St. Charles Streetcar

The St. Charles Streetcar, which runs along St. Charles Avenue from Canal Street through the Central Business District, the Lower Garden District, the Garden District and Uptown in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world, with service dating back to the 1830s. The line is a National Historic Landmark, and its deep-green cars with mahogany seats and brass fittings are a symbol of the city. A ride through the full route takes about an hour end to end, and the cars pass under a canopy of live oaks past historic mansions, Lee Circle, Loyola and Tulane universities and Audubon Park. Visitors can ride the line as transport to the Garden District, Audubon Zoo, Magazine Street shops and the Riverbend neighborhood, or ride simply to enjoy the scenery. Fares are $1.25 per ride in exact change, and visitors can also use the Le Pass app for Jazzy Passes, with a one-day pass costing about $3 and a three-day pass about $9. The line operates around the clock, with reduced frequency overnight, and schedule updates are posted at norta.com. The best views are from the open windows on the side facing the mansions, and photographers favor the oak-lined stretch near Washington Avenue and the Tulane campus. Crowds are heaviest on weekends, in the late morning and in the afternoon rush, and the cars can be standing-room-only at those times. Weekdays outside rush hours and early mornings are more comfortable, and riding the full loop and back gives a good overview of the city. Visitors are encouraged to hold on when the car lurches, to keep a seat open for others and to ring the bell at stops. Service has sometimes been disrupted for track work or events, so checking service alerts before riding is recommended.