The French Quarter of New Orleans (called Vieux Carré) is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Established in 1718, the area acted as the center of the city and an important commercial center. The oldest and most famous neighborhood in New Orleans is where you'll find attractions such as Bourbon Street, The French Market, Jackson Square and St. These tourist and popular areas often intersect with quiet side streets full of historic charm, and there are many pleasures in the French Quarter beyond its most striking sights.
Try the art galleries and antique shops on Royal Street, the cozy pubs on Chartres Street, the small museums and some truly romantic restaurants. These two central neighborhoods are often grouped together, and both are located between the French Quarter and the Lower Garden District. If you book a hotel in New Orleans, you're likely to find yourself in the CBD, where many large New Orleans businesses, hotels and government buildings are located, as well as the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Next door, the Warehouse District is home to many of the city's high-end art galleries.
The Bywater, an artistic area of the Upper Ninth Ward, is a mix of industrial warehouses, colorful street art works, Creole cabins, charming cafes and lively dive bars. Crescent Park stretches along the river from Bywater to the French Market, allowing visitors to walk along the curve (half moon) of the river between these New Orleans neighborhoods and watch the barges and ships that cross the Mississippi. Bywater's sights are more dispersed than in the neighboring Marigny or French Quarter, but some of the trendy boutiques or small wine bars you'll stroll through are brimming with delights, and the dive bars on the outskirts offer great local musical performances. This photogenic neighborhood is located between The Treme, Mid City, Fair Grounds and City Park, and can be reached on foot or by bike via the Lafitte Greenway, a green space and pedestrian path that stretches from Armstrong Park to Bayou St.
Life here focuses on the swamp, a natural waterway and a vital trade route in the history of New Orleans. Extending to Lake Pontchartrain, the access this waterway provided to the first colonists was an important factor in planning the city and its location. John is the place for kayakers, picnics, an occasional music festival and beautiful sunsets. The Pitot House, a preserved house and museum, is a good example of the Creole estates that once bordered the swamp.
Elsewhere in the neighborhood, you'll find nice restaurants, cafes, and neighborhood bars. John is the fairgrounds, the oldest racetrack in the country, and the annual venue for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. . Downstream from the Garden District, the Lower Garden District neighborhood is less picturesque overall, but is dotted with new businesses, restaurants, and trendy local breweries.
In the Garden District, take a tour of historic mansions; walk through Lafayette's beautiful and amazing No. 1 Cemetery (after lunch at the Commander's Palace, of course); or browse window shopping and grab a bite to eat at the stores on Magazine Street. Charles Avenue follows the traditional Mardi Gras parade route, with views of large houses surrounded by living oak trees, ornate gardens and wrought-iron doors. New Orleanians often refer to a place by its orientation toward the Mississippi River (“upstream,” downstream, or “riverbank”) rather than by cardinal directions.
This is how Uptown, a neighborhood upstream from the French Quarter and the oldest areas of the city, earned its name. Today, Uptown encompasses a large area of residential housing, 19th century architecture, university campuses and Audubon Park and Zoo, the neighborhood's main attraction. The park has more than 300 acres of waterways, lawns, walking trails, and mossy oak trees, and you're likely to see the same birds that once inspired the naturalist painter (and former New Orleans resident) John J. While this part of town is much quieter, Uptown's best music clubs, Maple Leaf Bar and Tipitina's, compete with the best venues downtown.
Freret Street, surrounding Tulane University, has also become a popular dining and nightlife scene. The triangle-shaped Faubourg Marigny stretches from St. From Claude Avenue to the river, bordering the French Quarter on the picturesque Esplanade Avenue. Once a secret from locals, Frenchmen Street is now Marigny's main attraction and the city's most popular place to find live music.
There is also a large concentration of lively gay bars in Marigny. Nightlife lovers can plan to stay at one of this neighborhood's charming boutique hotels, such as the Melrose Mansion or the Peter & Paul Hotel. New Orleans is much more than just the French Quarter. Following the curve of the Mississippi, there are incredible neighborhoods in New Orleans, both upstream and downstream.
When deciding where to stay in New Orleans, consider any of these other neighborhoods and you'll be rewarded with unique experiences found only in New Orleans. The French Quarter is the center of the action, full of history, beautiful architecture, iconic restaurants, music venues and, of course, Bourbon Street. Visiting the neighborhood is a must, and it's a great place to stay and be in the center of everything. But look beyond the French Quarter and you'll find unique neighborhoods with even more incredible restaurants, bars, and things to do, plus more culture and history.
In neighborhoods like Uptown and Mid-City, you'll find family-friendly restaurants, locally-owned boutiques, retail outlets, tree-lined streets, and beautiful parks. Marigny and Bywater, next to the French Quarter, offer a combination of modern and bohemian ambience, with trendy restaurants and modern shops. The French Quarter is the oldest and most well-known neighborhood in the city. Most visitors head straight to Bourbon Street, and many first-time visitors think that the Neighborhood is nothing more than a party.
