A Perfect Day in the Garden District, New Orleans
Are you planning a trip to New Orleans’ Garden District? Are you looking for the best things to do in the Garden District, New Orleans? Read on, friend, for all my picks on the perfect itinerary in the Garden District!
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The Garden District is lined with stunning homes and historic architecture.
New Orleans is, hands down, one of my favorite cities in the world. It's just the kind of place that gets into your blood.
Between the soul-stirring jazz, ornate architecture, unique food culture, gritty hole-in-the-wall bars, those addictive beignets, and glitz, it feels like every corner of the Cresent City houses a unique and vibrant find.
Keep an eye out for playful decor.
And I'm talking about more than Bourbon Street, y'all. While there is plenty to do in the tourist-laden French Quarter, each neighborhood in New Orleans has its own distinct character - some with a little less daquari-fueled chaos and street-vomit than others. (No shade to the French Quarter, but watch where you step.)
So, on this year's work trip to NOLA, I was dying to explore the Garden District, famed for its luxurious mansions, gourmet eateries, and boutiques. This stunning corner of New Orleans is or has been home to the likes of Anne Rice (Interview with a Vampire, anyone?!), Beyonce, and Sandra Bullock, among others.
Our NOLA friends (the same ones who told us to stay in Marigny last year) gave me a few awesome recommendations as a jumping off point, and you know I love a deep dive into every place we visit. So here are my picks for the ultimate day in the Garden District! Happy exploring, y’all!
Dat Dog, one of our favorite eateries in Marigny, has a gorgeous courtyard at their Garden District location.
Tips before you go:
Wear comfortable shoes. You will be walking a lot!
Bring a water bottle. Stay hydrated to avoid heatstroke and/or hangovers.
Dress for the heat. NOLA doesn’t play when it comes to the warmer months.
Bring a camera. Everything is gorgeous.
Wear sunscreen! Just like your mama told you.
The St. Charles Street Car is a quintessential New Orleans experience.
One-Day Itinerary for the Garden District in New Orleans
Start the day early, and hop aboard the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar Line.
Rise and shine! Hit the ground running to beat the heat and make the most of your day in the Garden District. Pack your sunscreen and water bottle and head to the nearest street car stop because riding through the Garden District on the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar is simply a must. It is one of the coolest and most affordable ways to see the city.
These screaming electric cars are part of the oldest continuously operating street railway system in the world, dating back to 1832, and you’re sure to feel like you’re slipping back in time as you settle onto one of the vintage wooden seats.
Streetcar rides are currently $1.25 one way or $3 for a day pass, and you must have exact change or download the Le Pass app to book your ticket.
The Crusted Crab and Eggs Sardou from Red Dog Diner is positively addictive.
Grab breakfast at Red Dog Diner.
Hop off the street car and mosey through the jasmine and wrought-iron lined streets of the Garden District to Red Dog Diner. Perch on one of the red vinyl counter stools or relax in a rustic booth while you peruse the mouth-watering menu, but trust me on this one: you need to order Red Dog Diner’s take on Eggs Sardou.
If you’re not in the know, as I wasn’t, Eggs Sardou is an authentic New Orleans brunch dish that dates to 1892, and Red Dog Diner’s creative adaptation of this Creole classic is absolutely delicious. Order an iced coffee to enjoy with or after your meal - it will help you fight off the impending food coma!
(Are you a foodie on the hunt for more classic New Orleans dishes? Check out my What to Eat in NOLA bucket list!)
Red Dog Diner
New Orleans, LA 70115
Plan to spend at least an hour wandering the historic mansions in the Garden District.
Explore the mansions and manors of the Garden District.
If you love watching HGTV or late-night scrolls through Zillow, you’ll be in heaven wandering through the Garden District.
Magnolia and live oaks tower over the streets, jasmine winds through opulent wrought iron fences, and lavish mansions are nestled among carefully manicured gardens. (Just don’t actually get on Zillow, unless your eccentric rich uncle has a penchant for beignets and an immunity to extra zeros.)
Walking tours are incredibly popular in the Garden District, but most are a whopping two-hour time investment during the hotter part of the day. There are self-guided tours that you can download as well, if you’d rather meander at your own pace, but if you don’t really care about the difference between a Greek Revival and a Queen Anne (it’s me), then lose yourself wandering the scenic streets on your own schedule.
You may recognize parts of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 from Interview with a Vampire, Double Jeopardy, and The Vampire Diaries.
Do a tour of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.
Ok, does a cemetery tour sound kinda macabre to you? Girl, same, but then I learned a little bit more about New Orleans, and they have some really interesting and unique burial practices, so this one is worth a go.
Additionally, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is one of New Orleans’ oldest cemeteries, and you’ll find a whopping 1,100 family tombs and more than 7,000 people buried in this visually striking one-block burial ground, so this is a great way to brush up on a little more of the Crescent City’s rich history.
