting of boudin, andouille, smoked bacon, and head cheese. With newly appointed chef de cuisine Bret Macris in the kitchen, a menu of locally sourced pork, fresh produce and seafood, delivers authentic flavors of Cajun country. Set in the rustic, yet the contemporary interior of a renovated New Orleans warehouse, Cochon is the place to tuck into a succulent crawfish pie and roasted gulf fish "fisherman" style, along with comfort foods including spoon bread with okra and tomatoes, roasted oysters and suckling pig."

"The chatty, boisterous nature of the restaurant is apparent when you enter: the glee of meat-happy patrons practically bounces off the wood paneling that frames the entire dining room. It’s a place to pig out, pun intended, but behind the bacchanal is a commitment to high-quality, in-house food production. The menu is understandably pork-heavy, with house-made sausage and bacon."

"Address: 930 Tchoupitoulas Street, Suite ANew Orleans, LA 70130Phone: (504) 588-2123Website. Situated in a renovated warehouse, Cochon features a pork-centric menu and puts an imaginative spin on traditional cajun cuisine as well as seafood and fresh local produce."

"All these years later, this restaurant still feels like a discovery, but it’s under-the-radar by design: The restaurant doesn’t even have a sign. Housed in a century-old building that was once a pharmacy and camouflaged in a leafy residential neighborhood, the dining room, with the attentive touch and constant presence of impeccable Gautreau’s owner Patrick Singley buzzes with well-heeled locals. It feels like a club, and that’s one of the many things that make it so cool."

"1728 Soniat St., (504) 899-7397; www.gautreausrestaurant.com. Roasted duck breast is served with mole reduction, corn truffle, cipollini onions and English pea risotto. Reservations recommended."

"Atelier Vie is a craft distillery that produces a hefty lineup of spirits including Euphrosine Gin #9 Bottled in Bond; a standard version of Euphrosine; and a nine-month, barrel-aged version called Barrel-Finished Reserve. The Atelier Vie lineup also includes Louisiana Single Malt; Riz, a Louisiana rice whiskey; Calio Rum and Barrel Aged Calio Rum; Orphan Street Brandy and Orphan Street Brandy “El Jefe” Edition; Toulouse Green, a traditional-style absinthe distilled with Louisiana wormwood; and Toulouse Red, an American absinthe colored red with hibiscus. Atelier Vie also bottles Buck 25 Vodka and Orphan Street Bourbon."

"Founded in 2011, Atelier Vie produces vodka, gin, whiskey and even absinthe, from its South Broad Street location in Mid-City New Orleans.Atelier Vie’s two varieties of absinthe include the traditional green absinthe and a red version colored and flavored with hibiscus flowers. Try: Louisiana Single Malt Whiskey, Calio Rum, Orphan Street Brandy, and Euphrosine Gin, which took the Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition."

"Courtyard’s doubled its interior space, gussied up the courtyard, and put a damn wine on tap, but don’t worry. It’s still the same laid back dog-friendly joint with plenty of hoppy (and non-hoppy) beers brewed in house as well as guest taps from other breweries. Scott Wood’s brewery has gotten slightly bigger and exponentially better over the past 4 years, and that trend will almost certainly continue."

"When most people think of New Orleans bars, they picture people slamming down sugary Hurricane drinks and mass-produced beers. While there’s certainly plenty of that going on, the city is also home to a burgeoning craft beer scene. One of the best bars in New Orleans to get your hop fix is Courtyard Brewery."

"Open for just under a year, The Courtyard Brewery has already changed the New Orleans beer game. It provides a very different—but still excellent—craft beer experience from the nearby Avenue Pub. Co-founder Scott Wood brews and sells his own beers amongst a variety of hand-picked guest taps."