Top Rated Attractions in New Orleans

New Orleans Musical Legends Park is a lovely outdoor space that is dedicated to creating awareness about the rich cultural and musical heritage of the city of New Orleans. A pleasant reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the city, the space offers visitors a tranquil oasis with interesting exhibits that chronicle the various influences that have shaped the culture of this vibrant city. Entrance to the park is free, and live musical performances are par course. Grab a table and some beignets from the Cafe, or simply settle down and enjoy a musical extravaganza in this beautiful outdoor setting at the heart of the French Quarter.

Woldenberg Riverfront Park, a green oasis of 20 acres (8.1 hectares) stretches along the old Governor Nicholls Street wharf to the Aquarium of the Americas at Canal Street. This promenade is located in the heart of the city and is scattered with numerous works by local artists. It boasts hundreds of beautiful trees such as oaks, magnolias, willows and crepe myrtle. Sit on one of the many benches and view the city's busy port, second only to Amsterdam in tonnage.

A glorious jewel gleaming in the heart of the city, the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis is one of the most prominent landmarks in the French Quarter. Illustrious in the extreme, the Cathedral has often single-handedly solidified New Orleans' identity. Lording over the historic landscape of Jackson Square, this magnificent cathedral is a soulful amalgamation of culture, history and an inextricable French legacy. The Cathedral of St. Louis was first built in 1718 but became an established parish in 1720. The current cathedral is not the original, but a rebuilt expansion of the third version of the cathedral, built-in 1789. In 1964, Pope John Paul II designated the cathedral as a Minor Basilica. The graceful beauty of the St. Louis Cathedral and its surrounding courtyards in the French Quarter makes it a sight to behold. Cradled on the banks of the Mississippi River, the cathedral is considered one of the greatest symbols of Catholicism on the North American continent. Upheld by beautiful blue steeples and interiors which are just as ornate, this cathedral is an edifice hewn with an indelible French heritage.

Idyllically laid within the ambit of New Orleans' famous French Quarter district, Jackson Square is steeped in a rich history associated with the epoch-making Louisiana Purchase. An arsenal of historic landmarks, including the three-steepled St. Louis Cathedral, The Cabildo and the Presbytere stand amid vast landscaped gardens, with the bronze statue of the heroic Andrew Jackson forming a compelling centerpiece. Although now buried under layers of history, the square harks back to a fascinating past, when it was originally known as the Place d'Armes. An erstwhile site for public executions, this square saw a dramatic shift at the turn of the twentieth century. At the height of the Roaring Twenties, this National Historic Landmark became widely known for its association with the arts, allowing artists to gather and participate in the exchange of ideas. Through the years, Jackson Square has been touched by fleeting, yet enduring associations with tarot-readers, jugglers, street artists, and paraders, echoing the very unbeatable ethos that New Orleans is known for today.

If you are in Louisana and want to experience the frenzy of the place then the best way is on the ferry ride which sails through the Mississippi River. Though the ferry ride is a quick five minutes tour, it is fun and you can get to soak in the sun and enjoy the pristine river breeze. You get a drop to Algiers Street which is an old and trendy neighborhood to explore.

The center of all cultural activities, the French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. The city of New Orleans was built around the main square of what was then known as the Vieux Carré, after the city's founding in 1718. However, most of the area's buildings come from the early 19th Century, when the city was acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. Although originally settled by French Creoles, by the early 20th Century they were mostly gone from the French Quarter, and bohemian culture began to boom in the area. Architectural delights like Jackson Square and its Saint Louis Cathedral are highlights of the neighborhood. The French Quarter's single most famous landmark, Bourbon Street, is a nightlife mainstay, being the main drag of Mardi Gras celebrations. Replete with rich architectural history and cultural implications, the French Quarter truly encapsulates New Orleans' vibrant spirit.