French Quarter Secrets: Insider Access to Historic New Orleans
To really get to know the French Quarter, you need to understand its heart and soul. There are stories down every alley and tucked away in every courtyard. Get ready to discover some of the French Quarter’s oldest places as you learn more about the storied past of this intriguing neighborhood.
1. The Cabildo (701 Chartres Street)
The Cabildo was once the seat of the Spanish colonial government and is one of the French Quarter’s most historically significant buildings. The Louisiana Purchase, which transferred territory from France to the US, was signed here in 1803.
Today, the Cabildo is part of the Louisiana State Museum and showcases exhibits about the colonial history of New Orleans. You can also learn about Creole culture and how the city has changed over the years.
Insider tip: Visit early in the morning before crowds arrive (it opens at 9 am). Afterward, spend some time exploring Jackson Square as local artists set up their easels and displays.
2. Old Ursuline Convent Museum (1100 Chartres Street)
The Old Ursuline Convent was built in 1752 after authorization from King Louis XV of France and is the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley. It was home to the Ursuline nuns until 1824. Its impressive architecture is something to behold, and the museum offers self-guided and guided tours and changing exhibits.
Insider tip: Don’t miss the small chapel, St. Mary’s Church, behind the convent. Many visitors to the museum inadvertently skip it, not realizing it’s there. The chapel was built in 1845 and used to serve as the residence of the Archbishop of New Orleans. Today, it is sometimes used for special events.
3. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (941 Bourbon Street)
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop isn’t like any other bar you’ll find on Bourbon Street; this is something special. It’s said to be one of the oldest buildings used as a bar in the US, dating back to the 1700s. Rumor has it that it was a front for pirate Jean Lafitte’s smuggling operations. Some guests have even said they’ve seen Lafitte’s ghost.
Insider tip: Grab a drink after sunset to enjoy the piano player’s melodies and the impressive atmosphere provided by candles instead of electric lights.
4. St. Louis Cathedral (615 Pere Antoine Alley)
Overlooking Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral is one of the most recognizable symbols of New Orleans. Originally built in 1727 and rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1788, it’s the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the US.
Insider tip: Attend a weekday Mass or find out about upcoming choir concerts to experience the awe-inspiring acoustics in the space.
5. The Historic New Orleans Collection (520 Royal Street)
A local favorite that casual visitors often miss is The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC). It showcases rotating exhibits that often focus on how life evolved in the French Quarter over the last 300 years.
Insider tip: Check out the hidden courtyard with a glass-covered well that features archaeological items and interactive VR displays. The museum is free, but you still need to get a ticket.
6. Pirate’s Alley (Between St. Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo)
This might not be in the top five French Quarter spots for tourists, but locals will be eager to point it out to you. The narrow, shady passage allegedly hosted pirate meetings, duels, and many other interesting occurrences throughout NOLA’s history.
It was also home to William Faulkner in 1925. If you take a haunted history tour of New Orleans, you’ll almost certainly hear a few tales of Pirate’s Alley.
Insider Tip: Stop by Pirates Alley Café & Olde Absinthe House, considered by many locals to be the best place for absinthe cocktails in the city. It’s cash only.
7. Antoine’s Restaurant (713 St. Louis)
New Orleans is no stranger to incredible food and has its share of upscale, high-end restaurants. But when it comes to historic French Quarter restaurants, Antoine’s is the OG. It is the oldest restaurant in New Orleans, established in 1840, and is also the oldest continually-run family restaurant in the US.
Insider Tip: Don’t eat and run. Take some time after your meal to stroll through the establishment’s 40,000+ square feet (yep, you read that right!). There are 15 private dining rooms, numerous displays of Mardi Gras memorabilia, and an impressive wine cellar. The wine cellar is the longest in Louisiana, holding over 20,000 bottles.
Get to Know Historic New Orleans: Come as a Tourist, Stay Like a Local
To really experience historic New Orleans and what the French Quarter is all about, stay in the middle of the action with Nola Hotel Group. La Galerie New Orleans, put you moments away from the authentic experiences that make the French Quarter timeless.