Iconic New Orleans Photo Spots 2022: A Travel Guide
Iconic New Orleans Photo Spots 2022: A Travel Guide
New Orleans’ rich culture fuses Creole roots with European influences and good ole’ American southern charm. So it will not be hard to find amazing photo snaps to fill up your camera roll in this unique city. We are here with all the most iconic photo spots, especially photogenic cuisines, to help you make amazingly memorable moments on your trip to “The Big Easy.”
Explore New Orleans’ Charming Photo Spots
Whether you’re into art, architecture, history, food, or a soulful night, you’ll find the best photo spots in New Orleans here. Also, be sure to engage with the locals, who usually have the best scoop on where to find hidden gems in the city.
Discover the Staples of New Orleans
Ride the St. Charles Streetcar
Take a ride on the green historic St. Charles Streetcar to see New Orleans’ most prominent areas. Since 1835, it has been the oldest continuously operated streetcar globally. There are plenty of photo-worthy stops on the line, so buy a day pass and ride to your heart’s content.
2. Visit Jackson Square & Riverfront
For the most classic photo of New Orleans, take a stroll to Jackson Square. You will find the historical site where Louisiana the U.S. acquired Louisiana in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. In addition, the iconic St. Louis Cathedral stands opposite the riverbank, offering prime photo ops in both directions.
3. Stroll Through the French Quarter
This historic neighborhood is known as New Orleans’ “Crown Jewel” for its architectural flair. First, roam the colorful buildings with beautiful cast-iron balconies that compose this neighborhood. Then, be sure to get off the main streets and immerse yourself in the tasteful composition of the area.
This area is a wanderer's paradise with an array of restaurants, bars, and local crafts tucked within the stunning buildings. You will find more than your fill of photo ops in this iconic part of New Orleans.
4. Take a Pic with Louis Armstrong
There to greet you at the entrance to Louis Armstrong Park is a great big bronze statue of the “trumpet man” himself. But of course, no trip to NOLA is complete without a photo with the city’s most famous jazz musician, plus the park has many other great photo ops to offer.
5. Wander the Garden District
The Garden District is another great place in New Orleans just to meander in. There you will find NOLA’s most prominent mansions and homes. Each house, adorned with enormous front porches and antique lanterns, is a stunning representation of urban French-colonial plantations.
Five houses in the Garden District of New Orleans that need to make it to your camera roll are:
Walter Grinnan Robinson House – 1415 Third Street
Payne-Strachan House – 1134 First Street
Brevard House – 1239 First Street
Joseph Carroll House – 1315 First Street
Bradish Johnson House/McGehee School for Girls
6. Immerse Yourself in Cultural Museums
NOLA is home to several fascinating museums that offer stellar photo opportunities. Learn about some of the unique cultures in New Orleans at some of these fantastic exhibits:
7. Discover Local Arts and Crafts
New Orleans offers much in the way of local arts and crafts. There are many intriguing and unique things in the various shops throughout the city. You will find it all in NOLA, from drawings and paintings to porcelain, colorful masks for Mardi Gras, and even designer hats for the Kentucky Derby.
Find some great local New Orleans arts and crafts here:
8. Experience Mardi Gras
Most of the time, you will find your phone glued to your hand because of the incredible things you will see. However, if you are interested in visiting New Orleans in time for Mardi Gras, check out the official calendar of festivities.
9. Explore the Cemeteries
New Orleans has surprisingly stunning cemeteries open to the public. If you can handle a bit of creepy, lean into the supernatural aspects of the city, and stroll through the great tombstones and monuments that make up their renowned cemeteries. Some of them offer night tours.
NOLA’s “must-see” cemeteries include:
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
St. Louis Cemetery No. 3
Metairie Cemetery
Check out “5 New Orleans Cemeteries to Visit” for more on NOLA’s famous cemeteries.
10. Visit the Swamps
For an experience you will never forget, travel on a high-speed boat through the swamps of New Orleans in search of alligators that inhabit the marshes. You are likely to pass a creepy yet exciting photo-worthy spot.
