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    Lafayette Square

    4.1 (67 reviews)

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    Dream Slide by William Nemitof
    Tanja D.

    Lafayette Square truly is a precious gem in the city. It is perfect for events and private time to enjoy lunch during a beautiful day. This visit was for Luna Fete, an event I had only been to once before. The night was perfect!

    Henry Clay
    Chris G.

    I did not hit the park during any events, so it was just about the beauty and sculptures. Turns out, it is the 2nd oldest public park in NOLA, located in the 10th ward. The park has a bronze statue of Henry Clay in the center of the park, and statues of John McDonogh and Benjamin Franklin on St. Charles Avenue and Camp Street. The park is small and can be appreciated in 15 minutes, the surrounding buildings make for a great stop. We happened across the park on our walk to breakfast and I'm glad we got a chance to take it in.

    Simran M.

    cute little square in middle of the city. usual passing through traffic, id be cautious in the evening though!

    Brian F.

    Lafayette Square is located south of the French Quarter in the business district of New Orleans. It was founded in 1788 and is the second oldest public park in New Orleans after Jackson Square. The square is named after Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, a general who fought in the American Revolutionary War. There are multiple statues at the park: Henry Clay in the center, John McDonogh on one side, and Benjamin Franklin on the other. It's also surrounded by office buildings and government building. When we walked by we saw benches being set up and we assumed that it was for Mardi Gras. This area seemed like it is part of the route during the parade which is cool. There's a good amount of greenery although there's not much else other than a couple benches throughout. Regardless, this park is well kept, good for a quick stroll, and is pretty dog-friendly.

    Mei T.

    This was such a pleasant surprise! My colleagues and I found out that on Wednesdays there was live entertainment in Lafayette Square. We were tight on time and only stayed for 30 minutes, but very much enjoyed the band that was performing. The park itself was beautiful with lots of lush plants and trees.

    Tank G.

    This is a very small park (2.5 acres) in the heart of downtown. Right by the Hale Boggs Federal Building and Courthouse and across from the 5th circuit Court of Appeals. It is also across the street from Gallier Hall and is primarily used for dog walking from what I have seen, or an occasional person taking their lunch break from work there on a nice day. The park is New Orlean's second oldest park, dating back to 1788. The park was originally known as Place Gravier, it became Lafayette Square after Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat and general who fought on the American side in the American Revolutionary War, visited to New Orleans. It has played host to inaugurations, movie locations, weddings, music concerts and my favorite, the Wednesday at the Square concert series. Mardi Parade goes also hangout here during some of the biggest parades because it is along the route. The park does not have any basic amenities such as benches or chairs, Nor does it have any bathrooms or playground equipment. There is metered street parking nearby as well as a couple of paid lots. The park features a few statues. the most prominent statue is that of Henry Clay, located on a tall pedestal in the center of the park. You will find a statue of Ben Franklin on the Camp Street side of the park and a statue of John McDonogh on the St Charles side. Additionally, there are historic marker placed in the park to explain some of the park's significance. This is a nice piece of land that they call a park. It has does not have much to offer outside of its green space and prime location. however, that is enough for me and it works. This is not a destination park (unless you are going to an event or parade), but a decent place to place to stop and relax if you are in the heart of downtown.

    Lafayette Square, New Orleans
    Bruce K.

    In the middle of the week and just before noon, the park was quiet and clean. A few people walking, a couple of folks with dogs and it was a nice spot in the shady area. The park is named for the famous Marquis de Lafayette, the French general who fought on the American side during the Revolutionary War. It was designed in 1788. His official name is Marie Joseph Paul Yves Rock Gilbert Du Motier. He visited the city in 1825. The park also has a few statues including Henry Clay (who laid the corner stone for the New Orleans Custom House on Canal Street in 1949), John McDonogh (a New Orleans entrepreneur) and Benjamin Franklin (an interesting choice because he had no direct connection to New Orleans). The park is open from 6am to 10:30pm. No organized sports or other activities are allowed without a permit. [Review 14141 overall, 1463 of 2020, number 13 in Louisiana.]

    Chill and relax enjoy a beverage
    K K.

    My favorite chill spot! Walked her early morning and enjoyed coffee the birds the dogs and like us all watching people! They even have a mile track mapped out.

    2.5 acre used as the site for some civic events and live music concerts. Other statue Benjamin Franklin on Camp St
    Mia K.

