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Picture-Perfect Locations: Five Places to Take Photos Around Town

11:00 October 09, 2020
By: Blake Anderson

Pictures are everlasting; they are an excellent way to communicate a feeling or capture a moment. Whether you are composing an artsy New Orleans collection or you are just looking to spice up your Instagram, Where Y'at has given several ideal locations all over New Orleans to inspire creativity and capture the perfect shots.

Audubon Park

Located in Uptown New Orleans is the 350-acre Audubon Park. Bought by the city of New Orleans in 1871, the park is home to massive and beautiful Spanish Oak trees and scenic wildlife. On the east side of Audubon Park is Ochsner Island, also known as Bird Island, which is a rookery known for its prime birding. The island attracts hundreds of wading birds and various duck species. Audubon Park is the perfect location for anyone who loves wildlife. Enjoy watching nature take place and get the perfect shot for the office wall. You could also head over to Cascade Stables in the park to get a picture of their breathtaking horses. The free nature park is open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. 6500 Magazine St., audubonnatureinstitute.org/audubon-park

Bywater Neighborhood

If you enjoy more of the urban look in your photos, the Bywater neighborhood is a very picturesque place. This area is perfect for scenic and historical photos. If you prefer to capture a relaxed cultural environment and not the fast-paced vibe of the French Quarter, then the Bywater is the place to check out. It is a riverside mix of arts, industry, and residential—a very unique area. The neighborhood has many restaurants and shops, such as Harold's Plants, a jungle-like emporium of house plants, succulents, flowers, and herbs. It's the ideal spot for an "All Things Green" photoshoot. Strolling through the Bywater can produce some gritty urban shots, with various graffiti art all throughout the area. For a beautiful waterfront sunset moment, the Bywater's Crescent Park is the recommended location. Capture all the Bywater has to offer while strolling through Crescent Park's walking trails.

Harold's Plants : 1135 Press St., (504) 947-7554, haroldsplants.com

The Garden District

Developed between 1832 and 1900, the Garden District of New Orleans is home to many historical and majestic mansions. For any history buff, this area would be the ultimate location for eloquent street photography. Included in this neighborhood is Buckner Mansion, a lavish, 1856 property that is featured in American Horror Story: Coven. Take a stroll through Lafayette Cemetery #1 to get the ideal shots with a black-and-white filter. While in the Garden District, make sure to get a picture of the streetcar that starts on South Carrollton Avenue and ends at Canal Street.

Buckner Mansion : 1410 Jackson Ave.
Lafayette Cemetery #1 : 1427 Washington Ave.

The French Quarter

The French Quarter, known as the heart of New Orleans, is the oldest neighborhood in the city. With the whole French Quarter district being deemed a national landmark, there is no better place to capture the high energy and diverse historic culture that New Orleans has to offer. The best and most popular place to take pictures is Jackson Square, which is located in front of the breathtaking St. Louis Cathedral and surrounded by so much history. Grab your Instagram-worthy picture in front of the cathedral or explore the outskirts of the square to capture artists at work. Artists even utilize the picturesque iron fence surrounding Jackson Square to show off their finished works.

To capture the best views of the Mississippi River, take a walk in Woldenberg Park. Explore the 16-acre green space and enjoy the beautiful sights along with unique sculptures and local artwork all over the landscape. This is another great place to get the perfect sunset picture.

Don't miss the adorable 13-block Royal Street, which is a stretch of the wrought-iron balconies and art galleries that speak volumes to the New Orleans style. The most fun place for a photoshoot is Fifi Mahony's, a girl's dream world with glittery makeup and amazing custom wigs. Let Marcy and her artists do their best and smile for your close-up. Grab a drink and a one-of-a-kind experience in the Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street. The hotel has a Carousel Bar—yes, a bar that spins while you sit and drink. Along with this unusual ride, the bar offers a great view of Royal Street, so grab that camera.

Woldenberg Park : 1 Canal St., (504) 861-2537
Fifi Mahony's : 934 Royal St., (504) 525-4343,
fifimahonys.com
Carousel Bar : 214 Royal St., (504) 523-3341,
hotelmonteleone.com/entertainment/carousel-bar

City Park

The outdoor oasis that is New Orleans City Park is the oldest urban park in the United States. The 1,300-acre park has so much to offer, and it is the location that will give photographers the most diversity. The New Orleans Botanical Garden aims to inspire the knowledge and love for plant life. Open year round, these 10 acres of beautiful plant life offer some of the best landscape shots. Also tucked inside of City Park is the New Orleans Museum of Art, with the Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden outside. NOMA is the city's oldest fine arts institution, and the sculpture garden outside is 11 acres of over 80 incredibly made sculptures—which make it a great landscape for still life photography. City Park also features every kid's dream: Storyland. Mardi Gras float-makers made this exhibit possible, creating life-size sculptures of known cartoon characters and fairytale legends. Kids can slide down Jack & Jill's hill or climb aboard Captain Hook's ship. This innovative outdoor exhibit allows parents to get the perfect photos of their kids having the time of their lives. 1 Palm Dr., (504) 482-4888, neworleanscitypark.com



New Orleans is full of both outdoor and indoor places to take pictures. Each neighborhood has something a little different. Five of the most popular, historic, and cultured places to take pictures in town are Audubon Park, the Garden District, the Bywater, City Park, and, of course, the French Quarter. Hopefully, this guide will help you navigate the different areas and where it is personally best for you to go, based on the photos you like to take.


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