VAMONDE New Orleans

Discover some of New Orleans' most iconic neighborhoods. From the big personality of the French Quarter to the storied and stately homes of the Garden District, this guide has it all!

New Orleans' Most Iconic Neighborhoods

Discover the neighborhood known for its stately mansions, oak tree-lined streets, and beautiful gardens!

The Garden District is perhaps one of the most iconic neighborhoods in New Orleans, apart from the French Quarter. With the large oak trees towering overhead, you'll walk these enchanted streets and wonder what stories are behind the doors of every gated mansion. Many celebrities call the Garden District home. See estates that belong to Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, and Beyonce and Jay-Z!

Getting to the Garden District from other parts of the city is easy using the streetcar. Coasting along the rail, taking in all the beautiful scenery, is a great way to get the day started in this charming neighborhood. The St. Charles streetcar brings you right into the heart of the Garden District, and the area is very walkable. Streetcars are a quintessential part of New Orleans culture and a means by which locals travel daily (Fare is $1.25 each way and exact change is required). 

Cemeteries are another recognizable element of New Orleans culture. The above-ground tombs are not just a novelty; they're a necessity. The city is built on swampland, making underground burial problematic before a solution was implemented. Most notably interred is Judge John Howard Ferguson of the 1896 Plessy vs. Ferguson case. Ever wanted to know what's inside one of these tombs? Lafayette Cemetery has an empty tomb left open, revealing how one is constructed. 

The Garden District is much more than just beautiful homes, and majestic oak trees. The history here is as complex as every other neighborhood in New Orleans. One place that is worth the time it takes to visit is the Whitney Plantation. There are many offerings in the city to tour former plantations, but Whitney Plantation is exceptional. It is the only tour focusing on the slaves and their experiences. Not always a comfortable topic, but a necessary one, to be sure. 

While in the Garden District, treat yourself to dinner at one of the many exclusive restaurants in the area. Commander's Palace has been a fixture in the city since the late 1800s and remains the flagship of New Orleans haute cuisine. Emeril Lagasse's Uptown restaurant, Emeril's Delmonico, is another great choice for upscale dining. Be sure to make your reservations for either place well in advance. For casual dining, Dat Dog, on the popular Magazine Street, is where to go. They have unique offerings like duck sausage, beer-battered cod, and toppings for all taste buds. Delicious!

Cover photo: James DeMers via pixabay.com

The Garden District

Dive bars, a vibrant art scene, and inventive food spots make the Marigny a must-see!

Faubourg Marigny or just Marigny is hip and cool, yet embodies New Orleans' foundational culture of music, food, and art. The neighborhood has a creative vibe and exudes the energy of all the up-and-coming artists who call this place home. From the music of Frenchmen Street to the local eateries and cafés, the Marigny is bursting the personality!

Frenchmen Street, once a well-kept secret of locals, is now packed with people from all over! Known as THE place to hear great music, Frenchmen Street offers an array of choices. 

Most recognizable to those familiar with Frenchmen Street is the Spotted Cat Music Club. The multi-colored exterior matches the personality found inside. It's small, but the music that pours from it is larger than life. Have some drinks at the bar and get ready to boogie, swing, and jam with some of the best artists around! Can't find room to squeeze into the Spotted Cat? Walk down the street and let your ears guide you to places like The Maison, The Blue Nile, or Snug Harbor. Each of these places has its own flavor, but it's all New Orleans.

Creative expression is not limited to music. The food scene in the Marigny leaves little to be desired. One place that seems to have it all under one roof is St. Roch Market. The building is designed like a boathouse—inviting and tranquil.  Once inside, there are nearly a dozen vendors ready to wow visitors with exceptional culinary skills. There's even an oyster bar. There won't be the run-of-the-mill food court options at St. Roch Market. Everything from the food to the drinks is crafted with originality and excellence in mind. Also, try newbie to the neighborhood, Morrow's. More specifically, try their Crawfish Bread, French bread with a creamy cheese sauce and crawfish tails. AMAZING! Morrow's is also known for its Korean barbecue dishes—a nod to the cultural diversity that is New Orleans. 

