Congo Square
Congo Square
4.5
About
A traditional gathering place for slaves on Sundays until the 1850's. The sound and rhythm heard here is considered to be the origin of Jazz and Gospel music. It was also where Gumbo was introduced to the Creoles of the French Quarter. Congo Square was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 1993
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Neighbourhood: Tremé
That sound? That flavor? That certain je ne sais quoi that lets you known you’re in “Nawlins” and nowhere else? It’s all good and in broad abundance on the streets of Tremé, where so much of what’s considered to be the very best of New Orleans culture and tradition is, put simply, just how people go about their daily lives in this historic part of town. As one of America’s oldest African-American neighborhoods and among the nation’s first established residential areas for free people of color, Tremé’s significant heritage and contribution cannot be understated. This is especially the case when considering some of Tremé’s most famous residents, most notably jazz great Louis Armstrong. For full flavored food, funky and jazzed up music, and vibrant street life presented with homegrown pride, you can’t beat a visit to Tremé.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
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jdang1
Seminole, FL17 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
Self-guided. Went on Sunday afternoon for the weekly drum circle. Lots of fun, community led. Nice, off the beaten path, free. We were welcomed by the community and able to participate when they offered us drums to use. No bathroom in the park; adjacent portable toilets near the old theater just outside the park.
Written 23 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gidons51
Herzliya, Israel4,330 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
It’s a nice open space within the Louis Armstrong park , with some iron statues that are all telling the history of black music and jazz . You will occasionally find street bands or music occasions.
Written 18 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KJN
Wisconsin4 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
I’ve wanted to visit Congo Square for over 30 years because of its deep cultural and historical significance. It was deeply moving just to be on those sacred grounds.
If you don’t know what this place means please do some homework before you go and visit with respect and honor.
If you visit on Sunday at 3pm you will find a gathering of musicians, dancers and vendors celebrating this spot and the ancestors who gathered here. This celebration is open and welcomes all. My companions who didn’t know about it prior to our visit felt it was the highlight of our NOLA trip because the music, dance and words honoring the ancestors were so beautiful profound.
If you don’t know what this place means please do some homework before you go and visit with respect and honor.
If you visit on Sunday at 3pm you will find a gathering of musicians, dancers and vendors celebrating this spot and the ancestors who gathered here. This celebration is open and welcomes all. My companions who didn’t know about it prior to our visit felt it was the highlight of our NOLA trip because the music, dance and words honoring the ancestors were so beautiful profound.
Written 12 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoff H
Sissinghurst, UK12,604 contributions
Oct 2022
It is only a cobbled square but there is so much history here. It was here, in the early 19th century, African slaves gathered together and, as well as holding a market, sang and danced to their own music. These Sunday afternoon get-togethers eventually gave birth to traditions in Mardi Gras, jazz and rhythm and blues. Just stand there and imagine what thos gatherings must have been like.
Written 27 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TimA_22233
Atlanta, GA229 contributions
Oct 2022
Bourbon Street and Jackson Square are the bright and noisy side of historic New Orleans. Congo Square is more of a place for silence and honoring the struggles of another time (that continue in our time). In the midst of a time and a place in which white America sought to extinguish the African-ness of Africans, there was this square. A place carved out of a hostile environment, where enslaved Africans defied the social order and reasserted their African identity. They made this an African space, one that belonged to them alone. I can imagine celebrations here, during Black History Month or Juneteenth, but I liked being here in silence. Just listening.
Written 3 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashley
Belleville, IL145 contributions
Mar 2022 • Family
Congo Square is a nice section of Louis Armstrong Park. Lots of space and benches to relax at and the monuments are nice to check out. Walk through the rest of the park while you are there.
Written 20 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Basspohl
Lansing, MI52 contributions
May 2021 • Family
Congo square is part of Louis Armstrong Park. If visiting definitely walk through the entire park as its water feature and art is beautiful. The Square’s place in history is fascinating and I believe is best enjoyed as part of a tour to fully appreciate it. See my review of Free Tours by Foot Voodoo tour.
Written 10 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
colombiajan
Saint Albans, WV190 contributions
Aug 2021
I loved visiting Congo Square since I teach about it in Sociology. I also loved learning more about the things that happened there. In addition, it was nice to see the sculptures and learn about the birth of jazz in Armstrong park.
Written 12 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PelleasPhiladelphia
Philadelphia, PA957 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Came here for a free outdoor jazz festival raising money for the park. The square is a kind of gateway to the Treme. Such a great place to gather for music.
Written 10 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne F
Florence, Italy76 contributions
Oct 2020
You can't visit NOLA without walking through and enjoying the beautiful Congo Square. Beautiful art, well-kept grounds, and enjoying the fresh air. Full of history and music the park is a must-see.
Written 17 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingCongo Square (New Orleans) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor
Frequently Asked Questions about Congo Square
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Congo Square:
- New Orleans Sightseeing City Tour (From ₹ 3,941.01)
- Shrimp Boil Cabaret -Fun Cajun Food Experience and a Show (From ₹ 8,248.63)
- The Soul of New Orleans: Jazz History Private Tour (From ₹ 8,801.87)
- French Quarter History Walking Tour by a Local (From ₹ 1,666.39)
- Adults Only New Orleans Ghost, True Crime, Voodoo and Vampire Walking Tour (From ₹ 2,416.26)
- Hotels near Congo Square:
- (0.15 km) Inn on St. Peter
- (0.13 km) Inn On St. Ann
- (0.11 km) Gentry House
- (0.19 km) Maison Dupuy Hotel by J Collection Hotels
- (0.24 km) Best Western Plus French Quarter Courtyard Hotel
- Restaurants near Congo Square:
- (0.06 km) Black Penny
- (0.10 km) Bar Tonique
- (0.12 km) Arrow Cafe
- (0.07 km) Rampart Treehouse
- (0.11 km) Twelfth Night Coffee
- Attractions near Congo Square:
- (0.04 km) French Quarter Phantoms
- (0.05 km) Tour Treme'
- (0.05 km) The Voodoo Lounge
- (0.05 km) "dancing In Congo Square" Sculpture
- (0.05 km) Funky Butt at Congo Square