The 7 Wonders of Louisiana

Cool Maps: 7 Wonders

Houmas House

"Houmas House Plantation and Gardens is so much more than just a tour of a grand antebellum estate. Experience the southern splendor of "The Sugar Palace" when you step into 16 rooms filled with period antiques and Louisiana artwork. "

French Quarter

"The French Quarter is the oldest and most famous neighborhood in the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. When La Nouvelle Orleans ("New Orleans" in French) was founded in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, the city was originally centered around the French Quarter, or the Vieux Carre ("Old Square" in French) as it was known then. "

St. Louis Cathedral

"Located next to Jackson Square, with its statue of Andrew Jackson on horseback, and facing the Mississippi River, the St. Louis Cathedral is one of New Orleans' most recognizable landmarks. It is nearly always used as the backdrop for newscasts or political speeches featuring the city of New Orleans. "

Cabildo

"The Cabildo was built between 1795-99 as the home of the Spanish municipal government in New Orleans. The building took its name from the governing body who met there -- the "Illustrious Cabildo," or city council. The Cabildo was the site of the Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremonies in 1803, and continued to be used by the New Orleans city council until the mid 1850s. "

Jackson Square

"On the opposite side of the square are three 18th-century historic buildings which were the city's heart in the colonial era. The center of the three is St. Louis Cathedral. The Cathedral was designated a minor Basilica by Pope Paul VI. To its left is the Cabildo, the old city hall, now a museum, where the finalization of the Louisiana Purchase was signed. To the Cathedral's right is the Presbytere, built to match the Cabildo. "

Aquarium of the Americas

"With 10,000 animals representing 530 species, exhibits include the Mississippi River gallery, featuring catfish, paddlefish, and alligators; a Caribbean reef exhibit featuring a clear, 30-foot-long tunnel surrounded by aquatic creatures; and a Gulf of Mexico exhibit featuring sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays. "

Victoria Falls

"To the Cathedral's right is the Presbytere, built to match the Cabildo. The Presbytere originally housed the city's Roman Catholic priests and authorities, it was then turned into a courthouse at the start of the 19th century, and in the 20th century became a museum. "