Jackson Square, New Orleans (must see)

Sitting close to the Mississippi River, Jackson Square is the French Quarter’s unofficial living room — the one filled with artists, brass music, tarot card readers, and surrounded by cool balconies. Named after Andrew Jackson, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans, who later became the 7th US president, the square has been busy since colonial times. Back then, militia drills took place here, vendors sold goods in the open air, and public executions reminded everyone that entertainment options used to be considerably more alarming...

The square was modeled after the 17th-century Place des Vosges in Paris, because apparently colonial New Orleans knew how to borrow from the French with confidence... Today, it has been softened into a handsome landscaped park, with lawns, flowerbeds, shaded paths, and benches that invite you to pause — at least until someone nearby starts playing a trumpet. Despite tourists, school groups, and waitstaff on quick breaks, Jackson Square somehow keeps a pocket of calm at the heart of all the movement.

During the day, artists line the park fence with paintings, turning the square into an open-air gallery. Some of them work on new pieces right there, while others offer portraits of passersby — useful if you have ever wondered what you look like in a Louisiana afternoon. Around the pedestrian mall, musicians, mimes, and magicians keep things lively from morning into night.

The view here is one of the classic images of New Orleans. At the center stands the equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson, looking confidently dramatic, with Saint Louis Cathedral rising behind him like the city’s grand stage set. On either side of the cathedral stand the Cabildo and the Presbytère, two Spanish colonial buildings that add historical weight to the scene. Along the sides of the square, the elegant Pontalba Buildings complete the frame with their brick façades, wrought-iron balconies, shops, and restaurants.

Altogether, Jackson Square is one of the best places in the French Quarter to take photos, rest on a bench, people-watch, and absorb the city in miniature. Indeed, here's just enough chaos to confirm that yes, you are definitely in New Orleans...