Louis Armstrong Park, New Orleans

Located on the outskirts of the French Quarter, Armstrong Park not only honors one of its most celebrated native sons but also pays tribute to the numerous jazz musicians who have contributed to the rich musical traditions and cultural diversity that define New Orleans.

The park sits on the historic site once designated by Spanish-controlled city leaders in the late 18th century as the allowed gathering place for slaves on Sundays. Known as Congo Square, this area, along with the 31 enclosed park acres, holds a significant African heritage and borders the Tremé district, one of the earliest neighborhoods established by and for African Americans.

After the Civil War, white city leaders made efforts to suppress gatherings of freed slaves in the park and officially renamed it "Beauregard Square" in honor of Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard. Despite these efforts, the park continued to be used for social gatherings and events, with the local community persistently referring to it as Congo Square. This enduring popularity eventually led to the creation of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, initially drawing a modest audience but quickly expanding (after two years, it relocated to the larger New Orleans Fair Grounds racetrack). In 2001, the festival attracted approximately 650,000 attendees, and though attendance dipped following Hurricane Katrina, it rebounded to over 450,000 by 2014. In 2011, the New Orleans City Council officially restored the name Congo Square, and to honor its heritage, a "Congo Square Stage" remains a prominent feature at Jazz Fest.

Apart from hosting annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrations, weddings, and various festivals, the park is often chosen as the location for movie premieres of films shot in New Orleans, as well as operas and Broadway productions like 'Lion King', 'Wicked', and 'Jersey Boys'. It is also home to the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts, which was extensively renovated after Hurricane Katrina and has become a vibrant hub for cultural events in the city. Surrounded by serene lagoons and graceful weeping willow trees, it provides a picturesque setting for patrons to enjoy intermissions by strolling and appreciating the park's natural beauty.

Plan a leisurely afternoon to explore Louis Armstrong Park and the surrounding neighborhood, , indulging in walks, dining, sunbathing, and soaking in the historical significance that permeates every corner. It's a reminder that New Orleans is much more than just Bourbon Street and beignets, offering a rich cultural tapestry waiting to be discovered.