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The Big Easy

New Orleans architecture

New Orleans is the soulful birthplace of Jazz and the American cocktail, a city where history is celebrated through vibrant festivals like Mardi Gras. Its unique French Quarter architecture and world-famous Creole and Cajun cuisine make it one of the most culturally distinct cities in North America.

  • 15Landmarks
  • 1752Oldest · Old Ursuline Convent
  • 212 mTallest · Hancock Whitney Center
  • 11Architects

Before you go

  • Fly intoLouis Armstrong (MSY)

    The airport is named after legendary jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong and features live jazz performances in the baggage claim to welcome travelers to the city. Its newest terminal, which opened in 2019, is a modern glass facility designed to resemble the curves of the Mississippi River.

  • CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
  • LanguageEnglish

    The local speech is a rich tapestry influenced by French, Spanish, and African heritage, resulting in a variety of unique local dialects. Most notable is the 'Yat' accent, which surprisingly shares more phonetic similarities with traditional Brooklyn accents than with the surrounding Southern states.

  • Getting aroundStreetcars

    The St. Charles line is the world's oldest continuous streetcar and is a National Historic Landmark. The Canal Street and Riverfront lines use red, modern-vintage cars to serve the French Quarter and shopping districts. RTA buses complement the streetcars to provide coverage across the entire New Orleans parish.

15 landmarks in New Orleans

  1. St. Louis Cathedral
    Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Krakers assumed (based on copyright claims). (Corrected by User:StAn), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    St. Louis Cathedral

    615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116

    This is the oldest cathedral in continuous use in the United States and serves as a major landmark. Its three iconic 18th-century spires overlook the historic Jackson Square and the nearby Mississippi River. The current structure features a striking white facade and was largely rebuilt in 1850 following a devastating fire. The architectural design beautifully blends French and Spanish colonial styles with Gothic Revival elements. It remains one of the most photographed and spiritually significant buildings in the entire French Quarter.

    Built
    1850
    Architect
    J.N.B. de Pouilly
    Style
    Spanish Colonial / Renaissance Revival
    Height
    52 m (171 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Active Cathedral

  2. Apple Lakeside Shopping Center

    3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, LA 70002

    This store is a prime example of Apple's modern retail forum design aimed at community engagement. The building features a signature wide glass storefront that provides a transparent view into the minimalist interior space. Inside, the layout is organized around a central forum with a large video wall for educational sessions. The area is flanked by custom-built oak tables and integrated greenery to create a calm shopping environment. It stands as a modern contrast to the bustling traditional retail landscape of the Lakeside Shopping Center.

    Built
    2010
    Architect
    Apple Inc. Design Team
    Style
    Modern Minimalism
    Height
    6 m (20 ft)
    Stories
    1
    Today
    Retail

  3. The Sazerac House

    101 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

    This project involved the meticulous restoration of an 1860s merchant building located at a prominent street corner. It now serves as an interactive museum and distillery dedicated entirely to the famous Sazerac cocktail. The interior features a massive three-story glass spirits wall that acts as a stunning visual centerpiece. Architects preserved original brickwork and massive wooden beams to maintain the building's historic character. Visitors can explore the history of New Orleans through the lens of its most iconic beverage traditions.

    Built
    2019
    Architect
    Trapolin-Peer Architects
    Style
    Italianate / Contemporary Interior
    Height
    25 m (82 ft)
    Stories
    6
    Today
    Museum / Distillery
  4. Preservation Hall
    Photo: Francis Lee, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Preservation Hall

    726 St Peter St, New Orleans, LA 70116

    This humble and weather-worn structure in the French Quarter serves as a sanctuary for traditional jazz. Built originally in 1803 as a private residence, the building has witnessed centuries of New Orleans history. The owners have deliberately avoided modernizing the space to maintain its raw and historic aesthetic. This lack of intervention preserves an intimate acoustic environment that is perfect for unamplified musical performances. It remains a globally recognized institution that protects the cultural heritage of the city's unique musical roots.

    Built
    1803
    Style
    Spanish Colonial
    Height
    12 m (39 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Jazz Venue
  5. Hotel Monteleone
    Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Hotel Monteleone

    214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

    This grand hotel is famous for its revolving Carousel Bar which has become a must-visit city attraction. It is one of the few remaining long-standing family-owned hotels in the United States. The Beaux-Arts facade is adorned with intricate stone carvings that reflect the opulence of the late 19th century. The building is officially designated as a Literary Landmark due to its history with famous Southern authors. Guests can walk the same halls once frequented by legendary figures like Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner.

    Built
    1886
    Architect
    Toledano & Wogan
    Style
    Beaux-Arts
    Height
    60 m (197 ft)
    Stories
    16
    Today
    Hotel
  6. Caesars Superdome
    Photo: DHSgov, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    Caesars Superdome

    1500 Sugar Bowl Dr, New Orleans, LA 70112

    Completed in the 1970s, this structure remains the largest fixed-dome building in the entire world. It serves as a powerful symbol of New Orleans' resilience following its use as a shelter during Hurricane Katrina. The massive interior space can accommodate over seventy thousand people for various sporting and entertainment events. A significant multi-million dollar renovation in 2024 has modernized the facility for future generations of fans. Its distinctive metallic silhouette is a permanent and dominant fixture of the downtown New Orleans skyline.

    Built
    1975
    Architect
    Curtis and Davis
    Style
    Modernist / Brutalist
    Height
    83 m (272 ft)
    Stories
    8
    Today
    Sports & Entertainment Complex
  7. U.S. Custom House
    Photo: Wittemann/Albertype, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    U.S. Custom House

    423 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130

    This monumental granite structure is a testament to 19th-century craft, taking thirty-three years to fully complete. The centerpiece of the building is the Marble Hall, which is considered a masterpiece of Greek Revival design. Fourteen massive Corinthian columns support the soaring ceiling of this impressive internal chamber. While it continues to house federal offices, it also provides a unique home for the Audubon Insectarium. The exterior architecture reflects a blend of Egyptian and Greek styles that were popular during its long construction.

