Audubon Park

Your Itinerary: 24-Hours in Uptown New Orleans

The Uptown New Orleans area near the Alder Hotel is full of interesting and exciting destinations, most of which you can easily reach on foot, although you can just as easily hop on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar. Sightseeing, dining, shopping — it’s all within reach and doable — even if you’re pressed for time. Here’s our 24-hour itinerary for things to see and do around the hotel, so grab a comfortable pair of shoes (and maybe an umbrella for those sudden afternoon showers), and let’s explore.

Morning: Breakfast at the Riverbend and a streetcar ride

We suggest you start the day with breakfast at The Camellia Grill, a landmark diner beloved by locals and visitors alike since 1946 and famous for its pecan pie, “freezes” and generous omelets. To get to the Camellia Grill, walk to the nearest streetcar stop on St. Charles Avenue ($1.25, exact change; or get a $ 3-day pass for unlimited rides).

Our preferred and therefore most recommended walking route from the hotel to catch the St. Charles Ave. streetcar takes about 20 minutes:

  • Take a left at the hotel’s entrance
  • Take Magnolia St. toward Napoleon Ave.
  • Make a right at Napoleon Ave.
  • Walk down Napoleon Ave. for about 10 blocks until you arrive at St. Charles Ave.

The ride on the historic streetcar is high on top of many visitors’ bucket lists because it’s the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world (since 1835), and because it affords a very easy and pleasant way to see the Garden District and Uptown areas.

Once you hop on, head all the way to the Riverbend to Camellia Grill, and take in the magnificent sights of the mansions and historic homes lining up under the canopy of oak trees along St. Charles Avenue. The Italianate, Victorian and Greek Revival architecture of Uptown is unique, and many of the original mid-19th-century mansions have been immaculately preserved and are surrounded by impressive gardens.

For more breakfast ideas, read our guide to where to get breakfast near the Alder Hotel.

Late morning: Audubon Park and Zoo; Loyola and Tulane campuses

After breakfast either hop back on the streetcar or, if you feel like it, walk for about 13 blocks until you reach the beautiful campuses of both Loyola and Tulane universities, and, right across St. Charles Avenue, the historic Audubon Park. A must-stop, this magnificent park is perfect for a stroll. Lined with hundreds of ancient live oaks, it features a 1.8-mile jogging path, playgrounds, picnic shelters, a lagoon, recreation areas, and a zoo.

Located within the park, the Audubon Zoo is one of the top zoos in the country, full of lush vegetation and exotic animal exhibits. The Zoo features rare white alligators, sea lion shows, a carousel, and the award-winning Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle natural habitat areas.

The historic campuses of Loyola and Tulane, with their landscaped grounds and architecture ranging from Italian Renaissance to Mid-Century Modern, are also worth a visit. You’ll be getting two for one, basically, since they’re located so close to one another. Here are some ideas on what to do on Loyola and Tulane campuses.

Afternoon: Lunch and shopping on Magazine and Freret streets

Magazine Street runs parallel to St. Charles Avenue, about 10 blocks apart. It might be too much to walk the entire strip, but it’s packed with restaurants, boutiques, unique vintage and costume shops, and cafes — so you can have your pick without straying too far from one destination to another. So, shop away, or grab a sidewalk seat at any of the many great little coffee shops to caffeinate and people-watch. Nearby, Freret Street is another vibrant commercial corridor that’s packed with shopping destinations, art galleries, and restaurants (many of which have spacious outdoor or balcony seating).

For lunch, there are several fabulous options on and around Magazine and Freret but we love La Petite Grocery, High Hat, and The Company Burger. Alternatively, you can head to the incomparable Commander’s Palace (elevated Creole fare), and then walk around in the historic Lafayette Cemetery #1 located right across the street (either self-guided or as part of the guided tour). It’s one of the oldest cemeteries in the city and features a number of historically significant above-ground tombs. (Please note that as of 2022, it closed for maintenance and repairs.)

Here are more of our suggestions on where to get lunch, brunch and coffee in the area.

