5 neighborhoods beyond the French Quarter to visit in New Orleans

Beyond the music-thumping, hurricane-flowing, neon-lit streets, a quieter New Orleans awaits with art galleries, spacious green parks, and a thriving restaurant scene.

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1. Treme

Come for the music, but stay for the food. Dating back to 1783, Treme is rich with African American history. The neighborhood was once a place where free people of color could buy property and where slaves gathered on Sundays to play music in Congo Square. Today, you can visit the historic St. Augustine Church, the country’s oldest African American Catholic parish. Treme’s Petit Jazz Musuem shares a historical look at jazz’s beginnings in the neighborhood. After touring the museum, head to Louis Armstrong Park, where you can catch a free concert on Thursday nights. Treme pulses with music throughout the week, though, so just follow the beat to one of the many neighborhood bars. And don’t leave without visiting Willie Mae’s Scotch House, famous for its fried chicken and soul food.

2. Uptown/Garden District

Although there is a streetcar, this neighborhood—with its historic homes, manicured lawns, and large oak trees—is best explored by foot. Magazine Street offers six miles of restaurants, shops, and art. For family-friendly Creole cooking, head to Joey K’s Restaurant. At La Petite Grocery, enjoy French-Louisiana cuisine paired with an extensive wine list. Oak Street’s shops and cafés are popular with university students, writers, artists, and musicians. Be sure to catch a concert at Maple Leaf Bar, one of the city’s most famous music clubs.

3. Arts/Warehouse District 

As the name implies, this former industrial part of the city is now a trendy arts district. Begin your exploration on Julia Street, also referred to as Gallery Row. On the first Saturday of every month, the galleries open their doors as part of an Art Walk. If you didn’t get your fill of art on Julia Street, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art has the most comprehensive collection of Southern art in the world, and the Contemporary Arts Center is a multidisciplinary arts center with theatre, sculpture, photography, and visual arts. For history lovers, the National WW II Museum has interactive experiences, in addition to artifacts and photos that share the history and stories behind key events. The neighborhood offers some of the best dining in the city, with several James Beard Award–winning chefs. Compère Lapin offers creatives takes on traditional French cuisine, and head to Magasin Kitchen for Vietnamese food made from fresh ingredients.

4. Marigny/Bywater

Creole cottages with colorful shutters, trim, and details make this neighborhood picturesque and Instagram-friendly. As if the houses aren’t colorful enough, the neighborhood has a booming street art scene, which is best explored by foot. For one of the best patios in the city, head to Bacchanal Wine, where you’ll find an extensive wine list and live jazz. Palace Market Frenchmen is the largest nightly art market in the city, with 38 booths that share work from more than 80 local artists. 

5. Downtown

As the city’s central business district, downtown is known for its innovative restaurant scene and high-end shopping. The Caesars Superdome is arguably the most recognized downtown landmark and helped shelter 10,000 people in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. It’s undergone several renovations since 2005 and will be renovated again before hosting the Super Bowl in 2025. The historic Orpheum Theatre also has an extensive concert lineup and offers tours of the Art Deco theater on select Mondays. While downtown, take a stroll through Lafayette Square, one of the oldest parks in the city. Willa Jean is the place to go for a morning coffee and pastry or a casual meal of sandwiches and biscuits. At the Pythian Market, you can find something for everyone: pizza, tacos, fried chicken and waffles, poke bowls, and more. Other restaurant highlights include Johnny Sanchez for upscale Mexican food, Chophouse New Orleans in the St. James Hotel, and Couvant for a modern take on classic French cuisine.

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