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10 Things To See In The Garden District
New Orleans’ Garden District is a captivating neighborhood renowned for its antebellum architecture, lush gardens, and rich historical tapestry. This picturesque area offers visitors and locals the chance to escape into a bygone era while having easy access to modern conveniences and amenities. From grand mansions to cemeteries, the Garden District promises an immersive journey through beauty, history, and Southern charm.
City Sightseeing New Orleans is your perfect travel partner for uncovering the Garden District’s most well-known sights and little-known treasures. Our Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tours provide flexibility for exploring at your own pace and delving deeper into the attractions that capture your imagination. With convenient stops strategically located throughout the district, you’ll be easily able to see these 10 must-see spots in the Garden District.
Buckner Mansion
A magnificent Greek Revival antebellum home, the Buckner Mansion stands as a grand testament to New Orleans’ opulent past. Built in 1856 for Henry Sullivan Buckner, a wealthy cotton kingpin, the mansion was designed to outshine the Natchez, Mississippi, home of his former business partner, Frederick Stanton. After remaining in the Buckner family for over 60 years, the 20,000 square foot mansion embarked on a new chapter in 1923 when it became the Soule Business College. The school closed its doors in 1983, and the mansion eventually returned to private ownership.
Today, the Buckner Mansion has gained international fame as the exterior for Miss Robichaux’s Academy for Exceptional Young Ladies in the third season of the popular TV series, American Horror Story: Coven. While the mansion is a private residence and not open for interior tours, visitors can admire its stunning architecture from the outside and capture photos.
Learn more about the Buckner Mansion here.
Foodie Tour on Magazine Street
Set out on a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure down Magazine Street, which itself is a vibrant six-mile thoroughfare with several local and laid-back eateries lining it. This three-hour Foodie Tour takes you to five carefully selected neighborhood establishments, where you’ll taste test at least seven food items, including four savory dishes and one dessert. Go beyond the typical gumbo and po’boys while sampling dishes specifically chosen for their cultural and historical significance to New Orleans. Along with dishes featuring beef, pork, seafood, and New Orleans-style veggies, the tour also includes a refreshing glass of local beer or soda at the first stop. Recommendations for additional cocktails (sold separately) are provided at different stops throughout the tour.
While enjoying the variety of food on display, your small group (limited to just nine participants) will learn interesting facts and stories from a licensed local guide. This way, you’ll get insight into the community’s history and the many recipes that make New Orleans a gastronomical dream. Your tour begins outside Mahony’s Po-Boys at 3454 Magazine Street and runs rain or shine. Please note that due to the nature of local dishes, this tour may not be suitable for kosher, vegan, gluten-free/low-carb, or reduced-sodium diets.
Learn more about Foodie Tours on Magazine Street here.
Garden District Bed and Breakfast
Housed in a beautifully restored Victorian home built in the late 1860s, the Garden District Bed and Breakfast stands as an authentic symbol of New Orleans’ rich architectural and social history. While widely celebrated today for its charm and hospitality, local lore suggests the building may have operated as a brothel during the 1920s. This four-suite establishment embodies the distinctive character of the Garden District, a neighborhood renowned for its opulent antebellum mansions and lush, oak-lined streets.
Guests staying at the Garden District Bed and Breakfast can expect a comfortable and intimate experience that blends 19th-century character with modern comforts. Each of the individually decorated suites offers a private bathroom, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and often a balcony. The common areas, including a formal dining room and living room, are available for guests to relax, read, or plan their day. A complimentary continental breakfast is served daily, and the hosts, Raynell Dunham and Luis Velez, are frequently praised in reviews for their exceptional hospitality, local recommendations, and helpfulness. The B&B’s prime location on Magazine Street means guests can step directly outdoors and explore miles of antique shops, boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and bars.
Learn more about Garden District Bed and Breakfast here.
Magazine Street
Magazine Street in New Orleans is an extensive thoroughfare stretching six miles parallel to the Mississippi River. From Canal Street near the French Quarter through the Garden District and into Uptown, the street technically ends at Leake Avenue in Carrollton. Its name possibly comes from an 18th-century ammunition magazine or the French word “magasin,” which means “warehouse.” Over the centuries, it has evolved into a dynamic blend of residential and commercial properties.
Beyond shopping, Magazine Street is also a culinary hotspot and home to countless restaurants, bars, and cafes catering to every taste. You can find everything from traditional Creole and Cajun fare to international cuisine, casual eateries, and upscale dining. Notable spots include Joey K’s for red beans and rice, Saba for Mediterranean, and Casamento’s Oysters for a historic seafood experience. Magazine Street is also known for its lively events, like its monthly First Saturday Art Walk.
Learn more about Magazine Street here.
Brevard-Rice House
The Brevard-Rice House, a distinguished Greek Revival mansion in the Garden District, was constructed in 1857 for wealthy cotton merchant Albert Hamilton Brevard. Built by brothers James Calrow and Charles Pride, this elegant two-story residence is renowned for its subtle incorporation of Italianate elements into its grand design. Brevard himself lived in the house for only two years before his death, after which it passed through several notable owners, including Reverend Emory Clapp.
