Historic neighborhood known for antebellum mansions, Magazine Street shopping, and Commander's Palace restaurant.

About Garden District

The Garden District is New Orleans' most architecturally stunning residential neighborhood, where Greek Revival, Italianate, and Victorian mansions sit behind ornate cast-iron fences on streets canopied by centuries-old live oak trees draped with Spanish moss. Developed in the 1830s-1850s by wealthy American settlers who built their homes upriver from the Creole French Quarter, the district represents a distinctly different — and equally captivating — face of New Orleans.

Magazine Street, the district's commercial spine, stretches for six miles through a collection of antique shops, boutiques, art galleries, vintage clothing stores, and some of the city's best restaurants and coffee shops. Commander's Palace, the legendary turquoise-and-white Victorian restaurant in the heart of the Garden District, has been a temple of Creole cuisine for over 130 years and launched the careers of Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme.

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, one of New Orleans' famous above-ground cemeteries (the 'Cities of the Dead'), sits at the corner of Washington Avenue and Prytania Street, its whitewashed tombs shaded by magnolia trees. The cemetery has appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including 'Interview with the Vampire.' The St. Charles streetcar line, the oldest continuously operating streetcar system in the world (since 1835), rumbles past the district's grandest homes on its route from Canal Street to the Riverbend.

Nearby Landmarks

Commander's Palace Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 Magazine Street St. Charles Streetcar

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost $38-45
Time 30-40 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost $25-38
Time 30-40 minutes

Level 1, Rideshare pickup area

Step-by-Step Directions

Take JeT E-2 bus to CBD, then transfer to the St. Charles streetcar line (Route 12). The streetcar ride through the Garden District is itself a scenic attraction.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi $38-45 30-40 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare $25-38 30-40 minutes Budget-conscious, app users

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

The St. Charles streetcar runs until approximately 1:30 AM. Magazine Street restaurants and bars stay open until 10:00 PM-midnight depending on the establishment. Commander's Palace serves dinner until 9:00 PM. Uber and Lyft are available throughout the Garden District. Walking Magazine Street and the residential blocks is safe in the evening, though keep to well-lit main streets. Taxis can be scarce in the area — use ride-hailing apps.

Luggage Tips

The Garden District is best reached by taxi or ride-share with luggage (flat fare $36 from airport). The St. Charles streetcar can accommodate bags but is tight during peak hours. Magazine Street sidewalks are mostly flat and paved. Many Garden District guesthouses and B&Bs are in historic homes with stairs to second-floor rooms — confirm ground-floor availability or elevator access. Most accommodate luggage storage after checkout.

Accessibility

The Garden District presents accessibility challenges. Sidewalks are often uneven, cracked by tree roots, and occasionally raised by the massive oaks. The St. Charles streetcar is not wheelchair accessible on the historic cars (the newer Canal Street cars are). Lafayette Cemetery has gravel paths and is partially accessible. Commander's Palace has a ground-floor accessible dining room. Magazine Street shops have mixed accessibility — many are in raised historic buildings with steps.