Garden District Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by New Orleans CVB / Chris Granger
Garden District
Garden District
Photo provided by New Orleans CVB / Pat Garin
Garden District

This green and pleasant district is an idea place for a stroll among magnificent mansions and beautiful parkland.

The Garden District has been created from the former plantation lands and is now designated a Historic Landmark District. Based on the original 1806 design by New Orleans architect Barthelemy Lafon, it encompasses lavish mansions and spectacular gardens, pretty cottages and ornately decorated villas, set amongst verdant parkland dotted with canals and fountains.

Many of the original 19th-century buildings are preserved, designed in the Greek revival style, and several of the streets are named after Greek muses. The smaller homes have been turned into delightful shops or bed-and-breakfast accommodation, while notable landmarks include the Anshe Sfard synagogue, Lafayette Cemetery No.1 and a historic skating rink now converted into a shopping mall with a difference.

George Washington Cable House commemorates one of Louisiana’s most influential writers, whose accounts of early Creole life have ensured this important era in the history of the state has been chronicled for posterity. His home on Eighth Street is now a national monument. The Commander’s Palace dates from the 1880s and has a long-standing reputation as one of the finest dining establishments in the whole of America.

Magazine Street is a haven for shopaholics, offering everything from local souvenirs and crafts, antiques and collectables to gourmet products, while stylish boutiques line St. Charles Avenue to the north. Stay in one of the charming bed and breakfasts on this fashionable avenue and wake up to the sound of traditional trams trundling past your window.

The Garden District is transformed every October by the quirky Zombiefest parade, when the undead take over the streets in a fancy-dress frenzy that channels the dark arts of Voodoo. The annual bake-off competition in July is an altogether cosier affair, showcasing the authentic taste of Southern hospitality.

Buses and trams serve the Garden District, and there is plenty of on-street parking. Take a leisurely stroll around this beautifully preserved neighbourhood, or join a tour to discover the history behind its manicured lawns and elegant facades.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Garden District Hotel Deals

Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
4 out of 5
717 Orleans St., New Orleans, LA
The price is AU$213 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
AU$213
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this historic hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,892 reviews)
"Loved the hotel. Clean and gorgeous. However, the walls were paper thin and we could hear every happy dog bark in the neighbor’s room when they went out for the night."

Reviewed on 4 Jul. 2025

Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
4 out of 5
124 Royal St, New Orleans, LA
The price is AU$200 per night from 7 July to 8 July
AU$200
7 July - 8 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,179 reviews)
"Right in the middle of everything."

Reviewed on 4 Jul. 2025

Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
New Orleans Marriott
New Orleans Marriott
4 out of 5
555 Canal St, New Orleans, LA
The price is AU$287 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
AU$287
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,643 reviews)
10 out of 10!
"One of my favorite hotels! Great staff, valet, and in room dining!"

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

New Orleans Marriott
Hyatt Centric French Quarter
Hyatt Centric French Quarter
4 out of 5
800 Iberville Street, New Orleans, LA
The price is AU$238 per night from 8 July to 9 July
AU$238
8 July - 9 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,630 reviews)
"This is my second time staying here and what a great hotel from the room to the staff and the bartenders. We had a walk out room to the pool and it was fabulous! Convenient to get anywhere from here!"

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

Hyatt Centric French Quarter
NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans
NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans
4.5 out of 5
317 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy 3 bars/lounges, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,774 reviews)
"The property was ok can use a makeover. I was in room 623 from 6/30-7/2 my room was comfortable but, both sinks in the bathroom were slow draining and the faucet to the left was loose. I noticed the hallways on that floor were not vacuumed. It also was a slight mildew/stale smell in the hallway. ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans
The Westin New Orleans
The Westin New Orleans
4.5 out of 5
100 Rue Iberville, New Orleans, LA
The price is AU$250 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
AU$250
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,875 reviews)
"Loved the complimentary drinks. Room service food was delicious."

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2025

The Westin New Orleans
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Garden District

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Irish Channel

If you're spending some time in Irish Channel, Magazine Street and Mississippi River are top sights worth seeing.

Irish Channel
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Central City

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Consider a visit to House of Broel's Victorian Mansion and Doll House Museum and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Central City. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at St. Charles at Felicity Stop or St. Charles at Euterpe Stop.

Central City
Mardi Gras World featuring interior views and art as well as an individual female

Lower Garden District

4/5(6 area reviews)

Travellers love Lower Garden District for its beautiful gardens, and you can see more of New Orleans by jumping on the metro at St. Charles at St. Andrew Stop or St. Charles at Josephine Stop. You might spend time checking out top sights like Port of New Orleans and National World War II Museum.

Lower Garden District
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Touro

While you're in Touro, take in top sights like Magazine Street or Touro Synagogue, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Saint Charles at Peniston Stop or Saint Charles at Constantinople Stop.

Touro
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Faubourg Lafayette

If you're spending time in Faubourg Lafayette, check out sights like Mckenna Museum of African American Art or Church of St. John the Baptist and hop on the metro to see more of the city at St. Charles at Melpomene Stop or Saint Charles at Martin Luther King Jr. Stop.

Faubourg Lafayette
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Arts/Warehouse District

3.5/5(2 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Arts/Warehouse District. Top attractions like National World War II Museum and The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk are major draws, and you can catch the metro at St. Charles at Julia Stop or Saint Charles at Saint Joseph Stop to see more of the city.

Arts/Warehouse District


Garden District Travel Guide

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