The house gained widespread recognition and a new moniker when it was purchased in 1989 by the celebrated author Anne Rice, known for her gothic fiction featuring vampires and witches. While living here with her husband, poet Stan Rice, she penned some of her most famous works, including The Witching Hour (1990), where the Brevard House itself became the ancestral home of the Mayfair witches. This connection transformed the private residence into a pilgrimage site for her fans. Rice resided in the house until 2004, and today, though it remains a private home, it is affectionately referred to by many as “The Anne Rice House.”
Learn more about the Brevard-Rice House here.
Garden District Book Shop
The Garden District Book Shop is a beloved independent bookstore located in New Orleans’ beautiful Garden District. Founded in 1979 by Britton Trice, the Garden District Book Shop has become a literary hub and hosted legendary authors like Anne Rice, James Lee Burke, Chuck Palahniuk, and Clive Barker. It’s particularly known for its extensive collection of books on New Orleans and the broader region. A special highlight is their collection of rare, signed first editions and limited editions by regionally and nationally acclaimed authors, including a significant number of works by Anne Rice, Pat Conroy, and James Lee Burke.
In a rather recent development, the bookshop added Bar Epilogue, a full cocktail bar inside the store, and also runs a neighboring restaurant called The Chicory House. Guests will feel as if they’re sitting in an extension of their living room. A separate kids’ space with a reading nook welcomes little ones in on the reading fun. Check the Garden District Book Shop’s calendar to see about upcoming author conversations and other literary activities.
Learn more about the Garden District Book Shop here.
The Columns Hotel
Built in 1883, the Columns Hotel is a grand Italianate residence originally designed for Simon Hernsheim, the president of the largest cigar company in the world during the 19th century. With a mahogany staircase, glass skylight, and an original built-in sideboard, the mansion is the only surviving Italianate home designed by prominent New Orleans architect Thomas Sully.
In the early 20th century, the home served as an elite boarding house until it was transformed into a hotel by Claire and Jacques Creppel. Today, this National Register of Historic Places house offers guests 20 rooms equipped with claw-foot tubs and 15-foot ceilings. Whether you decide to stay overnight or not, you can enjoy a drink from the onsite bar or enjoy a southern breakfast every morning.
Learn more about The Columns Hotel here.
Audubon Park
Audubon Park is a sprawling 350-acre urban oasis located in the Uptown neighborhood of New Orleans. Bordered by St. Charles Avenue and the Mississippi River, the park’s history is deeply intertwined with that of the city itself. Before becoming public parkland in 1871, the area was once the site of Étienne de Boré’s sugar plantation, the first successful commercial sugar plantation in Louisiana. The land also played a significant role during the Civil War by serving as a Confederate camp, Union hospital, and staging ground for the “Buffalo Soldiers.” In 1886, the park was officially named Audubon Park in honor of the renowned artist and naturalist John James Audubon, who lived in New Orleans in the early 19th century.
Audubon Park offers a vast array of activities and attractions for all ages. At its heart is a tranquil 1.8-mile paved jogging path shaded by magnificent live oak trees, some of which are over 250 years old! The park also is home to the Audubon Zoo, a world-class institution with a diverse collection of animals and innovative natural habitats, including a popular Louisiana Swamp exhibit. A riverside portion of the park known as “The Fly” offers stunning views of the Mississippi River and is ideal for relaxing or picnicking. The “Tree of Life,” a majestic oak with sprawling, climbable branches, is a beloved spot for both locals and visitors alike.
Learn more about Audubon Park here.
Commander’s Palace
Commander’s Palace has been a beacon for guests searching for haute Creole cuisine since its grand opening in 1893. Established by Emile Commander, this distinctive turquoise and white Victorian mansion quickly became a cornerstone of New Orleans’ social and culinary scene. Over its long history, the restaurant has been pivotal in shaping the city’s gastronomic identity. In 1974, the Brennan family, a name synonymous with New Orleans’ restaurant royalty, acquired Commander’s Palace. Under their stewardship, the restaurant ascended to international fame and became a training ground for culinary luminaries like Paul Prudhomme, Emeril Lagasse, and Jamie Shannon.
Commander’s Palace is celebrated for its award-winning Louisiana Creole cuisine and features dishes like the famous Turtle Soup au Sherry, Pecan Crusted Gulf Fish, and Creole Bread Pudding Soufflé. It hosts lively Jazz Brunches on Saturdays and Sundays, where diners enjoy live performances, and its weekday “25-cent Martini Lunch,” a beloved tradition. A “business attire” dress code is requested. While specific guided tours are not offered of the restaurant itself, visitors can expect a thorough journey through Creole flavors and impeccable service (often with table-side preparations).
Learn more about Commander’s Palace here.
The Rink
Located in New Orleans’ historic Garden District, The Rink possesses a storied past that belies its current appearance as a charming commercial hub. Originally constructed in 1884, it began its life as the “Crescent City Skating Rink,” a popular roller-skating venue. This grand, columned building was designed primarily for entertainment and reflected the social trends of the late 19th century. Over its long and varied history, The Rink underwent numerous transformations and served as a livery stable for horses, a mortuary, a grocery store, and gas station.
Today, The Rink is beautifully restored and home to beloved stores like the Garden District Book Shop. Beyond the bookstore, The Rink also houses other local businesses that equate to curated shopping and holistic leisure experiences. The site is a modern-day cultural and social gathering place that allows visitors to immerse themselves in local literature, art, and cuisine.
Learn more about The Rink here.
To experience New Orleans’ Garden District for yourself, plan a Hop-On, Hop-Off tour with City Sightseeing New Orleans!