Things to Do...
Lafayette...Baton Rouge...New Orleans...
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New Orleans Museum of Art (in City Park) – Galleries focus on Art of the Americas, Asia, Africa, Oceanic art, Louisiana, and Europe. The museum has over 40,000 pieces, including paintings by Degas, Monet, and Matisse (right), a suit of Samurai armor, a collection of Faberge eggs, a sculpture garden, and traveling exhibits. Tue-Sun, 10-5. Fee for admission. 488-2631 |
French Market and Farmers’ Market – Historic marketplace
on the Mississippi, and sites of trading, flea markets, and food
vendors. Naturalist James Audubon called it “the dirtiest place
in all the cities of the United States” (back in 1821). Bargaining
is encouraged. Decatur St. at Ursulines.
St Elizabeth’s Orphanage – The property covers
an entire city block, houses much of Anne Rice’s doll collection,
and hosts her annual Halloween Memnoch Ball (call for tickets).
Tue-Sun 11-3. Donation for admission. 1314 Napoleon St. 529-0560
Aquarium of the Americas – One of the most modern aquariums
in the world, the aquarium exhibits include water exhibits of the
Caribbean, the Amazon rainforest, Mississippi River and Gulf of
Mexico. Discounted parking at Hilton Riverside, “Whale”
lot on Convention Blvd, and World Trade Center garage. Located at
Canal Street at the river. Fee for admission. Daily 9:30-6 (Fri-Sat
until 7) 1-800-774-7394
New Orleans Museum of Art (in City Park) – Galleries
focus on Art of the Americas, Asia, Africa, Oceanic art, Louisiana,
and Europe. The museum has over 40,000 pieces, including paintings
by Degas, Monet, and Matisse (right), a suit of Samurai armor, a
collection of Faberge eggs, a sculpture garden, and traveling exhibits.
Tue-Sun, 10-5. Fee for admission. 488-2631
Metairie Cemetery – These post-Civil War cemeteries
were constructed on a race track, and are safer than the other cemeteries.
Free audio tour available at the front gate’s funeral home.
A couple hours here can be entertaining and educational. Daily 8:30-4.
Free. 5100 Ponchartrain Blvd
Chalmette Battlefield at English Turn – This battle
site is where Andrew Jackson, the pirate Jean Lafitte, and hastily
organized American troops defeated the invading British navy in
1815. The nearby Chalmette National Cemetery is also worth seeing.
8606 W. St. Bernard Hwy.
Statue of John McDonough – The miserly millionaire
and abolitionist was widely disliked during his lifetime. When he
died, he left millions of dollars for the city’s educational
facilities, which spawned dozens of McDonough schools today. The
statue was funded by nickel donations from school children in 1898.
Located in Lafayette Square.
Fontainebleau State Park – Park on US 190 just outside
Mandeville, LA (north of New Orleans). The park encompasses 2,800
acres of camping, trails, a lodge, swimming, a playground, fishing
and the ruins of a plantation sugar mill. For reservations, call
toll free 877-226-7652
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