    "Planned in 1788 as a public place for...city's first suburb." It is a small 2.5acres simple flat square city park that honors Marquis de Lafayette, an American Revolutionary War major general & hero. In the center is the bronze statue of admired statesman Henry Clay (not Lafayette!). Used as the site for some civic events and live music concerts. Saw at least 1 benches to sit and linger. "The statue of Henry Clay was erected AD 1856 on Royal and Charles Street and was removed to Lafayette Square AD 1900" Also there is the statue of Benjamin Franklin on Camp St. Note: The bust of slave owner & NOLA patron John McDonogh on St Charles Ave was removed last year Jan '22 after it had been toppled in July '22 during the Black Lives Matter protests. Henry Clay -born in Virginian in 1777 & died 1852 -attorney -US Rep & Senator for Kentucky -7th & youngest House Speaker (& expanded its role) -political rival with Andrew Jackson -Secretary of State for President John Quincy Adams (who Clay helped get elected in 1825 when neither Adams or Jackson had the majority and House of Rep where Clay was House Speaker decided in favor of Adams. Jackson suspected a deal) -ran for President 3x & lost -antislavery stance starting from 1790s but had 60 slaves. Was in court in 1828 & won to get slave Charlotte Dupuy, who claimed she was freed by former owner, to return. He sent her to work for his daughter's home in NOLA. Freed her in 1844. Freed his 50 slaves in his will and wanted to send them back to West Africa -called "the Great Pacificator" for co-writing Compromise of 1850 after winning land from the Mexican-American War. It listed CA as a free state, UT (&NV) & NM (&AZ) to self decide and stopped slave state Texas's expansion by defining its NW border. Also banned slave trade in WA DC. -part of Great Triumvirate, trio (with Daniel Webster & John Calhoun) of most influential politicians in 1st half of 19th century -had 11 children with Lucretia Hart (from wealthy family and he was from modest but not poor upbringing) with only 5 living into adulthood. A daughter lived in New Orleans Lafayette -name Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette but know as Lafayette in the US -born in France (in wealthy family) in1957; died 1834 (buried in Paris with dirt from Bunker Hill) -came to America to help with the American Revolutionary War 1. became a 19 yr old major general after serve for free & was with George Washington at Valley Forge (year after the crossing of the Delaware) 2. was in many battles including and at the Siege of Yorktown that led to end of the war; 3. in the middle of the war went to France to increase France's support. -a hero in France 1. started to write (with help from Thomas Jefferson) the The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. 2. influential in the 1789 French Revolution 3. Influential in j 1830 July Revolution (declined offer to be dictator). -visited the NOLA in 1825. -named a son Georges Washington Located between 1. St Charles Ave (& former city hall now Gallier Hall), 2. Camp St (&US Court Appeals), 3. N Maestri St (&1 block south of Poydras St) & 4. S Maestri Pl (& hotel The Lafayette)

    Zulu parade float
    Johnny M.

    We get grandstand seats here during carnival and Mardi Gras day. We always have a great time here. There are Porta potties lined up on two sides of Lafayette Square. Bars and restaurants are nearby.

    Lots of grass
    Noanya S.

    In town for a funeral and well since it's Covid I brought my fur babies and stayed at a hotel in the area. Typically a great area but definitely a little sketchy right now due to the recent hurricane in the surrounding areas so lots of evacuees. The park is a great addition to the area especially if you need to walk your fur pup BUT PLEASE PICK UP AFTER YOUR ANIMALS NO ONE IS INTERESTED IN DUCKING AND DIVING DOG

    Park view
    Anne M.

    Dropped into town to visit family and had my Millie (dog) along for the trip. I found this park using the GPS for one nearby. It's a beautiful park and was very dog friendly. It's in a great area and the surroundings are incredible. Clean, very well manicured, wide walk ways and easy to find.

    QueenDivaChanel 5.

    Hubby and I visited here twice on today . It's definitely Conversations with this Art .... However, it's a Beautiful Park that we have attended for many festivals.

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    Review Highlights - Lafayette Square

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    Coliseum Square - Piano on a Truck

    Coliseum Square

    3.8(13 reviews)
    0.9 miLower Garden District

    I love how this strip of a park has developed over the years. It's now a lush green space with a…read morefountain where you often find children playing and dogs frolicing. Since many of the people who live in the area do not have a ton of yardspace, many make this their defacto front yard which is fun to observe and not crash (unless invited of course). Love that the trees are lush and beautiful right now despite the cold winter...or maybe because of it. Now I just wish some neighbor with a green thumb would plant some flower beds to enhance the beauty.

