Schmap New Orleans Neighborhood Guide

New Orleans - Neighborhood Guide
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Locals say that the South ends fifty miles north of New Orleans. In many ways, that is true. This city is home to a diverse music culture, world-renowned cuisine, voodoo, and Mardi Gras, one of the world's largest parties. New Orleans' colorful constitution incorporates French, Spanish, Caribbean, Italian, Irish, and West African influences into one big jambalaya. The result is a red-hot town that can be everything from difficult to magical. New Orleans is a relatively small city with little concern for what goes on outside it. Hardly anything ever changes in New Orleans, which suits the locals just fine. In the summertime, heat rouses the scent of everything from magnolia blossoms to fresh-boiled crawfish, and contributes a comfortable laziness to the New Orleans' attitude. Part of the city's charm lies in its laid-back, anti-serious manner toward almost everything. You can blame the laissez-faire attitude of the city on the heat, but this approach has become part of the culture. In New Orleans, there is always a tomorrow for what they have to do today, and that is what makes this city so fun and relaxing.

Getting Around

Once you reach New Orleans, you can take a cab to almost anywhere in the city for a flat rate of about $25. If you are heading to one of the major hotels, you can take the airport shuttle, which costs about $15. Renting a car is also an option, but if you are planning to stay in the city center for most of your visit, it is best to leave the car behind and avoid the costly parking and potentially perilous New Orleans streets. If you do opt to mosey about town in a vehicle, keep in mind that these city drivers exhibit a tendency toward risky driving methods.

Public transportation in New Orleans consists of the streetcar line and the bus system. Though Public transportation is not the most reliable form of travel, in many cases it can take you where you want to go for only a $1.25. If, of course, you need to get somewhere quickly, or if you're traveling late at night, it is best to take a cab.

A good way to sightsee is to take the streetcar line, which is the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world. Three streetcar routes operate in the city. The #12 St. Charles line begins at Canal Street, travels the length of St. Charles Avenue, and terminates at the intersection of South Carrolton and South Claiborne Avenues. The #2 Riverfront Streetcar Line travels the entire length of the French Quarter, along the riverfront, from Esplanade Avenue to Tchoupitoulas Street where the Morial Convention Center is located. Finally, the #48 Esplanade line departs from intersection of North Rampart and Canal Streets, travels the length of Esplanade Avenue, and terminates at City Park and the St Louis Cemetery. Bus and streetcar fares are $1.25 and exact change is required. Visitor passes offer unlimited rides for a flat fee: a one-day pass is $4, a three-day pass is $8. Passes are available at most major hotels and at New Orleans Tours and Gray Line Tours locations.

French Quarter

The French Quarter, or Vieux Carre in French, is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. It lies in the crescent of the Mississippi River and consists of fairly narrow streets, reminiscent of European city planning, that contain hidden courtyards thatlook up to wrought iron balconies. The architecture in the Quarter typically dates to the late Eighteenth and early Nineteenth centuries, and draws on French and Spanish influences. In daytime, the French Quarter, especially the area around Jackson Square, is filled with tourists, street performers, and the occasional conman. At night, the French Quarter transforms into the stereotypical party scene. Barhopping college students, adventurous suburbanites, tourists, and practitioners of the world's oldest profession all populate the area until the wee hours.

Lower Canal Street

Once the main shopping district of New Orleans, lined with popular department stores and theaters, Canal Street lost much of its grandeur to a sluggish economy in the 70s and 80s. Today, Harrah's New Orleans and an expanded convention center have helped this part of Canal Street to develop into a ten block strip of hotels, T-shirt shops and electronics stores. The Riverwalk Market Place, which is near the aquarium and convention center, also makes this a popular stop for tourists.

Central Business District

The scattered, mismatched skyscrapers and superbly odd-shaped Superdomeof the Central Business District form the recognizable skyline of New Orleans. Several modern hotels, as well as older and established hotels like the Fairmont Hotel, are in the heart of the CBD and the New Orleans' business community. Bustling during the day with local businesspeople, this area lulls at night, with the exception of the restored Orpheum Theatre and its acclaimed New Orleans Symphony. Since the district is relatively empty at night, many of the guests from the hotels in the neighborhood head for the Quarter.

Garden District

This is the premier New Orleans residential neighborhood, boasting the tremendous oak tree lined Saint Charles Avenue as its most-famed street, with home after home epitomizing the antebellum's Greek Revival architecture. Only a walking tour will do this dazzling district the justice it deserves. If you visit the city, you must see the lush, overgrown gardens and grand mansions that line these streets. The Garden District has many well-known residents, including Trent Reznor, Archie Manning, and Anne Rice, the famous author of many vampire novels.

Mid-City

Mid-City usually goes unnoticed by the average tourist until Jazz Fest, when thousands of eager visitors, bedecked in shorts and tank tops, crowd onto the Esplanade bus to reach the New Orleans Fairgrounds. Quiet and verdant with trees, Mid-City attracts locals to its wide offering of moderately priced restaurants, City Park, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. For tourists, Mid-City is home to impressive aboveground cemeteries, including Metairie Cemetery, Oddfellow's Rest and St. Louis Cemetery #3.

Uptown

Oak lined streets, Victorian mansions, and college cafes are staples of New Orleans' thriving Uptown neighborhood. St. Charles Avenue and Pyrtania Street offer examples of Colonial Revival architecture. The neighborhood is also home to Tulane and Loyola Universities. In addition to the mansions and universities, many pleasant coffee shops, antique stores, and restaurants crowd the small spaces between the fantastic homes of New Orleans' upper class. Plenty of fit and tanned residents jog the two miles through Uptown's gorgeous, Spanish moss-filled Audubon Park each morning.

