New Orleans is a city where history seeps from every cobblestone and wrought-iron
balcony. From its founding by the French in 1718 to its role in the Civil War and
beyond, the Big Easy has been shaped by a rich tapestry of cultures and events.
For history enthusiasts, New Orleans is a treasure trove of museums, historic
homes, and landmarks that tell the story of this unique city. Step back in time as we
explore 25 must-visit spots for history buffs in the Crescent City.
Stroll through the French Quarter
Start your historical journey in the heart of New Orleans, the French Quarter. Despite
its name, most of the architecture here is Spanish colonial.
Wander down Bourbon Street, admire the wrought-iron balconies on Royal Street, and imagine the centuries of stories these buildings could tell.
Visit Jackson Square
Step into the historic heart of the French Quarter at Jackson Square. Named after
Andrew Jackson, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans, this park has been a central
gathering place since the 18th century.
Don’t miss the equestrian statue of Old Hickory himself, standing guard over the square since 1856.
Explore St. Louis Cathedral
Gaze upon the oldest cathedral in North America in continuous use. St. Louis
Cathedral, flanking Jackson Square, has been a New Orleans landmark since 1727.
Step inside to admire the stunning interior and feel the weight of nearly three
centuries of prayers and history.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Tour the Cabildo
Dive into Louisiana’s colonial past at the Cabildo, once the seat of the Spanish
colonial government. Now part of the Louisiana State Museum, it houses artifacts
from the state’s diverse history.
Did you know the Louisiana Purchase was signed here in 1803?
Visit the Old Ursuline Convent
Step into the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley at the Old Ursuline Convent.
Built in 1752, it’s a rare example of French colonial architecture in the U.S.
Explore the beautiful gardens and learn about the nuns who played a crucial role in early New Orleans society.
Ride the St. Charles Streetcar
Hop aboard the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world. The St.
Charles line has been running since 1835, offering a scenic tour of the city’s Garden
District.
It’s not just transportation – it’s a moving piece of history!
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Explore the Garden District
Stroll through this picturesque neighborhood, home to some of the best-preserved
historic mansions in the South. The Garden District showcases the wealth of 19th-
century New Orleans with its Greek Revival and Italianate homes.
Keep an eye out for the former residences of Jefferson Davis and Anne Rice.
Visit the National WWII Museum
Immerse yourself in the story of America’s experience in World War II at this world-
class museum. With its interactive exhibits and restored aircraft, the National WWII
Museum offers a powerful and moving look at the war that changed the world.
Don’t miss the 4D movie experience, ‘Beyond All Boundaries.’
Tour a Plantation Home
Take a short trip outside the city to visit one of the historic plantation homes along
the Mississippi River. Oak Alley, with its stunning canopy of 300-year-old live oaks
and Whitney Plantation, which focuses on telling the story of enslaved people, offer
two very different but equally important historical perspectives.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Explore the Backstreet Cultural Museum
Dive into the unique African American traditions of New Orleans at the Backstreet
Cultural Museum. Located in the historic Tremé neighborhood, this small museum
showcases the history of jazz funerals, Mardi Gras Indians, and Social Aid &
Pleasure Clubs.
It’s a window into the soul of New Orleans culture.
Visit the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
Step into a 19th-century apothecary at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. Housed
in the site of the first licensed pharmacy in the U.S., this quirky museum offers a
fascinating look at the history of medicine.
From old patent medicines to voodoo potions, it’s a unique glimpse into healthcare of the past.
Explore the Tremé Neighborhood
Wander through America’s oldest African American neighborhood, Tremé. Known as
the birthplace of jazz, Tremé has been a center of African American culture since the
18th century.
Visit Congo Square in Louis Armstrong Park, where enslaved people once gathered to play music and dance on Sundays.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Tour the Hermann-Grima House
Step back into the refined world of 19th-century Creole life at the Hermann-Grima
House. This meticulously restored 1831 mansion offers a glimpse into the lives of
both the wealthy families who lived here and the enslaved people who served them.
Don’t miss the recreated 1830s kitchen in the courtyard.
Visit the Chalmette Battlefield
Stand on the ground where the Battle of New Orleans was fought in 1815. Part of the
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, the Chalmette Battlefield offers a
glimpse into this pivotal moment in American history.
