Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Bayou Gauche

"Sure, it’s the most touristy spot in the city, but no list of beautiful Big Easy buildings can be complete without its most recognizable building. Overlooking Jackson Square sits the St. Louis Cathedral, one of the oldest continually operating cathedrals in the United States. After the original structure was destroyed in the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788, multiple rebuilds resulted in the current—and much larger—structure designed by Louisiana architect Jacques de Pouillyin 1850."

"This is where everyone in New Orleans (Catholic, Protestant or n/a) wants to be married and buried. The stately church reigns over Jackson Square with its three soaring spires and classically proportioned white façade. This building dates from 1849, but a church has been in this spot since 1724."

"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."

"Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square is surrounded by gorgeous historic buildings, like the St. Louis Cathedral and Pontalba apartments. Kids love the spot for its street performers, people-watching, and delicious beignets at nearby Cafe du Monde. A post shared by Visit New Orleans (@visitneworleans) on May 13, 2018 at 3:45pm PDT"

"Through the iron gate on St. Peters Street lies one of the world’s most respected music venues and the spiritual home of New Orleans jazz, Preservation Hall. The band “preserves” the traditions of New Orleans jazz as it was in its heyday a hundred years ago, and plays five white-hot, hour-long sets each night in front of a packed room, where benches are kicked back so people of all ages can dance. No reservations, no booze—just stand in line with everyone else and you’ll be rewarded with a little local magic."

"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."

"History seeps from the peeling-paint clad walls and slanted, uneven floors and that’s part of the magic of this classic French Quarter haunt, believed to have been intended as Napoleon’s home in exile. Grab a bar stool perch and order a classic Pimm’s Cup and muffuletta served warm, somewhat of a novelty in the Quarter. When just a snack will do, order a quarter for $5.25 or half at $9.50."

"One of the oldest bars in New Orleans is the famous Napoleon House. This historic building dates back over 200 years. Back in those days, then-mayor Nicholas Girod was living here."

"They also have tons of other amazing cocktails including Pim’s Cup, French 75, and their mixologist’s seasonal specials. Having a drink here is an experience."

"One of the oldest houses in the French Quarter, Madame John’s Legacy is an example of eighteenth-century Louisiana Creole architecture. The house was raised high enough to withstand frequent flooding of the area and has ventilating features to alleviate the subtropical heat. It also managed to survive the great fire of 1794."

"Long thought to be the oldest building on the Mississippi River, Madame John’s Legacy has proven to be not quite the oldest. It was one of the few buildings in the quarter to escape the great fire of 1795 in New Orleans. Architecture fans can appreciate the 18th century design."

"Built by a riverboat pilot family, the Doulluts, in the historic Holy Cross neighborhood in 1905 and 1913, New Orleans’s famous Steamboat houses are known for their elaborate ornamentation and unique architecture. Facing the Mississippi River, the three-story houses show a Japanese influence with pagoda-style roofing, and historians surmise that the Doulluts were inspired by the Japanese exhibit at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. Wraparound porches are decorated with strands of cypress balls, and a glazed cupola towers above with views of the river."

"Head towards the less-touristy New Orleans neighborhood of Holy Cross to see a couple spectacular relics of the city’s nautical past. The Doullut Steamboat Houses, located at 400 and 503 Egania Street, were constructed in 1905 and 1913 by riverboat pilot Milton P. Doullut for himself and his son. Both of these privately owned houses, featuring pagoda roofs and wraparound verandas overlooking the Mississippi River levee, are closed to visitors but are easily visible from the public trail that runs along the crest of the levee."

"Plenty of areas in New Orleans, Louisiana, have unique and interesting types of architecture. If you’re just wandering around New Orleans for the purpose of sightseeing and you’re a fan of building design, then some of the coolest houses to walk by are the Doullut Steamboat Houses. These homes were all built between the years 1905 and 1913 by – you guessed it – a steamboat captain, with the help of his son."

"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."

"Funded by the WPA, the City Park Rose Garden, as it was called when it opened in 1936, has been expanded over the years to fit 12 acres of land featuring more than 2,000 varieties of plants from all over the world. In the early 1980s, the space was renamed the New Orleans Botanical Garden, but what has remained are the 10 sculptures commissioned by Mexican-American relief artist Enrique Alférez."

"– Did you know that New Orleans has a Botanical Garden in City Park?. Open all year round, the Botanical Garden covers 10 acres of land and is beautiful in the growing season. On Wednesdays in April and October, there are extended hours in the garden from 5-8 for an evening with musicians."