But there's so much more to do here: gorgeous architecture, lots of history, fabulous antiques, local boutiques, great food, music, and views of the Mississippi. It's ideal for families, with the Aquarium of the Americas, the Cabildo Museum, carriage rides, street performers and more fun for children. Stay here if you want to be in the center of everything, with easy access to other neighborhoods. Located in Arnaud's centuries-old Creole restaurant, the French 75 bar offers a step back in time.
The dark and intimate space is adorned with monkey lamps and other original vintage decorations. Order a classic cocktail, such as an Old Fashioned or a sidecar, or ask expert waiters for an ingenious concoction. Try potato souffle, an Arnaud specialty, and then visit the intriguing Mardi Gras museum on the top floor. Parallel to Bourbon Street, one block away, is one of the most elegant routes in the neighborhood.
From the Canal to the Esplanade, you'll find a beautiful stretch of art galleries, antique shops, fine jewelry, street artists and picturesque buildings adorned with intricate iron work. For a unique experience, check out M, S. The 25,000-square-foot gallery features an incredible collection of high-end antiques, art and sculptures. Ask to see the “secret room” and you'll be amazed at the rare museum-quality artifacts on display.
This area of the city, encompassing several smaller residential neighborhoods upstream from the French Quarter, includes St. The Charles Avenue streetcar, the grand historic mansions, the universities of Tulane and Loyola, the beautiful Audubon Park and Zoo, and many beloved local institutions. It is far from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter and offers a culture without excesses, but is easily accessible by several means of transport. During Mardi Gras, it's a great place to be, as the parades tour St.
Charles in an exceptionally family environment. You can enjoy pleasant walks, large oak trees and unique shops. As you make your way to Uptown and pass through dozens of large mansions in the Garden District (which you can learn about on a guided walking tour), you'll find a mix of high-end restaurants (Commander's Palace) and colorful neighborhood dive sites (Parasol's). Tip's is a destination for music lovers, but even the most selfless will be carried away by the atmosphere.
This modern space has been a milestone since 1977 with live music and weekly Cajun dance sessions. The standing-only space is perfect for watching a local band as you immerse yourself in musical history. Charles Avenue was lovingly renovated by the team behind the popular locations Sylvain and Barrel Proof. With just 14 rooms, you'll feel right at home in rooms with bathtubs and local art.
Relax on the front porch and watch the streetcars go by, or dine at the hotel's restaurant, which offers a contemporary take on New Orleans classics. The CBD, just across Canal Street from the French Quarter, contains most of the office buildings in New Orleans and includes the Warehouse District and the so-called South Market District. It is generally the reference area for travelers doing business in the city, and has become a modern hub for food, drink and culture. The Warehouse District, which began its transformation in the late 80s, is now a complete arts district with renowned art galleries and museums.
The CBD also includes the Orpheum and Saenger theaters and the Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints. You'll find plenty of places for office workers to grab a quick and cheap bite to eat, along with some of the city's most talked about restaurants, such as Cochon, Peche and Emeril's. Younger travelers will be attracted to modern hotels with rooftop bars such as Ace, Moxy and Troubadour, as well as renowned iconic hotels such as The Roosevelt, Windsor Court and Le Pavillon. If you are looking for a more modern environment and more modern offerings, the CBD is a good option because of its accessibility on foot and its proximity to the French Quarter.
Enjoy joy, art and music in this interactive installation in Marigny. Get in a pot with a giant crab, take a picture with an oversized bust of local musicians and be part of the art in the virtual reality booths. City Park is a beautiful 1,300-acre green space filled with mossy oaks, quiet walking trails, and native birds. Big Lake offers boating and other activities, while Storyland and the Carousel Gardens amusement park offer fun for children.
Wherever you choose to stay in New Orleans, you'll have a great time, but these are the best neighborhoods to stay in and all the things to do and eat when you're there. Café Lafitte in Exile, located at the intersection of Bourbon and Dumaine, is the oldest gay bar in the United States in continuous operation. The Uptown neighborhood formerly consisted of several separate cities, including Jefferson and Carrollton, which were later absorbed by New Orleans. New Orleans is a relatively small city with a warm climate almost all year round (and an easy-to-use streetcar system), so it's easy to explore the many local personality spots beyond major tourist districts.
El Tremé was first developed around 1810 and is one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans and one of the oldest black neighborhoods in the country. Perfect after enjoying a stroll through the surrounding neighborhood, it's a smart choice to sample New Orleans cuisine in an intimate and friendly setting. The French claimed Louisiana in the 1690s, and Jean Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville was named director general in charge of developing a colony in the territory, and founded New Orleans in 1718. The neighborhood that borders the French Quarter, the Marigny, was built starting in 1806, when Bernard de Marigny began to divide his plantation and sell it in lots, thus forming one of the original suburbs of New Orleans. As such, it became known as neutral ground, and this name is still used for medium sized ones in the New Orleans area.
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