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.
City story
A View from the River
The Mississippi Riverfront isn't just a shoreline; it's a living map of the city's heritage. For decades, these banks were lined with…
City story
A View from the River
To see New Orleans from a different perspective, head to the riverfront. This area is a cornerstone of the city's tourism appeal, blen…
City story
A View from the Water
Want to see the city from a different perspective? Head to the foot of Canal Street. Since 1827, the Algiers-Canal Street Ferry has be…
City story
A View from the Water
To get the best view of the New Orleans skyline, you have to leave the land. Head to the foot of Canal Street and hop on the Algiers-C…
City story
A Vision of Empowerment
In the heart of the Central City district, the Ashé Cultural Arts Center stands as a cornerstone of community activism. Founded in Dec…
City story
A Wealthy Auctioneer's Dream
In 1826, a wealthy auctioneer named Joseph Le Carpentier wanted a home that reflected his status. He hired François Correjolles to des…
City story
A Wealthy Vision
In the early nineteenth century, Rosette Rochon became one of the most successful developers in the Faubourg Marigny. A wealthy free w…
City story
Bayou Life
While the Mississippi is the city's giant, Bayou St. John provided a more intimate connection to the landscape. On its banks sits the…
City story
Bayou St. John's Country Life
The Pitot House, built in 1799, offers a rare glimpse into the life of a Creole country home. Located on the banks of Bayou St. John,…
City story
Beignets and Beginnings
If there's one flavor that defines the French Quarter, it's the powdered sugar of a fresh beignet. Since 1862, Café du Monde has been…
City story
Bernard de Marigny's Whimsical Street Names
Discover how Creole aristocrat Bernard de Marigny named the streets of Faubourg Marigny with playful, symbolic titles in 1806.
City story
Beyond the Rubble
Some landmarks exist in brick and mortar, and others exist in the memories of the people they shaped. For years, the Karnofsky Shop on…
City story
Brick and Post
If you look closely at some of the oldest buildings in the city, you'll find a unique construction method called briquete-entre-poteau…
City story
Built for the Heat
Long before air conditioning, New Orleans architects had to outsmart the brutal Southern heat. Madame John's Legacy, built in 1788, is…
City story
By the Bayou
Tucked away on the banks of Bayou St. John is the Pitot House, a stunning example of a Creole Colonial country home. Built in 1799, th…
City story
City of the Dead
New Orleans' cemeteries are like cities for the departed, and St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is the most historic of them all. Opened in 178…
City story
Coffee and Cadence
In New Orleans, the morning ritual is as much a part of the culture as the music. Since 1862, Café du Monde has been a landmark on Dec…
City story
Creole Country Life
Step back into 1799 at the Pitot House. Located on the banks of Bayou St. John, this is the only example of a Creole Colonial-style co…
City story
Crossing the Current
To truly understand the geography of New Orleans, you have to leave the mainland. The ferry service to Algiers has been running since…
City story
Crossing the Great River
The journey across the Mississippi is one of the city's oldest traditions. The ferry service connecting Canal Street to Algiers dates…
City story
Culinary Heritage
Southern food is a language of its own, and the Southern Food and Beverage Museum, or SoFAB, is where that language is translated. Loc…
City story
Designing for the Heat
Long before air conditioning, New Orleans architects had to outsmart the humid Gulf South climate. Take Madame John's Legacy, built in…
City story
Dueling Ivory
Since 1933, Pat O'Brien's has been a landmark of the French Quarter, most famous for the Hurricane cocktail. But if you head to the Pi…
City story
Faulkner's First Novel in Pirate's Alley
A young William Faulkner wrote his first novel, Soldiers' Pay, in a house on Pirate's Alley in 1925.