Located at the end of the Mississippi River, New Orleans is where Caribbean, Spanish, French and African cultures come together to forge a city full of history, culinary experiences, incredible architecture, and festival fun. Take a walking tour through the historic Congo Square. Eat at Bennachin, serving African fare in New Orleans, including jama jama and poulet fricassee.
Kristina Volgenau | Unsplash
African culture has played a central role in helping to define all that’s great about New Orleans. The historical Congo Square is considered the birthplace of jazz and features the New World Rhythms Festival every year. And in April and May, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, better known as the Jazz Fest, takes place at the Fair Grounds Race Course and features an array of live entertainment, from jazz to the blues and everything in between. The New Orleans Museum of Art is noted for its strengths in African works and boasts an extraordinary collection of more than 40,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of art.
With multiple themed gardens, biking and walking paths, live concerts, an amusement park, and the world's largest grove of mature live oak trees, City Park is one of the largest outdoor attractions in New Orleans and one of the oldest parks in the country. Photo: Susan Q Yin | Unsplash
Named after artist and naturalist John James Audubon, who lived in New Orleans starting in 1821, the park features a 1.8-mile paved loop for joggers, cyclists, and rollerbladers. For those who wish to become one with nature, there are reflective lagoons and expansive green spaces where one can stretch out beneath the wizened oak trees and dream away the day. Photo:"Stroll in Audubon Park, New Orleans, December 2008 34" by Infrogmation of New Orleans is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Once the place where enslaved and free people of color gathered through the 19th century, Congo Square has become a spiritual base for the New Orleans community. With the French Quarter less than half a mile away, the Square remains connected to the city’s center and hosts its own Congo Square Rhythms Festival every year. Photo: "NEW ORLEANS JAZZ NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, ORLEANS PARISH" by Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Referred to as The Fly by locals, this waterfront portion of Audubon Park is perfect for a casual read in the park while watching the sunset over the Mississippi or a festive crawfish boil with friends. Photo: "Mississippi River at Audubon Park Butterfly New Orleans March 2018 6" by Infrogmation of New Orleans is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Located on the riverfront in Bywater, this brand new greenspace stretches for 1.4 miles along the Mississippi, a perfect place to take a stroll, or a leisurely bike ride, while gazing at the flowing river. Photo: "Piety Street Arch - Crescen Park New Orleans 2014" by Daniel Lobo is licensed under CC0 1.0 - public domain
With multiple themed gardens, biking and walking paths, live concerts, an amusement park, and the world's largest grove of mature live oak trees, City Park is one of the largest outdoor attractions in New Orleans and one of the oldest parks in the country. Photo: Susan Q Yin | Unsplash
Named after artist and naturalist John James Audubon, who lived in New Orleans starting in 1821, the park features a 1.8-mile paved loop for joggers, cyclists, and rollerbladers. For those who wish to become one with nature, there are reflective lagoons and expansive green spaces where one can stretch out beneath the wizened oak trees and dream away the day. Photo:"Stroll in Audubon Park, New Orleans, December 2008 34" by Infrogmation of New Orleans is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Once the place where enslaved and free people of color gathered through the 19th century, Congo Square has become a spiritual base for the New Orleans community. With the French Quarter less than half a mile away, the Square remains connected to the city’s center and hosts its own Congo Square Rhythms Festival every year. Photo: "NEW ORLEANS JAZZ NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, ORLEANS PARISH" by Jerrye & Roy Klotz, MD is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Referred to as The Fly by locals, this waterfront portion of Audubon Park is perfect for a casual read in the park while watching the sunset over the Mississippi or a festive crawfish boil with friends. Photo: "Mississippi River at Audubon Park Butterfly New Orleans March 2018 6" by Infrogmation of New Orleans is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Located on the riverfront in Bywater, this brand new greenspace stretches for 1.4 miles along the Mississippi, a perfect place to take a stroll, or a leisurely bike ride, while gazing at the flowing river. Photo: "Piety Street Arch - Crescen Park New Orleans 2014" by Daniel Lobo is licensed under CC0 1.0 - public domain
This is the original French market coffee stand, serving hot beverages since 1862, and featuring the famous beignets coated in powdered sugar. Steps away from the picturesque Jackson Square, you can order a cafe au lait or a beignet around the clock here. Photo: "Beignets and Café au Lait at Café du Monde, New Orleans" by Pburka are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Opened in 1905 by Jean Galatoire, the menu has remained exactly the same, featuring a selection of creole and french dishes, such as foie gras and canape lorenzo, set amidst a classic French interior of white linen tablecloths and bentwood chairs. Photo: "Galatoire's- French Quarter, New Orleans, April 2022" by Carnacal.com Studios is licensed under CC BY 2.0
This unassuming establishment is favored by locals for serving New Orleans-influenced African cuisine, including delicious jama-jama, fried plantains, and poulet fricassee. And with vegetarian options, there’s something for everyone. Photo: Keesha's Kitchen | Unsplash
Not only a James Beard award-winning restaurant serving classic creole dishes amidst exquisitely restored turn-of-the-century dining rooms, but this restaurant also houses a mardi gras museum, and a bistro where you can enjoy live dixieland jazz music. Photo: "ArnaudsMainEntrance07" by Infrogmation is licensed under CC BY 2.5
For something casual, but with all the historical flair of the French Quarter, this 200-year-old landmark that was once meant to be a refuge for Napoleon (though he never showed up) serves up muffalettas, as well as Pimm’s cups. Photo: "Napoleon House Bar, New Orleans, April 2022" by Carnaval.com Studios is licensed under CC BY 2.0
