Louis Armstrong Park

"Can you tell us a little about this place?There aren’t a ton of green spaces in downtown New Orleans, so Louis Armstrong Park, just outside the French Quarter, is a welcome option. Given its proximity to the city’s culture, the park has also become a hub for festivals and seasonal events. It’s a well-designed, landscaped spot that packs a lot into 32 acres. Where should we go within the park?Congo Square, an important landmark for the local Black community, began as an open space for slaves and free people of color to celebrate their African heritage with music and drumming circles—the precursor to the development of jazz. There’s a large statue to New Orleans’ favorite jazz musician, the man for whom the park was named: Louis Armstrong. There’s also a scenic duck pond with bridges and the Mahalia Jackson Theater, host to all manner of performing arts. How easy is it to get around? Will we be able to easily find our way there?Louis Armstrong is small enough to navigate by sight—you won’t get lost. The park only gets busy during organized festivals or cultural weekends, which tend to pack in food vendors and free music. So what occasion would you recommend it for, and why?The park is the perfect spot to take a cocktail and escape the clamor of the French Quarter. If you’re in town for one of the festivals, then you’re even luckier." - Paul Oswell