New Orleans Neighborhood Guide

French Quarter

There’s a reason the French Quarter, originally called Vieux Carré, is known as the Crown Jewel of New Orleans. This world-renowned district tells the story of the Creole aristocrats who settled this area as well as the unique NOLA traditions that characterize its streets today. Here you can find a reimagined French Market, well-known restaurants like Antoine’s and Galatoire’s, the famed Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral, the haunted Madame LaLaurie’s mansion, and happy pedestrians drinking hurricanes along Bourbon Street.

There is a wide variety of things to do — from riverboat rides to museum visits — delicious things to eat, strong drinks to enjoy, and wonderful streets where you can shop. The French Quarter is also home to annual festivals, celebrating the food, music, and art that make New Orleans so special. Long story short, you can’t get to know New Orleans without spending plenty of time in the French Quarter.

Check out the best French Quarter tours!

Garden District

Located in Uptown New Orleans, the Garden District is known for its manicured neighborhoods, ancient trees, and beautiful architecture. Unlike the French Quarter, this area has a more serene atmosphere, presided over by its imposing mansions. Strolling along these neighborhoods is a fascinating experience on its own, but there are a few landmarks you can’t miss while exploring the Garden District.

The historic St. Charles Streetcar can take you from the French Quarter to the Garden District, offering a fun and scenic ride. This district is home to the iconic Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, well-known for its above-ground graves, the famous Commander’s Palace Restaurant, The Columns hotel, and the Garden District Book Shop. You can’t skip this district when exploring New Orleans!

Discover the most unforgettable Garden District and Uptown tours.

Arts/Warehouse District

History buffs usually enjoy the Warehouse District, which is home to not only high-end art galleries but also to iconic institutions like the National WWII Museum and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. If you’re looking to discover the history and art of the Big Easy, you can’t miss out on this neighborhood that combines lively streets and cultural experiences.

You can also find the Louisiana Children’s Museum here, perfect for those traveling with the whole family, and the best thing is that all the museums are walking distance from each other and from popular restaurants. If you time your visit just right, you can enjoy the First Saturday Art Walk on Julia Street!

If this sounds like your kind of neighborhood, explore our Arts and Warehouse District tours.

Marigny/Bywater

You’re probably familiar with Marigny’s famous Frenchmen Street, a popular area where you can find jazz venues, bars, local shops, restaurants, and more. This neighborhood has a lively art scene, with galleries, markets, and plenty of live music. At night, the streets of Marigny are full of locals and visitors having a fun time, carrying their “go-cups” from one fun spot to the next.

Slightly further east you can find Bywater, where the party continues at the dive bars. Here you can find an eccentric cultural scene, from live music to visual arts. The industrial warehouses mingle with street art, bohemian boutiques, and fun venues where you grab a cup of coffee or a cocktail. If this sounds like your kind of vibe, you can’t miss this colorful neighborhood.

Bring more fun to your trip with our Marigny and Bywater Tours!

Downtown/Central Business District

The location of New Orleans’ downtown has changed over the centuries. In the early days of the city, the French Quarter was the bustling center of the city. Locals typically consider downtown to be downriver, the area where you find Bywater and the Ninth Ward. Today, Downtown New Orleans lives in the cultural renaissance of the Central Business District, bustling with trendy places to eat, art galleries, theaters, and more.

One of the most popular spots downtown is the South Market District, which has been transformed into an urban area that features the Orpheum theater, award-winning restaurants and bakeries, and great hotels for visitors. Sandwiched between the French Quarter and Uptown, where you can find the Garden District, this innovative area is the perfect place to stay when visiting New Orleans.

Explore this bustling neighborhood with a Downtown and Central Business District tour.

Mid-City

The atmosphere is more laid back and neighborly in Mid-City, located north of Uptown. Live oak trees line the acres of swampland and bayous in this scenic and tranquil area, where you can enjoy a walk or bike ride followed by a delicious meal at one of the many local restaurants and coffee shops that make this district feel like home. This diverse neighborhood is a great place to grab a po-boy, a locally made beer, or even a bowl of pho.

You can get to Mid-City on the Canal St. Streetcar, and you can also easily reach some of the nearby cemeteries. Here you can also find the New Orleans Museum of Art. For a relaxing and memorable day in NOLA, check out a Mid-City tour!

Faubourg Tremé

Faubourg (meaning suburb or neighborhood) Tremé is known as the oldest African-American neighborhood in America, where free persons of color and freed African slaves were able to purchase property in the 18th century. This neighborhood was the site of cultural exchange for white and black residents of New Orleans. Tremé was the birthplace of jazz, and its musical roots are honored in Armstrong Park and Congo Square.

Today, the heritage of Tremé is celebrated through second-line parades, jazz funerals, museums, and live music. It’s also home to St. Augustine Church, the center of the oldest African-American Catholic parish in the country. It’s impossible to understand the history of New Orleans without exploring Tremé and learning about the role it has played in important historical events.

Don’t miss these Tremé tours!