The Garden District is one of New Orleans' most distinctive residential neighborhoods, developed from the 1830s onward as a showcase for wealthy American merchant families who settled upriver from the French Creole Quarter. Unlike the compact Creole townhouses of the French Quarter, the Garden District features large Greek Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne mansions set back from wide sidewalks on landscaped lots, many with wraparound galleries, formal gardens, and decorative iron fencing. The neighborhood is bounded roughly by St. Charles Avenue, Magazine Street, Jackson Avenue, and Louisiana Avenue. St. Charles Avenue itself is one of the most scenic streetcar corridors in the United States, and its live oak canopy, historic mansions, and stone churches make it a visual attraction independent of the neighborhood walks. The most rewarding walking section lies between Jackson Avenue and Louisiana Avenue, particularly along Prytania Street and Coliseum Street. Architectural highlights include Colonel Short's Villa on Prytania Street, notable for its cast-iron cornstalk fence — one of only two such fences in New Orleans; Commander's Palace, the Victorian landmark restaurant at Washington Avenue and Coliseum; and the former home of novelist Anne Rice at 1239 First Street. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, located on Washington Avenue inside the neighborhood, is one of the city's historic above-ground cemeteries and freely accessible. A self-guided architectural walk of the core streets takes approximately 1.5 to 2 hours at a leisurely pace. Visitors who combine a Garden District walk with a ride on the St. Charles streetcar from Canal Street have a half-day itinerary covering two of New Orleans' most storied experiences. Guided walking tours averaging 2 hours depart from Magazine Street and cover the neighborhood's social history and architectural development in substantial detail. Morning light on weekdays illuminates the white-painted facades at their best, and foot traffic remains low before 10 AM.
Good to know
- Hours
- Self-guided anytime; guided tours typically 10 AM–12 PM
- Best time
- Morning for soft light on mansions; weekdays for quieter streets
Location
St. Charles Ave & Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130
29.9283, -90.0843 View on map
Highlights
- Greek Revival and Italianate antebellum mansions on Prytania and Coliseum Streets
- Colonel Short's Villa cast-iron cornstalk fence, one of only two in New Orleans
- Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 — a free, historic above-ground cemetery within the neighborhood
- St. Charles Avenue streetcar ride through a canopy of centuries-old live oaks
- Commander's Palace Victorian restaurant landmark at Washington Avenue and Coliseum
Tips for visiting
- Ride the St. Charles streetcar ($1.25/ride) from Canal Street to Washington Avenue — the ride is a sightseeing experience in itself
- Guided walking tours depart from Magazine Street near Commander's Palace; tickets cost $20–$30 per person
- Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is freely accessible and rarely crowded — visit early morning for atmospheric light
- Prytania Street between Washington and Third Avenue is the most architecturally dense stretch; concentrate time here
- All mansions in the district are private residences; remain on public sidewalks and avoid entering private drives
When to visit
Weekday mornings offer the quietest streets and the best soft light for photographing mansion facades. Spring (March–April) brings blooming gardens behind the iron fences; fall provides cooler walking temperatures.
Accessibility
St. Charles Avenue and the main cross streets have standard sidewalks with curb cuts at major intersections. Some side blocks have uneven brick or root-heaved pavement that can be challenging for wheelchairs. Lafayette Cemetery has a flat, accessible main entrance path.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a Garden District walk take?
A self-guided walk of the main streets takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Guided tours last approximately 2 hours. Adding a streetcar ride from Canal Street and a stop at Lafayette Cemetery extends the outing to a comfortable half day.
Is the Garden District free to visit?
Self-guided walking of the neighborhood is entirely free. Lafayette Cemetery is free to enter. Guided walking tours cost $20–$30 per person depending on the operator. The St. Charles streetcar costs $1.25 per ride.
Is photography allowed in the Garden District?
Photography from public sidewalks is unrestricted throughout the neighborhood. The mansions and cemetery make excellent subjects. Remain on public property when photographing private residences.