New Orleans Things to Do Tips by aphrodyte

Mrs. Merle's Garden at the Beauregard-Keyes House Beauregard - Keyes House Review

When Le Carpentier, the original owner, built the house — now known as the Beauregard-Keyes House — it also included a side garden on the corner of Chartres and Ursulines Streets. This was unusual even then, for most homes in the French Quarter had gardens tucked away out of sight. Open on two sides, Le Carpentier's garden was described by some at the time as "a jungle." The wife of the second owner, planned and planted a formal parterre garden and enclosed it with brick walls. She had grill windows added so passersby could look in at the a garden. After several years of the property changing hands and sinking into disrepair, the garden was bulldozed to make way for a macaroni factory. In the 1950s, a well-known novelist named Frances Parkinson Keyes assisted in the restoration of the house and garden. The factory building was demolished and the bricks were used to rebuild the garden walls, complete with Madame Merle's grill windows. The design of the new garden was also based on Madame Merle's original plans.

The garden contains various blooms such as magnolias, sculpted boxwoods, pomegranate, roses, Asian Jasmines, Azaleas, Irises, Crape Myrtles, and Day-Lilies. The garden's center features a cast-iron fountain.

Guided tours on the hour from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Closed Sunday and Major Holidays.

Admission --
$5 adults
$4 seniors, students, and AAA members
$2 children ages 6-13
Free for children under 6

Address: 1113 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

Directions: Next to the Beauregard-Keyes House on Chartres St. in the French Quarter

Phone: 504 523 7257

Cabildo Cabildo and Presbytere - Louisiana State Museum Review

The Cabildo is one of several buildings owned by the Louisiana State Museum. The Cabildo was built in 1795 as the seat of the Spanish Municipal Government. Cabildo is the spanish term meaning "city council".

The Cabildo was the site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase and had at one point served as the location for the Louisiana Supreme Court which held the famed Plessy vs. Ferguson case. In 1911, it became part of the Louisiana State Museum. After a fire and serveral years of restoration it is open to the pubic with emphasis on the historical past of New Orleans and Louisiana.

At the time of our visit we just got in to see several exhibits about the Louisiana Purchase and it's bicentennial celebration.

Address: 701 Chartres St., New Orleans, LA 70116

Directions: Next to the St. Louis Cathedral in French Quarter.

Phone: 504 568 6968

Website: http://lsm.crt.state.la.us

Washington Artillery Park Washington Artillery Park Review

Washington Artillery Park, formerly Founders Park is right off of Decatur St. There is a small ampitheater for street performers. While we were there, there was a street performance by a youth religious organization. After them they were replaced by a soloist on guitar. Behind the ampitheater are steps that lead up to the Moonwalk and a cannon. The Civil War cannon is a model of the same canon used in the Civil War and pays tribute to the 141st Field Artillery of the Louisiana National Guard.

If anything it's a great unobstructed view of the St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.

Address: On Decatur St next to Cafe Du Monde

Directions: Between Jackson Square and the Mississippi River.

St Louis Cathedral St. Louis Cathedral Review

St Louis Cathedral is a Catholic church currently serving masses on Saturdays and Sundays,it is also the oldest continuously active cathedral in the U.S.

Originally built in 1724, and designed by a French engineer named Adrien de Pauger. The church was clearly intended to be the dominant element of New Orleans’ baroque city plan. Pauger, who died in 1726 before it was completed, requested that he be buried under the unfinished building at his request. The cathedral was later rebuilt in 1789-94 and again 1850.

Upon entering the Cathedral, you are immediately struck by the dramatic effect of its numerous murals and symbolic decorations. Primarily Renaissance in style. There are many ornately stained glass windows that depict the life of King Louis IX, King of France later cannonized into sainthood.

According to the legends of New Orleans, on certain rainy nights, in the hours before dawn, the crisp, clear voice of a man can be heard singing the "Kyrie" in the air between the St. Louis Cathedral and St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.

