This morning we headed out on foot in the heat of the morning sun to explore Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral.

Jackson Square, formerly the Place d’Armes in French or Plaza de Armas in Spanish, is an historic park in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Declared a national historic site in 1960 for its central role in the city’s history as the site where in 1803 Louisiana was made United States territory pursuant to the Louisiana Purchase. In the center of the square is an equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson, hero of the Battle of New Orleans and seventh U.S. president.

St. Louis Cathedral is one of New Orleans’ most notable landmarks and was dedicated to Saint Louis, also known as King Louis IX of France. Since 1718, residents have worshipped in churches on this site. A fire in 1788 started when a candle ignited the lace draperies of an altar nearby the church and the original church was burned to the ground. The current Cathedral was first completed in the 1850’s although many modifications and additions have been made to the Cathedral over the years. It was designated as a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI in 1964 and Pope John Paul visited the Cathedral in September of 1987. During hurricane Katrina the roof was torn open and extensive damage was done to the organ which has since been restored.

We then headed over to Royal Street for brunch at The Court of Two Sisters where they feature jazz music on the patio. The property had once been home to a notions shop owned by two sisters of an aristocratic Creole family and this is where the restaurant name comes from. In 1963, an established local restauranteur acquired the property and began preserving it. For the past 60 years the several generations of the same family have been operating the restaurant.

We dined on the rear brick courtyard with trellises covered in wisteria vines, a fountain and balconies of wrought iron railings. The buffet they serve includes a variety of 80 different items from salads to Creole and New Orleans’ favorite entrees. The food and service were excellent and the jazz music was quiet not to overwhelm the dining experience.

By mid-afternoon we headed to the airport for our flight home to San Diego. We changed planes in Dallas prior to arriving home in San Diego about 10:30pm.