Jackson Square is the historic heart of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana, a landscaped plaza bounded by Decatur, Chartres, St. Peter and St. Ann streets. Engineer Adrien de Pauger laid it out in 1721 as the Place d'Armes, the military parade ground of the French colonial town, and it remained the centre of civic life under French, Spanish and American rule. On December 20, 1803, the Louisiana Purchase was formalised here when the French tricolor was lowered and the American flag raised, doubling the size of the United States. The square was renamed in 1851 to honour Andrew Jackson, victor of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. The most prominent feature is the bronze equestrian statue of Jackson by sculptor Clark Mills, unveiled in 1856; its rearing horse, balanced on its hind legs, was a notable engineering feat for its time. The plaza is framed by some of the oldest and most important buildings in the city: St. Louis Cathedral stands at the head of the square, flanked by the Cabildo and the Presbytere, while the red-brick Pontalba Buildings, commissioned by Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba and completed around 1851, line the sides and are often described as the oldest apartment buildings in the country. Architecturally the square blends a formal French colonial grid with Spanish colonial arcades and 19th-century wrought-iron galleries. The gardens were redesigned in the 1850s with a French-inspired parterre layout, and the site was designated a National Historic Landmark as part of the Vieux Carre historic district. The wrought-iron fence along the pedestrian side hosts working artists, tarot readers and street performers, and brass bands often play nearby. Rather than a museum with a set curatorial path, the square functions as an open-air interpretive space, with the surrounding Louisiana State Museum buildings providing the formal exhibits. Preservation work over the decades has included repaving, tree replacement, fence restoration and statue conservation, and the square remains a public park maintained by the city and partner organisations. Visitors typically spend 30 to 60 minutes here, longer if combined with the Cabildo, Presbytere and cathedral.
| Admission | Free (US$0) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Gates open about 6:00 AM-dusk daily |
| Address | 700 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116 |
Why it matters
The site of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremony, Jackson Square was the civic and military centre of colonial New Orleans and anchors the oldest part of the city. Its surrounding buildings form one of the most complete colonial and early American ensembles in the United States.
Location
700 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
29.9574, -90.0629 View on map
Highlights
- Equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson by Clark Mills, unveiled in 1856
- Site of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremony
- Pontalba Buildings, among the oldest apartment buildings in the United States
- Artists' fence with local painters, musicians and street performers
Tips for visiting
- Visit early in the morning for photographs without crowds; the square is busiest from late morning through evening.
- Combine the square with the Cabildo, Presbytere and St. Louis Cathedral, all within a one-minute walk.
- Treat street fortune-tellers and portrait artists as paid services and agree prices beforehand.
- Cafe du Monde and the French Market are a short walk along Decatur Street.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jackson Square free to visit?
Yes. The square is a public park with no entry fee, though the gates close at dusk.
Why is it called Jackson Square?
It was originally the Place d'Armes and was renamed in 1851 to honour Andrew Jackson, who led American forces to victory at the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Most visitors spend 30 to 60 minutes, or a half day if they also tour the Cabildo, Presbytere and cathedral.