Must See Sights and Landmarks in Harahan Area

"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."

"Beautiful structure filled with the spirit and preservation of God. This is the oldest active Cathedral in the United States. Basilica St. Louis of France… read more »"

"Jackson Square is pretty famous in New Orleans, Louisiana, and tourists gravitate towards it like nobody’s business in their quest for what to do for fun while visiting. Once upon a time, Jackson Square was a ground for military parades back in the 1720s, somewhat similar to Paris’ Place des Vosges. In 1815, once the Battle of New Orleans drew to a close, the area was renamed to honor General Andrew Jackson."

"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."

"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."

"Walk down St. Peters Street on any evening and you’ll likely encounter the line for Preservation Hall. With shows starting at 5:00pm, 6:00pm, 8:00pm, 9:00pm, and 10:00pm almost every night of the year, this iconic music venue has been promoting Jazz in the Crescent City for over 50 years. The cost to enter is usually $20 (cash only), the venue is tiny, and the music is acoustic."

"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."

"We highly recommend taking a cemetery tour through Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1. This is the oldest and most famous cemetery in New Orleans and has the tombs of famous people like Marie Laveau, the notorious voodoo queen, Homer Plessy’s tomb, from the famed Plessy vs. Ferguson civil rights case, and even Nicholas Cage’s strange pyramid tomb for when he dies."

"I recommend Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1 to see the tomb of Marie Laveau, a famous mixed race Voodoo priestess. Though other cemeteries are free to explore, to see this one you’ll need to take a walking tour offered Monday through Saturday at 10am, 11:30am and 1pm, and Sunday at 10am."

"If you’re looking for unique stuff to do in New Orleans, then definitely consider dropping by St. Louis Cemetery No. 1."

"If you want a Po Boy, we recommend checking out Killer Po-Boys, if you want a fancy dining experience where you dress up and have another Commander’s Palace like experience head on over to Galatoire’s on Bourbon St., if you want some great gumbo head on over to the Gumbo Shop, or if you want some of the best oysters in town to check out Acme Oyster House for their famed seafood. We had a hard time choosing our last meal because all of the food we ate was so good."

"The infamous Bourbon Street, also known as Rue Bourbon, conjures up images of endless partying, drinks of all shapes and sizes, bachelorette parties, and of course, Mardi Gras. Outside of Mardi Gras season, visitors flock to this playground of the South for its Creole restaurants, live music venues, souvenir shops, and well-known drinking establishments.More"

"The French Quarter is iconic for its architecture, jazz, food, Bourbon Street and of course, its annual raucous Mardi Gras celebrations. So, it makes perfect sense most NOLA visitors start their trip here."

"Of all the cemeteries in New Orleans, Lafayette exudes the strongest sense of subtropical Southern Gothic. The stark contrast of moldering crypts and gentle decay with the forceful fertility of the fecund greenery is incredibly jarring. It’s a place filled with stories – of German and Irish immigrants, deaths by yellow fever, social societies doing right by their dead – that pulls the living into New Orleans’ long, troubled past."

"New Orleans found itself amid a large influx of Italian, German, Irish, and American immigrants from the North when this magnolia-shaded…"

"Home to New Orleans’ moneyed elite (and more than a handful of celebrities), the Garden District is the perfect place to walk around and gape at gorgeous homes. Whether you’re in search of Hollywood filming locations (the coven house from American Horror Story is here), familiar facades (the inspiration for the Haunted Mansion in Disneyland calls this neighborhood home), or celebrity homes (Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, and Anne Rice have both lived here, among others), or you simply want to enjoy the architecture, there’s plenty to love about exploring the Garden District."

"Once you’re ready for lunch, dole out $1.25 at the St. Charles / Common stop and make your way to the Garden District, home to some of the city’s most impressive and iconic mansions. For $3, you can get unlimited rides for 24 hours. Not only is this streetcar the world’s oldest continuously operating street railway system, but it’s also a unique and inexpensive way to transport yourself throughout the city."

"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."

"Built in 1851 by the Jesuits, this breathtaking, Moorish-inspired structure melds Islamic architecture with Christian and Jewish symbolism (including hundreds of Stars of David). Massive bronze doors, soaring Arabesque arches, stunning stained glass (featuring 18 stations of the cross), cast-iron pews and columns are among the church’s many architectural highlights. Of special note is the towering cupola, the marble statue of Mary (originally carved for Marie Amélie, queen of Louis Philippe of France, during the mid 1800s) located above the onion-domed high altar and two Venetian-glass mosaic shrines at the rear of the sanctuary."

"Immaculate Conception church, locally known as Jesuit church, is a Roman Catholic church in the Central Business District of New Orleans. The original church was built on this site in 1857. Immaculate Conception church was built and designed in the Neo-Venetian Gothic style of Gothic Revival architecture, with Moorish Revival and Byzantine Revival elements."

"Internationally renowned artist, Chris Roberts-Antieau offers up her whimsical and bizarre world of fabric appliqué in her galleries in Nola and Santa Fe!"

"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."

"The grounds at Houmas House are just as delicious as their buffet. Creole and cajun cuisine is an exceptional blend of French and American culture that is unique to Louisiana. You can find great Cajun and creole recipe books online or in bookstores, or just head to the source and get it prepared fresh!"

"500 9th St., Gretna, (504) 500-0997; www.bananablossom504.com. Larb gai is a salad with ground chicken, onion, cilantro, mint and toasted rice-lime dressing. Reservations accepted."

"The idea for business came upon an observation while having a pedicure at a local shop. On occasion, I would see a male come in to have a pedicure or a manicure and they appeared to be somewhat ill at ease in an all female setting..."

"China Orchid in the Riverbend neighborhood has been around for more than 25 years, first opened by the mother of Joe Ming, proprietor of Ming’s in Lakeview. Ming’s mother, Susan, taught him how to cook Chinese food in the kitchen of the family-owned Uptown restaurant, which changed hands in 1992. It’s still a neighborhood go-to for Chinese takeout, with an extensive menu and delivery available."

"Carrollton Ave., (504) 865-1428; www.chinaorchidneworleans.com. An orange peel beef combo platter includes an egg roll, fried rice and egg drop or hot and sour soup."

"Located in the Irish Channel, Parasol’s is a longtime local favorite dive bar known for its po’ boys, sports on T.V. and St. Patrick’s Day revelry. The corner location has outside seating, and guests are always mixing and mingling with each other—all while enjoying stiff drinks and tasty eats."

"(Garden District, Bars/Southern, $) Step up to the takeout window and order a roast beef Po’ Boy made to drip down to your elbows."

"Parasol's in the Irish Channel, renowned for its gravy, is a perfect stop for an egalitarian roast beef po-boy and beer."