Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Edgard

"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."

"What looks like a castle in the French Quarter is actually the oldest cathedral in North America. This alone makes it one of the best things to do in New Orleans, especially when you head inside. You see, St. Louis Cathedral was founded as a Catholic Parish in 1720 and includes both Renaissance and Spanish Colonial architecture that is totally gorgeous."

"Once a military parade ground at the very centre of the city Jackson Square was first laid out in 1720s in the style of Place des Vosges in Paris. After the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 the plaza was renamed in honour of the victorious General Andrew Jackson who would become the seventh president of the United States between 1829 and 1837. At the very centre of formal gardens is the equestrian statue for Jackson by sculptor Clark Mills and unveiled in 1856."

"Sprinkled with lazing loungers, surrounded by sketch artists, fortune tellers and traveling performers, and watched over by cathedrals, offices and shops plucked from a Parisian fantasy, Jackson Sq is one of America’s great town greens and the heart of the Quarter. The identical, block-long Pontalba Buildings overlook the scene, and the nearly identical Cabildo and Presbytère structures flank the impressive St Louis Cathedral, which fronts the square."

"Head over to Jackson Square the historical park and location of where the final version of the Louisiana Purchase was signed. Walk to the Mississippi River front where you can check out the Natchez Steamboat, one of the historical steamboats of the Mississippi River."

"It’s also an excellent place to people watch and where a number of New Orleans’ historical landmarks like The St Louis Cathedral, The Cabildo, and The Presbytère are located (with Preservation Hall and The Historic New Orleans Collection nearby). Tons of artists, musicians, and fortune tellers hang out in Jackson Square and in the spirit of disclosure, I spent most of my time here people-watching and eating beignets. However, if you want to be a little more cultured than I was, visit one or several of the above-mentioned landmarks for even more NOLA history."

"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."

"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."

"This park pays tribute to one of the Big Easy’s most esteemed legends, Louis Armstrong. The park is all about art, jazz, and music, featuring different events throughout the year at the historic Congo Square. It’s only a block from the jazz-inspired Hotel St. Pierre; so grab your food and find a peaceful spot among the trees, or spread out a blanket along the banks of the lagoon."

"There aren’t a ton of green spaces in downtown New Orleans, so Louis Armstrong Park, just outside the French Quarter, is a welcome option. Given its proximity to the city’s culture, the park has also become a hub for festivals and seasonal events. It’s a well-designed, landscaped spot that packs a lot into 32 acres."

"The St. Louis Cemetery was founded in 1789 and is the oldest burial ground of New Orleans’ most illustrious residents. There, you’ll find the gravesite of Voodoo queen Marie Laveau, as well as actor Nicolas Cage’s future tomb. Book with Save Our Cemeteries to have an up close and personal look at an array of wall vaults and tombs just steps from the French Quarter—and don’t forget the sunscreen."

"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."

"A few blocks from the French Quarter, St. Augustine has been the gravity center of the Tremé neighborhood since the 1840s. New Orleans’ large and vibrant community of free people of color was involved in the church from its beginnings. Often called “Creoles of color,” these property owners, artisans, businesspeople and professionals were several generations removed from slavery and sometimes were slave owners themselves."

"St. Augustine Catholic Church is the oldest African-American Catholic parish in the nation. It is located on Saint Claude Avenue near the French Quarter on the site of the old Claude Tremé plantation. The church is the location of the annual Jazz Mass that is held in conjunction with the Satchmo Festival, which pays homage to Louis Armstrong."

"Over in the French Quarter, check out A Gallery For Fine Photography, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 15 reviews on Yelp. Treat yourself at the art gallery by heading over to 241 Chartres St. As to what the business is known for, "Founded at a time when photography was only beginning to secure a foothold both in museum collections and in the art market at large, A Gallery for Fine Photography is a living landmark in the history of photography," it states on Yelp in the section highlighting specialties."

"Located at the corner of St. Claude and St. Roch avenues, across from the bright orange Healing Center that includes the New Orleans Food Co-Op, the St. Roch Market first opened in 1875 as just one of the city's many public markets. Restored in 2012 with $3.7 million in public funds, the market now includes 13 vendors including two that offer gluten free baked goods. The Market is an easy walk or bike ride from the French Quarter, and it's just across the street from the Marigny."

"After your cemetery tour hop in a cab or Uber and head over in about a 5-minute drive to St. Roch Market for lunch. If you were intrigued by all the voodoo history you learned you can also make a pit stop on the way at the Voodoo Spiritual Temple, home of Voodoo Priestess Miriam, one of the last authentic voodoo practitioners in New Orleans."

