Shaded lanes, fancy mansions, classy apartment buildings, spreading live oak trees, and whirring streetcars are some of the things that people will notice when visiting New Orleans’ Garden District. The latter is part of uptown New Orleans. However, it is not to be confused with nearby Uptown. The Garden District is fancy New Orleans, which means this is where the city’s most opulent mansions used to be found.
Those unique mansions still exist nowadays, along with businesses for the wealthy, such as fine dining restaurants and yoga studios. The Garden District of New Orleans used to be known as Lafayette City and is just a streetcar ride away from the French Quarter. Although the latter is the most iconic neighborhood in New Orleans and is frequented by tourists, the Garden District comes directly in second place.
Here’s What To Do When Visiting The Unique Garden District Of New Orleans
The beautiful St. Charles Avenue forms the northern border of the Garden District. The latter features a large number of fancy mansions all along its length. People visiting will enjoy the beauty of the countless grand historic homes and their unique architecture. Moreover, the Garden District is filled with dark green streetcars that keep on coming and going around the area, and people can use them to see St Charles Avenue.
- Recommended: It is worth going for a jog along the neutral ground in the Garden District to explore the best of St Charles Avenue. The most beautiful spot to witness the gorgeous historic homes is Prytania Street, parallel to St Charles.
Another iconic street worth exploring in the Garden District is the southern border of the district, Magazine Street. The latter doesn’t house many opulent and enormous homes, but it boasts many businesses that cater to the wealthy college students living in the district.
New Orleans is home to iconic graveyards because corpses in the city are buried in places full of raised mausoleums and tombs. The reason for that is that New Orleans has a low elevation and high water table. However, the most iconic graveyard in New Orleans is located in the Garden District. Lafayette No 1 is the creepiest in town with its gothic style and surrounding vines and vegetation.
Those Places Are The Best For Dining Out In The Garden District
The Garden District houses a large number of restaurants that offer the tastiest dishes in town. One of those is Stein’s Deli, located on Magazine Street. People can visit there to enjoy a delicious classic Northeast lunch, including corned beef specials, Reubens, Italian hoagies, and delicious beer. However, the deli is crowded most of the year, and one must wait in line to place an order.
Another place worth visiting for a drink and delicious cocktail is the Verret’s Lounge, located two blocks outside the Garden District. The place is small and cozy and frequented by youngsters who want to have a good time. Since the Garden District is a fancy neighborhood, Poke bowls gained much traction among the residents there. After all, people living in the Garden District care about superfoods, healthy eating, gluten-free stuff, and of course, delicious meals. Poke Loa is a great place to indulge in a savory Poke bowl in the Garden District. Business crowds and students frequent the restaurant.
Fine dining restaurants are prevalent in New Orleans’ Garden District, and one of the best is the Commander’s Palace. The latter is housed in a fancy, unique, and enormous white and turquoise mansion and is frequented by those who want to experience the city’s signature rich gastronomy.
Where To Stay When Visiting The Garden District
The Garden District in New Orleans features several hotels, b&b, and other accommodations that allow people to enjoy a comfortable and relaxing stay in the neighborhood. One of the best places to stay in the Garden District is the beautiful bed and breakfast, Sully Mansion. The latter boasts a sheer upscale-casual aesthetic and very high quality of accommodation. The Sully Mansion is the perfect place to stay and enjoy the b&b’s wedding cake design, enormous wraparound porch, and breezy terrace.
Another iconic place to stay in the Garden District is the Henry Howard Hotel. It is located in an 1867 double gallery townhouse and features a brick historical vibe and minimalist chic design. People staring at the Henry Howard Hotel can walk to enjoy the lively nightlife scene in the Lower Garden District.
The Hotel Indigo New Orleans Garden District features iconic photography of the city in its decor. Moreover, what sets this hotel apart from its competitors, is that it is pet-friendly.
When visiting the Garden District in New Orleans, other hotels where people can stay include the iconic Pontchartrain Hotel St Charles Avenue and St Charles Coach House Ascend Hotel Collection. There’s also the Auberge NOLA Hostel.
- Cost: A night for two in a Superior King Room at the Pontchartrain Hotel St Charles Avenue costs $386.