Things to do nearJackson Square
Jackson Square is the iconic centerpiece of New Orleans' French Quarter, Louisiana, drawing visitors with its cathedral backdrop, living artists, and centuries of layered history.
Jackson Square sits at the oldest settled part of New Orleans, a city founded by French colonists in 1718 on a sweeping bend of the Mississippi River. Originally called the Place d'Armes, the square served as a military parade ground and public gathering space during French and later Spanish colonial rule. It was renamed in honor of Andrew Jackson following the American victory at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, and the bronze equestrian statue of Jackson at the center of the plaza has stood there since 1856.
Framing the square on three sides are the Pontalba Buildings, among the oldest apartment buildings in the United States, their cast-iron galleries casting lacy shadows across the flagstones. The dominant presence on the fourth side is St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the country, its white facade and three steeples forming one of the most recognizable silhouettes in American architecture.
On any given afternoon, Jackson Square functions as an open-air gallery and performance space, with tarot card readers, jazz musicians, sketch artists, and tourists all sharing the same worn brick pathways. The nearby Cafe Du Monde, just steps from the square, has served beignets and chicory coffee to visitors for well over a century and remains a deeply rooted local ritual. The Mississippi River levee behind the square offers a broad view of the water and the working port beyond.
Jackson Square earns its reputation not through spectacle alone but through the rare quality of feeling genuinely inhabited, a place where history and daily life have never really separated.
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Tips for visiting Jackson Square
Visit during the early morning hours to experience Jackson Square before the midday crowds gather and the light is soft on the cathedral facade.
Browse the work of the portrait artists and painters who set up along the iron fence surrounding the square, as many are longtime locals with deep ties to the neighborhood.
Walk to the nearby French Market after exploring Jackson Square to sample local produce, crafts, and traditional New Orleans snacks.
Bring cash if you plan to tip the street performers, who range from brass bands to living statues and are central to the square's atmosphere.
Look for free ranger-led tours departing from the area around Jackson Square that cover the history of the French Quarter and the Mississippi riverfront.
Top tours & experiences near Jackson Square
Marie Laveau Voodoo Walking Tour in New Orleans
French Quarter walking tour focused on Marie Laveau and New Orleans voodoo history
Garden District & French Quarter Bike Tour in New Orleans
Bike the French Quarter and Garden District, with a cemetery stop
New Orleans True Crime Walking Tour
Explore New Orleans' darker history through stories beyond the usual tour route
French Quarter Cocktail & Food Crawl Near Jackson Square
Taste 4 dishes and sip 4 cocktails on a guided French Quarter walk
Badly Behaved Women's History Tour in New Orleans
Explore New Orleans women’s history, scandal, and Storyville stories
Ride a 1-Hour Haunted French Quarter Carriage Tour
Hear French Quarter ghost stories on a 1-hour night carriage ride
Dark History Walking Tour of New Orleans
Explore New Orleans’ true crimes, disasters and ghost legends on a French Quarter walk
2-Hour French Quarter Segway Tour
Glide past French Quarter landmarks as a guide shares New Orleans stories
New Orleans Voodoo Tour & Private Tarot Reading
Explore New Orleans spirituality with a Tarot creator and cultural scholar
French Quarter Ghost, Voodoo & Vampire Walking Tour
Dark French Quarter stories led by a professional guide
Vampire Walking Tour in the French Quarter
Hear French Quarter vampire legends on a 1.5-hour night walk with a licensed guide
Haunted Plantation Paranormal Investigation from New Orleans
Go beyond ghost stories with a hands-on, after-hours investigation
Ghost, Pirate & True Crime Pub Crawl in the French Quarter
Pair the French Quarter's darker stories with a pub crawl
French Quarter Ghost Walking Tour in New Orleans
Discover the darker stories behind the French Quarter's haunted sites
French Quarter Kitchen: Cook 3 Cajun Dishes
Prepare iconic Jambalaya, barbecue shrimp, and dessert in a hands-on French Quarter kitchen.
French Quarter History Walking Tour
Discover scandals, stories, and real history in the French Quarter
Ride a Private Carriage Tour in New Orleans
Private French Quarter carriage tour from Jackson Square, for 2–4 passengers
New Orleans City Tour with Hurricane Katrina Sites
Look beyond the landmarks to explore New Orleans' history and recovery
New Orleans French Quarter Creole History Walking Tour
Discover the stories behind Creole courtyards, literary haunts, and St. Louis Cathedral
Large Airboat Alligator Swamp Tour from New Orleans
Glide across bayous at high speed, spotting alligators and native wildlife with an expert captain.
New Orleans French Quarter Voodoo Walking Tour
Uncover Voodoo history and hidden stories on a French Quarter walk
2-Hour Guided City Tour of New Orleans
See key New Orleans neighborhoods by air-conditioned minibus
Explore French Quarter History on a 2-Hour Walking Tour
Walk the French Quarter with a storyteller and dig into New Orleans history