New Orleans, Louisiana
Featured Activities Near St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral Visitors Guide
Located across from the mighty Mississippi River and next to the famous Jackson Square, the massive and magnificent St. Louis Cathedral is truly the heart of New Orleans. This iconic triple-steeple structure is highly renowned, and is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the country! Visitors travel from all over to experience this local landmark’s extensive historical, cultural, architectural, and spiritual significance.
The original church on this site was built in the 1720s, but was unfortunately destroyed during the great fire of 1788. A new church was built in its place shortly after, and was completed in 1794. Throughout the years, improvements and additions were added to the church, with a restoration to its current design taking place in the mid-1850s. Even though just a portion of the original structure remains, this church has centuries of history to uncover and stories to tell.
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Frequently Asked Questions
There is no dress code to enter St. Louis Cathedral. Since New Orleans is a popular tourist destination that can experience extreme weather, especially during the summer months, it is not uncommon to see visitors wearing shorts and comfortable walking shoes. However, those attending Mass will typically wear dressy-casual attire.
With so many amazing things to see and do in and around the St. Louis Cathedral, one could easily spend quite a bit of time there! However, most people will typically spend about an hour at this location.
Daily Mass services take place on weekdays at 12:05pm, on Saturdays at 5:00pm, and on Sundays at 9:00am and 11:00am. Similar to other Catholic churches, most Mass services will also take place on Christmas, Easter, and other holy days. Please be aware that the St. Louis Cathedral is typically most crowded during their Mass services and other special events. It is highly recommended to check their Events Calendar prior to arrival.
The Cathedral’s central location means it is located in close proximity to some of the top New Orleans things to do! From clopping down the cobblestone streets by carriage, to sightseeing along the majestic Mississippi River aboard a delightful dinner cruise, there are plenty of amazing NOLA things to do nearby. With that being said, below are just a few of the many awesome attractions located right by the church:
- Jackson Square
- Cafe du Monde
- Andrew Jackson Monument
- Pirate Alley
- St. Anthony’s Garden
- And MORE!