Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Garden District

"St. Louis Cathedral is an iconic landmark of the French Quarter, located in front of the Jackson Square. It is the oldest cathedral in the United States. It has Renaissance and Spanish Colonial type architecture."

"St. Louis Cathedral, also known as The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of the city and is undoubtedly one of the best free things to do in New Orleans."

"– Every day from 830 am to 4 pm, you can tour the St Louis Cathedral for free. Self-guided brochures are available for a $1 donation, and Mass is at 12:05 pm daily."

"There are lots of places in New Orleans where you can partake in fun activities with your family, and one of them is Jackson Square. The area has got lots of residential and commercial properties, and is named after Andrew Jackson, whose statue was erected here in 1856. Jackson Square has also been featured numerous times in television shows and network broadcasts as well."

"Jackson Square is the center of all the history and action in New Orleans. The beautiful square lies in front of the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral with historic building on both sides, the famous Cafe du Monde and the Mississippi River to the south. It is definitely the most iconic photo spot in all of New Orleans."

"Part of the magic of New Orleans is its constant flow of live music. There’s always an excuse to dance, especially when you’re with your loved one on Valentine’s Day!. Jackson Square is beautiful as is, but live music creates an incredibly romantic atmosphere to dance hand-in-hand under the stars."

"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."

"If you're looking for a kid-friendly jazz venue in New Orleans, this is it. The all-ages music landmark offers sets of jazz nightly—fyi, there's no food and beverage service—with some shows starting as early as 6 p.m. Pro tip: Queue early and grab one of the benches; seating is first-come, first-served."

"Opened all the way back in 1961, Preservation Hall is a historical landmark in New Orleans housed in a building associated with a house band, a record label, and a non-profit foundation."

"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."

"The home was originally built by Nicholas Girod, the mayor of New Orleans. Girod later extended an invitation in 1821 to Napoleon to reside in the mansion as a refuge during his exile. Although Napoleon never made it to New Orleans, the name has been attached to the mansion ever since."

"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."

"Finally, head to Crescent Park for a beautiful sunset view of the city, and after the sun goes down venture over to Frenchmen Street for some live jazz and blues. While tourists tend to visit Bourbon Street, you’ll see more locals on Frenchmen. For tonight’s live music, check out this listing by the local radio station."

"Crescent Park is one of the city’s newest parks, but its landscape design is steeped in New Orleans’ past. This riverfront stretch of green space memorializes the robust history of New Orleans’ wharves. Plant-lined paths and breathtaking views run alongside the grand remnants of the industrial-age."

"This little fountain is easy to find down by Jackson Square. You just head northeast down Decatur along the shops until you hit Dumaine. At Dumaine, there is a gap between the shops where you find Instrument Men."

"For train aficionados, visiting the New Orleans Train Garden is one of the best activities to while away your time in Louisiana. Right in the center of City Park, the garden is as whimsical and charming as it is evocative of history. It is a historic location, with track running nearly a quarter of a mile as a group of scaled-down freight trains and streetcars runs through it, reminiscent of the very same they did indeed run a hundred or so years ago."

"Tucked away in a verdant corner of City Park’s Botanical Garden, the New Orleans Historic Train Garden features replicas of streetcars and trains that wind around 1,300 feet of track. It’s an informative look at New Orleans’ history—all in miniature!. While the Train Garden is open during Botanical Garden hours, the trains only operate on Saturdays and Sundays."

"Paul Prudhomme, who opened K-Paul’s in the French Quarter with his wife, Kay, in 1979, fathered the Cajun food revolution, introduced the world to blackening as a cooking technique, and even ushered in a new era for Commander’s Palace, where he made a name for himself before K-Paul’s as the restaurant’s first non-European chef. Since Prudhomme died in 2015, the kitchen is run by his longtime collaborator and fellow Opelousas, Louisiana native, Paul Miller. The two met in the 1970s and Miller moved to New Orleans to work with Prudhomme at Commander’s."

"K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen is a legendary New Orleans restaurant serving upscale Cajun and Creole dishes with top-quality service and atmosphere. It features open kitchens, a beautiful courtyard, and private event rooms with a balcony overlooking the French Quarter. Many say it is hands-down the best Cajun and Creole, French Quarter restaurant in New Orleans."

"A Louisiana drum fillet is blackened in a cast-iron skillet and served with crabmeat-chipotle compote, potatoes and vegetables. Reservations recommended."

"This quaint little neighborhood spot perfectly exemplifies what makes the French Quarter so special: even on its boundary streets, you'll find something to charm and surprise. Though locals usually occupy the tables at Meauxbar each night, these snug yet easygoing quarters welcome all comers. Framed photos, mirrors, burnished wood floors and moody lighting reinforce the bistro concept, and seating is available both at tables and at the bar."

"American , French"

"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."

"We are a Day Spa specializing in Massage Therapy & Esthetics offering a wide variety of massage, facial and full body waxing services. We also offer warm stone massage , Thai (table) massage and body scrubs and specialty facials to include anti-aging treatments and facial peels. Address:5014 Freret St, New Orleans, LA 70115"

"Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 79A, Metairie, (504) 833-7906; www.smashburger.com. A barbecue, bacon and cheddar burger is topped with fried onions on an egg bun."

"It started as a neighborhood bar near the horse tracks in 1936. Sixty years later, James Lemarie and Billy Gruber bought Liuzza’s by the Track and turned it into the quintessential neighborhood corner joint and the unofficial gathering place for Jazz Fest. Order the garlic oyster po-boy and a cold beer, served in a large frosted goblet."

"In a city that's po'boy proud, Liuzza's at the Track stands out from the crowd, thanks to the house specialty, a buttery, Worcestershire-fueled gi-normous portion of gulf shrimp slathered between a hot and crusty roll. It's called barbecue shrimp, but there's really nothing barbecued about it. Save room for the gumbo."