Garden District, New Orleans guide

New Orleans’ merchant class built many of the Garden District’s landmark homes in the Victorian, Greek Revival and Italianate styles popular in the 19th century. A walking tour is the best way to take them in. Admire the wraparound porches, fluted columns and ornate facades — either on a guided tour or by yourself with the aid of a downloadable map.

The historic St Charles Streetcar is a fun way to get around the Garden District or connect to other New Orleans neighbourhoods. Launched in 1835, it claims to be the longest continuously operating streetcar in the world, and even today, it retains its vintage look. Treat yourself to a day pass for just three US dollars ($).

You’ve probably seen Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 on screen — maybe in ‘Interview with the Vampire’ (its author, Anne Rice, lived nearby) or a New Kids on the Block video. Established in 1833, it holds over 1,000 tombs, most above ground. Call ahead before visiting, as it’s often closed for maintenance.

Audubon Park is a short streetcar ride away from the Garden District and is well worth the trip if you’ve got kids in tow. The expansive green space has oak-shaded walking paths and picnic areas, plus a zoo whose residents include adorable capybaras, rare white rhinos, spider monkeys and more.

You’ll find few formal museums in the Garden District, but nearby Magazine Street features galleries spotlighting New Orleans artists. Stop by the Garden District Book Shop for author events or the century-old Prytania Theatre for a film. Just beyond the neighbourhood, the admission-free Newcomb Art Museum of Tulane makes for a worthwhile detour.

The Garden District is one of New Orleans’ top dining neighbourhoods, where classic Southern cooking meets modern creativity. Among the best restaurants in the Garden District, Commander’s Palace has been serving refined Creole dishes since 1893. Don’t miss its famed jazz brunch, rich turtle soup and the city’s most celebrated bread pudding soufflé.

Nightlife in the Garden District is relaxed compared to Bourbon Street, favouring locals’ bars over yard-long daiquiris and dance clubs. Along St Charles Avenue and Magazine Street, you’ll find everything from casual taprooms to stylish wine bars. Catch live jazz at The Pontchartrain Hotel’s lobby bar, then head upstairs for rooftop cocktails and city views.

Magazine Street is the Garden District’s main drag for shopping and browsing. Stretching for several kilometres, it’s lined with independent boutiques, antique shops and art galleries housed in restored 19th-century buildings. You’ll find designer fashion beside vintage treasures, as well as plenty of cafes and bakeries where you can pause between stops to people-watch over coffee.

While Mardi Gras dominates New Orleans each winter, the parade route only skirts the Garden District along St Charles Avenue. Locals line the oak-shaded street to watch floats roll by in late January or February. Year-round, the neighbourhood’s true showcase is its grand mansions — step inside during Christmas tours to see them dressed for the season.