Neighborhoods in New Orleans

By Sarah Harris
Published: July 18, 2024

New Orleans is a major city in southeastern Louisiana with a rich colonial heritage. A popular tourist hub for many, The Big Easy encompasses a cluster of bustling urban neighborhoods and laid-back residential areas. Interesting things to do in the city run the gamut – from learning about the fascinating history of New Orleans at The Presbytère to catching a live jazz show in the Arts/Warehouse District, you should be spoilt for choice! No, really – trust us when we say that New Orleans provides ample opportunity for exploration and adventure. The top tourist attractions are scattered all over the city, so there’s no point in staying in one place – to get a full sense of what New Orleans is all about, we recommend getting out there so you can take it all in. If you’re still uncertain about how to go about sightseeing in New Orleans – don't worry, we’ve done all of the heavy lifting for you! To learn more about the best neighborhoods in the city, have a read through our list of the best places to check out in the area. However you choose to explore The Big Easy, we’re sure you’ll have a blast!

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The French Quarter

New Orleans features a lot fantastic attractions and events, many of which are concentrated in the French Quarter. As the historic and cultural heart of the city, the French Quarter is buzzing with life, making it a great place for sightseeing. Some of the area’s most popular attractions include The Presbytère, The Cabildo, and the French Market. And since this is New Orleans after all, the area is equally well-recognized for its vibrant nightlife – after dark, the French Quarter comes to life with areas like Bourbon Street and St. Ann Street being particularly well known for their dive bars and jazz clubs. Really the only downside of the French Quarter is that it is the busiest area of the city, so we don’t recommend it for those who aren’t good with crowds. Still, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned visitor to New Orleans, you’re sure to find something to pique your interest here.

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Treme

Those looking for history and culture in The Big Easy will be delighted by all that Tremé has to offer. As the oldest Black neighborhood in the United States, Tremé is perfect for those visitors of a curious mind. Tourists can learn more about the area’s unique background through its many cultural amenities, including the Backstreet Cultural Museum, Petit Jazz Museum and African American Museum. The neighborhood is known for its distinct feel and cool-but-casual attitude, making it great to explore on foot. Aside from its fantastic museums, Tremé offers some of the best food in the city – whether you’re looking for a quick bite or something a little more decadent, you’re sure to find something to pique your interest. Our favorite spots are Li’l Dizzy’s Café, Sweet Soulfood, and Gabrielle Restaurant. We suggest setting aside a whole day to explore this unique area, since there’s a lot to cover here.

The Garden District

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The Garden District is a wealthy and luxurious residential section of New Orleans well-known for its beautiful historic mansions and lush greenery. Anybody who comes to The Big Easy looking for incredible colonial architecture will enjoy touring the Garden District. Of course, you can take a casual stroll through the area to admire some of the homes, though we highly recommend booking a guided tour to learn more about the different styles of architecture which are common around this area. The houses are widely renowned for their beauty, and many of them are even owned by Hollywood celebrities. Aside from boasting some of America’s most stunning architecture, the Garden District is also a great place for avid shoppers, with Magazine Street offering a wide variety of high-end boutiques and eclectic stores to be enjoyed. Known for its awe-inspiring scenery and meticulous gardens, this spot is best explored on foot.

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The Warehouse District

Art enthusiasts will be in for a treat in New Orleans. Set in the heart of Downtown, the Arts/Warehouse District proves that the city's contributions to the art world go far beyond jazz. Renovated brick warehouses flank the streets, housing cutting-edge galleries, trendy sidewalk cafes and eclectic boutiques. By day, wander around the streets lined with colorful art, or visit the American Italian Cultural Center. When you’re done learning about the city, check out some of the most innovative restaurants in the area. We highly recommend Compère Lapin for its traditional flavors and sophisticated yet lively atmosphere. And once the sun sets, catch comedy acts and performance arts just a few blocks from Bourbon Street. A vibrant and fashionable area which still manages to retain much of its southern charm, this place is well worth the visit. We especially love this spot because it is continuously evolving, meaning that this is a great place for seasoned visitors to The Big Easy.