Saturday 6:00P vigil mass
Sunday 7:30A, 9:00A, 10:30A, and 12 noon
Sacrament of Penance Saturday 5:00-5:45 pm

Address: 721 Chartres St., New Orleans LA 70116

Directions: Next to Jackson Square, Cabildo and Louisiana State Museum

Phone: 504-525-9585

Website: http://www.saintlouiscathedral.org/

Louisiana World Trade Center Riverwalk Review

WTC New Orleans is a non-profit organization of 2,100 corporate and individual members housed in a 33 story building on the waterfront. The WTC has long been involved in conducting a wide range of trade promotion, educational, and legislative programs designed to enhance Louisiana's position in international trade, investment, transportation, banking, and other trade-related services, and to contribute to the state's overall economic development.

The WTC Louisiana often houses forums and guest speakers as well as on-going foreign language classes

Address: 2 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

Directions: Next to the Riverwalk Shopping Center

Phone: (504) 529-1601

Website: http://wtc-no.org/

Madness at the Mardi Gras Museum Algiers - Mardi Gras World Review

If you have never been to a New Orleans Mardi Gras before or are unable to go to one, visiting the Blaine Kerns Mardi Gras Museum will give you a good introduction to the world of Mardi Gras as well as the behind the scenes look at what happens to the floats after the parade. You are ushered to a small room, where you will watch a 15-20 minute "history of Mardi Gras" movie. After the movie, you are directed around the museum with a tourguide while you sample some king cake and beverages. After the tour, you are free to walk around the maze of amazing floats and props of all sizes. In one area, heaps of props await repair or recycling. You will also get to see artists, painters, and sculptors at their work.

Doors open: 9:30 a.m. Last Tour: 4:30 p.m. Adults: $13.50
Seniors $10.00
Children 11 and under: $6.50

If you want to see more of the Museum check out my travelogue.

Address: 233 Newton St., New Orleans, LA, 70114

Directions: Take the Canal St Ferry which is between the River Walk Mall and Aquarium of the Americas. The ferry, free to pedestrians, will take you to Old Algiers. Once the ferry docks, there is a free van transportion that takes you directly to the museum.

Other Contact: toll free: 800 362 8213

Phone: 504 361 7821

Website: http://www.mardigrasworld.com/

City of the Dead --- St. Louis Cemetery 1 St. Louis Cemetery 1 Review

Located on the edge of the French Quarter is New Orleans oldest cemetery. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 contains approximately 700 tombs, tomb ruins and markers.

As many are aware, the whole city of New Orleans is located below sea level, thus the dead are buried in above-ground tombs or vaults. Most of the tombs at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 were designed to house many generations of a family or society group in the same tomb. Traditionally the dead were placed in wooden coffins in one of the vaults. The vault opening was loosely closed with mortared brick, and a stone closure tablet sealed the tomb. If the space was needed for another burial, the vault could be re-opened after at least 1 year and 1 day, the coffin removed and burned, and the decomposed remains pushed to the back of the tomb.

In 1834, John H.B. Latrobe painted a watercolor showing tombs limewashed in earthen yellows, grays, blues, and reds, as opposed to the harsh white tombs seen today. Evidence of this is shown through the slow decay and crumbled mortar.

It is widely suggested that one should visit the cemeteries with a tourguide in the theory that there is "safety in numbers". We did not have benefit of a tour guide, however there were 2 tours going on when we got there, and several families (just like us) that explored on their own. Either way, always exercise caution.

If you wish to see more, I have more pictures of the St. Louis Cemetery 1 in my Travelogues.

Address: 425 Basin St., New Orleans, LA 70112

Directions: On Basin St between Conti and St. Louis Sts.

Other Contact: M-Sat 9a to 3p, Sun 9a to Noon

Phone: 504 483 2064

Website: http://cml.upenn.edu/nola/14history/L1historyhome.html