Few sights are more iconic-New Orleans than the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar, which spans Uptown to downtown and runs right through the Garden District. Look out your window for a view of grand New Orleans architecture. For only $1.25 cash, the ride pays for itself.
Gracious Bakery is your go-to for coffee on St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District, with cold brew, lattes, Vietnamese iced coffee and more. You won’t be able to resist their vast selection of homemade pastries and desserts, which include donuts, pies, croissants and various breads. Stick around for lunch, or continue your day exploring the Garden District.
Neighborhood book shops are always worth checking out, and Garden District Book Shop is no different. Peruse local titles, national releases, limited editions and vintage copies. Readers of all ages will delight in the selection. Another huge bonus? There's an on-site bar (Bar Epilogoue) where you can grab a glass of wine or cocktail to sip while you read, or you can get coffee, pastries, or a light lunch just downstairs at The Chicory House.
Commander’s Palace is the quintessential New Orleans dining experience. Nestled in the Garden District since 1893, it’s hard to miss the iconic blue and white façade. Visit for dinner or brunch on the weekends and indulge in their award-winning cuisine, which includes Creole favorites such as turtle soup, Gulf seafood gumbo and pecan-crusted Gulf redfish. Check out the dress code here and make your reservation in advance. Looking for something more casual? Le Petit Bleu is their adjacent cafe and quick-service bistro, where you can duck in and get a quick bite to eat.
Lined with larger-than-life mansions, double-gallery houses and colorful cottages, there’s a story behind every home in New Orleans. Just walking the neighborhood, you’re bound to come across homes that’ll make you swoon. Get a taste of the architecture here, then plan to bake some time into your itinerary for a leisurely stroll.
Between breakfast burritos, eggs Benedict, and hot chicken honey butter French toast biscuits, you won’t go hungry on Magazine Street. Brunch isn’t a special occasion on the block, with many restaurants serving breakfast staples all day. A few of our favorite spots include District: Donuts.Sliders.Brew, Ruby Slipper Café, Molly’s Rise & Shine, and The Vintage.
The Garden District is full of local shops and unique finds. Magazine Street is your go-to, with Hemline for women’s clothing, Pippen Lane for children’s clothing (or Peony if you're shopping for both women AND children), Fleurty Girl for New Orleans finds, and Zéle for artwork from local artists. Learn more about shopping on Magazine here.
Relax on the patio with burgers and beer at The Bulldog, or check out the inventive hot dog menu at nearby Dat Dog. Satiate cravings for both Vietnamese and traditional po-boys at Bahn Mi Boys, or swing by Empanola, where you'll find delicious pockets of dough stuffed with everything from Peruvian chicken to crawfish etouffee, and chicken and andouille gumbo.
"Disney's The Haunted Mansion"... "American Horror Story: Coven"... "Your Honor"..."Mayfair Witches"... stroll around the Garden District long enough and you're sure you run into some familiar facades. The Buckner Mansion at 1410 Jackson Avenue may be among the most photographed, but spots like Commander's Palace, The Pontchartrain Hotel, and the Nolan House (or Benjamin Button House) at 2707 Coliseum Street are also noteworthy spots for movie and television fans. Whether it's movies or television, these famous filming locations definitely have main character energy.
There's no better way to cap off a day of neighborhood exploration than with a lil' sweet treat. Sucré has several locations throughout the city, but the original space on Magazine offers everything from gelato to handmade macarons and many glitter-dusted confections, all with a front-row view of the hustle and bustle of Magazine Street out front.