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Marigny/Bywater

New Orleans is a culture vulture’s delight. Often lumped together as one, the two side-by-side neighborhoods of Marigny and Bywater are known for their artisans’ galleries, live music venues and low-key vibe. Marigny is a colorful and friendly neighborhood with a lot to offer. On any given day, you’ll find sidewalk musicians and brass bands which characterize this lively urban area. We recommend checking out the Marigny Opera House and then heading Adolfo's for a bite to eat. Its close by neighbor Bywater is an artsy district of the Upper Ninth Ward, much-favored by creative types and food lovers. Highlights of this area include Frenchmen Street and St. Roch Market, a sprawling food market serving up authentic Louisiana cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients. Energetic and bursting with culture, we suggest this spot for anybody who’s looking to get in touch with the city’s art scene.

New Orleans is an exciting city to explore, with so many areas each offering something a little different. Though it might seem a little daunting trying to navigate a new place, we promise that the outcome is totally worth it. And now, you don’t have to miss out! Explore the city to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.

Sarah Harris
Go City Travel Expert

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New Orleans Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in New Orleans is a magical experience. From holiday lights and special traditions to festivals and historic landmarks, there is always something to see. For those who are thinking about making the trip, we decided to put together a list of the best things to do during November in the city. So, pack your puffer coat and prepare to rock your winter wardrobe. Thanksgiving is on its way and it’s time to get planning! With Go City, you can see more, for less. New Orleans has everything you’d expect from a big city: elite museums, beautiful architecture, and exceptional food, just to name a few. Thanksgiving is a great time to visit since the weather is not too hot and there’s still plenty to see. With Go City, you grab a New Orleans attraction pass and make the most of your Thanksgiving in the city!. For more details, make sure to connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. 
Sarah Harris
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Best Museums in New Orleans