At one time in NOLA history, the swamplands were used as cemeteries. However, due to the wetness of the land, it was nearly impossible to mark the graves. So, unknowingly, some coffins were buried on top of others. Over time the wetness of the land pushed the coffins up above ground, so there are some cemeteries scattered in the marshlands where you can find coffins stacked atop each other.
Experience Vivid Nightlife in NOLA
NOLA is nothing short of party central in the south, from upscale cocktail joints to classy rooftop lounges, "hole in the wall" bars, music performances, and even dancing in the streets. The photo ops are endless.
Arnaud’s French 75
The high-class feel of this legendary former gentleman’s bar is an exquisite night on the town in New Orleans. But, of course, you’ll want to dress up in your finest attire and take your fill of photos among the exotic armchairs and upscale polished mahogany.
The drink of choice here is the classic French 75, a champagne cognac mixture that will have you giggling with glee.
Hot Tin at the Pontchartrain Hotel
This whimsical rooftop cocktail lounge, named for the Tennessee Williams Play, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” is the perfect place to end a day exploring NOLA’s stunning Garden District. It offers magnificent views of New Orleans from across the Mississippi River, making for the most spectacular panoramic photos of the city.
Frenchman Street
The five-block radius of Frenchman Street from Decatur to Dauphine Street is where musical nightlife lives in New Orleans. Let your ears guide you as you wander from one bar to another, stopping to enjoy the various acts taking the stage.
Often, you will stumble upon bands playing their lively tunes to crowds of people dancing right in the middle of the street. Those moments make for the best Instagram live stories.
Bourbon Street
If you have heard of New Orleans, you have heard of Bourbon Street. Nightlife begins and ends in the countless bars and nightclubs sandwiched in this walking-only six-block radius.
Bourbon Street is a fascinating place. By day, it is the heart of the beauty and grace of the French Quarter. Yet by night, it is a giant party every day of the week, where public drinking is legal, young adults flock to relieve their stress, and the people watching are highly entertaining.
Whether you are partaking in the festivities or an innocent bystander, Bourbon Street lends itself to some of the funniest pictures you’ll take in New Orleans.
Preservation Hall
It may not look like much, but this historic venue is the heart of jazz music in New Orleans. Countless famed jazz musicians have taken the stage there, showcasing their immense talents. Despite the no-frills environment, the performances make great moments you’ll want to capture on camera.
New Orleans’ Most Photogenic Foods
No trip to New Orleans is complete without sampling their unique, often picture-perfect, culinary cuisine. These are the “must-eats” when in New Orleans:
PoBoys
Try New Orleans' most iconic sandwich in either fried shrimp or oysters. It looks almost as good as it tastes. The best place in the city to get them is Parkway Bakery & Tavern.
Oysters
Get the freshest raw oysters you have ever seen shucked right before your eyes at French Farmer’s Market.
Beignets
These pastries are a New Orleans staple. Beignets are fluffy French donut holes sprinkled with powdered sugar. Get them at the iconic Café Du Monde or the equally delectable Café Beignets.
Southern Comfort Food
New Orleans cuisine is heavy on southern comfort foods, like shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, and biscuits and gravy. Brunch is especially great for sampling local southern cuisine. The huge plates are so mouthwatering you can’t help but want to snap a photo to remember it.
You can find great “Southern Comfort” food in New Orleans at:
Commander’s Palace
If you get only one splurge meal, a visit to Commander’s Palace is a must. The bright blue exterior of this iconic landmark building invites you into a dining experience that highlights Louisiana’s whimsical charms. The ever-evolving five-course tasting menu is an experience, not just dinner.
You will be presented with plate after plate of highly elevated American cuisine by some of the most skilled, knowledgeable, and engaging servers on the planet. Opt for the wine pairings, they won’t steer you wrong. When you’re finished gorging on the delectable food, be sure to meander through the lovely onsite garden outback.
Creole Food
Strong Haitian roots make New Orleans the premiere destination for Creole food. It’s almost a sin to leave NOLA without sampling their mouthwatering jambalaya, seafood gumbo, and crawfish etouffee.
Find scrumptious Creole cuisine at:
