Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Hilton Garden Inn New Orleans French Quarter/CBD

"Most tourists recognize the St. Louis Cathedral's triple spires as the main symbol of the French Quarter. Many have taken photos of the gleaming white facade against a clear blue sky, from across picturesque Jackson Square. Relatively few, though, have stepped inside the Cathedral – the oldest continuously active one in the US – to view its surprising interior; the stained glass windows depicting the saintly life of France's King Louis IX, the glorious murals and statuary beckoning the visitor back nearly 300 years to its founding."

"On the north side of Jackson Square is the St. Louis Cathedral, a landmark structure in New Orleans. It was built in 1794 on the site of two earlier churches and is known for being the United States' oldest cathedral in continuous use. Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral in 1987."

"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."

"The square is a National Historic Landmark and a natural gathering spot. The palm tree-lined square, named after Andrew Jackson, has a statue of him riding a horse in honor of his victory in the Battle of New Orleans against the British."

"If you’re daunted by the multitude of jazz joints in the French Quarter, Preservation Hall is a traditional jazz venue with a house band drawing from more than 100 musicians. You can come for intimate concerts at 20:00, 21:00 and 22:00 Monday to Wednesday and extra performances at 17:00 and 18:00 from Thursday to Sunday. The shows are great of course, but Preservation Hall accepts audiences of all ages, which makes it a rare nightlife option for families."

"If traditional New Orleans jazz is what you seek, you can’t do any better than Preservation Hall. This legendary French Quarter establishment has been hosting the city’s finest traditional musicians nightly for decades. Reserve tickets in advance for one of the three intimate and highly interactive nightly shows (45 minutes each, starting at 8, 9, and 10 pm) or take your chances waiting in line the night of the show."

"You might be wondering why I haven’t mentioned the iconic French Quarter jazz venue, Preservation Hall. It’s absolutely possible to see a show here (40ish minutes) and then head to Frenchmen Street. Depending on the night of the week, prepare to wait in line for up to an hour and remember with no food, drink (BYOB), or AC and the likelihood of standing during the performance, this venue isn’t right for everyone."

"Few places capture the essence of New Orleans like the Napoleon House: A 200 year old landmark that’s as casual and unique as its French Quarter surroundings. Owned and operated by the Impastato family since 1914 and Ralph Brennan since May of 2015, it’s a place that suspends you in time."

"But you have to go to Napoleons House Bar to get a Muffuletta. This place has been here FOREVER. They have homemade bread with all their sandwiches and the highest quality ingredients to go inside."

"On a typically hot July summer day In 1966 my fiance, now wife, and I first entered Napoleon House for a late afternoon drink. We were greeted by a…"

"New Orleans, Louisiana, isn’t particularly known for being lush with greenery. That’s probably why Louis Armstrong Park is one of the top green tourist attractions that New Orleans has to offer. It’s close to the teeming French Quarter so isn’t far displaced from the cultural aspects of the city, and with a huge 32-acre space, it’s often become the home of events and festivals."

"This 32-acre park located in the Treme neighborhood is a good option for kids to explore near the French Quarter. You'll find picturesque green space, a sculpture garden, and paths aplenty. View this post on Instagram"

"Explore the Garden District and Buckner’s Mansion The Garden District is where you’ll find the epic mansions. You want to walk along here and take photos, even sign up for a tour if you’re interested enough. Buckner’s Mansion is where American Horror Story: Covent was filmed, so you can put that into your GPS."

"The Garden district is a nice neighborhood with beautiful architecture and breathtaking mansions. Celebrities like Sandra Bullock, and Brad Pitt own houses in the Garden district. I did both the Cemetery and Garden district tour with Tour New Orleans which lasted for 2 hours."

"Another choice is to stay in the Garden District close to St. Charles Avenue. The streetcar makes it quick and easy to get to the French Quarter, not to mention how much quieter it is!"

"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."

"If a few days of fried seafood and rich Creole sauces is wreaking havoc on your constitution, head to The Green Fork in the Lower Garden District, a stone's throw from Seed, another healthful eatery. The Green Fork specializes in fresh juices amped up with the likes of bee pollen and hemp protein, all designed to do a body good. Nibble on healthy snack options like kale chips hummus and chick pea salad."

"3841 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 888-9046; www.acropoliscuisine.com. Saganaki is sauteed kasseri cheese flamed with Ouzo and served with pita."

"Even if you’re not planning a trip out to the Chalmette Battlefield for a morning of history, you’d do yourself a service by planning a stop on the way for a morning pick-me-up at Gerald’s, an old-school bakery that sells new school donuts. Their melt-in-your-mouth sweet dough is the perfect base for giant apple fritters, classic glazed donuts, cinnamon twists, and even more fanciful options like the ones that come covered in M&Ms."

"Hot, fresh donuts are served 24 hours a day at Gerald's Donuts. The family-owned and operated establishments (three locations in total) also make king cakes all year round, not just during Mardi Gras. Classic cake donuts come in flavors like powdered lemon, blueberry, maple, and strawberry cream."

"Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, (504) 252-9498; 6901 St. Claude Ave., Arabi, (504) 277-0030; www.geraldsdonuts.com. Gerald’s Dozen includes any 12 ring doughnuts plus doughnut holes."

"Set in a quaint corner bungalow on Dauphine Street, Horn's Eatery and Catering is a friendly neighborhood café with lovely sidewalk seating, and they serve hearty Southern fare in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Packed with regulars and newcomers alike, the restaurant is a bustling breakfast spot with a menu of classic and traditional food such as fluffy three-egg omelets with different fillings, egg scrambles, grits and étouffée, carrot waffles, and waffle couchons. Signature dishes include the Jewish Coonass with two potato latkes, two eggs, and freshly grilled spinach topped with crawfish étouffée and a homemade biscuit, and the Havana Omelet with seasoned black beans, salsa, and cheddar cheese."

"For music clubs and fun, one of the best of the things to see in New Orleans is Tipitina’s, the most famous club for music in the city. It first swung open its doors in 1977 on a venue dating back to 1912, and it has only grown more and more loved since. Tipitina’s is known as the hotspot that every aspiring local musician or performer would love to book a gig in."

"A timeless local music institution who's famously hosted The Goo Goo Dolls, Patti Smith, Willie Nelson and many other unforgettable musicians on tour throughout the Big Easy. 501 Napoleon Ave.East RiversideNew Orleans, LA 70115"

"Tipitina’s, otherwise known as Tip’s, is a music venue nestled right at the corner of Napoleon Avenue and Tchoupitoulas Street in Uptown New Orleans."

"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."

"Between po-boys and gumbos, you might be craving a pizza one time or another during your trip. Don’t worry, we’ve found one of the best restaurants in New Orleans to find pizza!. Wit’s Inn is a sport bar and pizza atmosphere, meaning you need to be 21 or over to enter, so this one is perfect for date night out!"

"A barbecued chicken pizza includes an herb sauce base, mushrooms, bell peppers, red onions, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, jalapenos and barbecue sauce. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch, dinner and late-night daily, brunch Sat.-Sun."