New Orleans is a city where history and culture come alive through its stunning architecture. From the vibrant French Quarter to the elegant Garden District, the city’s buildings tell stories of a rich past and unique heritage.
Each structure reflects the blend of French, Spanish, African, and American influences that make New Orleans truly one of a kind.
Exploring the city’s most famous buildings offers a glimpse into its diverse history and architectural beauty.
Whether it’s colonial landmarks, iconic domed structures, or charming historic homes, these buildings have become symbols of New Orleans’ identity.
Discovering these sites reveals why the city’s architecture continues to captivate visitors and locals alike.
1. St. Louis Cathedral (New Orleans)
St. Louis Cathedral stands as a timeless symbol in Jackson Square, recognized as the oldest continuously active Catholic cathedral in the United States.
Its striking white facade, three iconic steeples, and Renaissance-Spanish Colonial design reflect over three centuries of New Orleans history. The current building dates back to 1794, replacing earlier churches lost to fire and hurricane.
Inside, visitors admire stunning stained glass and a painted ceiling, enhanced by the mid-1800s restoration led by Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba.
The cathedral’s welcoming staff enrich the visitor experience, making it a must-see landmark for history and architecture enthusiasts.
2. Pontalba Buildings
The Pontalba Buildings, located along Jackson Square, are iconic for their distinctive multistory brick townhouses.
Designed by Baroness Michaela Pontalba, these structures draw inspiration from Paris’s Place des Vosges. They feature ornate iron balconies, elaborate galleries, and commercial spaces on the ground floor.
These buildings blend French colonial elegance with Creole charm, creating a vibrant backdrop to the bustling park.
Their architectural style and rich history make them essential in understanding New Orleans’ unique urban fabric.
3. The Cabildo
Built in 1799, The Cabildo stands as a key symbol of New Orleans’ Spanish colonial era. Located next to St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, it served as the city’s government center.
Today, it functions as a Louisiana State Museum showcasing essential artifacts like the founding stone of the colony and Napoleon Bonaparte’s death mask.
The building’s Baroque style architecture highlights its historical significance and offers visitors a rich glimpse into Louisiana’s past.
Open Tuesday through Sunday, The Cabildo remains a must-see landmark for architecture and history enthusiasts.
4. Old Ursuline Convent, New Orleans
The Old Ursuline Convent, built in 1745, is the oldest surviving French Colonial building in the Mississippi River Valley. It features classic French-style architecture with pitched roofs, dormer windows, and shutters.
Originally a convent and orphanage run by Ursuline nuns until 1824, it also briefly housed the Louisiana Legislature.
Today, this historic site serves as a museum and cultural center, preserving Archdiocesan archives and a formal garden, making it a vital landmark in New Orleans’ architectural and religious history.
5. The Presbytère
The Presbytère, built in 1791, exemplifies formal colonial Spanish architecture. Located on Jackson Square next to The Cabildo, it was originally designed to mirror the nearby Town Hall.
Initially serving as a courthouse in 1834, it now forms part of the Louisiana State Museum. The building features a distinctive façade with arched windows and elegant detailing, reflecting New Orleans’ rich Spanish heritage.
Visitors explore exhibits showcasing Mardi Gras history and Creole culture, making The Presbytère a vital landmark embodying the city’s diverse architectural and cultural story.
6. Beauregard-Keyes House
The Beauregard-Keyes House, built in 1826, showcases classic Creole townhouse architecture in the French Quarter. It served as Confederate General P.G.T. Beauregard’s residence and later, the home of author Frances Parkinson Keyes.
Featuring period furnishings and lush gardens, the house offers insight into 19th-century New Orleans life.
Visitors can explore exhibits on Beauregard’s military career and Keyes’s literary contributions, making it a rich historical and cultural landmark worth visiting.
7. Longue Vue House and Gardens
Longue Vue House and Gardens showcases stunning architecture paired with beautifully curated landscapes. Built in the 1930s, the estate reflects classical design with rich American craftsmanship.
Visitors can explore formal gardens inspired by European styles, featuring fountains, terraces, and native plants. The house contains original art and furnishings, providing insight into early 20th-century Southern elegance.
Located in New Orleans’ Lakeview neighborhood, Longue Vue remains a prized example of harmonious architecture and garden design, offering educational tours and special events that deepen appreciation for its cultural heritage.
8. Madame John’s Legacy
Madame John’s Legacy stands as one of the oldest houses in the French Quarter, exemplifying 18th-century Louisiana Creole architecture. Raised above street level, its design protected against frequent flooding.
The house features distinctive ventilating elements to combat the subtropical heat. It survived the devastating 1794 fire that destroyed much of the area.
Although currently closed for restoration, visitors can admire its historic exterior at 700 Decatur Street, reflecting early New Orleans’ resilient architectural heritage.
9. Caesars Superdome
Built in 1975, the Caesars Superdome stands as one of New Orleans’ most iconic landmarks. Known for its massive fixed domed structure—one of the largest of its kind globally—it serves as the city’s premier sports and entertainment venue.
The building’s futuristic design contrasts with the historic architecture around the city, symbolizing New Orleans’ modern spirit.
Hosting Super Bowls, concerts, and major events, the Superdome remains a vital part of the city’s cultural and architectural landscape.
10. Pitot House
Located at 1440 Moss Street, the Pitot House exemplifies 18th-century Creole colonial architecture.
Named after New Orleans mayor James Pitot, the house showcases classic features like a spacious parlor garden dating back to the late 1700s.
Serving as the Louisiana Landmarks Society headquarters, it highlights the city’s colonial past with a well-preserved wooden frame and raised structure designed to withstand floods.
Visitors can explore its historical interiors and gardens, gaining insight into early New Orleans domestic life.
Alicia Richards