New Orleans’ Garden District stands as one of the most beautiful and well-preserved historic neighborhoods in the American South. This charming area offers visitors a perfect blend of antebellum mansions, tree-lined streets, unique shopping experiences, and world-class dining that showcases the best of NOLA’s culture and history. Just a few miles from the French Quarter, the Garden District provides a peaceful escape while remaining easily accessible to travelers.
The neighborhood invites exploration through its walkable streets, where visitors can admire stunning architecture, browse local boutiques, and sample some of the city’s finest cuisine. From historic cemetery tours to streetcar rides, the area offers activities that appeal to history buffs, food lovers, and photography enthusiasts alike. Whether staying at a boutique group hotel on St. Charles or visiting for the day, the Garden District provides an unforgettable glimpse into the Crescent City’s rich heritage and vibrant present.
Top 10 Things to Do in New Orleans’ Garden District
1. Self-guided walking tour of historic mansions
The Garden District offers visitors a perfect setting for exploring grand antebellum mansions at their own pace. This NOLA neighborhood sits just miles from Bourbon Street but feels completely different.
Walking tours reveal stunning homes with fascinating stories. Visitors can discover mansions connected to famous people like Anne Rice and Nicolas Cage. The tree-lined streets showcase beautiful architecture from the 1800s.
Free walking tour maps are available online to help guide the route. These maps point out 18 key locations throughout the district. Travelers can spend several hours wandering between the most impressive historic homes and taking photos.
2. Visit Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 stands as one of NOLA’s most historic burial grounds in the Garden District. Founded in 1833, this cemetery holds over 7,000 people in its above-ground tombs.
The cemetery features nearly 500 wall vaults and 1,100 family tombs. These raised structures exist because of the Crescent City’s high water table, which makes traditional underground burial difficult.
Visitors can explore the cemetery’s unique architecture and learn about early Irish and German settlers who made the Big Easy their home. The site appears on the National Register of Historic Places for its cultural importance.
3. Shop and dine on Magazine Street
Magazine Street runs six miles through the heart of the Big Easy’s most charming neighborhoods. This famous street connects the Garden District to downtown NOLA with an amazing mix of local shops and restaurants.
Visitors can browse vintage stores, art galleries, and specialty boutiques along the entire stretch. The street features both independent shops and family-owned businesses that showcase the Crescent City’s unique character.
Food lovers will find everything from casual cafes to fine dining restaurants. Local bakeries, coffee shops, and grab-and-go spots make it easy to fuel up while exploring the area.
4. Ride the St. Charles Avenue streetcar
The St. Charles Avenue streetcar offers visitors a perfect way to explore NOLA’s Garden District. This historic line has been running since 1835, making it one of the oldest streetcar systems in the world.
Travelers can board at the corner of St. Charles Avenue and Common Street near the French Quarter. The 40-minute journey takes riders through beautiful neighborhoods filled with historic mansions and oak trees.
The streetcar passes directly through the Garden District, allowing passengers to see stunning Victorian homes and local landmarks. Visitors can hop off at any stop to explore the area on foot, then catch the next streetcar to continue their tour of the Crescent City.
5. Explore beautiful oak-lined streets
The Garden District’s oak-lined streets create one of NOLA’s most peaceful walking experiences. These ancient oak trees form natural canopies over quiet sidewalks and historic homes.
St. Charles Avenue stands out as the main oak-lined street in the area. Visitors can walk beneath towering branches that have shaded the Crescent City for over a century.
The tree-lined paths connect different parts of the district together. Magazine Street also features oak trees mixed with local shops and restaurants.
These shaded streets stay cooler during hot Louisiana summers. The Big Easy’s oak trees provide natural beauty that makes walking through the neighborhood feel like stepping back in time.
6. Tour the Buckner Mansion
The Buckner Mansion stands as one of the most popular attractions in the Big Easy’s Garden District. Located at 1410 Jackson Avenue, this grand home catches the eye of every visitor who walks by.
Henry Sullivan Buckner built this mansion when he owned plantations, warehouses, and ships throughout the area. His wealth from these businesses allowed him to create one of the most impressive homes on Jackson Avenue.
Many people recognize the mansion from the TV show American Horror Story. The house appeared in seasons three and eight of the series, making it a must-see spot for fans.
Visitors can view the mansion from the street during self-guided walking tours of the Garden District. The beautiful design and rich history make it a perfect photo opportunity in NOLA.
7. Photography at Prytania Theatre
The Prytania Theatre offers unique photo opportunities in the heart of NOLA’s Garden District. This historic single-screen cinema has operated for over 100 years, making it the longest continually running movie theater in the South.
The theater’s vintage exterior provides a perfect backdrop for street photography. Its classic marquee and old-fashioned facade capture the authentic charm of The Big Easy’s uptown area.
Inside, photographers can document the unspoiled interior that maintains its original character. The single-screen layout and traditional movie theater design create nostalgic shots that tell the story of Crescent City’s entertainment history.
The theater sits near Tulane and Loyola campuses, surrounded by typical Hollywood South (New Orleans) architecture that adds context to photos.
8. Enjoy a beignet flight at Commander’s Palace
Commander’s Palace stands as one of the most famous restaurants in NOLA’s Garden District. The restaurant sits on Washington Avenue in a beautiful Victorian mansion.
Visitors can enjoy a special beignet flight that features different flavors and styles. Each beignet comes with its own unique topping or filling.
The restaurant serves these warm, fluffy treats alongside their famous brunch menu. The beignet flight lets guests taste several varieties at once.
Commander’s Palace has been serving the Crescent City for over 130 years. Their beignet flight puts a fancy twist on the classic New Orleans treat that locals and tourists love.
9. Visit the Garden District Book Shop
The Historic Garden District Book Shop offers a cozy spot for book lovers exploring the Big Easy. This charming local bookstore focuses on works by New Orleans authors and topics about the Crescent City’s unique culture.
Visitors can browse shelves filled with books about NOLA’s history, food, and traditions. The shop carries both new and used books, making it perfect for finding rare titles about the area.
The friendly staff knows the local literary scene well. They can recommend books that capture the spirit of New Orleans and help visitors understand the city’s rich culture better.
10. Attend a local art gallery
The Big Easy offers several art galleries within walking distance of the Garden District. Visitors can explore contemporary works and local artists’ pieces at these cultural spaces.
Magazine Street runs along the Garden District’s edge and features multiple gallery options. Art lovers will find paintings, sculptures, and mixed media displays from both emerging and established artists.
NOLA’s gallery scene blends traditional Southern art with modern styles. Many galleries showcase work that reflects the city’s unique culture and history.
Gallery hours vary, but most open Tuesday through Saturday. Some spaces host opening receptions and special events that let visitors meet the artists directly.
Conclusion
The Garden District stands as one of NOLA’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Its historic mansions and tree-lined streets offer a peaceful escape from the busy French Quarter.
Visitors can easily spend a full day exploring Magazine Street’s shops and restaurants. The area’s walking tours reveal fascinating stories about the grand homes and their former residents.
This charming district shows why the Big Easy attracts millions of tourists each year. The Garden District perfectly captures the elegance and history that make the Crescent City so special.
