Page 351 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

NE W ORLEANS , L OUISIANA  349

in the main
campus, trace the
region’s development.
Highlights include
original documents
from the transfer of the
Louisiana Purchase,
items from the Battle
of New Orleans, and
decorative arts. Nearby,
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, Bourbon Street the Williams Research
Center houses three
q Royal Street centuries of art and artifacts and
the Perrilliat House is next door. Steamboat Natchez, offering regular
Map D3. v St. Charles Ave. @ 3, 5,
55, 81, 82. Also on Royal Street is two-hour cruises
Rumors, a gift shop that sells
Antique shops filled with Mardi Gras souvenirs all year w Steamboat
beautiful, often French, objects long – masks, beads, Krewe Natchez
line Royal Street, undoubtedly costumes (see p351), and posters
the most fetching avenue in are all available for sale here. Map E3. Woldenberg Riverfront park
wharf. Tel (504) 569-1401, (800) 233-
the French Quarter. In the early Farther away are Gallier 2628. v Riverfront. @ 45, 87.
colony, this was the city’s House Museum, an attractive Open Jazz Cruises: board 11am &
financial center and its most 19th-century residence that 2pm daily; also 6pm some Thu–Sun.
fashionable street. Today, many combines Creole and American & 7 0 = ∑ steamboat
of the antique stores occupy architectural elements, and the natchez.com
handsome landmarks. Their lovely Lalaurie House, associ-
merchandise includes crystal ated with ghosts. A reminder of the old days of river
chandeliers, massive inlaid travel, the Steamboat Natchez
armoires, and ormolu furnishings E Historic New Orleans is typical of the steamboats
– treasures associated with an Collection that traveled the length of the
opulent Southern lifestyle. 533 Royal St. Tel (504) 523-4662. Mississippi, taking three to five days
The Historic New Orleans Open 9:30am–4:30pm Tue–Sat. to get from Louisville, Kentucky
Collection, born of one couple’s ∑ hnoc.org (see p273), to New Orleans. The
interest in the Battle of New boatmen, notorious brawlers in
Orleans (1815), is housed in a search of women and liquor at
complex of houses built for the end of a trip, established New
Jean François Merieult and his Orleans’ reputation as the “City of
wife in 1792. The collectors were Sin.” In their heyday, from 1830 to
General and Mrs. L. Kemper 1860, some 30 steamboats lined
Williams, who lived in the up at the levee. The era ended by
residence at the rear of the court- the close of the 19th century as
yard from the 1940s to the ’60s. railroads and highways replaced
The main Royal Street campus the steamboats. Today, daily
encompasses seven preserved cruises offer visitors a glimpse into
and restored properties and a forgotten lifestyle. Food, a great
featuring changing exhibits. Artifacts from the Historic New Orleans weekend brunch, and drinks are
The 13 Louisiana History Galleries, Collection on Royal Street available to enjoy on board.

St. Anthony’s Garden This The LaBranche Buildings BOURBON STREET
beautiful garden stands at the back of (#700) Embellished with fine
St. Louis Cathedral. Its serenity belies oak-leaf ironwork, these ORLEANS ST
the fact that it was a staging ground for buildings were constructed in CONTI ST ST. LOUIS ST ROYAL STREET ST. PETER ST
duels in the 18th century. 1835 for sugar planter Jean
TOULOUSE ST
Baptiste LaBranche. Locator Map

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