Top Rated Attractions in New Orleans

Located on Magazine Street, National World War II Museum is made up of multiple sections, each containing a different exhibit that explores the events of the Second World War. A variety of artifacts, testimonies and documents, particularly those chronicling the World War II period, are on display here. The Arsenal of Democracy features a variety of artifacts, interactive displays, and memorabilia that tell the story of the people who helped win the war. Other exhibits include the Road to Tokyo, Road to Berlin, Bayou to Battlefield, and more. An on-site restaurant and soda shop offer a variety of dining options and beverages.

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.

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.

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is a repository of many of the things that make this area of the United States great. Fine art, architecture, folk art, and artifacts of the bygone Southern era can be found here. You can also find unique exhibitions, such as Looking Back, Looking Forward, Becoming Ida Kohlmeyer, Walter Anderson and Friends, Clementine Hunter and Melrose, the Treme Storytelling Quilt Project, and The Jazz. Take a guided docent tour of the museum to explore unique artwork and new exhibitions enriched with interesting conversations.

Established in the year 1961, Preservation Hall has become a haven for traditional jazz fans. Even if you are not a jazz lover, the unique old-school decor and the heady ambiance which is attributed to the stellar music performances will ensure you have a fantastic time here and may even become a fan before you leave. The interior of the club is sparse and does not feature much in the way of comfort, but comfort is easy to ignore with such great musical entertainment. They do not serve food or drinks here, however, feel free to bring along your own drinks to enjoy while you watch the show.

Located in the beautiful New Orleans City Park, this breathtaking museum houses nearly 40,000 paintings, sculptures and prints, plus the Cafe Noma and the Noma Museum Shop. The art at New Orleans Museum Of Art comes from across the globe and represents everything from Southwestern Native American art to 19th-century French Impressionists. Here, you can explore rare photographs, Grecian antiquities, global decorative art, and unique textiles. The museum shop offers interesting souvenirs such as jewelry, dishware, books, cards, and other trinkets.