Café Istanbul is the place where creative souls in the Marigny converge. Housed in the New Orleans Healing Center, Café Istanbul is a contemporary performance space that hosts poetry slams, open mic nights and other types of performance art. The venue is small, but there's always something cool going on. 

The Marigny neighborhood is packed with ways to experience it. If variety is the spice of life, the Marigny is well-seasoned.

Cover image: Nathan Bingle via unsplash.com

Marigny/Bywater

Mid-city is a neighborhood that perhaps doesn't get its due. It's got lots of the personality and charm New Orleans is known for and can hold it's own on the list of 'must-see' locations. 

Mid-city isn't all about the hustle and bustle like the French Quarter, but that doesn't mean it's not a great place to hang out and explore. One spot beloved by locals is the Bayou Beer Garden/Bayou Wine Garden. The decor is quirky, and the beer selection is plentiful. With 'garden' in the name, there's plenty of outdoor seating for those cool nights. In town while there's a sporting event? Catch it on the big screens here or head over to another local favorite, Finn McCool's.

Finn McCool's is an Irish pub that draws the 20-something crowd. Finn McCool's also has an indoor and outdoor space with flat-screen TVs for optimal sports viewing. Sit out on the patios in the front or back and take in a game of football, basketball, soccer, tennis or...bocce ball? Enjoy a cold one with friends and feel like a local in this happening spot!

As for events the neighborhood is known for, Bayou Boogaloo is perhaps the most popular. Bayou Boogaloo, as the name suggests, is a festival that takes place on Bayou St. John. Every summer, around May, the festival kicks off and features art and music for three full days. It's a family-friendly event with something for everyone!

A relatively obscure location in Mid-city is the New Orleans Katrina Memorial. The memorial sits on what once was the Charity Hospital Cemetery (used as a Potter's Field by the hospital as early as 1848). The memorial is an incredibly poignant tribute to those who lost their lives during Hurricane Katrina. It is also the final resting place for the unidentified victims of the storm. 

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) is located in City Park and features an alluring sculpture garden that needs to be experienced to be truly appreciated. Spend the afternoon walking through the museum's exhibits of French, African, and American art. Museum admission is $15 for adults and free for persons under 19 years old. Admission to the sculpture garden is free. 

Cover photo credit: Wokandapix via pixabay.com

Mid-city

Stroll down the vibrant streets and become intoxicated by the charms of this world-famous neighborhood!

No two words are more synonymous with New Orleans than these: French Quarter. After a day of exploring it, it’s not hard to see why! New Orleans’ French Quarter is FAR more than the fun to be had on Bourbon Street. It’s history, art, music, architecture, culture, and of course, food. Every one of your senses will be engaged as you discover new places in this truly enchanting neighborhood. 

Start your day off by having breakfast at the Ruby Slipper Café. Try the Bananas Foster Pain Perdu (It’s like French Toast 2.0, seriously!) with one of their signature mimosas. After filling up on a classic New Orleans feast, walk it off and head over to Jackson Square. This is where you’ll find the iconic St. Louis Cathedral. More than just the perfect photo op, the St. Louis Cathedral has a history that will help deepen your appreciation for both this architecturally stunning structure and New Orleans. Admission is free and Mass is held daily. 

The Presbytére Museum is another must-see location right in the heart of Jackson Square, just steps from the cathedral. A visit here will share with you the joys of Mardi Gras, starkly contrasted with the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This museum displays key elements of New Orleans in living color (Admission is $7 for adults, free for children six years and under). 

For more New Orleans history, visit the New Orleans Jazz Museum. 
Appreciate the building itself, as it used to be the U.S. Mint in New Orleans. Then, step inside for your firsthand education on why the city is to thank for the gift of jazz (Admission is $8 for adults, free for children six years and under). 

