Stories
New Orleans stories for walks, landmarks, and local context
Short, source-backed reads that explain what you are seeing while you move through the city.
Essential story
Welcome to the Crescent City
An orientation to New Orleans' geography, vibe, and the Mississippi River's influence.
Essential story
The Rhythm of Congo Square
The story of Congo Square as the birthplace of jazz and a sanctuary for African culture.
Essential story
A City of Living History
Exploring the unique architectural blend and the 'City of the Dead' phenomenon.
Essential story
The Sound of Frenchmen Street
Contrast between the tourist hubs and the authentic live music scene on Frenchmen Street.
City story
A Bayou Retreat
Tucked away on the banks of Bayou St. John is the Pitot House, a rare glimpse into the city's early country life. Built in 1799, it's…
City story
Above-Ground Art
Walk through St. Louis Cemetery Number One and you'll see that in New Orleans, even the cemeteries are galleries of architecture. Beca…
City story
Above the Waterline
In New Orleans, the geography of the land dictates how you bury your dead. Because the water table is so high, the city became famous…
City story
Above the Waterline
Walk through St. Louis Cemetery Number One and you'll see something unique: the dead aren't buried in the ground, but in towering abov…
City story
A Canal that Never Was
Canal Street is the retail heart of New Orleans, but its unusual width tells a story of a plan that failed. The street is 171 feet wid…
City story
A Century of Decay
Beauty often requires a second act. The Beauregard-Keyes House, built in 1826 as a stunning raised cottage, spent nearly two decades i…
City story
A Church of the Arts
The Marigny Opera House is a stunning example of how art can breathe new life into old spaces. Originally built in 1853 by architect T…
City story
A Church of the Arts
At 725 St. Ferdinand Street, you'll find a building that has lived two very different lives. Built in 1853, it began as a German Catho…
City story
A Church of the Arts
Imagine a building that has shifted its soul from sacred to secular. The Marigny Opera House began its life in 1853 as a German Cathol…
City story
A Church of the Arts
At 725 St. Ferdinand Street, you'll find a building with a spiritual history and a creative future. Built in 1853 as a German Catholic…
City story
A City of Above-Ground
In most cities, cemeteries are flat, but in New Orleans, they're cities of the dead. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, opened in 1789, is the…
City story
A Cornet and a Kind Heart
Before he was a global icon, Louis Armstrong was just a young boy in New Orleans looking for a way to play. His journey was shaped in…
City story
A Cornet for Louis
Every legend has a beginning, and for Louis Armstrong, it started with a bit of help from a tailor. On South Rampart Street, the Karno…
City story
A Cornet's First Loan
Before he was a global icon, a young Louis Armstrong had a second home at the Karnofsky Shop on South Rampart Street. Starting at age…
City story
A Creole Country Retreat
Tucked away on the banks of Bayou St. John is the Pitot House, a rare glimpse into the elegance of old New Orleans. Built in 1799, it'…
City story
A Federal Footprint
Canal Street is known today as a retail heart, but its very width is a result of federal planning. It's 171 feet wide because of an 18…
City story
A Gateway to the World
Jackson Square is more than just a park with a statue; it was the epicenter of New Orleans' transition between empires. Originally a m…