City Profile: New Orleans

Arts, Culture, and Sightseeing

Perhaps the best way to explore New Orleans is on foot. “Just being in the French Quarter is such a wonderful experience,” says Tabout. “Go from one street to the other, walk around like a lost puppy, and discover so many things.” But to have the best vantage of the Garden District mansions, take a ride on the St. Charles Streetcar, declared a historic landmark. Given the region’s history, it’s no surprise that much of the sightseeing revolves around the mélange of historic architecture. Head out of the city to the picturesque River Road to see the region’s iconic plantation homes built by wealthy sugar planters. Beyond the historical and architectural highlights, New Orleans is very much a city for the arts. Noteworthy museums include the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Ogden Museum.

 

WHAT TO DO

Audubon Zoo
“One of the finest in the country,” says Besh. 6500 Magazine St., 504/581-4629, www.auduboninstitute.org.

The Cabildo and The Presbytere
“Alluring to anyone interested in Louisiana history,” says Neill. Both are now part of the Louisiana State Museum. Of note: The Cabildo was the site of the Louisiana Purchase Transfer. 701 and 751 Chartres St., 504/568-6968, lsm.crt.state.la.us.

Cajun Encounters
If you’re the touring kind, Besh suggests allowing this locally owned company to craft an itinerary for your tastes. In addition to in-town experiences, they also offer tours of River Road’s grand plantations. 866/928-6877, www.cajunencounters.com.

Crescent City Farmers Market
Besh recommends this market known for its fruits and veggies, prepared foods, and seafood. Held year-round, the Tuesday market is in Uptown, and Saturday’s market is in the Warehouse District. The market is a project of MarketUmbrella.org. Tuesday market: 200 Broadway St.; Saturday market: 700 Magazine St.; 504/861-4488; www.crescentcityfarmersmarket.org.

Destrehan Plantation
A short drive from New Orleans, this 1787 plantation is the oldest documented along famed River Road. 13034 River Rd., Destrehan; 985/764-9315; www.destrehanplantation.org.

Hermann-Grima House
“A beautiful house museum in the French Quarter,” says Tabout. 820 Saint Louis St., 504/525-5661, www.hgghh.org.

Longue Vue House &Gardens
Tour the Classical Revival-style estate and its gardens, where the Camellia Walk provides cheery blooms even in winter. 7 Bamboo Rd., 504/488-5488, www.longuevue.com.

Mardi Gras
“Mardi Gras this year is February 24, and the parades start rolling about two weeks before that,” says Neill. “Most houses will sport some form of decoration for the season, from draping of the purple, green, and gold to Mardi Gras wreaths to masks and beads hung on iron fences.” www.mardigrasneworleans.com.

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
“A must,” says Besh. The 2008-2009 season features all nine of Beethoven’s symphonies, with No. 5 in early January and No. 6 in early February. 504/523-6530, www.lpomusic.com.

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art
“My kids and I love walking through the Ogden because the collection of Southern art is outstanding, and the building itself is a wonderful piece of architecture,” says Neill. 925 Camp St., 504/539-9600, www.ogdenmuseum.org.

Saint Louis Cathedral
An icon of the city overlooking Jackson Square. 615 Pere Antoine Alley, 504/525-9585, www.stlouiscathedral.org.

San Francisco Plantation
Visit this plantation if you’re “looking for something really spectacular,” says Tabout. “It’s very ornate and very rich.” 2646 Hwy. 44 (River Rd.), Garyville; 888/509-1756; www.sanfranciscoplantation.org.

Woldenberg Riverfront Park
Neill suggests having breakfast at Café Du Monde before exploring this park, which lets you experience the Mississippi River. From Audubon Aquarium of the Americas to Jackson Square. 800/774-7394, www.auduboninstitute.org.

River Road
“I love to take friends who are in town on a trip down River Road to tour the plantations, my favorites being Houmas House, Nottoway, and Oak Alley,” says Neill. Houmas House Plantation and Gardens: 225/473-9380, www.houmashouse.com; Nottoway Plantation: 225/545-2730, www.nottoway.com; Oak Alley Plantation: 225/265-2151, www.oakalleyplantation.com.

RESOURCES: Holden & Dupuy, 504/568-1101.