This is the original French market coffee stand, serving hot beverages since 1862, and featuring the famous beignets coated in powdered sugar. Steps away from the picturesque Jackson Square, you can order a cafe au lait or a beignet around the clock here. Photo: "Beignets and Café au Lait at Café du Monde, New Orleans" by Pburka are licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Opened in 1905 by Jean Galatoire, the menu has remained exactly the same, featuring a selection of creole and french dishes, such as foie gras and canape lorenzo, set amidst a classic French interior of white linen tablecloths and bentwood chairs. Photo: "Galatoire's- French Quarter, New Orleans, April 2022" by Carnacal.com Studios is licensed under CC BY 2.0
This unassuming establishment is favored by locals for serving New Orleans-influenced African cuisine, including delicious jama-jama, fried plantains, and poulet fricassee. And with vegetarian options, there’s something for everyone. Photo: Keesha's Kitchen | Unsplash
Not only a James Beard award-winning restaurant serving classic creole dishes amidst exquisitely restored turn-of-the-century dining rooms, but this restaurant also houses a mardi gras museum, and a bistro where you can enjoy live dixieland jazz music. Photo: "ArnaudsMainEntrance07" by Infrogmation is licensed under CC BY 2.5
For something casual, but with all the historical flair of the French Quarter, this 200-year-old landmark that was once meant to be a refuge for Napoleon (though he never showed up) serves up muffalettas, as well as Pimm’s cups. Photo: "Napoleon House Bar, New Orleans, April 2022" by Carnaval.com Studios is licensed under CC BY 2.0
With a collection of more than 40,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of art and noted for its strengths in photography and African works, the New Orleans Museum of Art features a wide array of world-class exhibitions. Photo: G95 "Maya Plate at New Orleans Museum of Art - Dancing Figure, El Peten 03" by Infrogmation of New Orleans is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Free and open to the public, Luna Fête combines dynamic contemporary art, film, and technology in a multi-day large-scale public art festival. Beginning at Alluvial Plaza at Julia Street, the festival extends along Convention Center Boulevard towards Henderson Avenue. "Luna Fête 2017 Lafayette Square 02" by Bart Everson is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Not your average Christmas lighting display, the Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee features dozens of 20-to-30-foot-high flaming pyramids of burning logs. Additional activities include amusement rides, craft markets and delicious food. The best viewing is by car along the east and west bank River Roads and by walking along the levees. Photo: "New Orleans Algiers Point Christmas Bonfire 2011" by Bart Everson is licensed under CC BY 2.0
With more 300,000 square feet of rides, giant ice slides, an ice skating rink, and holiday décor, including gingerbread houses, a giant tree, and a visit from Santa and friends, there will be no shortage of holiday fun for your little ones at this holiday event. Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels
Hosted by the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, this festival in Woldenberg Park in the French Quarter features food, music, arts, and crafts along the riverfront, with three stages and a star-studded lineup. The festival continues until the arrival of the Zulu King and Queen aboard a coast guard ship. From there, the royals will meet Rex and the mayor of New Orleans. Photo: "Carnival in New Orleans. Zulu Krewe members at the Lundi Gras festival at the riverfront." by Amanda Anderson is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday in French, is a time of the year in which the streets come alive with music, art, and costumed revelers. Enjoy king cake, bead-tossing, and parading as the festivities make their way through New Orleans, increasing with intensity as Mardi Gras Day draws near. Photo: Library of Congress
With a collection of more than 40,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of art and noted for its strengths in photography and African works, the New Orleans Museum of Art features a wide array of world-class exhibitions. Photo: G95 "Maya Plate at New Orleans Museum of Art - Dancing Figure, El Peten 03" by Infrogmation of New Orleans is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Free and open to the public, Luna Fête combines dynamic contemporary art, film, and technology in a multi-day large-scale public art festival. Beginning at Alluvial Plaza at Julia Street, the festival extends along Convention Center Boulevard towards Henderson Avenue. "Luna Fête 2017 Lafayette Square 02" by Bart Everson is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Not your average Christmas lighting display, the Christmas Eve Bonfires on the Levee features dozens of 20-to-30-foot-high flaming pyramids of burning logs. Additional activities include amusement rides, craft markets and delicious food. The best viewing is by car along the east and west bank River Roads and by walking along the levees. Photo: "New Orleans Algiers Point Christmas Bonfire 2011" by Bart Everson is licensed under CC BY 2.0
With more 300,000 square feet of rides, giant ice slides, an ice skating rink, and holiday décor, including gingerbread houses, a giant tree, and a visit from Santa and friends, there will be no shortage of holiday fun for your little ones at this holiday event. Photo: Cottonbro | Pexels
Hosted by the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, this festival in Woldenberg Park in the French Quarter features food, music, arts, and crafts along the riverfront, with three stages and a star-studded lineup. The festival continues until the arrival of the Zulu King and Queen aboard a coast guard ship. From there, the royals will meet Rex and the mayor of New Orleans. Photo: "Carnival in New Orleans. Zulu Krewe members at the Lundi Gras festival at the riverfront." by Amanda Anderson is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday in French, is a time of the year in which the streets come alive with music, art, and costumed revelers. Enjoy king cake, bead-tossing, and parading as the festivities make their way through New Orleans, increasing with intensity as Mardi Gras Day draws near. Photo: Library of Congress