If walking around isn’t your idea of a fun way to sightsee, there are many alternatives. Segway, bicycle, and boat tours are plentiful in the French Quarter. River cruises are a great way to get a good history lesson, good food, good music and those tranquil views of the Mississippi all in one place! Sail the famous Natchez or Creole Queen Steamboats; each has a unique ambiance and experience. Don’t shy away from purchasing the buffet or dinner presuming the fare will be lackluster. It is New Orleans, after all. Incredible food is part of the city’s rich culture and roots. 

Once you’re in the French Quarter, it’s time to let the good times roll, or "laissez les bons temps rouler", as they say. Just don’t say “Naw’lins”, okay? Promise? Alright. 

The French Quarter

Once the center of transport and industry, the Arts/Warehouse District is now the center of cool!

The Arts/Warehouse District is a neighborhood that embraces its history while remaining innovative and evolving. The many museums, art galleries, and nightlife spots keep this trendy area vibrant and thriving.

This neighborhood was once the center of transport, using the "Mighty Mississippi" to bring in goods vital to the city's economy through the Port of New Orleans. Today, the Arts/Warehouse District still bears the markings of its industrial past, but it is the backdrop for a cultural experience no other area in the city offers. 

Museums are central features in this artsy neighborhood. Perhaps, the most notable is the World War II Museum. The space is thoughtfully designed and comprised of interactive exhibits to keep visitors engaged while learning. The Contemporary Arts Center is designed as an exhibit and performance space. The brick walls and wooden beams of the interior make the space as visually appealing as the exhibits themselves. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is another museum worth visiting. The exhibitions are a tour through Southern culture that will inform and inspire. 

The food scene in the Arts/Warehouse District is as diverse as its inhabitants. Cultures collide in the kitchen of the neighborhood's restaurants to create memorable and tasty dishes. Emeril's on Tchoupitoulas Street (Go ahead, try to pronounce that!) is a great place to try New Orleans cuisine with a twist. Cochon is all about Cajun cuisine. The rabbit and dumplings is a daring choice, but so worth it.

For a night of music, the Howlin' Wolf is the name to remember. Musical acts from the local to nationally-known perform here. The bar serves strong drinks and has your typical pub fare. 

Cover image: Ryan Spaulding via unsplash.com

Arts/Warehouse District

Experience living history in the oldest African-American neighborhood in the nation!

The neighborhood of Tremé was the subject of a hit cable series, but there is much more to it than the show captured. Walking through, you’ll appreciate the Creole cottages and classic shotgun homes that are signature to New Orleans. More than that, this neighborhood’s significance is part of American history. Tremé is America’s oldest African-American neighborhood; established by freed slaves in the 18th century. Though it’s changed considerably over the years—especially in the wake of Hurricane Katrina—you’ll still find Tremé’s strong roots firmly intact. 

Standing as a landmark in the neighborhood is St. Augustine Church. Once a place where slaves could freely go to worship, St. Augustine is the oldest African-American Catholic church in the United States. In a haunting tribute, the Tomb of the Unknown Slave sits outside of the church. The memorial is a cross made of chain links with shackles hanging from them—a sobering reminder the lives some of its parishioners lived. Homer Plessy, of the infamous Plessy vs. Ferguson case, attended St. Augustine, as well as other notable figures throughout history. 

Make a stop at the Backstreet Cultural Museum and learn about long-standing cultural traditions like jazz funerals, second-line parades, the Mardi Gras Indians and social clubs. The exhibits are housed in a small building, making it feel like an invitation into someone’s home for an intimate peek inside their family history. Another good place to visit for more cultural immersion is the New Orleans African-American Museum. 

After a day of learning all about the neighborhood, head to Dooky Chase for some of the best Creole cuisine in New Orleans. Try the Chicken Creole, a flavor-packed dish with generous portions. Dooky Chase has been a culinary fixture in Tremé since 1941. Over the years, this family-run restaurant has evolved from a sandwich shop to a fine dining establishment visited by locals and famous folks alike.  Sadly, Leah Chase—responsible for the restaurant's fine dining evolution—passed away in June. However, her vision lives on through the rest of the family, who still carry on the Dooky Chase legacy.

