The Garden District is one of the most iconic and picturesque neighborhoods in New Orleans. Known for its distinct architecture, shopping and dining on Magazine Street, and the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, there's endless opportunities for fun. You don't have to break the bank either when exploring the sights, smells, and tastes of the neighborhood. Here are a few things to do in the Garden District under $50. 

$0-$10

Hop on the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar - $1.25

All aboard! Few sights are more iconic-New Orleans than the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar, which runs from Uptown to downtown and right through the Garden District. Look out your window for a view of grandiose New Orleans architecture. For only $1.25 cash, or $3 in the Le Pass app for an unlimited day pass, it’s something you can’t miss.

Upgrade: Let the streetcar take you to the city’s best watering holes! Find our New Orleans Streetcar Cocktail Crawl here.

Grab empanadas at Empanola - $4+

Empanola serves a Latin American dish with a New Orleans twist. Enjoy flavors like gumbo, crawfish étouffée, and shrimp and cheese alongside chicken Peruvian, beef Argentina, and chorizo Mexicana empanadas. Packed with flavor and served piping hot, these empanadas make for a great lunch, pick-me-up midday snack, or flavorful dinner.

Take Yourself on a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Historic Homes - $0

The Garden District is full of historic homes and properties, some you may even recognize from your favorite movies and tv shows. A few standouts are the Buckner Mansion, Commander’s Palace, and the Brevard-Rice House. Taking a stroll through the neighborhood gives you a great vantage point of the different architecture styles. Remember many of these are private homes, so admire from the sidewalk. See more of our self-guided architecture tour here. 

Upgrade: Want to leave the history to an expert? Book a guided tour through Cajun Encounters with prices starting at $30.

Snack on Caribbean tacos at The Rum House - $6+

The Rum House is a popular Caribbean-inspired restaurant with a New Orleans twist on Magazine Street. Enjoy jerk chicken and rasta tacos alongside fried oyster, fish, and shrimp tacos. To save a few bucks, Island Time happy hour is Monday – Friday, 3-6 p.m. with half off appetizers and drink specials. 

$10-$25

Grab coffee and crepes at Le Petit Bleu - $20

Le Petit Bleu is the casual counterpart to Commander’s Palace. Located next door, Le Petit Bleu looks like a Parisian café out of a children’s storybook. Painted inside and out with Commander’s “blue,” you can order off a small menu and shop Commander’s Palace goods and merchandise. It’s a great way to taste their famous Creole cuisine on a dime.

Upgrade: Just can’t get enough? Book a table at Commander’s Palace—we recommend going for lunch to get those 25-cent martinis. 

Shop for souvenirs on Magazine Street - $15+

Magazine Street is over six miles longs, and in the Garden District it’s lined with shops, restaurants, and bars. Shop stationery and knick-knacks at Slow Down art at Zele, and New Orleans-themed homeware at Fleurty Girl. Find the perfect piece of New Orleans to take back home with you.

Get stuffed in the Garden District! - $10+

Why have plain beignets and regular sno-balls when you can get them stuffed?! The Vintage is known for putting a twist on beignets by stuffing them with seasonal flavors like Nutella & strawberry, Chantilly, matcha, and pumpkin spiced cheesecake. Meanwhile at Get Stuffed by SNO-LA Snowballs, enjoy traditional New Orleans sno-balls stuffed with cheesecake! They also offer a savory menu with items like gumbo stuffed bread bowl and Cajun boudin stuffed peppers. Both places are on Magazine Street and within walking distance of one another—ideal for a day of decadent desserts.

$25-$50

Take a tour of the newly reopened Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 - $30

Explore Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 with Save Our Cemeteries, a department of the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans and the cemetery’s sole tour provider. This historic, city-owned cemetery was established in 1833 and offers a remarkable window into the people, traditions, and architecture that shaped New Orleans. Led by expert guides with deep knowledge of the city’s history and cemeteries, the tour brings Lafayette No. 1’s above-ground tombs, historic societies, and notable residents to life with thoughtful, historically grounded storytelling. See here for more information.

Go antique shopping - $25+

Step into the Magazine Antique Mall, Antiques on Jackson, or one of the many antique shops along Magazine Street in the Garden District. These stores are treasure troves filled with everything from knick knacks to vintage clothing to furniture. You never know what you might find!

Pick out a new book at Garden District Book Shop - $25+

Garden District Book Shop is easy to wander into and end up spending hours browsing and lounging. Local authors are on full display at this uniquely New Orleans bookstore. Events frequently bring booklovers to the store, and you can even grab a cocktail or a glass of wine in their cozy adjoining bar area. The Chicory House next door offers coffee, breakfast, and lunch to complete your shopping experience.

Find your newest outfit - $25+

Calling all shoppers! Find fun and zany clothing at Funky Monkey and Out of the Closet. Shop Halloween costumes, thrifted items, and everyday styles.