Thing to do
French Market
A historic riverside market district in the French Quarter, with a farmers market of food stalls, a daily flea market, local shops and a riverfront park.
Garden District
A 19th-century residential district of Greek Revival mansions and Victorian houses between St Charles Avenue and Magazine Street, best explored on foot.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic neighbourhood walk
- Area
- Garden District, New Orleans, United States
Good to know
- Free to walk
- Streetcar access
Why we recommend it
The Garden District is the New Orleans neighbourhood of large 19th-century houses, and walking its quiet streets is one of the most pleasant ways to spend a morning in the city. The area was laid out on former plantation land, including the Livaudais plantation, and developed mostly between 1832 and 1900. Many of the buyers were wealthy Americans who chose not to live among the Creole families of the French Quarter. It was part of the separate City of Lafayette from 1833 until New Orleans annexed it in 1852, and it became a National Historic Landmark in 1974.
Under the city's planning definition the district is bounded by St Charles Avenue, First Street, Magazine Street and Toledano Street. The architecture is the attraction: early Greek Revival mansions stand alongside later Victorian houses with gingerbread trim. Points to look for include Colonel Short's Villa at 1448 Fourth Street, built in 1859 with a cast-iron cornstalk fence, the Greek Revival house of the Women's Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association at 2500 Prytania Street, and the Brevard-Rice House at 1239 First Street, which the novelist Anne Rice bought in 1989. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, established in 1833, is at 1420 Washington Avenue, and the restaurant Commander's Palace, founded in 1880, is on the same avenue.
These are private homes, so admire them from the pavement and do not enter gardens or block driveways. The district is free to explore, and you can follow a self-guided route or join one of the many guided walking tours, which add stories about the families, architects and writers connected with the houses. Allow two hours for a walk, more if you stop for lunch.
The neighbourhood suits architecture fans, photographers and anyone who enjoys a slow walk. Mornings are cooler and the light is softer for pictures. Pavements in older neighbourhoods can be uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.
The St Charles streetcar runs along the northern edge of the district, so it is easy to arrive by tram from Canal Street and leave the same way. Magazine Street, on the southern edge, is the place to look for a break after your walk, and the combination of streetcar, houses and Magazine Street makes a well-balanced half day away from the French Quarter.
Garden District FAQs
Where is the Garden District?
Uptown of the city centre, between St Charles Avenue and Magazine Street, from First Street to Toledano Street.
How do I get there?
Take the St Charles streetcar from Canal Street, which runs along the northern edge of the district.
Can I go inside the houses?
Most are private homes, so view them from the street and respect residents' privacy.
Which houses should I look for?
Colonel Short's Villa with its cornstalk fence, the Women's Opera Guild house on Prytania Street and the Brevard-Rice House on First Street.
Is there a cemetery in the Garden District?
Yes. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, established in 1833, is on Washington Avenue.
Do I need a guide?
No, but a guided walking tour adds history and stories about the houses.
How long should I allow?
About two hours for a walk, or half a day with lunch on Magazine Street.