New Orleans Neighborhoods
What Makes New Orleans Unique? Its Neighborhoods.
Every New Orleans neighborhood has its own personality. Start here and find yours.
The French Quarter
The heart of New Orleans—music, food, history, culture and just the right amount of chaos. Best for: First-time visitors
Faubourg Marigny and Bywater
Where locals go for live music, colorful streets, and a more laid-back vibe.
Best for: Music + nightlife
Uptown and Carrollton
Ride the streetcar, wander under oak trees, and experience classic New Orleans living. Best for: Classic New Orleans feel
The Garden District
Grand homes, oak-lined streets, and a slower, more elegant side of the city.
Best for: Architecture + strolling
New Orleans Neighborhoods Worth Exploring
New Orleans isn’t really one city in the way most people think of a city. It’s a collection of neighborhoods, and each one has its own personality. You can walk a few blocks and suddenly feel like you’ve wandered into a completely different part of town.
The French Quarter
For most visitors, the French Quarter is where the New Orleans adventure begins. This is the oldest part of the city, with its iron balconies, courtyards, historic buildings, restaurants, bars and music pouring out onto the streets. Yes, Bourbon Street is here, but there’s a whole lot more to the Quarter than Bourbon.
Marigny and Bywater
Just downriver from the French Quarter are the Faubourg Marigny and Bywater, two neighborhoods known for colorful houses, neighborhood bars, restaurants and a strong local music scene. Frenchmen Street is the big attraction, especially if you’re looking for live music without having to spend the evening on Bourbon Street.
Garden District and Uptown
Head upriver and you’ll find the Garden District, famous for its magnificent historic homes, large oak trees and beautiful gardens. Nearby Uptown gives you a very different look at New Orleans, with neighborhood restaurants, shops and the St. Charles Avenue streetcar rolling past some of the city’s grandest homes.
Tremé
Tremé is one of the most important neighborhoods in the history of New Orleans music and culture. Located just north of the French Quarter, Tremé has deep connections to jazz, African American history, Mardi Gras Indians and the traditions that helped shape the city’s unique culture.
Mid-City
Mid-City is another neighborhood worth exploring, especially if you want to see a part of New Orleans that feels more residential. It’s home to City Park, the New Orleans Museum of Art and the historic Bayou St. John area, along with plenty of neighborhood restaurants and bars.
Lakefront
The Lakefront offers a completely different side of New Orleans. Along Lake Pontchartrain, you’ll find scenic views, walking and biking paths, fishing, boating and places to enjoy a meal overlooking the water. It’s a nice change of pace from the busy streets of the French Quarter and a reminder that New Orleans isn’t just about the Mississippi River—the lake is an important part of the city’s character, too.
Not Sure Where to Start?
If it’s your first visit, start with the French Quarter, then branch out from there.
Looking for something more local? Head to the Marigny or Mid-City.