Late afternoon: Happy hour in the Lower Garden District

At this point, it’s happy hour! So head to Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar to take advantage of its popular happy hour and a full-service oyster bar. Another option is The Avenue Pub, an iconic Lower Garden District pub that boasts fireplaces, tin ceilings, a balcony overlooking St. Charles Avenue, a pool table, and sidewalk and patio seating.

Evening: Dinnertime! And the options are endless

There are numerous options Uptown, from high to low and casual to iconic. Where you head for dinner depends on whether you’re looking for something more casual and on the budget, want to cross off a few items from your New Orleans food bucket list, or want to fully immerse yourself in experiencing a night out somewhere busy and packed with nightlife and action. (See our dining guides below to help you pick a perfect dining destination.)

Late Night: Live music and dancing

For some late-night entertainment Uptown, including some live local music, check out the Maple Leaf Bar, Le Bon Temps Roule, Dos Jefes Uptown Cigar Bar, The Saint Bar & Lounge, or Gasa Gasa. Yet another option is to head back to the Riverbend to see who is playing at the iconic Tipitina’s.

Explore our Uptown guides to help you get the most out of your 24 hours Uptown

Food and Drink

New Orleans Food Bucket List, Uptown Edition
Where to Get Lunch Near the Alder Hotel Uptown
Where to Get Breakfast Near the Alder Hotel Uptown
Coffee and Brunch Near the Alder Hotel Uptown New Orleans
Late Night Eats Uptown New Orleans
A Night on Freret Street

Sightseeing

Guide: Navigating the Freret Neighborhood and Uptown New Orleans
Essential Stops and Sights Along the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar Route
Our Neighborhood — Most Popular Attractions Near the Alder Hotel
Architectural Landmarks — Uptown New Orleans
Things to Do on Loyola and Tulane Campuses – Alder Hotel Uptown New Orleans
Exploring Uptown New Orleans on a Budget

Shopping

Shopping Near Alder Hotel Uptown New Orleans

More

Uptown New Orleans: A Family-Friendly Itinerary
Fun with Fido in Uptown New Orleans
Fun for Couples in Uptown New Orleans

breakfast

Coffee, Brunch, Lunch, and Co-Working Near the Alder Hotel Uptown New Orleans

Here at the Alder Hotel, we know you don’t want to miss out on all the great food New Orleans has to offer. Fortunately, plenty of outstanding breakfast, brunch, and just-coffee options are just a short walk from our doorstep. From gluttonous to gluten-free, there’s an option to suit every palate. Here are our favorite picks, plus a few top recommendations on the best spots to co-work while you’re in town.

Coffee

Gracious Bakery + Cafe (4930 Prytania Street)

The award-winning Gracious Bakery + Cafe has another location Uptown, at 2854 St. Charles Avenue, on the corner of 6th Street in the Garden District. All baked goods and breakfast sandwiches are top-notch, and there are house-made granola and house-cured salmon bagels.

French Truck Coffee (4536 Dryades Street)

Sandwiches, toast, pastries, and the best iced cold-drip coffee New Orleans has to offer, all served in a high-ceilinged, Edison bulb-hung space — that’s what you’ll find at French Truck Coffee. There’s no better way to while away a morning, an iced latte in hand.

Humble Bagel (4716 Freret Street)

Humble Bagel’s creations are made in-house daily, from scratch, with high-quality ingredients, and in small batches (the proprietors are big on minimizing food waste and using locally sourced ingredients when possible). The place is open from 7 a.m. till 1 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, or until they sell out. The menu is kept simple — bagels, cream cheese, and breakfast combos like eggs, bacon, and lox — and it’s worth getting up early for.

La Boulangerie (4600 Magazine Street)

Tarts, scones, quiches, and muffins at this French bakery and cafe are almost too pretty to eat, and all menu items are hand-prepared according to traditional recipes. Sit at a sidewalk table with an almond croissant and a cafe au lait and feel like you’ve been transported to Paris.