End your night in Tremé at the Candlelight Lounge, a small but lively place. Hear live brass bands crank out old jazz favorites as well original songs. Leave the kids and come party like a local. You’ll end the night in this iconic neighborhood with a little more love for the Crescent City. 

Cover image credit: Jaime Perez via pixabay.com

Tremé

Esplanade Ridge, or Bayou St. John, is an oasis in the city!

Esplanade Ridge, or Bayou St. John, is a neighborhood where nature lovers reside, and where the rest of the city goes for a quiet respite from urban life. The homes in the area are traditional and picturesque. Though Bayou St. John seems far removed from the city, it's quite connected. You can get to the area by bike, streetcar, or bus. What could be more "New Orleans" than life on the bayou? 

Bayou St. John is an important part of New Orleans culture. The Mardi Gras Indians meet at the bayou, and practitioners of the Voodoo faith perform their rituals here. Down on the bayou, there's kayaking and canoeing, swimming, and relaxing. For lunch, stop in at the nearby Parkway Bakery and Tavern where they serve gumbo that is a unique blend of stewed turkey and alligator sausage. After that, head to the neighborhood watering-hole, Pal's Lounge, for a cocktail.

Along with Bayou Boogaloo, the Greek Festival is a highly anticipated event in the neighborhood. Labor Day weekend is when the togas come out and the fun begins!  In celebration of the Greek culture, the festival has tours of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, traditional dancing, and Greek dishes to try. It wouldn't be a Bayou St. John festival without water sports, so plan to spend some time out on the water. Opa! 

James Pitot was the mayor of New Orleans in the early 19th century. The house he and his family lived in during his term was nearly destroyed but was saved by the Louisiana Landmarks Office. Now known as The Pitot House, it is a museum that offers guided tours (Must schedule in advance, admission is $10 per person). It is also available to rent for weddings, receptions, and parties. The Pitot House features an original portrait of the mayor's daughter and other artifacts. The beautiful gardens of this storied estate are not to be missed. 

Cover Image Credit: James DeMers via pixabay.com

Esplanade Ridge/Bayou St. John

Quiet and unassuming, Gentilly has some hidden gems worth discovering!

Gentilly is a culturally diverse neighborhood that's experienced many changes over the years. Gentilly is not one distinct area but encompasses several different parts of the city.  Not frequented by tourists nearly as often as other parts of New Orleans, Gentilly has remained "tucked away"...until now!

The Milneburg Lighthouse (or Port Pontchartrain Lighthouse) is a distinguishable landmark but goes largely unnoticed by locals. The lighthouse was once a part of the resort town or Milneburg which sat on Lake Pontchartrain in the late 1800s. Interestingly, before this structure was erected, a wooden model stood in its place. Over time, the wooden lighthouse was beyond repair, and thus, the current structure was built. There's a story about three women who were the keepers of the lighthouse—with one woman serving for over four decades. The history of the Milneburg Lighthouse is as off-beat as a land-locked lighthouse, but it's part of the neighborhood's charm.

Because of Louisiana's sugar cane production, rum production makes perfect sense! James Michalopoulos,  a successful and well-known artist, created Old New Orleans Rum nearly thirty years ago. Celebration Distillation is the distillery that produces Old New Orleans Rum. The distillery offers tours and tastings, giving an inside look at how it's made. Cajun Spice rum is the company's signature rum that's sure to be a taste of New Orleans on any palate. Tours can be booked for $15 per person. 

Gentilly Fest happens every October in Ponchartrain Park. The festival celebrates Gentilly with live music, food from local establishments, and fun activities for all ages. 

Cover Image Credit: Cre8tive Thunder via pixabay.com

Gentilly

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New Orleans' Most Iconic Neighborhoods

The Garden District

The Garden District

Marigny/Bywater

Marigny/Bywater

Mid-city

Mid-city

The French Quarter

The French Quarter

Arts/Warehouse District

Arts/Warehouse District

Tremé

Tremé

Esplanade Ridge/Bayou St. John

Esplanade Ridge/Bayou St. John

Gentilly

Gentilly

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