Guide to the Garden District

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.

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.

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.

Chocolate, vanilla, sweet potato – oh, my! Satisfy your sweet tooth at the Cupcake Collection on Magazine Street. Flavors rotate daily and include vegan and gluten-free options. Scoop up a half dozen for the road – you won’t be sorry.

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 Another Broken Egg Café.

It’s island time all the time at The Rum House New Orleans. Grab a seat on the outdoor picnic benches and order a selection of tacos, which include red curried lamb, chili glazed shrimp and Carolina BBQ, to name a few. The drinks are cold and can be served by the glass or the half gallon. Pro tip: Visit on Taco Tuesday for $3 tacos and beers, plus $5 house margaritas.

Relax on the patio with burgers and beer at The Bulldog. Order straight from the grill and stop in for happy hour from 2-7 p.m. Monday through Friday for 50 cents off pints, $1 off pitchers and $4 house wines. Complete with flat-screen TVs and a beer-tap fountain, The Bulldog is the perfect spot for unwinding on a day well spent in the Garden District (cue the crawfish banditos).

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, DNO and Fleurty Girl for New Orleans finds and Lionheart Prints for all your stationery needs. Learn more about shopping on Magazine here.