Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Ruddock

"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."

"Some key points to check out in this small zone are: the artists along the street at Jackson Square, St Lous Cathedral (you can’t miss it), New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo, and shopping for antiques on Royal Street. Of course, Bourbon street is here too and always popping even in the daytime."

"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."

"If you’ve seen photos of New Orleans, you’ve likely seen Jackson Square: a small park that sits in front of St. Louis Cathedral, the view of New Orleans’ beautiful white cathedral is one of the most classic shots of New Orleans. It doesn’t take long to walk around, but the real treat is what’s between Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral: in this small walking area, you’ll often find energetic street performers, from jazz musicians to jugglers, as well as plenty of people willing to exchange a bit of touristy New Orleans voodoo for a fee."

"Founded and constructed all the way back in 1721, Jackson Square is one of the oldest destinations in the whole city of New Orleans and is known to be the equivalent of the downtown area in other cities."

"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."

"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."

"Though it was named after him and offered to him as a place of refuge after his exile from France, Napoleon never made it here. Still, this 200-plus-year-old landmark carries on with his name, serving thousands of Pimm’s Cups and muffulettas to locals and tourists alike. Grab a seat in the courtyard and keep an eye out for the ghosts that are said to haunt the place."

"Named for the famous Frenchman intended to live there after his exile from France, Napoleon House is a 200+ year old historical landmark. The speakers play classical music and there’s a lovely courtyard. Order a Pimm’s Cup and a muffuletta, served warm."

"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…"

"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."

"The Beauregard -Keyes House museum includes past residents such as Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and American author Frances Parkinson Keyes. The house has elements of a Creole cottage with Greek Revival features, including a Palladian façade. It also has twin curved staircases leading to a Tuscan portico."

"French QuarterArchitecture enthusiasts will quickly and easily fall in love with New Orleans, and for good reason; the city is prized for its distinctive architectural style. And nowhere will you find a better example of this than at Madame John’s Legacy, a primo example of Louisiana’s 18th-century architectural design, and an official National Historic Landmark."

"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."

"Magazine Street, which runs from Canal Street to Audubon Park, is a six-mile-long shopper's paradise. With dozens of funky boutiques, galleries, and restaurants to choose from, Magazine Street is a terrific place to connect with local owner/operators and sample some famous New Orleans hospitality. Gallery and shop owners are all super friendly, displaying the New Orleans charm that never seems aggressive or pushy."

"A post shared by Magazine Street (@magazinestreet) on Apr 22, 2018 at 5:54pm PDT Magazine Street is six miles long and runs through six different neighborhoods in New Orleans. In the Garden District area, it has tons of cute coffee shops and cafes, little boutique shops and of course, plenty of historic homes. You can actually follow the street all the way down to Audubon Park if you wish."

"If you’re seeking one of the most iconic places to visit in New Orleans, Magazine Street holds a pretty good candle up to the rest of the Louisiana city. Why is it named Magazine Street?. There isn’t any conclusive evidence that dictates where this stretch of New Orleans got its name, but it is likely that it is named after ammunition."

"Arcing around the east bank of the Mississippi opposite Algiers Point is a riverside park laid out in the 1980s and 90s on the site of former wharves and warehouses. Woldenberg Park fronts the French Quarter and is bordered to the south by the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and the Entergy Giant Screen Theater. During the French Quarter Festival in early April the main stages are put up in Woldenberg Park."

"For a day of exploring in the French Quarter, Woldenberg Park is an essential stop. Located right where the Quarter meets the mighty Mississippi, the park begins at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and runs along the water to St. Philip Street. Picnic spots, gazebos, and waterfront benches provide some of the city’s best views of the river."

"This is also where you can have a famous Café du Monde beignet covered in powdered sugar, have your tarot cards read at Hex, get a taste of voodoo culture at Voodoo Authentica, and shop for jewelry, clothing, and antiques all throughout the neighborhood. The Pharmacy Museum has quite an interesting tour – don’t let the name fool you!. It’s all about old school remedies and how they evolved through history, with a local twist."

"Spillman | Blackwell is an exciting new venue on the block – located on Camp Street in the Warehouse District. Recently conceived by longtime best friends Leslie-Claire Spillman and Amy Blackwell, the gallery showcases a diverse roster of artists who work with a variety of media and processes. Bold surrealist canvases from artists like Ed Smith hang side by side with the abstract creations of Melissa Herington and realist photographs of Spillman herself."

"Many visitors pigeonhole New Orleans art as big, bright and made for tourists, but this is hardly the case at the Angela King Gallery, one of the best contemporary art galleries in the city. At any one time, the gallery showcases the work of up to 30 artists, whose talents range from oil paintings to mixed media to ink sketches. This is an extremely varied, diverse gallery, and a great stop for visiting (and local) art lovers."

"Pamper your mind, body, and spirit at their day spa and hair salon in Lakeview. At My Spa By The Park, they offer the very best in personal care and comfort. Their professionals are committed to providing you with the highest quality salon and spa service."

"This full-service spa is located in the colorful and funky neighborhood of Mid-City, just a couple of miles away from the French Quarter. Woodhouse signature service includes the Signature Minkyti facial which combines organic seaweed to deeply hydrate and nourish the face, and exfoliation to establish and maintain the skin’s pH balance. If you’re in need of a deeply restorative experience, opt for the Woodhouse Escape, with seven specialized treatments that include a dry brush exfoliation, and a full body stone massage, and reflexology."

"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."

"This combination wine shop/bar is housed in the American Can Company building, a historic structure along the Bayou St. John built in 1929. It was once the largest aluminum can factory in the country. Proprietor Leora Madden takes pride in how the wine scene has evolved since she opened in 2013."

"Owner Leora Madden has been fascinated with wine since her first visit to a Sonoma winery at the age of 14. She lived in wine country for seven years before bringing her informed palate to New Orleans. Besides wines Pearl offers a smart selection of IPAs, a solid array for a place of this size."

"– On Thursday and Fridays from 5 to 7 pm, Peal Wine Co offers free wine tastings and a 10% discount on featured wines."

"Urban South Brewery debuted in April 2016 with two flagship brews, Charming Wit and Holy Roller IPA. It didn’t take long for them to make a name for themselves thanks to the great IPAs they regularly brew. By far, this was the most recommended brewery in New Orleans and somehow I was lucky enough to book an Airbnb one block over. This is one of those New Orleans breweries we all need to be keeping our eyes on."

"They pride themselves with joining other local brewing pioneers to re-establish the brewery scene in New Orleans. Urban South Brewery offers carefully crafted beers using only the finest ingredients in New Orleans. The brewing process at Urban South Brewery is a mixture of cultural legacy and the bold innovation of the European beer making."