Things to do nearSt. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral anchors the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, drawing visitors with its striking facade, deep Creole history, and enduring spiritual presence.
St. Louis Cathedral holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the United States, a fact that gives even a brief visit considerable weight. The current structure, completed in 1794 and significantly remodeled in the 1850s, is actually the third church to occupy this site, with earlier buildings lost to fire and hurricane. Its architect, J.N.B. de Pouilly, gave the facade its now-iconic triple-steeple silhouette, a skyline marker so distinctive that it appears on countless paintings and photographs of New Orleans.
Inside, visitors find a richly decorated nave with a barrel-vaulted ceiling painted with murals depicting the life of St. Louis, the French king for whom the cathedral is named. The pale gold and blue tones of the interior feel simultaneously grand and intimate, reflecting the Creole Catholic culture that shaped New Orleans from its earliest colonial days. The cathedral fronts Jackson Square, the historic public plaza that once served as a military parade ground, and the relationship between the two spaces gives the surrounding French Quarter neighborhood much of its civic character.
Organ music occasionally drifts through the nave during services and special events, adding another sensory layer to the experience. The cathedral remains an active Roman Catholic parish, which means its doors are open to visitors throughout the day while also hosting regular liturgical services. For anyone seeking to understand New Orleans beyond its reputation for revelry, St. Louis Cathedral offers a direct and moving encounter with the city's oldest spiritual and cultural roots.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting St. Louis Cathedral
Visit during the early morning hours, when the cathedral is quietest and the light through the stained glass is at its most vivid.
Spend time in St. Anthony's Garden behind the cathedral, a peaceful courtyard that most visitors walk past without noticing.
Attend a Sunday Mass to experience the cathedral as an active place of worship rather than simply a historic landmark.
Bring a small amount of cash if you plan to light a votive candle, as the tradition remains an important part of the cathedral's living practice.
Walk the perimeter of Jackson Square after your visit to take in the full facade from different angles and appreciate the cathedral's scale against the French Quarter streetscape.
Top tours & experiences near St. Louis Cathedral
New Orleans Cooking Class: Gumbo, Grits & More
Prepare iconic New Orleans dishes in a small-group cooking class and enjoy the feast you create.
Ride a 1-Hour Haunted French Quarter Carriage Tour
Hear French Quarter ghost stories on a 1-hour night carriage ride
2-Hour Guided City Tour of New Orleans
See key New Orleans neighborhoods by air-conditioned minibus
French Quarter Kitchen: Cook 3 Cajun Dishes
Prepare iconic Jambalaya, barbecue shrimp, and dessert in a hands-on French Quarter kitchen.
Private Bayou Party: BYOB Pontoon for 6
Gather up to six guests for a 1-hour-45-minute BYOB bayou cruise on a luxury pontoon.
Explore Destrehan Plantation Guided Tour Combo
Tour Destrehan Plantation with guided house access and time to explore the grounds
Local Cajun Guide's Small Group Swamp Airboat
Glide through Louisiana's wetlands on a nimble airboat with local Cajun guides
Garden District Mansions, Bites & Cocktails Walk
Savor local bites and a welcome cocktail while exploring the Garden District’s grand homes and history.
Louisiana Swamp Airboat Tour & Alligators
Glide across bayous at high speed, spotting alligators and native wildlife with an expert captain.
New Orleans Airboat Swamp & Alligator Tour
Zoom across Louisiana wetlands on a small airboat to spot alligators and native wildlife up close.
24/7 Bike Rental with French Quarter Route Map
Explore the French Quarter at your own pace with quality bikes, a route map, and 24/7 return flexibility.
Pedal & Sip Through 3 Irish Channel Breweries
Discover top breweries and bars as you pedal a 14-seat bike through the lively Irish Channel.
Explore French Quarter Craft Cocktail Walking Tour
Sip 3 classic cocktails on a small French Quarter walking tour
Guided 3-Hour New Orleans City Tour
See New Orleans highlights by air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed guide
Historic French Quarter Walking Tour
Discover New Orleans history through stories passed down by local families
Vampire Walking Tour in the French Quarter
Hear French Quarter vampire legends on a 1.5-hour night walk with a licensed guide
Dark History Walking Tour of New Orleans
Explore New Orleans’ true crimes, disasters and ghost legends on a French Quarter walk
Taste Cajun & Creole Food on a 3-Hour French Quarter Tour
Eat your way through the French Quarter and learn the stories behind Cajun and Creole cuisine
Ride a 1-Hour French Quarter & Marigny Carriage Tour
Ride a mule-drawn carriage through the French Quarter and Marigny in 1 hour
French Quarter Haunted Walking Tour
Hear French Quarter hauntings, true crime, and Voudou history with a local guide
VIP Guided Tour of St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans
Enter St. Louis Cathedral early with a small-group docent-led tour
Explore the French Quarter on a 2-Hour Guided Tour
Walk the French Quarter with a local and see key landmarks in 2 hours
Take a New Orleans Private City & Cemetery Tour
Cover the French Quarter, Garden District, and a cemetery on a 2.5-hour private tour
Explore French Quarter History Walking Tour in New Orleans
Walk the French Quarter with a guide and learn New Orleans history
Explore the French Quarter on a 45-Minute Walk
See French Quarter highlights fast, starting at Jackson Square
Sip Classic Cocktails on a French Quarter Walking Tour
Walk the French Quarter and sample classic cocktails with a licensed local guide
Bike Tour of the French Quarter & Garden District
Ride New Orleans highlights with a fully licensed guide in 3–3.5 hours
French Quarter Ghost Tour Near St. Louis Cathedral
Walk NOLA’s French Quarter haunts from Pirate’s Alley by St. Louis Cathedral
Explore New Orleans on a True Crime Walking Tour
Walk New Orleans’ darker history with mafia and true-crime stories
New Orleans Segway Tour
Glide through New Orleans landmarks on a guided Segway adventure
2-Hour French Quarter Segway Tour
Glide past French Quarter landmarks as a guide shares New Orleans stories