New Orleans.

Jackson Square is the French Quarter’s formal heart, framing St. Louis Cathedral, historic civic buildings and street artists within a compact riverside landmark.

Use the square to understand how the oldest part of New Orleans was organized. The cathedral closes one side, the Cabildo and Presbytère mark colonial government and culture, and the Pontalba buildings define the flanks. Artists and performers around the perimeter keep the carefully planned space tied to everyday street life.

• The Andrew Jackson monument at the center of the formal garden
• St. Louis Cathedral between the Cabildo and Presbytère
• Matching Pontalba buildings lining the square’s side edges

Arrive near opening time for clearer views across the square before the surrounding sidewalks fill.

Combine the square with the cathedral and nearby museums rather than treating it as a long standalone stop.

Cross toward the levee afterward for a wider look at the Mississippi bend.