10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in New Orleans

The French Quarter is the choice if you only need to see a single neighbourhood during your trip to New Orleans. Called “the Crown Jewel of New Orleans,” this neighbourhood on the banks of the Mississippi River is the heart of all things historic in The Big Easy.

The French Quarter attracts tons of visitors who all want a taste of the famous New Orleans lifestyle and especially the aspects that the city is most known for, from the Creole and Cajun cuisine to the live jazz music to the voodoo shops to the endless places to grab a drink. You’ll find all this and more in the French Quarter.

Faubourg Marigny, often just shortened to “Marigny”, sits east of the French Quarter and is an official historic district of New Orleans. The triangular neighbourhood is known for its blend of eclectic cultural aspects.

Marigny is where you’ll see more of the Cajun and jazz-centric culture New Orleans is known for, without much of the tourist trappings that you’ll find alongside it in the French Quarter. Top spots to visit include the Marigny Opera House and the Frenchmen Art Market where you can pick up unique, handmade souvenirs.

The Garden District is known as one of New Orleans’ most picturesque neighbourhoods, filled with historic mansions, striking cemeteries and ancient trees lining the streets. If you’re looking for a quieter spot in the city, this is the place to go, as it offers a more laid-back vibe than some of the more party-centric neighbourhoods. Even so, it still provides plenty of dining and shopping options.

Highlights of the Garden District include the Briggs-Staub House, built in 1849, as well as the many great brunch spots along Magazine Street.

Carrollton, often combined with Uptown New Orleans, is a huge neighbourhood, stretching dozens of city blocks in each direction from the Mississippi to the multiple interstates that criss-cross the city. More of a residential neighbourhood, Carrollton encompasses the Audubon Zoo.

If you don’t fancy a trip to see the animals during your visit, you can also enjoy the area’s many clothing and lifestyle boutiques, live music venues and Creole restaurants. Oak Street, in particular, is a great place for indie clothes stores while Palmer Park hosts a monthly art market.

Mid-City is bordered by several popular spots in New Orleans so it would be no surprise if you found yourself wandering its streets during your visit. You’ve got the French Quarter to the south, City Park with its children’s and art museums to the northeast, and Metairie Cemetery to the northwest.

City Park is by far the most popular draw in Mid-City and, after you visit the park’s museums, botanical garden, lake and amusement park, the surrounding restaurants will help you cap off an enjoyable day full of Mid-City fun.

Bywater is, as you probably guessed, located ‘by the water’. This L-shaped neighbourhood is flanked by the Mississippi River on 1 side, a canal on the other, with the Marigny neighbourhood on a third. But beyond waterway views and ample green space at Crescent Park, this hip neighbourhood also offers bohemian-style restaurants and bars, a popular food hall at St. Roch Market and lots of fun, photo-worthy street art.

A word of advice: stick to the southern portion of the neighbourhood to find the most traveller-ready fun; the northern portion is home to fewer restaurants, bars and shops.

New Orleans’ Central Business District isn’t just for business. This French Quarter-bordering neighbourhood is home to lots of can’t-miss attractions for many travellers, including the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the National World War II Museum, and Harrah’s Casino New Orleans.

You’ll find plenty of shopping in the Central Business District, as well as quieter restaurants and bars than you get in the French Quarter. If it’s a peaceful night’s sleep you want, you can take your pick of popular hotel brands that cater to more business clientele than partiers.

South of the Garden District, the Irish Channel was home to Irish immigrants in the 19th century. Now, the neighbourhood is known for local-favourite restaurants and bars, as well as a fair number of craft breweries. Check out Miel Brewery and NOLA Brewery to start and then move on to some of the area’s many outdoor dining options.

Don’t forget to check out the antique stores and other boutiques as you stroll the residential streets lined with colourful cottages. Some of which still proudly sport the Irish flag, showcasing the neighbourhood’s lasting links to the emerald isle.

Freret is a smallish neighbourhood that sits just outside Carrollton and that’s best known for the Freret Commercial Corridor. Located on Freret Street, it encompasses a surprising number of restaurants, bars, music venues and shopping options for its size. You can visit Freret and stay strictly on this street to experience the best the neighbourhood offers.

If you’re visiting on the first Saturday of the month, be sure to check out Freret Market. Otherwise, stop by some of the top restaurants on the main street, including Dat Dog, High Hat and Company Burger.

Situated next to Mid-City, Bayou St. John is a New Orleans neighbourhood that takes its name from the swampy area it sits on. You may find yourself inadvertently visiting if you make your way to City Park, but stick around to see what else you can discover.

The bayou is the focal point of the area. It’s popular with kayakers, but pedestrians can see it from Cabrini Bridge, too. For the history buffs, the Creole Pilot House is a must-visit, with its 1700s architecture and on-site museum.