Mojo Coffee House (4700 Freret Street)

Stacks of local alt-weeklies? Check. College radio on the speakers? Check. Free wi-fi and plenty of table space for settling in and working for the long haul without receiving dirty looks from a barista? Check. Chalkboard menu? Check. This dim, cozy coffee house features all the coffee shop staples, plus its own locally roasted beans. Try the Mojo blend in a cup or take home a bag of beans as a souvenir. Sandwiches and pastries round out the menu. For those mornings when you just need caffeine and a quick bite, nothing beats Mojo.

Raw Republic (4528 Magazine Street)

Raw Republic’s cold-pressed, organic juices are a healthy way to kickstart your day. The bright, modern storefront offers coffee, smoothies, salads, cereal, and grab-and-go vegan fare, too. Though the storefront is tiny, a staircase leads to an upstairs room with balcony seating — perfect for people-watching while sipping your green juice. They also deliver.

The Rook Cafe (4516 Freret Street)

The Rook, a quiet hangout popular with the locals, serves vegan pastries and locally roasted coffee. Free wi-fi and shelves lined with books and tabletop games are also a draw. The cozy coffee shop also hosts frequent gamers’ nights and pop-ups.

Brunch

Another Broken Egg Cafe (2917 Magazine Street)

This is a popular brunch destination on the bustling commercial corridor of Magazine Street with pancakes, brunch specialties like crab cake Benedict and eggs with crawfish and Andouille, signature omelets, and specialty spiked cold brews and Bloody Marys served in mason jars.

Bearcat Cafe (2521 Jena Street)

While New Orleans is known for rich, decadent breakfasts like eggs Benedict (poached eggs, hollandaise and bacon layered over English muffins), not everyone wants heavy meals every day, even when on vacation. Maybe you’re looking for a break from indulgence, or maybe you adhere to a gluten-free, vegan lifestyle. Whatever your dietary requirements may be, you’ll find a delicious meal that satisfies them at Bearcat’s airy, industrial-chic space.

Molly’s Rise and Shine (2338 Magazine Street)

The followup to nationally buzzed-about Turkey and the Wolf is also worth a visit. Only open Thursday through Monday, from 8 a.m. till 2 p.m., Molly’s serves a mean breakfast/early brunch full of items like bagel bites, burritos, the star special, the Grand Slam McMuffin (pork patties, hashbrowns, onions, American cheese), but also lighter fare like the roasted carrot yogurt.

Riccobono’s Panola Street Cafe (7801 Panola Street)

A bright, quaint daytime cafe best known for its hearty American breakfast. Since opening in 1998, Riccobono’s Panola Street Cafe has become a New Orleans fixture, known for some of the best breakfast in the city. Panola serves classics like Eggs Benedict, Crabcakes Benedict, and a host of specialty omelets from open to close (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.), along with hot-plate lunch specials every weekday.

Slim Goodies Diner (3322 Magazine Street)

An inexpensive local hangout with Southern staples and plenty of local color. Some of the house specialties are the inventively named slammers (different kinds of scrambles, from meaty to vegan, served with hash browns). The Creole Slammer, for instance, comes with a biscuit and crawfish étouffée. There’s also a lovely patio.

The Camellia Grill (626 S. Carrollton Avenue)

This legendary New Orleans diner has been serving hearty omelets and pecan pie since 1946. There will probably be a line, but it moves quickly, and you can get breakfast all day.

The Ruby Slipper Cafe (2802 Magazine Street)

This locally owned mini-chain is a must-go for heaping Southern staples like eggs cochon, shrimp and grits, and bacon praline pancakes. It’s got its award-winning formula down with generous portions, killer cocktails, upbeat and quick service, and a down-home vibe. Even if there’s a wait, it will be worth it.

Lunch

Ancora (4508 Freret Street)

Ancora’s pizza is made Neapolitan-style, using wood-burning ovens and without commercial yeast. Ancora makes its own starter, and the dough takes three days to prepare from start to finish, with a crust that is unique to New Orleans. Drinks include seasonal Italian sodas, craft cocktails, and wines from the Campania region of southern Italy. Ancora is located in a renovated building next to High Hat Cafe.

