Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis - New Orleans, Louisiana

(Observer photo by Amanda Hudson)

Destination: Formally known as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis King of France, this New Orleans, La., church is the oldest, continuously-operating cathedral in the United States. It has been a parish since 1720.
Masses are 7:30  a.m. Monday-Saturday, 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday.
Why to go: In the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, the spires of the church rise over Jackson Square and can be seen from the opposite side of the Mississippi River. A small wooden church, built in 1718, was the first on the site. The Great New Orleans Fire of 1788 destroyed the second church, a brick and timber building finished in 1727. Construction of the third church on the site took place between 1789 and 1794. It was expanded and remodeled in 1850. Both Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral.
On one side of the cathedral is the Old Ursuline Convent. Built in 1752, it is the only building from the French colonial period still standing in the United States. On the other side of the church, across Pirates Alley, is the Cabildo, site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase, and a state museum. Both the convent and the Cabildo are open for tours.
When you’ve toured to your heart’s content, cross Jackson Square for a beignet at Cafe du Monde.
Ammenities: There are gift shops in the cathedral and the convent.
Access: Walking to the cathedral is easy from anywhere in the French Quarter. Be careful, there are some loose cobblestones in the walkways and a few steps to climb.
(Grand) Kid friendly: All of these sites are kid-friendly.
Info: Address — Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis King of France,  615 Pere Antoine Alley, New Orleans, LA 70116-3291. Phone — 504/525-9585. Web — www.stlouiscathedral.org

- Compiled by Sharon Boehlefeld
Send your Catholic destinations ideas to seasonedobserver@rockforddiocese.org