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The Garden District is a place where romance blooms and memories are made. Visitors wishing to explore this magical neighborhood are met with oak tree-shaded streets, brick line sidewalks, and a variety of historic houses, ranging from single-story cottages to grand mansions. The most famous and memorable characteristic of the green canopy is its abundance of hibiscuses, crepe myrtles, angel trumpets, and bougainvillea.
The Garden District began with two houses on each block surrounded by a large garden, but in the late 1800’s, lots of land began to be subdivided in an effort to make the area more urban. This meant yard sizes were reduced, and houses were surrounded by cast-iron fences. Many of the mansions from the 19th century followed this trend. As a result, the Garden District became well-known for its architecture and scenery.
Today, the Garden District sits in pristine condition, standing strong after enduring several hurricanes that have attempted to mar its beauty. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and identified as a National Historic Landmark. A number of celebrities, including actors and athletes, call this magical place their home.
Visitors can explore one of the oldest municipal cemeteries in New Orleans while in the Garden District. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 received its name from the original City of Lafayette and is the home of a rich history. Among the 500 wall vaults, visitors can find the resting place for several notable people, including many early settlers who immigrated to New Orleans primarily from Ireland and Germany. Overall, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 contains 1,100 family tombs and over 7,000 people are estimated to be buried there.
Magazine Street, a major thoroughfare in New Orleans, stretches across six miles and runs parallel to the Mississippi River. The origin story of Magazine Street’s name is not fully known, but there are two theories of how it came about. Many believe it received its name from the warehouse that the Spanish Governor built to store exports, while others believe its name stems from an 18th-century colonial ammunition magazine.
Magazine Street offers a break from the typical mall experience, offering retail street stores mixed throughout charming homes. These stores offer a wide variety of unique products, including but not limited to pottery, furniture, clothing, books, toys, and jewelry.
St. Charles Avenue is considered an embodiment of all things New Orleans. It is known as the “Jewel of America’s Grand Avenues” and characterized by a grand and leafy residential avenue, stretching for more than five miles before ending near South Carrollton Avenue.
In 2007, St. Charles was labelled as one of the American Planning Association’s top 10 Greatest Streets, marking its place in history as an icon of Southern style and charm. It has served as a magical gateway for visitors making their way to New Orleans for nearly two centuries.
St. Charles is the home of the oldest operating streetcar line in the world: the St. Charles streetcar line, which began operating in 1835. It was successfully added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. St. Charles Avenue is a popular tourist destination due to its stunning scenery and rich history. To this day, it remains a top spot for visitors from all over the world.
Visit the Garden District and experience its lush green walkways and historic scenery firsthand! Cajun Encounters is the perfect way to experience the District while hearing about the details that make it great from the mouths of well-trained tour guides committed to giving guests the best New Orleans experience. Garden District tours take place on air-conditioned buses, offering uninterrupted views unlike any other tour available.
Cajun Encounters New Orleans Bus Tours are offered at three different times of the day. The morning tour includes daily pick-ups at 8:30 am, the mid-day tour begins at 11:15 am daily, and the afternoon tour begins daily pick-ups at 2:30 pm. All tours are full city tours lasting for two and a half hours.
Cajun Encounters Tour Company
Swamp Tours New Orleans – City Bus Sightseeing Tours – Plantation Tours New Orleans
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