    This park is way bigger than I ever realized. Years ago, I worked in the Waldemar Nelson building…read moreon Prytania, and so was close to Coliseum Square. I never ventured all the way down to where the fountain is, though, and therefore I never saw more than a fraction of this cute little dog-friendly park. Why three stars? Well, I'd probably give it four if I... A) Lived in the Lower Garden District B) Had a dog. C) All of the above. So, yeah, there's a fountain (who knew?) that looks really scummy and smells like wet dog when you're up close, but that's probably not a big deal if you have a dog. Even less so if you have a dog who loves water and are looking for places to let your puppyface swim. Because there were definitely dogs swimming in the fountain. It has your average number of sketchy and/or homeless looking people, but not all sprawled out on the ground, sleeping, like I've seen on weekday afternoons in Lafayette Square. Also, it apparently closes - there's a sign that says the park is closed from 10:30 pm to 6:00 am (interesting that they give you the closing time first, rather than the usual open/close times). Since I didn't realize it was such a big park, I also didn't realize it had official hours. You learn something new every day.

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    Coliseum Square
    Coliseum Square
    Coliseum Square

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    Mississippi River Heritage Park

    Mississippi River Heritage Park

    4.8(4 reviews)
    0.7 miWarehouse District

    I came by on a Sunday to see the Katrina House in a tree not realizing there was a park right…read morebehind it. Across the street from the convention center, this is a lovely spot to sit for a moment, rest your tired feet and enjoy the green space around you. Well maintained, there are several benches, large green space. When I went there was some guy spreading the good word about the end of times coming and how we should all repent and lay our sins at the feet of the higher power and so on and so forth. There were a handful of other people in the park, I am not sure if they were with the gentleman or not.

    The French Quarter has some remarkable sites and sounds. On my recent trip here, I discovered the…read moreMississppi River Heritage Park. Its location is very centralized and very nice to hang out in on any given day of the week. I found myself here walking along the French Quarter, admiring the city and just being able to be here on a lovely but chill Thursday in November 2019. Thankful for Google Maps that alerted me to this place. There wasn't too much people here on a nice afternoon. I arrived here around 4:00pm and it was brisk. What's unique about this park was the Hurricane Katrina sculpture that remembers the story of the Hurricane that destroyed much of New Orleans physically, but not her spirit. Within 7 years since the event, the city of New Orleans gradually came back to life and the culture along with it. The House In the Tree sculpture adds some sort of sense of community here, especially when the entire region was impacted by the catastrophic nature of the hurricane. I spent about an hour here before it got dark, then left the area in an uber. The Mississippi River Heritage Park isn't large, by any means, but it does provide that open space for anyone and everyone to come and enjoy while being here next to the French Quarter and the New Orleans Convention Center. On my experience here at the park, there seems to be a few people who like to scam other locals and tourists about their shoes. The overall experience here at the Mississippi River Heritage Park was nice, scenic, and quite a nice alternative to the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter. The only issue was those scammers that were more an annoyance than anything, but I ignored them and was on my way thereafter. I did thought that the House in the Tree sculpture added some depth to the architecture and the ambiance of this area of New Orleans, even if it was overshadowed by the Convention Center, literally across the street. It was a nice time here for me and I think you'd have a nice relaxing time if you come here, even for a few moments after enjoying the French Quarter. It helps to have this space to recharge yourself after a morning or afternoon of shopping and dining in the area. The Mississippi River Heritage Park is located about 3 or so blacks from the World War II museum on John Churchill Chase Street and the Convention Center Blvd. The Hampton Inn and the Hilton Garden Inn is nearby also. Being that it is a public park, there is no admission fee charged. You can come and go as you please. It's a place to be yourself. The closest you can be to get here on the New Orleans City Bus is on route 10, depending on where you are before then. Not sure where you can park, in terms of availability in the French Quarter, but best bet is to walk here if you are staying in downtown New Orleans. There are a few benches for those who need to sit down and hang out for a spell. Pretty sure there there's no restroom facilities on site. For the most part though, the Mississippi River Heritage Park is one of those parks that adds to the surrounding community of downtown New Orleans. While you may miss it from time to time, this open space is amazing. One may not notice it from the day to day, but if you do, I promise you that it will add to your day. I know it has been for me, especially with all the traveling that I do. It's always nice to take the time to enjoy the blessing that you have. The blessings come from me traveling and it was nice to see and realize that here in New Orleans and at the Mississippi River Heritage Park. You can't go wrong coming here, although best believe you may want to not be there after sunset. Not sure how it is after dark. Still it's worth coming to if you're in the French Quarter and want something outside to see. 5.0 stars for the overall experience. The small park is well kept and maintained by the City of New Orleans. Support local! A

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    Mississippi River Heritage Park
    Mississippi River Heritage Park
    Mississippi River Heritage Park

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    Lafayette Square - parks - Updated May 2026

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