On any given beautiful day, you could find Steve and I taking a stroll around and through Jackson Square New Orleans.
The Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, also called St. Louis Cathedral, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States
Jackson Square New Orleans
A lovely topiary in Jackson Square New Orleans
As you all must know by now, New Orleans is our absolute favorite city in America. Since 2006 we have been coming here regularly, and still find new experience. But one that we love, even though we no longer consider ourselves tourists here, is Jackson Square New Orleans.
Fabulous palm in Jackson Square
It’s a fabulous place for people watching, horse-drawn carriage rides, shopping, entertainment, dining and imbibing. So every week or so we’ll spend a sunny day at the park. At one end of Jackson Square is the iconic St. Louis Cathedral. The other end is anchored by the steps leading to the Mississippi River. And flanking on each side are boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants and bars.
History of Jackson Square
This statue of Andrew Jackson on horseback honors this American leader. The park is named for him.
Jackson Square is just that. One square block of green space surrounded by a wrought iron fence. It was originally named Place d’Armes because it was a mustering place for men of arms, and two L-shaped barracks were erected on either side of the square to house colonial soldiers and their officers. In the center of the square is a bronze statue of Andrew Jackson who on January 13, 1840, returned to lay the cornerstone for a “Battle Monument” in the Place d’Armes, commemorating the American victory over the British 25 years earlier at the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson died in 1845. Just a short time later, in 1851 the Place d’Armes was renamed Jackson Square in his honor.
Artist colony
Fabulous adult tricycle at an artist display by the fence.
One of the reasons we enjoy Jackson Square so much is the open air artist colony that displays their work on the outside of the iron fence surrounding the park. Over the years we’ve added a piece or two to our art collection from these artists. Frequently you can watch them creating new pieces as they paint in these historic and beautiful surroundings.
Human statue posing by the shops around Jackson Square
Normally stoic human statue was enamored with our little Hershi and came down from his milk crate pedestal to play with him!
What do you think, is this another human statue?
There are artists of all kinds at Jackson Square. Silver statues of men are actually humans painted and clad from head to tow in silver. But once in a while you get tricked! During our most recent visit we watched in amusement as a young woman was asking one of these statues a whole bunch of questions, trying to get him to respond or react. She was stunned when someone came along and clutched the statue under his arm, carried it to a new location and placed it on a milk crate. Steve and I got a good laugh out of that!
Variety of entertainment
You can also find Jazz Bands, magicians, comedians and dance groups performing most days. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch a movie or TV show being filmed there. We have a friend who has been a musician at Jackson Square for years. It was so much fun watching NCIS: New Orleans one evening and seeing him and his band in a scene!!!
If all of that isn’t enough for you, just walk across the street and have some coffee and beignet at the main location of Café Du Monde or stroll through the French Market for food and other wares.
A bit of the tropics in Jackson Square. Look at those adorable baby bananas!
Jackson Square New Orleans truly is the heart of old New Orleans.
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