Congo Square Louis Armstrong Park

Congo Square has been a place of music and dance dating to the slave days. Many believe it is the beginning place of American music? Normally on Sunday afternoons people still gather to play music and dance. It’s a very nice place to sit and listen or even participate.Visited onWeekendWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedNoPrice for adult entryFree

Stopped by Armstrong Park and Congo Square during our visit to New Orleans. The location has a rich history and some historians credit it as the birthplace of jazz. Had hoped for more local artists and musicians to be in the park and square but there were none.

This place called to me and nurtured my soul! I learned all about Congo Square before visiting, but you don’t learn everything about it until you visit. You most certainly do not feel its power until you visit. There was an older gentleman drumming when we entered and the powerful beat of the drums brought Congo Square to life for me. I closely examined the circles, the grout I have a habit of looking for hand, finger and footprints the benches and the beautiful trees. The drumming gentleman approached me when he thought I was being left behind by a tour group. I told him that my husband and I were showing ourselves around, so he offered to tell me more history. The ancestral tree is a beauty to behold. It’s limbs and trunk are gigantic. Looking into it’s vastness, I could only imagine the stories it holds. If only those branches could talk. It is the oldest tree in NO and people still bring offerings for ancestors. If there was ever a time I felt a real connection to the past was in Congo Square. I imagined the ancestors finding reprieve from a harsh world with dancing and drumming. The statue with the woman dancing and drummers made me smile… I studied their faces and took it all in, person by person.

In your spare time, you can go in and see the story behind the sculpture.Visited onWeekendWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedNoPrice for adult entryFree

The historical history is amazing but they lock Congo Square around 4 something. The people in the neighborhood Treme are not happy about the restrictions placed on Congo Square. The park was once freely opened to the community now there is a gate that surrounds and locks the park around 4 something. It’s sad the city has placed restrictions on a park that holds many many memories for the Africans descendants who live in the neighborhood.

Interesting park like scene which pays tribute to slaves gatherings at the time to dance to jazz with some sort of Sunday Freedom. It has an interesting sculpture of dancers and it has the round center plaza where the action used to take place. It also provides some seats to rest for a bit. Enjoy!

Amazing historic landmark! Make sure you try and find Mandela “The Story Teller” — he knows his stuff! He had so many great stories and insights to share about the history in this park.Visited onWeekdayWait timeNo wait

The history of the Congo Square is fascinating and important to know. Be sure to get a tour by a credible person who represents the culture.

Interesting history when with a real guided tourVisited onWeekendWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedNot sure

5 stars for its significance to jazz history. If you are not interested in music history, it may be boring to you. To sit here though after learning about it is a very interesting experience and something important to do.