Must See Sights and Landmarks in Metairie Area

"The St. Louis Cathedral isn’t one of New Orleans’ most-flocked-to points of interest for nothing. It has a special place in history as America’s longest-running, an active church of the Roman Catholic faith. The cathedral’s history stretches back to 1789, which is when it was dedicated to France’s Louis IX, but as far back as 1718, there was already a church on the grounds."

"This cathedral is one of the oldest in the United States and for this reason, has some interesting history behind its stunning exterior. It was officially named the Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, and had its first version built in 1718. However, there were three more reconstructions, the final expansion and rebuilding happening in 1850."

"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."

"Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square is surrounded by gorgeous historic buildings, like the St. Louis Cathedral and Pontalba apartments. Kids love the spot for its street performers, people-watching, and delicious beignets at nearby Cafe du Monde. A post shared by Visit New Orleans (@visitneworleans) on May 13, 2018 at 3:45pm PDT"

"Located just steps away from the hustle and bustle of Bourbon Street, Preservation Hall is the best place in the French Quarter to catch traditional New Orleans jazz. It’s home to one of the city’s favorite groups, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and hosts some of the best local musicians onstage every week. This music venue was founded in 1961 to protect, preserve, and perpetuate traditional New Orleans jazz music."

"Preservation Hall is a famous Jazz venue that dates back to the 1950s. It is located on St. Peter just south of Bourbon Street. Its grungy exterior and unique doors are instantly recognizable, as you can see in the image below from Spencer Horsman of Illusions Magic Bar."

"Looking for things to do in downtown New Orleans pertaining to jazz and other musical wonders?. Preservation Hall is an amazing option!. As a traditional venue for jazz performances, it’s earned a reputation for being a favorite in New Orleans."

"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."

"The oldest and most storied of New Orleans’ many cemeteries, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is a Roman Catholic burial place a block west of the French Quarter. It opened in 1789 during the city’s redesign following the Great Fire of 1788. In a city partially below water level, cemeteries need to be above ground using decorative vaults."

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

"What Bourbon Street offers is 13 blocks of New Orleans history, restaurants, bars, cafes, souvenir shops, and New Orleans' culture. Stop for a bite to eat at the popular Galatoire's, admire the architecture, do some shopping, and then stick around for nightfall when things really start heating up on Bourbon. If you're lucky enough to be in town for Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street is the place where it all happens, so definitely join in the festivities!"

"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"

"I heard it compared to an over-sized frat party by one of our tour guides. It is the center of all the partying, drinking and debauchery. If that is your thing, or you just want to capture the scene with your camera, head on down in the evening and see what you can do."

"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."

"Start the day with a bike tour of Marigny and Bywater The two neighborhoods this tour goes on is Marigny and Bywater. These are “coming up” areas, kind of a little hipster and definitely not the standard places to visit. You’ll go to the bike shop in the French Quarter to meet the tour instructor then ride off!"

"After lunch take at least 15 minutes to explore the next few blocks of colorful homes in Marigny. There isn’t much else to do other take great photos and enjoy the neighborhood that has alot of character before heading back to the French Quarter."

"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."

"Jazz at Jazz Playhouse & Explore Frenchman Street If you want that jazz club experience, then check out the Jazz Playhouse inside the Royal Sonesta Hotel around 8 PM. From here you can either hang out on Bourbon Street but if you really want to see where the locals go, hop into an Uber and go up to Frenchman Street late into the night. These bars are the place to be: Snug Harbor, d.b.a., The Spotted Cat, Apple Barrel, The Blue Nile and Maison."

"Frenchman Street is just a few blocks away from Bourbon Street but it seems like an entirely different world. The daiquiri stands and “huge ass beer” signs are replaced by jazz clubs and spontaneous street performances. If you’re in the mood for live music then you’ll almost certainly find something to your liking here."

"Frenchmen Street is a famous location in the 7th Ward of New Orleans and is best known for the three-block section in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood."

"Roux Carre is a true community restaurant dedicating its entire restaurant to the preservation of Central City culture. Various food vendors within it help to represent the African American, Caribbean, and Latin American influences of the city. These community spots include Estralita’s Express, Johnny’s Jamaican Grill,The Pupusa Lady, Splendid Pig, and the Youth Empowerment Project‘s Trafigura Work and Learn Juice Box."

"With a laissez faire approach to brewing, Brieux Carre aims to “embody the New Orleans spirit” in all of their beers. This brewery was tucked in right off of the popular Frenchmen Street, giving imbibers perfect access to craft beer. The interior of Brieux Carre in New Orleans is narrow and tight, but keep heading down the hall to get to the back courtyard for more seating."

"Founded with a mission not only to craft some of the finest brews in the region but also celebrate the people of the city they serve; Second Line is a can’t miss spot. Grab a seat in their outdoor beer garden and sip on some of their most delicious selections from their blonde ale, West-coast style IPAs to their popular, “Saison Named Desire” brewed with Moro blood orange. Located in Mid-City, Second Line is focused on creating a 100% sustainable and environmentally useful product by working with local farmers to convert their spent grain into nutrient-rich animal feed."

"Second Line’s been growing quietly since opening in 2015, adding more fermentation capacity and diversifying its styles. The imperial rye IPA called Allryte, Allryte, Allryte, released several times a year, is a critical success. The beer garden is a great place for locals to mix it up with beer, food trucks, and movies every Wednesday."

"What Pêche serves barely counts as brunch—it’s more like lunch—but I love going there on a Sunday. It’s a seafood restaurant, and it’s the kind of relaxed place where you can go from cocktails to mimosas to just crushing bottles of Miller High Life. If you need a little hair of the dog, Pêche is the place to get it."

"There may be no more reliable, perfect place to eat seafood in New Orleans than Pêche. The sourcing comes from local waters — to the extent that we’ve heard that the restaurant has its own battery of fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico. Order raw oysters, yes."

"634 Louisa St. This Bywater restaurant is one of the hottest brunch tickets in town. You’ll need to book a few weeks out for the Sunday brunch, and my wife and her friends had to book over two months out for the weekly Saturday drag brunch. The Country Club is not a member’s only country club in the traditional sense, but there is a pool, a poolside bar, and an outdoor kitchen that requires a one-day rate or an annual membership."

"Dining poolside feels like being on vacation and that’s exactly the vibe radiating from the Country Club in Bywater every day of the week. Enjoy chef Chris Barbato’s global menu - don’t miss the silky sweet corn and blue crab bisque and the panko-crusted fried cauliflower swabbed with an Asian sweet and savory sauce. Tables are social distanced so you and your honey can whisper sweet nothings and really get away with it."

"Beat the Louisiana heat and lounge at one of New Orleans’ best kept secrets. During the daytime, if the temperature is warm and you are feeling up for a dip, The Country Club has a beautiful swimming pool bar. They also offer a delicious brunch!"