3 Best Landmarks in New Orleans, LA

The Cabildo is a must-see historical building located right on Jackson Square, next to the iconic St. Louis Cathedral. Originally built between 1795 and 1799 as the Spanish colonial city hall, it's now part of the Louisiana State Museum and offers a fascinating look into the history of Louisiana. I was really impressed by the nice displays throughout The Cabildo. It's amazing to walk through the same halls where the Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremony took place in 1803, a pivotal moment that doubled the size of the United States! One of the highlights for me was seeing the incredible and dazzling costumes worn for the famous Mardi Gras parades, a truly unique aspect of New Orleans culture. It gives you a real sense of the excitement and artistry that goes into this annual event. The museum also features a moving room dedicated to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, which provides an important reminder of the resilience and spirit of the people of New Orleans. It's worth noting that The Cabildo has served many important functions throughout its history, including as the New Orleans City Hall and the home of the Louisiana Supreme Court. There is an admission fee to enter, but it's a worthwhile investment for anyone interested in history and the cultural heritage of Louisiana. I would highly recommend spending a couple of hours here to fully appreciate all that The Cabildo has to offer.

The museum offers an in-depth history of the Cabildo and its different roles throughout history. It gives you in-depth details of the New Orleans battle. Currently there is a temporary exhibition about Louisiana’s botanicals and the art of a famous Louisiana native, Rodigue. I had plenty of intellectual fun. I recommend it for everyone.

Really cool exhibits! There was an installation all about local flora which was fascinating. Especially liked the one about the war of 1812 and how Jean Lafitte and other groups of people banded together to defend the country.

This might be one of the best historical tours I've ever had. Guide Katie was an outstanding source of information, ready and able to answer any question asked. It's a true skill to offer the right amount of details without over-communicating and to provide a factual account of the events with awareness and sensitivity to different levels of social and emotional awareness. I got so much more out of the tour than expected, with guest questions leading us into discussion of a variety of extra topics. The house and grounds are well-preserved and arranged with true historical pieces and covered nearly the whole of the property. The price was very fair and if you have interest in visiting their other site - Gallier - you can get a discount on admission (works in reverse as well). Just show your receipt when you purchase admission to the other one. Katie also generously offered me a little extra of her time after the tour to discuss additional perspectives and have an excellent local food recommendation. I was so pleased I called the next day they were open to say thank you again! If you have any interest in the history of New Orleans and the truth about our country's past, do not miss this stop during your visit.

Hidden Gem in New Orleans. If you don’t have time to make your way up to Oak Alley Plantation, this is a fantastic location to learn about enslaved people’s lives in an urban setting where people have access to some privacy and autonomy for communal space (Congo square). If you are interested in the topic, try purchasing combo tickets with The Gallier House online in advance to save a couple bucks. The Gallier House focuses on a much more intimate, family oriented tour rather than group lives.

Excellent tour guide telling hard truths about urban slavery in the 18th and 19th century in New Orleans. Lots of fascinating details and a really good overview. Highly recommend as a largely untold layer of the city’s history. One tip: be on time if you’re on a guided tour. Unlike a lot if New Orleans, they actually start on time.