Neighborhood Guide: New Orleans

Experience the “Big Easy” with our New Orleans neighborhood guide. You’ll quickly become an expert on all the diverse art, culture, cuisine, architecture and entertainment there is to enjoy in neighborhoods like the French Quarter, Garden District and Mid-City.

Garden District (Lower & Upper)

Centered around a handsome postage-stamp of a park known as Coliseum Square, the Lower Garden District neighborhood is a culturally rich area where early 19th century mansions and curving streets are shaded by ancient live oaks. The romance of the area continues in the Upper Garden District, replete with historic homes, genteel, brick-lined sidewalks, more oak trees and an floral explosion of hibiscuses, crepe myrtles, angel trumpets and bougainvillea. It’s home to Lafayette Cemetery, where touring the gothic above-ground tombs is a beloved activity. Brunch, or any reason to stop and eat at Commander’s Palace, is almost a required activity when you’re visiting this great New Orleans neighborhood. Best of all, the St. Charles Ave. Streetcar will get you there for just $1.25.

French Quarter

The original of all New Orleans neighborhoods, the French Quarter is also one of the oldest communities in the U.S. Sure, it’s famous for Bourbon Street’s party scene, but the world-class restaurants and entertainment lining the streets of the French Quarter make this a destination for locals, too. Preservation Hall’s commitment to original jazz can be life-changing for music aficionados. Other favorite spots to visit during your exploration of “The Quarter” include Jackson Square—where street entertainment is plentiful—and the French Market, the nation’s oldest public market. Make sure you don’t leave this neighborhood before indulging in the fluffy, sugary beignets at Café de Monde.

Faubourg Marigny & Bywater

In French, “faubourg” means “suburb,” but Faubourg Marigny and bohemian Bywater is a much more culturally diverse than one might think of a suburb. Located just downriver from the French Quarter, this New Orleans neighborhood features world-famous jazz clubs with today’s big-name artists and tomorrow’s stars. The music is so plentiful on Frenchman St., in fact, that dance parties often break out in the streets. The St. Claude Arts District is a hip artists’ community where collectives draw locals and visitors daily. Another popular spot is Jack Dempsey’s Restaurant, where you can get a great, fried seafood meal at just the right price. You’ll feel like you’re home as soon as you walk in. Then, take a break from all that walking, dancing and eating with a stop at Crescent Park, a relaxing spot on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Warehouse District

As its name describes, the Warehouse District is a New Orleans neighborhood that was once populated with warehouses and shipping docks in the Central Business District (CBD) near the Mississippi River. Today those buildings have been converted into galleries, condos and restaurants. Make sure to tour the impressive National WWII Museum, explore local are influences at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and savor the delicious flavors of New Orleans at world-famous Emeril’s.

Mid-City

Situated between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, Mid-City has an identity all its own¬. It’s a more residential neighborhood that tourists often overlook. That’s great news for the more intrepid explore—if you enjoy feeling more like a local. Take the Canal St. Streetcar to get to the area and enjoy a pint at the city’s favorite Irish pub, Finn McCool’s, or discover new, local music talent at Chickie Wah Wah. If a stroll through ancient oak trees and a visit to the New Orleans Museum of Art is more your speed, head to City Park. It’s likely you’ll find live music performances there, too. In fact, music, food, art and history are things you simply can’t avoid no matter what New Orleans neighborhood you’re visiting.

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