Warehouse District

Having outgrown the once-appropriate title, this historical New Orleans' neighborhood is no longer frequented by blue-collar factory workers. Instead, it is now a vibrant arts district populated by the city's young professionals. Some of the best art galleries in the city sit beside restaurants that offer excellent cuisine. In addition, locals and tourists crowd into the streets of the district during festivals such as Art for Art's Sake, when plenty of wine, cheese, gumbo, and art clutter the sidewalks and the shops.

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French Quarter

The French Quarter, or Vieux Carre in French, is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. It lies in the crescent of the Mississippi River and consists of fairly narrow streets, reminiscent of European city planning, that reveal hidden courtyards and look up to wrought iron balconies. The architecture in the Quarter typically dates to the late 18th- and early 19th-centuries, and draws on French and Spanish influences. In daytime, the French Quarter, especially the area around Jackson Square, is filled with tourists, street performers, and the occasional conman. At night, the French Quarter transforms into the stereotypical party scene. Barhopping college students, adventurous suburbanites, tourists, and practitioners of the world's oldest profession all populate the area until the wee hours.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Steve

Photo: iamcliff

Photo: Jennifer Patton

Photo: Mike DelGaudio

Photo: Pete Mandik

Photo: Kim Kight

French Quarter photo by david hornbuckle

Photo: david hornbuckle

Photo: coolmumu

Photo: bobbi studstill

Photo: Hanako

Photo: Azhar Elmiza

Photo: Jeremy Martin

Photo: Ryan Murphy

Photo: Hilde Cotton

Photo: Kevin Jahnke

Photo: CJN Photography

Photo: Jim Terhurne

Photo: Suchun Chen

Photo: mango house

French Quarter photo by Amanda L. Caskey

Photo: Amanda L. Caskey

Garden District

This is the premier New Orleans residential neighborhood, boasting the tremendous oak tree lined Saint Charles Avenue as its most-famed street, and home after home epitomizing the antebellum's Greek Revival architecture. Only a walking tour will do this dazzling district the justice it deserves. If you visit the city, you must see the lush, overgrown gardens and grand mansions that line these streets. The Garden District has many well-known residents, including Trent Reznor, Archie Manning, and Anne Rice, the famous author of many vampire novels.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Chad Woolley
Photo: Andrew Caddock
Photo: Alexander Stage
Photo: Victoria H.
Photo: jacksbackw
Photo: Carol Schiraldi
Photo: Barbara Smith
Photo: Jennifer Pack

Photo: Bill Jensen
Photo: megananne
Photo: Llima Orosa
Photo: Dave Gibson
Photo: Bonnie Willimott
Photo: David Zandman
Photo: Ryan Kruse
Photo: dustinpsmith

Photo: LeeAnne Miller
Photo: Georgia Ewen-Campen
Photo: timc74
Photo: Silas Reeves

Mid-City

Mid-City usually goes unnoticed by the average tourist until Jazz Fest, when thousands of eager visitors, bedecked in shorts and tank tops, crowd onto the Esplanade bus to reach the New Orleans Fairgrounds. Quiet and verdant with trees, Mid-City attracts locals to its wide offering of moderately priced restaurants, City Park, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. For tourists, Mid-City is home to impressive aboveground cemeteries, including Metairie Cemetery, Oddfellow's Rest and St. Louis Cemetery #3.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Bart
Photo: Jac Currie

New Orleans

New Orleans is comparable to a good cup of the native's stew, gumbo: a vibrant mix of European and African ingredients, with a pinch of something secret. After much time simmering the result is an experience warm, soulful and wholly unique.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Brad Higginbotham
Photo: michelle chau
Photo: Mark Richards
Photo: Daina

Uptown

Oak lined streets, Victorian mansions, and college cafes are staples of New Orleans' thriving Uptown neighborhood. St. Charles Avenue and Pyrtania Street offer examples of Colonial Revival architecture. The neighborhood is also home to Tulane and Loyola Universities. In addition to the mansions and universities, many pleasant coffee shops, antique stores, and restaurants crowd the small spaces between the fantastic homes of New Orleans' upper class. Plenty of fit and tanned residents jog the two miles through Uptown's gorgeous, Spanish moss-filled Audubon Park each morning.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Brian Fisher
Photo: Hermann Alb
Photo: Aaron Giambattista
Photo: Annamarie B
Photo: James McDermott
Photo: Tony Vanky
Photo: Christine Barton-Holmes
Photo: justanuptowngirl (ja

Photo: Rebecca
Photo: anthony posey
Photo: scottandmario
Photo: Rex Dingler

Warehouse District

Having outgrown the once-appropriate title, this historic New Orleans' neighborhood is no longer frequented by blue-collar factory workers. Instead, it is now a vibrant arts district populated by the city's young professionals. Some of the best art galleries in the city sit beside restaurants that offer excellent cuisine. In addition, locals and tourists crowd into the streets of the district during festivals such as Art for Art's Sake, when plenty of wine, cheese, gumbo, and art clutter the sidewalks and the shops.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Tony Seneadza
Photo: Hamutal Davidi
Photo: Allen Frost
Photo: Joel Mann
Photo: Christina L. Jacobs
Photo: anilinet2k
Photo: Catherine R. Wygal

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