Climb to the top of the Chalmette Monument for a panoramic view of the battlefield.
Explore the Pitot House
Visit one of the few Creole colonial country houses that remain in New Orleans. Built
in 1799, the Pitot House offers a look into the lives of some of the city’s most
prominent residents, including the first mayor of New Orleans.
The lovely parterre garden is not to be missed.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Tour St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Wander through the oldest existing cemetery in New Orleans, known for its above-
ground tombs. Opened in 1789, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is the final resting place of
many notable New Orleanians, including Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau.
Remember, you’ll need to book a guided tour to visit this historic cemetery.
Visit the Historic New Orleans Collection
Dive deep into the city’s history at the Historic New Orleans Collection. This
museum, research center, and publisher offer a comprehensive look at the diverse
history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South.
Don’t miss the beautifully restored historic buildings that house the collection.
Explore the Longue Vue House and Gardens
Step into the world of New Orleans’ 20th-century elite at Longue Vue. This Classical
Revival mansion, built in the 1930s and 40s, offers a glimpse into the city’s more
recent past.
The meticulously maintained gardens are a highlight, showcasing native Louisiana plants.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Visit the Old U.S. Mint
Explore the only building in America to have served both as a U.S. and a
Confederate Mint. Now part of the Louisiana State Museum, the Old U.S. Mint
houses exhibits on the history of minting, jazz, and Mardi Gras.
Don’t miss the coin press on display; still in working condition!
Tour the Beauregard-Keyes House
Visit this historic house museum named after two of its famous residents:
Confederate General Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard and author Frances
Parkinson Keyes.
Built in 1826, this house offers a glimpse into 19th-century New Orleans life and has a beautiful parterre garden.
Explore the Algiers Point Neighborhood
Take the ferry across the Mississippi to explore New Orleans’ second-oldest
neighborhood. Algiers Point offers a quiet, small-town feel with its historic homes and
tree-lined streets.
Don’t miss the Algiers Courthouse, built in 1896, a beautiful example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture.
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Visit the Presbytere
Explore this Spanish colonial building, originally intended to house clergy but now
part of the Louisiana State Museum. The Presbytere houses two excellent
permanent exhibits: one on Hurricane Katrina and another on the history of Mardi
Gras.
It’s a great place to understand these two defining aspects of New Orleans’s
history.
Tour the Edgar Degas House
Step into the world of the famous French Impressionist painter at the Edgar Degas
House. Degas lived here with his Creole relatives for five months in 1872-73, and it’s
the only home or studio of the artist open to the public in the world.
The guided tour offers fascinating insights into Degas’ time in New Orleans.
Visit the Southern Food and Beverage Museum
Explore the culinary history of the South at this unique museum. From exhibits on
the evolution of Creole and Cajun cuisine to displays of vintage kitchen equipment,
the Southern Food and Beverage Museum offers a tasty look at an often-overlooked
aspect of history.
Don’t leave without visiting the Museum of the American Cocktail, housed within!
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.
Ride the Steamboat Natchez
End your historical journey with a cruise on the Steamboat Natchez, the last
authentic steamboat on the Mississippi River. As you paddle down the mighty
Mississippi, you’ll get a sense of what river travel was like in the 19th century.
The live jazz and optional Creole dinner make this a quintessential New Orleans
experience.
The Past Waits to be Discovered
From the cobblestone streets of the French Quarter to the grand mansions of the
Garden District, from somber reminders of the Civil War to joyous celebrations of
jazz and Mardi Gras, New Orleans offers a historical journey like no other.
Each street corner, each building, and each museum tells a story of the diverse
cultures and events that have shaped this unique city.
More from Travel Pug
- 20 Mind-Blowing Things You Probably Didn’t Know You Could Do in the U.S.
- The Best Cruise Ship Experiences for U.S. Citizens
- The Best U.S Travel Destinations for Golf Lovers
- The 25 Most Dangerous Cities in the World (Exercise Caution if Travelling There)
- The Best Fall Foliage Spots in New England (Must-See Places)
Like Travel Pug’s content? Follow us on MSN.