"This late-19th-century city-owned seafood market, which was by and large abandoned after Hurricane Katrina, was reborn as an upscale food hall several years ago. The dilapidated structure was spruced up and the navelike interior painted an..."

"If it's a truly French brasserie setting you crave with the emphasis on locally sourced seafood and Southern hospitality, you've come to the right spot. Offering a trendy, convivial atmosphere, top notch service and an extensive raw bars to boot, Luke is a dream come true for shellfish enthusiasts. If selections like fresh local oysters and littleneck clams don't pique your appetite, choose from a host of other menu items like the local crabmeat omelet or the signature Luke burger."

"Luke is a French-style brasserie serving French and German inspired cuisine with a Louisiana twist. The menu here is very ‘old world’ and uses slow and traditional cooking techniques. We recommend ordering their Blue Crab Gratin plate to share which is made with spinach, Emmenthaler cheese and country bread croutons."

"Peacock Room is the restaurant in the new Kimpton Hotel Fontenot downtown, the the restaurant snagged Chris Lusk, a longtime New Orleans chef who has cooked at Restaurant R’evolution, Cafe Adelaide, and the Caribbean Room, for a menu of dishes like fruits de mer pho made with cashew hoisin, grouper, shrimp ramen, and crab boulettes; chicken and eggplant fricasse with tomato and toasted farro; and black lentil vadouvan curry. The cocktail program is also a standout, curated with hard-to-come-by spirits and cocktails like the Primp and Preen, made with mezcal, white rum, orgeat, fresh citrus and blue curaçao; a Ruby Bridges made with gin, Cynar, citrus, strawberry, and basil; and the Sackcloth and Ashes, with Toki Japanese whisky and Amaro Montenegro (and mysteriously, “umami”)."

"The elegant restaurant in the new Kimpton Hotel Fontenot downtown has a killer cocktail program, thanks to Paula Echevarria, a longtime NOLA cocktail creator and writer. The beautiful bar is curated with hard-to-come-by spirits and serves cocktails like the Primp and Preen, made with mezcal, white rum, orgeat, fresh citrus and blue curaçao; a Ruby Bridges made with gin, Cynar, citrus, strawberry, and basil; and the Sackcloth and Ashes, with Toki Japanese whisky and Amaro Montenegro (and intriguingly, “umami”). Helpfully, each specialty cocktail includes a few adjectives to help anticipate the flavors of the drink."

"Chef Chris Lusk is killing it at the sexy new Peacock Room lounge in the newly opened Kimpton Hotel Fontenot in the CBD. His goal was to cook food that he’d want to eat after some time drinking at a bar — and that mission is accomplished in spades. Add his haute burger to the fancy chef-driven winners in town, an ample house-ground patty topped with bacon, Boursin cheese, crispy shallots, and tomato jam on a brioche bun."

"This haunt is another popular go-to, with four stars out of 185 Yelp reviews. Head over to 3607 Magazine St. (between Napoleon and Louisiana) to see for yourself. The menu offers such dishes as jerk-spiced fish with sweet potato hash and charred pineapple, grilled steak with truffle Parmesan fries, crawfish bolognese with mushroom ragout and linguine, and coconut barbecue shrimp and grits with charred poblano peppers."

"If you’ve ever wanted to step foot into one of those gorgeous New Orleans Victorian mansions, this is your chance. Cavan is spread across a couple of stories of a grand old home along the famed Magazine Street corridor. Outside, you’ll find seating under umbrella-covered tables or on the big front porch."

"3607 Magazine St. My family and I spent our Mother’s Day brunch, here. Along with August, the dining room at Cavan is one of my wife’s favorites. Rooms have certain “feels” to me."

"Opened in 2016, this Central City spot housed in a corrugated metal building is known for its custom smokers and pushing creative boundaries, undoubtedly one of the top barbecue spots in town. It also boasts a huge covered patio decked out with televisions and string lights, making it one of the city’s best spots for rainy game days. Don’t miss the burnt ends, spoon bread, or Brussels sprouts."

"530 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 833-7121; www.faustosbistro.com. Italian sausage is sauteed with bell peppers, onions, garlic, Italian herbs and marinara sauce and served over angel hair pasta. Reservations recommended."

"Sadly, both Kay and Paul Prudhomme are no longer with us, but their revolutionary K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen still lives on. Kay was the businesswoman, Paul was the Cajun chef who knew just how to make diners smile. His blackened catfish took the world by storm in 1979 (it even caused a catfish shortage) and his blackening spices are still just as delicious today, now made with fresh Louisiana drum."

"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."

"K-Paul's Restaurant in the Quarter is the trademark establishment of the late chef Paul Prudhomme, whose Cajun jambalaya (culturally different from French Creole) has tasso sausage, chicken, and a jalapeño kick."