    Built
    1881
    Architect
    Alexander Thompson Wood
    Style
    Egyptian Revival / Greek Revival
    Height
    28 m (92 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Government / Insectarium
  8. Commander's Palace
    Photo: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Commander's Palace

    1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

    This bright turquoise Victorian mansion is a world-renowned landmark of haute Creole culinary excellence. With its whimsical turrets and wrap-around porches, the building embodies the residential opulence of the Garden District. It has served as a legendary training ground for some of the most famous chefs in America. The structure's distinctive color and architectural flourishes make it one of the most recognizable restaurants in the South. It continues to be a premier destination for those seeking a traditional and elegant New Orleans dining experience.

    Built
    1893
    Style
    Victorian
    Height
    15 m (49 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Restaurant

  9. Old Ursuline Convent

    1100 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA 70116

    Completed in 1752, this is the oldest surviving building in the entire Mississippi River Valley. It is one of the few structures to survive the great fires that destroyed much of the city's early architecture. The classic French design features a symmetrical facade that reflects the formal style of the colonial era. A beautifully maintained formal herb garden sits on the grounds, providing a quiet escape for visitors. Today, the building serves as a museum and archive that preserves the history of the Catholic Church in Louisiana.

    Built
    1752
    Architect
    Ignace François Broutin
    Style
    French Neoclassical
    Height
    18 m (59 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Museum / Archive
  10. Gallier Hall
    Photo: Baronplantagenet at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Gallier Hall

    545 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130

    This Greek Revival masterpiece served as the City Hall of New Orleans for over a century. The impressive front portico is supported by massive Ionic columns carved from white marble. It remains the primary viewing stand for Mardi Gras royalty as parades pass through the historic St. Charles Avenue. The building is considered one of the most significant civic structures in the Southern United States. Today, it hosts important municipal ceremonies and serves as a premier venue for high-profile civic events.

    Built
    1853
    Architect
    James Gallier
    Style
    Greek Revival
    Height
    22 m (72 ft)
    Stories
    3
    Today
    Civic Events Center
  11. Contemporary Arts Center
    Photo: Reading Tom, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Contemporary Arts Center

    900 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130

    Housed in a former ice house and warehouse, this center is a leading example of adaptive reuse in the city. The renovation carefully retained industrial features like exposed brick walls and open steel structural spans. It serves as a multidisciplinary hub for cutting-edge visual and performing arts in the Warehouse District. The architecture bridge's the city's commercial past with its vibrant and creative modern identity. Large gallery spaces provide a flexible environment for rotating exhibitions by local and international artists.

    Built
    1976
    Architect
    Concordia Architects (Renovation)
    Style
    Industrial / Adaptive Reuse
    Height
    24 m (79 ft)
    Stories
    4
    Today
    Art Center
  12. The Pitot House
    Photo: Infrogmation, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

    The Pitot House

    1440 Moss St, New Orleans, LA 70119

    This is one of the last remaining examples of a Creole country house featuring brick-between-post construction. Located on the banks of Bayou St. John, the design includes wide galleries to facilitate natural cooling. The high-pitched roof and symmetrical layout represent a transition from French colonial to American styles. It offers a rare glimpse into the lifestyle of early settlers before the city expanded into its current form. The building is now a museum that focuses on the architectural and social history of the Bayou region.

    Built
    1799
    Style
    French Colonial / West Indies
    Height
    11 m (36 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Historical Museum
  13. Hancock Whitney Center
    Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    Hancock Whitney Center

    701 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70139

    Standing at fifty-one stories, this is the tallest skyscraper in both New Orleans and the state of Louisiana. The building is clad in Italian travertine and features a sleek, international style design. It was engineered specifically to withstand the extreme hurricane-force winds common to the Gulf Coast. During the 1970s, it served as a major symbol of the city's prosperous oil and gas industry boom. Its presence on the skyline provides a modern contrast to the historic low-rise architecture of the nearby French Quarter.

    Built
    1972
    Architect
    Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)
    Style
    International Style
    Height
    212 m (696 ft)
    Stories
    51
    Today
    Office Building

  14. The Cornstalk Hotel

    915 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116

    This elegant Victorian mansion is most famous for its intricate cast-iron fence depicting pumpkins and corn stalks. Local legend suggests the fence was commissioned by a husband to cure his young bride's homesickness for Iowa. The building serves as a premier example of the decorative ironwork that defined status in mid-19th century New Orleans. Its Gothic Revival flourishes and well-preserved interior make it a unique boutique lodging option. It remains a mandatory stop for tourists interested in the ornamental history of the French Quarter.

    Built
    1816
    Style
    Victorian / Gothic Revival
    Height
    14 m (46 ft)
    Stories
    2
    Today
    Boutique Hotel
  15. The National WWII Museum
    Photo: ajay_suresh, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

    The National WWII Museum

    945 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130

    This sprawling multi-pavilion campus has completely revitalized the industrial Warehouse District of the city. The architecture is unified by the Bollinger Canopy, a massive steel overhang that connects the various gallery buildings. The design utilizes raw concrete and glass to create a somber and reflective atmosphere for visitors. Inside the soaring pavilions, vintage aircraft are suspended from the ceiling to tell the story of the war in the air. It is now recognized as one of the top museums in the world for military and social history.

    Built
    2000
    Architect
    Voorsanger Mathes LLC
    Style
    Contemporary / Deconstructivism
    Height
    32 m (105 ft)
    Stories
    5
    Today
    Museum

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