Orleans is clearly defined geographically: the boundaries of Orleans Parish and the City of New Orleans are identical. New Orleans, the City of New Orleans, and Orleans Parish are used synonymously. Visitor destinations within the city are therefore also located in Orleans Parish. To explore the area, it is useful to consider different kinds of places: historic buildings and the French Quarter offer cultural points of reference, while the market district, sculpture garden, and areas along the Mississippi River offer other ways to experience it. The range of topics thus extends from individual architectural histories to designed open spaces.

Homes and Historic Status

The French Quarter was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965. The Old Ursuline Convent on Chartres Street was built in 1745 and is considered the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley. The Gallier House was completed in 1860 and designed by the well-known New Orleans architect James Gallier Jr. The dates mark different events: 1745, the construction of the convent; 1860, the completion of the Gallier House; and 1965, the designation of the district. This makes it possible to distinguish individual architectural histories from the historic designation of an entire neighborhood.

The French Market District

The French Market District includes the shops of Upper Pontalba and the Colonnade, the Craft Bazaar, the farmers’ and flea markets, Oscar Dunn Park, and the Moon Walk. The district stretches 1.4 miles along the Mississippi River and is suitable for biking and picnicking. The name therefore covers more than a single market: it includes shops, market areas, and other named places. If you are considering biking or picnicking as well as visiting shops and markets, the district brings these activities together.

Sculptures in a Garden Landscape

At the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, the design creates outdoor areas where visitors can view sculptures in a landscape of pines, magnolias, and Virginia oaks. The trees stand around two lagoons and form part of the setting for viewing the sculptures. The garden concept brings artworks and landscape together. For those interested in outdoor art, this offers a different perspective from the architectural history of the convent or the Gallier House: here, the design of the open space is the focus.

Green Space Between the River and the Neighborhood

Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park encompasses 16 acres of green space between the Mississippi River and the historic French Quarter. Its location places the green space between the river and the neighborhood, while the acreage provides another concrete measure of its scale. The park can therefore be understood in terms of its location and size, whereas the sculptures, trees, and two lagoons shape the experience of the Sculpture Garden. If you are weighing these outdoor options, this distinction can help guide you: here, the riverside location and expansive grounds; there, sculptures in a designed landscape.

Discover more destinations: New Orleans, Washington, Iberia Parish, Webster, Jefferson, Rapides Parish, St. Landry Parish, Richland.

For the broader travel overview: Louisiana.