New Orleans, Louisiana

One of the treasured jewels of New Orleans sits just outside of Jackson Square, in the heart of Old City and it’s likely one of the most photographed landmarks in all of New Orleans.  Saint Louis Cathedral located on Chartres Street on Jackson Square is the oldest continuously active cathedral in operation in the United States.  It derives its name from the 13th Century French King who led two crusades.

St. Louis Cathedral History

The present cathedral is actually the third on the present site of the church.  The first two were destroyed and rebuilt.  This first building was destroyed by a hurricane in 1722 while the second building burned in a fire in 1788.

The current cathedral was started in 1789 and completed in 1794 and then enlarged in 1851 with the central tower being added.  That tower was designed by Henry S. Boneval Latrobe, the first professional architect in America.

The Beauty of St. Louis Cathedral

The beautiful interior is decorated by murals which cover the ceiling painted by an Alsatian artist named Erasme Humbrecht in 1872 which depict different stories from the bible.   An ornate mural of St. Louis announcing the Seventh Crusade  was painted just about the cathedral’s main alter.

The main alter itself is carved-wood Baroque which was constructed in Ghent, Belgium and brought to New Orleans in pieces and then assembled. Colorful stained glass windows depicting the various Catholics also add to the beauty of the cathedral on the first floor.

Extending from the back of the church to the rectory on Royal Street is the beautiful St. Anthony’s garden which features a statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  This garden also features a monument to 30 members of a French ship who died in a yellow fever epidemic in 1857.

Coming back around to the front of the church visitors marvel at the exterior of the building.  The steeples which were not originally part of the cathedral, along with the portico and pilasters were added in 1851.  The clock bell known as “Victoire”, was cast in Paris by Pere Antoine and has tolled hourly since 1819.

Pope John Paul II Visits

In 1987 the very popular and much loved Pope John Paul II celebrated a prayer service for clergy at this wondrous cathedral. To both mark the event and honor the occasion both a placard was placed on the cathedral’s outer wall and the pedestrian mall directly in front of the cathedral was renamed Place Jean Paul Deux.

It’s free to visit the cathedral but keep in mind that services are regularly scheduled and on the weekends weddings do take place.  You might even catch a happy couple posing by the lantern between the cathedral, Cabildo & the Pirate’s Cafe in Pirates Alley, for a picture from their happy day.  In the evenings you can get your fortune told or palm read in “Place Jean Paul Deux” by the many fortune telling merchants who set up shop there for the evening.

The Heart of City Life

From the beginnings of New Orleans the general area of what is now known as Jackson Square was the center of New Orleans life.  It’s closeness to the Mississippi River Port, the church and the government buildings made it the hub of local shipping and commerce.

Jackson Square area functioned as a hub of city of life throughout the rule of the French, the Spanish, then again the French and even after the American rule took over after the Louisiana purchase.

How It Became Jackson Square

After the Battle of New Orleans in 1814, the Baroness Pantalba financed the redesign of the area and lobbied for a more beautiful public square. The square was named in honor of Andrew Jackson, the hero of the battle of New Orleans for which one of three statues are in honor of. The square itself is surrounded by a beautiful iron gate. On the inside you’ll find many beautiful flowers and plants with pathways and benches all for observers to enjoy the splendor of the square.

Jackson Square is surrounded by Decatur, St. Ann, Chartres and St. Peter streets and all around the outside of the iron gating various street vendors set up their wares for residents and tourists to buy. From artists to palm & tarot card readers, you can find something to suit your fancy. Street performers and carriage rides and tours also line the streets that surround Jackson Square. Many races, marathons, and celebrations use the Jackson square area as the main starting area, especially with the “staging” area across the street on Decatur.

A Great Starting Point for Walking Tours

If you are looking to start a walking tour of the French Quarter, Jackson Square is mostly likely the best place to start and end your tour, as it is within close walking distance to many of the more famous attractions such as the Joan of Arc statue, the French Market, St. Louis Cathedral and even Pirate’s Alley.  It’s probably the most notable and easy to get to point in all of the French Quarter as well.

Most walking guides of the New Orleans French Quarter include stopping at Jackson Square at some point during the tour.  However, if you are doing your own walking tour whether its by yourself or with a large group, there’s a lot of history within just a few blocks of the square itself that you can easily pack your day with taking in a lot of sites and ending it with a nice stroll in the square beautiful gardens.

For ten years running New Orleans celebrates one of it’s own in style!  Every year to coincide with the greatest of jazz icons,  Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong’s birthday (August 4th) one of the best summer festivals around is held on the grounds of the Old U.S. Mint at the very edge of New Orleans famous French Quarter and not to far from the famous French Market.  This year’s festival officially runs from Thursday August 5th through Sunday August 8th, however some events to tend to start a day or two before.

Last year’s events kicked off on Wednesday with the Satchmo Art Festival that was a real crowd pleaser of an event, lots of great art celebrating the Louis Armstrong & other jazz icons were available to delight the crowds.  Attendees also gathered in Armstrong Park to celebrate at the Satchmo Birthday Party.