Best Museums in NO An undoubtedly unique city with a heck of a lot of history, New Orleans is a total dream for those who are looking to incorporate a little education into their travel experience. Whether you’re looking for a bustling institution offering a comprehensive survey of the history of the city, or a small specialty spot devoted to Mardi Gras, The Big Easy has you covered. Each one has its own distinctive personality, focus and atmosphere, though all are as fascinating as one another. If you’re a first time visitor, you might feel a little overwhelmed by all the possibilities – but don’t worry, that’s where we come in! If you’re making your way over to New Orleans and aren’t quite sure about where to spend your time, have a read through our list of the best museums in the city. However you choose to explore the Big Easy, we’re sure it’ll be wonderful. LEARN SOMETHING NEW If you only go to one museum in New Orleans, make it the Historic New Orleans Collection. Perfect for those who are looking to learn more about the history of the region, this place is truly passionate about educating its visitors. Its impressive and expansive collection consists of 35,000 library items and approximately 350,000 photographs, prints, drawings, paintings and other artefacts. Needless to say, you’ll need to set aside a good amount of time in order to see everything. Exhibitions have been presented on a wide variety of topics, ranging from the Battle of New Orleans and the development of local cuisine to more modern subjects like the Sugar Bowl and life after Hurricane Katrina. The institute often has special talks, events, and concerts, so be sure to check online before you head out. We love this spot because it's impossible to leave without having learned something new. GET CULTURED If you’re looking for something a little more niche, New Orleans has plenty of cool specialty museums to fit that very brief. Standing out as one of our favorites on the list, Backstreet Cultural Museum works to present, preserve and interpret the history of New Orleans. Located in Tremé, the oldest African American neighborhood in the United States, the institute works to educate visitors about the social development of the city and particularly shed light on the relationship between Black and Native American culture. The museum is best known for holding the city’s largest collection of beautiful and intricate Mardi Gras Indian costumes. Still, that’s not all there is to see here. Aside from these wonderful artistic treasures, visitors can also enjoy an amazing assortment of memorabilia pertaining to Mardi Gras, jazz funerals and other traditions which derive from New Orleans. Both fascinating and fun, this place works to provide a fantastic cultural experience for those of all ages. For creative types visiting New Orleans, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art is the perfect stop. A Smithsonian affiliate, the museum is recognized for housing the largest and most comprehensive collection of Southern art. The institution prides itself on diversity, working to highlight some of the best female and POC artists of the south. Its impressive permanent collection holds over 4,000 pieces from 15 southern states, with works dating way back to 1733. The exhibits feature everything from paintings and drawings to photographs and sculpture, so there’s a little something for everybody here. Though it might be one of the smaller art galleries in the city, this place packs a lot of punch, presenting some of the rarer and lesser-known pieces from the city’s creative history. It remains one of the south’s finest art collections, so don’t miss it! TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT Of course, nowhere is known for fun and festivities quite like New Orleans. Even if you’re not visiting during Mardi Gras, you can still get a taste of the real thing at Mardi Gras World. Breaking away from the typical museum experience, this place offers an inside look into the nation’s biggest party. The massive 400,000 square-foot complex, just upriver from the New Orleans Morial Convention is actually a working warehouse where the megafloats, characters and costumes for Mardi Gras are made. Walking through this unique space, you’ll be able to learn more about all of the work and detail which goes into making these spectacular pieces, as well as how technology plays into the creative process. Along the way, your tour guide will also talk you through the history and beautiful traditions of this exceptional holiday. Don’t forget to check out the gift shop, which sells masks, beads and Mardi Gras posters to take home for your loved ones. A total Instammer’s dream, this spot is not to be missed! If you’re a seasoned visitor to New Orleans, you might be looking for a new museum to check out. Well, don’t worry – you've come to the right place! The city is jammed-packed with great cultural amenities, though we especially love the Pharmacy Museum for bringing something new to the table. Located at the site of the first licensed apothecary shop in the United States, this unique attraction is great for those visitors of a curious mind. The institute is still set up today the way it was back in the 1800s, and works to showcase the history and development of medicine since that time. From hand-blown apothecary bottles and potions once used by Voodoo practitioners to surgical instruments and old wheelchairs, there’s most certainly a lot to see here. In true New Orleans style, this place is rumored to be haunted by a doctor who used to work here – but don’t let that stop you from checking this place out! A wonderful speciality museum to remember, it would be easy to get lost in this space for the whole day! Some of the best vacations include a day or two spend deep inside the halls of a museum. Thankfully, New Orleans presents a myriad of options to choose from, no matter where your interests may lie. Explore the city to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris
What to do on Memorial Day Weekend in New Orleans
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What to do on Memorial Day Weekend in New Orleans