And, if neither of those aspects sold you on a cemetery tour, how about this? Famed vampire author Anne Rice once staged a jazz funeral through Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, where she rode in a glass-enclosed coffin down the center aisle to introduce her book Memnoch the Devil. She also supposedly modeled vampire Lestat’s tomb after the cast iron Karstendiek tomb, for those Interview with a Vampire fans out there. You may also recognize parts of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 from LeAnn Rimes and New Kids on the Block music videos and scenes from Double Jeopardy, Interview with a Vampire, The Vampire Diaries, and Dracula 2000.
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.
New Orleans, LA 70130
You can’t beat Stein’s house-made olive salad on their muffuletta sandwich.
Grab a muffuletta at Stein’s Market and Deli.
Did you pick up a vampire during your cemetery tour? A muffuletta from Stein’s Market, which features a tasty garlic vinaigrette, will take care of that.
This no-frills, no-hand-holding, and no-po-boys Jewish and Italian deli is beloved among locals for their delicious sandwiches, awesome beer and market selections, and feisty attitudes.
We loved the “muphuletta”, a giant sandwich of mortadella, molinari sopressata, Tuscan ham, aged provolone, and house-made olive salad on ciabatta… with that garlic vinaigrette, of course.
My husband devoured his whole sandwich and a bag of chips because he has the metabolism of a hummingbird, but I took my second half to go, so you may want to consider splitting.
Stein’s Market and Deli
New Orleans, LA 70130
Colorful and trendy boutiques are nestled between the restaurants on Magazine Street in the Garden District.
Go shopping on Magazine Street.
Some retail therapy is a must if you’re exploring the Garden District. You’ll find a number of charming (and pricy) boutiques and gift shops lining Magazine Street, specializing in everything from luxury clothing to hilarious home decor. My personal favorites were Fleurty Girl and Lucy Rose. Did I buy a Lil Wayne Christmas ornament? Absolutely, but only because I’ll get more use out of it long-term than the sequined “Crawfish Queen” shirt I secretly wanted.
What’s better than a fancy beignet? A whole flight of fancy beignets, that’s what.
Refuel with a fancy beignet flight at The Vintage.
Did you get those 10,000 steps in exploring the historic homes? Excellent, treat yourself to a fancy beignet flight at The Vintage. The Vintage specializes in “bites, bubbles, and beignets,” and their decadent beignet flight features rotating and seasonal flavors. The portions are T-rex sized, so I definitely recommend sharing with a friend - not that there’s anything wrong with having beignets for lunch every once in a while.
We loved the raspberry and banana cream fancy beignets, but the beignet bites looked equally delicious - and much smaller! This popular cafe also offers tasty sandwiches and a gourmet coffee bar, so hop on a bar stool or the piano-themed ottoman, if you’re lucky, and strike up a conversation with the friendly locals.
The Vintage
3121 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
The Rink is an old skating rink that’s been reimagined into charming retail spaces.
Visit the shops and Garden District Bookshop at The Rink.
Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of Magazine Street is The Rink, an ice rink -turned-shopping center. The quaint space houses a few upscale home and gift shops, a thoughtfully-curated bookstore, a salon, and a coffee shop, so there’s something for everyone.
While I placed this excursion later in my day’s itinerary to help you beat the heat, this is a great spot to kill a few minutes before your walking tour or caffeinate after your street car ride - it’s a short walk from Lafayette Cemetery and the Washington stop on the St. Charles Avenue Street car.
Hands down, the Jambalaya Fumada and Coconut Crusted Red Snapper were some of the most delicious things we tasted during this trip to New Orleans.
Hit Basin Seafood for dinner.
In a city of much-hyped restaurants, we were thrilled when we stumbled into this cozy neighborhood gem in the corner of the Garden District.
While I could go on about the relaxed yet elegant atmosphere and my husband’s ridiculously tasty watermelon cocktail, let’s get to the point here: you need to order the Jambalaya Fumada and the Coconut Crusted Red Snapper. Both dishes are absolutely scrumptious, and I don’t think we left a single crumb on either plate.
Basin Seafood
New Orleans, LA 70115
End the night with rooftop views and live New Orleans jazz at The Pontchartrain Hotel.
No night out in New Orleans is complete without a craft cocktail (or two) and some live music, right? Head to the colorful, stylish Pontchartrain Hotel to wrap up an epic day. Their restaurant Jack Rose boasts a noteworthy food, dessert, and cocktail menu (alongside fabulous decor that includes a disco ball, plants-aplenty, a flower painting gallery wall, and one really epic painting of Lil Wayne), but don’t sleep on Hot Tin, the Pontchartrain’s rooftop bar.
The views are epic, the vibe is hip, and the cocktails are truly delightful. Both of us sipped spicy Rita Hayworth while taking in the city lights before heading to the Bayou Bar. The Bayou Bar, located on the first floor, is known for swingin’ sets of live jazz, so book a table in advance if you want to sit down and enjoy unfettered views of the band. We chanced it for the 9:30 set and ended up standing in a corner by the bar, but we still had a blast!
The Pontchartrain Hotel
New Orleans, LA 70130
Have you been to the Garden District in New Orleans? What are you favorite shops, streets, restaurants, and happy hours? Drop ‘em in the comments below!