Lafayette Square Tours and Tickets

There are a couple of ways to experience Lafayette Square. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off Unlimited Sightseeing Package

• New Orleans City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

It’s easy to reach Lafayette Square by tram or bus. Several stops are within easy walking distance. The closest tram stops are on St. Charles Avenue, on the park’s western edge—line 12 stops here. The nearest bus stops are on Camp Street, to the park’s east—catch bus No. 11.

Yes, there are various places to park near Lafayette Square, although parking is not generally free. Look for metered on-street parking nearby, as well as paid parking lots within a few minutes’ walk of the square. To avoid congestion and fees, use public transport in central New Orleans, where possible.

Many public events are held at Lafayette Square. These include Wednesday-afternoon open-air concerts in spring and the Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival in October. Lafayette Square is also a popular place from which to watch New Orleans’ annual Mardi Gras parade as it travels down St. Charles Avenue.

Yes, there are dining options near Lafayette Square, although the neighborhood is home to more civic buildings and offices. For a wider selection of eateries, head a few blocks north to the French Quarter, where there are French, Creole, and Cajun-inspired restaurants to suit most tastes and budgets.

Lafayette Square is itself a historical landmark, as it’s the oldest park in New Orleans, having been established in 1788. Other historical landmarks nearby include the US Custom House, Jackson Square, Hermann-Grima House, Gallier House, Miltenberger Houses, BK Historic House and Gardens, and other attractions throughout the French Quarter.