Did you know that over 6 in 10 Americans have family members who serve or have served in the armed forces? That's...a lot of Americans. It's no wonder that Memorial Day is one of the most venerated days on the calendar. A day to pay respects to fallen soldiers, Memorial Day gives non-serving people the opportunity to give thanks for what we have and the sacrifices others made to provide us with so much. So, if you're in New Orleans and wondering what to do on Memorial Day weekend, we've created this guide that gives you the low down on all the goings on in the city. When is Memorial Day? Memorial Day lands on the last Monday of May. In 2023, that's Monday, May 29. What to do on Memorial Day Weekend in New Orleans? Now you know what and when Memorial Day is, let's explore what to do in New Orleans on the weekend. Attend the Memorial Day service at the National WW II Museum On any other day, the National World War II Museum is one of New Orleans' best attractions. History buffs will love exploring the 6-acre site, which features numerous exhibits that honor the courage and sacrifice that brave American soldiers made during one of the worst conflicts humanity has ever seen. Covering everything from D-Day to the invasion of Tokyo, you'll read personal stories from soldiers on the frontlines, follow the troops as they make their push east and then west toward Berlin, and see authentic weapons, clothing, and equipment used during the Second World War. On Memorial Day, a ceremony is held there between 11AM and 12PM. It gives participants the opportunity to remember the people who paid the ultimate price for their country. Without them, you may not even exist today. Servicemembers get free entry to the ceremony, and they'll also get admission to the rest of the museum for free. Memorial Day Ceremony at Chalmette Cemetery Chalmette National Cemetary is one of the city's biggest grave sites. The ground it sits on now was where the Battle of New Orleans was fought back in 1815. On top of that, soldiers from wars through the years have been buried there, including those lost in the Vietnam War. So it's only appropriate that a Memorial Day Ceremony is held there every year. The ceremony takes place on Monday, May 29, at 12.30PM. It includes a color guard, a bagpiper, and veterans, who often say some words to see out the ceremony. Anyone is free to attend and pay their respects. You can even volunteer to place flags on the headstones and then remove them at the end of the day. However, it's worth noting that, given New Orleans' hot and humid climate, you should make sure you're capable of the often-hours worth of work, including bending over to place the flags and walking among the hundreds of headstones. Still, if you're willing and able, it's a great way to say thanks. Other things to do in New Orleans on Memorial Day weekend The above two are the biggest Memorial Day events in New Orleans, but you'll still find plenty of local services and events happening in the city. Feel free to check social media before you head out, or simply walk the streets and see what's happening. If you're staying in New Orleans over the whole Memorial Day weekend and want to know what to do on the other days, we've got some suggestions down below. Take the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Cruise If you're keen to discover more of New Orleans' 300-year history, or enjoy riding boats, consider a Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Cruise. The luxury liner looks like it was ripped out of the Wild West era, but don't let your eyes decieve you - the boat boasts luxurious decor and air conditioning, ensuring your trip will be pleasant regardless of New Orleans' sticky temperatures! Your trip passes through all the city's best bits, like the French Quarter, the Port of New Orleans, and Jean Lafitte National Park. Your guide will point out landmarks as you pass them, all while filling you in on the history of each location. Highlights include the founding of present-day New Orleans by the LeMoyne brothers, the expansion of the city into the French Quarter, and the Louisiana Purchase. You'll then reach Chalmette Battlefield, which seems like an appropriate stop for Memorial Day weekend. You'll disembark and be taken on an hour-long guided tour led by National Park Rangers. You'll learn more about the Battle of New Orleans and why the city was so important for Louisiana and the US as a whole. Dare to undertake an Ultimate Swamp Adventure If you want to feel closer to nature and have a daring streak in you, why not take a tour of the bayou, courtesy of an Ultimate Swamp Adventure? Gorgeous scenery and deadly wildlife await! You'll hop aboard a boat and set out into Louisiana's thick wetlands on an adventure you won't soon forget. Your experienced guide and sea captain will expertly navigate the waters, taking you on a tour of the best sites. Make sure you take a camera, or make some space on your phone, because you'll want to take as many pictures as possible. With any luck, you'll see alligators, snapping turtles, and wild hogs, to name but a few. Get some grub And finally, you may need to refuel at some point on Memorial Day weekend, so if you're wondering what to eat in New Orleans, check out our picks for the places that do BBQ right! The Joint, Central City BBQ, Devil Moon BBQ, and Blue Oak BBQ all offer quality smoked and grilled meats in different parts of the city, so check out their menus and locations and see which is right for you! Whichever you go to, you're bound to be stuffed and satisfied. Now there's no need to wonder what to do on Memorial Day weekend in New Orleans! We hope this guide helps you enjoy the weekend in whichever way you choose. However, if you're looking for some different suggestions for the Memorial Day weekend itinerary, check out Go City. With our All-Inclusive Pass, you can see all of New Orleans' best bits at one low price.
Dom Bewley

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