11 of the Most Instagrammable Places in New Orleans
New Orleans is truly one of the most magical places on the planet. Between the music, food, architecture and people, NOLA's charm and energy are one-of-a-kind. With so much to eat, see and do, it can be hard to take a second to admire all the beauty of this vibrant southern city. If you're planning a trip to the Big Easy — and if you're not, you really should be — add this little lagniappe to your itinerary and be sure to get the best shots of the Crescent City.
1. The St. Charles Streetcar
Nope, it's not a trolley, but it's one of the city's main modes of public transportation. But unlike the subways and buses that you'll find in other places, this is one way to get around town that you'll actually be excited to take a ride on — and take pictures of. While the St. Charles Streetcar is definitely not the fastest form of transportation, it'll get you where you need to go. And for only $1.25 one-way, you can't beat the views of one of the most beautiful avenues in the city.
2. Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral
This is quintessential New Orleans and no trip would be complete without a picture of the iconic landmark. Jackson Square is a small park in the middle of the French Quarter, and the site where Louisiana became part of the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Today, it's one of the top tourist destinations and for good reason — just look how beautiful it is. Don't forget to stop for beignets right across the street at Café du Monde (more on that later).
3. Audubon Park
There are few things better in life than a walk in Audubon Park on a gorgeous spring day. Located uptown, directly across from Tulane University, this park is an oasis and a perfect spot for an afternoon picnic — especially if you're snacking on sandwiches from St. James. Savor the moment by snapping a pic and sharing it on the gram.
4. The Bywater
The Bywater is quickly becoming New Orleans' most eccentric neighborhood, thanks in part to its quirky and colorful houses. Even though these homes have been there for years, they're becoming a go-to for anyone looking to brighten up their Instagram feed. While you're in the area, swing by Bacchanal for some wine, cheese and live music or grab some praline bacon from Elizabeth's — yum!
5. Garden District
If colorful houses aren't your thing, head down to the Garden District and soak in all of the beauty of the Big Easy's old mansions and homes. Complete with sprawling front porches and antique gas lamps, the Garden District's charm will surely rack up all of the likes. This captivating neighborhood is also home to Commander's Palace, so stop into the iconic restaurant for some turtle soup and $0.25 martinis.
6. Tipitina's
It doesn't get much better than this classic NOLA music venue. A picture at Tip's with Galactic or Trombone Shorty on stage is Instagram gold — not to mention music to your ears. As an added bonus, the venue hosts free Fridays during the summer so you can see some of your favorite bands without the usual cover charge.
7. Frenchmen Street and the Frenchmen Art Market
Aside from Frenchmen Street being one of the best places in the city to listen to live music, it's also a top spot for taking quality photos. You can't go wrong with a visit to Blue Nile, Maison, the Spotted Cat, Cafe Negril or d.b.a. Stop by the Frenchmen Art Market while you're there — the hanging lights are prime for Instagram — and pick up some fun souvenirs.
8. Bourbon Street
While there is certainly (much) more to New Orleans than Bourbon Street, it's a necessary stop while in the Big Easy. If you can, try to get access to one of the balconies — they're ideal for people watching and Instagramming. Just don't drink too many hand grenades.
9. Café du Monde
This list wouldn't be complete without Instagram's top spot in New Orleans, a place where photographers in the know are extra careful around all that powdered sugar. Our advice? Take your pictures first, then devour the fresh beignets and chicory coffee; your camera and taste buds will thank you for it.
10. Tulane University
I may be totally biased about this one — okay, I am totally biased about this one — but this is definitely the most beautiful college campus ever. Taking a stroll through the Academic Quad is like taking a trip back in time... in the best way possible. Be sure to take pictures at the Bead Tree, too.
11. Ashley Longshore Gallery
Ashley Longshore is a pop artist and gallery-owner based in New Orleans — the outspoken southerner uses fun, bright colors and attention-grabbing sayings to draw in visitors and art-buying clients alike. Her gallery is an Instagram and art lover's dream and a must-visit the next time you're in town.
Where are some of your favorite places to take photos in New Orleans? Sound off, below.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.