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New Orleans, Orleans Parish / Parks and outdoors

Louis Armstrong Park

A 31-acre cultural sanctuary honoring jazz legend Louis Armstrong, featuring the historic Congo Square and the Mahalia Jackson Theater on the edge of the French Quarter.

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Louis Armstrong Park
nola.gov, og_image_nola.gov

What is Louis Armstrong Park known for?

The park is dedicated to jazz musician Louis Armstrong and the tradition of jazz in New Orleans. It is described as a place of exceptional musical and cultural history, containing the historic Congo Square, where enslaved people once gathered on Sundays to celebrate and play drums.

What are the hours for Louis Armstrong Park?

The park is open daily. Hours vary by season: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the winter and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. during Daylight Savings.

What can I see at Louis Armstrong Park?

Visitors can find the historic Congo Square, the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, and a lagoon with bridges and walkways.

Where is Louis Armstrong Park located?

The park is located at 701 N. Rampart Street in the Tremé neighborhood of New Orleans, just across Rampart Street from the French Quarter.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Louis Armstrong Park is a 31-acre public space located at 701 N. Rampart Street, situated on the edge of the French Quarter in the Tremé neighborhood. This area is recognized as the birthplace of many of the most famous jazz musicians in New Orleans. The park was designed by architect and urban designer Robin Riley and officially opened its gates in 1980, with design elements inspired by Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. At the heart of the park lies Congo Square, a site of immense cultural importance. Formerly known as Place de Negres, this historic landmark was where enslaved people gathered on Sundays—their designated day off—to beat drums, sing, sell homemade goods, and celebrate their heritage. This legacy of musical expression continues today, as the park hosts the Congo Square Rhythms Festival. The park's architecture includes the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, and a serene lagoon featuring walkways and bridges. Its significance is formally recognized through multiple designations; it was named a National Historic Landmark District in 1984 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994. In 1994, the site also became the home of the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Despite a period of neglect following Hurricane Katrina, the park underwent restoration and reopened to the public in 2011. Today, it remains a vibrant community hub that hosts weddings, concerts, and annual Martin Luther King Day celebrations.

Visitor tips

  • Plan your visit between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. in winter, or 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. during Daylight Savings.
  • Walk across Rampart Street from the French Quarter to enter the park easily.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes to explore the lagoon bridges and the open space of Congo Square.

Nearby context

The park serves as a gateway between the historic French Quarter and the Tremé neighborhood, providing a lush, open transition from the dense urban grid of the Vieux Carré to the birthplace of New Orleans jazz.

Sources

Evidence and links