"The Pelican Club offers a wide range of amazing New Orleans dishes and focuses on authentic Creole-Cajun cuisine and down-to-earth Southern dishes. The restaurant is elegant, with ..."

"An institution of the French Quarter since 1990, the Pelican Club boasts some of the best seafood in New Orleans. It consistently garners critical acclaim, including being named on..."

"The Pelican Club’s location in the French Quarter automatically gives it a romantic charm. Inside, couples get to enjoy beautiful floors and columns made from Italian marble."

"About Crawfish: Known as Crawdads and Crawlers, Crawfish (cray-fish) are one of the coolest things to eat in New Orleans. They are only in season from February-June otherwise they would be higher on our list. These mini-lobsters are delicious and you can literately buy them by the bucket full."

"But they had preconceived notions about what an alligator would taste like. They were so nervous but ate it anyway!. I think it was pretty good and on the salty side!"

"An Ultimate seafood platter includes fried shrimp, oysters, fish, Cajun-seasoned fries and a biscuit. Delivery available in the French Quarter and CBD."

"Voted one of the top 10 coziest spas in the country by Travel and Leisure, Belladonna is a charming, small scale day spa with lots of personal flair. Locally owned and operated, the spa offers a creative menu of services, from the Be Bamboozled zen body retreat bath, salt scrub, and full body massage to the New Orleans appropriate Be Detoxed seaweed purifying wrap and cleanse. The multi-service packages are well priced."

"Woodhouse Day Spa is New Orleans’ ultimate, full service, luxury day spa. Offers a tranquil, transformational environment that’s both memorable and healthful. From beginning to end, their dedicated spa team ensures that your visit enhances your well-being."

"Consistently voted Best of New Orleans, Belladonna Day Spa & Retail Therapy is located in the Garden District at 2900 Magazine Street."

"Located inside the historic Roosevelt Hotel in downtown New Orleans, the Waldorf Astoria Spa is an oasis of uninterrupted tranquility. This luxury spa offers a full range of services, from facials, full-body massages and couples’ massages, to manicures and complete spa day experiences. If you want to go all out and make it a whole day to yourself (as you should), have a meal at Domenica afterwards (reservations recommended), and then mozy on over to the Sazerac, the hotel bar for a drink of your choice."

"One of the newest entries to the New Orleans spa scene is also one of the city’s most opulent. The award-winning Waldorf Astoria Spa, in the refined Roosevelt Hotel, offers 10 private treatment rooms and unparalleled personalized pampering. Custom therapies, combining local ingredients and contemporary techniques, are crafted to clients’ specific needs."

"Waldorf Astoria Spa New Orleans is a swank day spa in the Roosevelt Hotel on the edge of the CBD. Expect high-end treatments with an emphasis on European product lines. Local ingredients are also featured, like the official state fruit of Louisiana, the strawberry."

"New Orleans has plenty of delicious food that tourists love to try. With all the options, whether you’re looking for something to do for a whole family, for couples, or even alone, there will be something that tickles your fancy. The standard must-try in this city is gumbo, which is virtually Louisiana’s official cuisine."

"True Food Kitchen at Julia and St. Charles is now reopen with dine-in service. As we carefully and conservatively re-open our restaurant, we continue to honor our commitment to the health and safety of our guests and staff. Our dining room and patio will look different as we’ve made critical...Mehr"

"Like its sister Bearcat uptown, Bearcat CBD offers a menu of wholesome goodness for “Good Cat” (e.g., the savory Ranchero with vegan black beans, cashew crema, ranchero sauce, pico and avocado) and “Bad Cat” (country fried steak on Texas toast) cravings. There is more on offer downtown, however, including a contemporary rear patio fit for the pages of Dwell magazine. According to general manager Michael Matthews, Bearcat’s outdoor space has been a work in progress since the restaurant opened in December 2019."

"At Bearcat Café Uptown, your mood determines just how healthy your meal will be. Are you a “good cat” or a “bad cat” today?. The former enjoys vegan tofu scrambles or house-made yogurt while the latter indulges in gluten-free chai pancakes smothered in candied pecans and folded in with pumpkin cream cheese."

"Bearcat Cafe is a full service cafe located in Uptown New Orleans. They put a strong emphasis on “inclusion,” which particularly extends to their menu. On this menu you can find a pancake perfect for anyone… such as Gluten free, Vegan and Paleo friendly pancakes!"

"The Bearcat Cafe in Uptown lets you decide by indicating healthy or less healthy items on the menu. This modern sit-down cafe offers an array of fresh breakfast and lunch options. There are also selections of coffees from Equator Coffee Co, a wide variety of loose-leaf teas, and house-made bottled beverages."