During the weekend on the grounds of the Old U.S. Mint you’ll find three stages of Jazz music, which include genres such as traditional jazz, contemporary jazz, and brass bands. You’ll also find sponsors’ booths, stands with traditional New Orleans cuisines and lots of “Satchmo” merchandise.

The celebration wraps up on Sunday, where patrons packed into St. Augustine Church on Governor Nicholls Street, to participate in the heralded Jazz Mass where, upon conclusion, the crowds dance into the streets to join in the second-line parade to the festival.  If there’s one celebration in August to head down to NOLA for, it’s the Satchmo SummerFest!  You can check out the official site at www.satchmosummerfest.com

As hot and as humid as N’awlins can be in August the same can be said for the fun at the festivals, which in August there’s no shortage of!  From Jazz celebrations to food festivals there’s something just about every weekend of the month to suit just about any traveler.

• Community Fair & Blessing of the Fleet

  Grand Isle

  July 30-31 and Aug. 1, 2010, Tarpon Rodeo Pavilion in Jefferson Parish.
  Blessing of vessels and community fair!  Entertainment, food, games and more.  FREE event. (985)787-2997

• Satchmo SummerFest

  August 5-8, 2010, Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave.
  Come and celebrates the New Orleans legend, Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, with outdoor concerts, seminars, children’s activities, a club crawl and second-line parade. at the Old U.S. Mint.  Over 26,000 visitors are expected for this year’s 10th anniversary celebration.

• National Hot Air Balloon Championships

  August 6 – 8, 2010, Baton Rouge, Pennington Center and BREC’s Perkins Road Park.
  The Southeast Regional and Louisiana State Hot Air Balloon competitions.  This festival although not in New Orleans features a lot of fun things like liftoffs, fireworks, music, kids’ activities. (225) 933-2027.

• Great American Seafood Cook-Off

  August 7-9, 2010, New Orleans Morial Convention Center
  America’s finest chefs show their skills in seafood preparation at the 2010 Great American Seafood Cook-Off.  Enjoy delicious seafood, and watch culinary challenges all  This event also includes alligator and high-school cook-off.

• Whitney White Linen Night

  August 7, 2010, New Orleans, Contemporary Arts Center (900 Camp St.) and Warehouse Arts District.
  Art gallery openings, special exhibits, fun, food and music. (504) 528-3805.

• Six String Music Musicians’ Invitational

  Festival

  August 7, 2010, French Quarter, New Orleans
  Enjoy Jimmy Buffet style tropical island music as singers and songwriters play for three days & nights at French Quarter venues.  There are even auctions to benefit charities.  504.392.4384 for more information.

• Mamou Cajun Music Festival

  August 13 – 14, 2010, Mamou Civic Center
  Cajun Food, Cajun Music and Tons of Cajun,  The Mamou Cajun Music Festival began as a one-day festival presenting some of the local Cajun musicians to the citizens of Mamou and Evangeline Parish. It has since become what it is today, a two-day music festival, presenting traditional Cajun musicians, dancing, food, and contests.  Traditional Cajun music, sack races , guinea chases, egg-throwing and arm-wrestling contests, there’s even a greased-pole climbing, and boudin-eating contest. (337) 468-3272

• Delcambre Shrimp Festival

  ,
  August 18 – 22, 2010 , Main Street, Delcambre, LA
  This shrimp festival is always the third weekend in August.  Rides, food, bands, shrimp cook-off, water fights, dancing, blessing of the fleet. 337.685.2653, 888.942.3742.

• Le Cajun Music Awards Show & Festival

  August 20-21, 2010, Cade Community Center in Cade, LA
  The Le Cajun Award and Festival is a unique three day event that features an awards ceremony honoring the best in Cajun music and Cajun musicians and includes a two-day dance festival with award winning Cajun bands providing the music. (800) 346-1958

• Gueydan Duck Festival

  Aug 26 – 29, 2010,
  The Gueydan Duck Festival offers the public great entertainment with its Duck and Goose Calling contest, Skeet Shooting, Hunting Dog Trials, and Decoy Carving. This is in addition to great food, nightly bands, Junior and Senior Queen’s Pageants, a Grand Parade, Outdoor and Indoor Cooking Contests, Auction, arts and crafts, and to top it all off, a thrilling Carnival. (337) 536-7858, 888-536-6456

Who Dat?!

Well this is Fun in New Orleans a site all about the fun one can have when they visit the crescent city, the true city that never sleeps, New Orleans, Louisiana.  From the French Quarter to beautiful Garden District there’s a lot to see and a lot to experience that can please all of your senses.

We’ll talk about food, parties, celebrations, festivals, bars, restaurants, art and music …everything that make New Orleans, New Orleans!

Over the next few days we’ll be adding more content so keep on coming back to see what we’ve got!