Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
dows and paintings. In the rear of the cathedral is the St. Anthony Garden,
where a statue of Jesus stands with arms upraised. Stop in for Mass or a
tour; the cathedral is open daily after the 7:30 a.m. Mass until 4 p.m., and
self-guided tours are available for a $1 donation.
The cathedral is flanked by the Cabildo and the Presbytère, two of several
museums under the Louisiana State Museum umbrella. Facing the cathedral,
the Cabildo is to your left. Built in the late 18th century, the Cabildo served
as the seat of government in New Orleans during the Spanish Colonial peri-
od and is where the Louisiana Purchase—which nearly doubled the size of
the United States—was signed in 1803. To your right is the Presbytère, a one-
time courthouse that now houses an exquisite collection of Mardi Gras arti-
facts and memorabilia. Through an interactive exhibit titled “Mardi Gras:
It's Carnival Time in Louisiana,” visitors can learn the history of Mardi
Gras, from its 19th-century beginnings to the modern-day celebration that
attracts millions of tourists every year.
Take your time strolling around the square and enjoy the vibrancy of the
artists, musicians, and other street performers at work. The redbrick build-
ings on either side of the square are the Lower and Upper Pontalba Build-
ings, the oldest apartments in the United States. The apartments take up the
top three stories, while shops and restaurants occupy the first. One of the
best is Stanley, at the corner of St. Ann and Chartres, a casual eatery known
for its all-day breakfast fare. Another restaurant worth checking out is Mur-
iel's Jackson Square, just across St. Ann from Stanley. Muriel's serves con-
temporary Creole fare and boasts one of the best dining balconies in town.
If you have a few extra minutes to spare, walk through the square, named in
honor of General Andrew Jackson, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans.
Known in the 18th century as the Place d'Armes, the historic park is a popu-
lar site for television broadcasts and music festivals, including the French
Quarter Festival and Caroling in the Square.
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Continue walking around the square along Decatur Street, across from Café
Du Monde, the famous coffee-and-beignets stand. This block of Decatur is an
assembly spot for horse-drawn-carriage tours.
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Walk to St. Peter Street, turn right, and head one more block back to
Chartres Street. The tour ends here, but be sure to check out the Back of the
Quarter and the French Market/Riverfront area, each covered in the next
two walks.
