Garden District Travel Guide

New Orleans

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

This historic area was named to remember the plantation lands upon which the city was built.

Considered one of the prettiest and greenest districts of New Orleans, the Garden District exists on land which was once plantations. When the original plantations were subdivided, expensive homes were built on large parcels of land and surrounded by magnificent gardens, which is how the area got its name. Today you’ll find there’s still a large collection of original architecture in this Historic Landmark District.

The Garden District is a labyrinth of gardens, parks, canals and fountains. The layout is based on the original 1806 design by Barthelemy Lafon, a French architect who lived and worked in New Orleans. It’s dotted with charming shops that were once cottages and small homes. Many of these buildings still retain original 19th-century architecture. The Garden District embraced the Greek revival period of construction in the late 1830s. A good deal of the streets still bear the names of Greek muses.

Visit George Washington Cable House, a national monument on Eighth Street. Washington, an important figure in the history of Louisiana, was a writer who portrayed early Creole life. A little further south, be treated like a VIP at the Commander’s Palace, a celebrated restaurant built in the 1800s. It has a long and impressive history as the restaurant of choice in New Orleans and is now regularly ranked as one of America’s finest.

Shoppers will want to visit Magazine Street, a commercial avenue lined with souvenir shops, antiques halls and gourmet delis. Further north, St. Charles Avenue offers shopping of a different kind, with bed and breakfasts mingling with fashionable boutiques and trundling street cars.

Several public events are staged here during the year and visitors are always welcome. Dress like the undead for the Zombiefest parade every October, or sample the creations at the annual bake-off competition in July for a true taste of Southern hospitality.

The Garden District is a wonderful place for a stroll, and tours complete with information about the historic mansions are available. The neighborhood is easily accessible by bus or the St. Charles Streetcar Line and there’s plenty of on-street parking as well.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Garden District

Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
4 out of 5
717 Orleans St., New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿3,212 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
฿3,212
฿4,540 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this historic hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,909 reviews)
"My sister in law broke her foot and a couple of ribs getting off a cable car. The hotel help with much of what was needed to make her feel comfortable. Thank you, Elyse The sister who set up this trip for their 25th wedding anniversary."

Reviewed on 1 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 ฿2,819 per night from 8 Jul to 9 Jul
฿2,819
฿4,246 total
8 Jul - 9 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,156 reviews)
"The room could have been cleaner, especially the bathroom."

Reviewed on 30 Jun 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 ฿4,347 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
฿4,347
฿6,105 total
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! (1,639 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
The Westin New Orleans
The Westin New Orleans
4.5 out of 5
100 Rue Iberville, New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿3,536 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
฿3,536
฿5,313 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,874 reviews)
"Beautiful place to with family, very clean and good staff. Kudos!!"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

The Westin New Orleans
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! (1,770 reviews)
"The Nopsi hotel is the gem of the city! I loved staying at this hotel for a little staycation. It was very tranquil and the roof top pool was the highlight of my stay. The inside of this hotel is simply beautiful and swanky. The staff was very friendly, attentive and quickly responded to every request. ..."

Reviewed on 1 Jul 2025

NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans
Wyndham Garden Hotel Baronne Plaza
Wyndham Garden Hotel Baronne Plaza
3 out of 5
201 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿2,261 per night from 31 Jul to 1 Aug
฿2,261
฿2,672 total
31 Jul - 1 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star historic hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,017 reviews)
"This was a 1 day trip . This hotel is in a great spot close to Bourbon and other stuff. I will definitely stay at this hotel in the future."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Wyndham Garden Hotel Baronne Plaza
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

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(13 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

4/5(6 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 St Patricks Church 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