Apolline (4729 Magazine Street)

Set in a renovated double shotgun cottage, Apolline spotlights chef Michael Shelton’s creative use of local ingredients in modern Southern dishes like veal sweetbreads and crawfish bisque. Impress your date with some elevated dining, New Orleans style, or bring the family for brunch/lunch.

Casamento’s Restaurant (4330 Magazine Street)

A staple and a go-to destination for fresh seafood since 1919, Casamento’s is as New Orleans as it gets. Head on over to enjoy the oyster bar nestled inside a small, mosaic-tiled space, but also try any and all of the seafood offerings on the menu. Casamento’s should be on every local’s and visitors’ bucket list.

Cure (4905 Freret Street)

A popular destination for cocktail lovers, Cure is a stylish, upscale lounge located inside a renovated firehouse. There you can sip your Old-Fashioned surrounded by bottles of whiskey from around the world, including the hard-to-find, rare and reserve varieties. The well-reviewed menu offers a rotation of frequently changing cocktails made by seasoned mixologists along with small plates and bar snacks. This would have to be lunch on a later side, as Cure opens at 4 p.m. every day.

Dat Dog (5030 Freret Street; 3336 Magazine Street)

Dat Dog’s both Uptown locations have dog-friendly outdoor seating, great for people-watching too. At both locations, the affordable Dat Dog dishes out a wide variety of meat, fish, vegan and veggie hot dogs, sausages, and other kid-friendly comfort food like burgers and chicken. The dogs and the sausages come with a choice of more than 30 toppings.

Guy’s Po-Boys (5259 Magazine Street)

Guy’s has been a beloved local lunch staple since the early 1990s. It’s often voted among the top five po-boy shops in the city, if not the top. The fried shrimp po-boy is definitely among the best in the city.

High Hat Cafe (4500 Freret Street)

This casual neighborhood eatery on the corner of Freret and Jena streets specializes in the Mississippi Delta and Louisiana staples like catfish, Gulf seafood, and slow-roasted pork served along with a long cocktail menu. Pimento cheese is prominently featured in the house burger, specialty fries, and even deviled eggs. How about a Southern feast of catfish with hushpuppies, braised greens, and black-eyed peas for brunch? Or try the Gumbo Ya-Ya with sweet potato salad. You’ll feel like you’re in an old-fashioned diner, only with a full bar. The tall glass windows offer a prime opportunity to people-watch.

La Petit Grocery (4238 Magazine Street)

La Petite Grocery, the former 19th-century neighborhood grocery, was transformed by owner-chefs Justin Devillier in 2010. A 2016 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef: South, Devillier puts his creative spin on traditional New Orleans cuisine with dishes like blue crab beignets and shellfish stew.

Mint Modern Vietnamese Bistro & Bar (5100 Freret Street)

Mint’s streamlined menu is modern indeed, packed with specialty rolls, several varieties of pho, banh mi, and a kimchi burger. One of the unusual specialty cocktails is Fishy Surprise, which is made with whiskey, Drambuie, grapefruit juice, and fish sauce.

Misa (4734 Magazine Street)

A welcome addition to the increasingly thriving Middle Eastern newcomers on Magazine Street, Misa offers Israeli and Lebanese specialties on its menu and outdoor dining. The small dining room and the patio are both lovely and cozy, and a great way to pass some time people-watching while gorging on lamb kebabs and housemade desserts.

Nomiya (4226 Magazine Street)

Nomiya defines itself as a New Orleans ramen bar and sticks to it by serving the traditional, pork-based tonkotsu plus two more types of broth. The menu is simple: pick your broth and the toppings, and maybe supplement with edamame and pork buns. The mochi ice cream flavors rotate.

Piccola Gelateria (4500 Magazine Street)

In addition to small-batch, house-made gelato and sorbetto in over a dozen flavors, this classic Italian-style gelato shop offers crepes (savory with meat, sweet with Nutella, and vegetarian). Piccola Gelateria sources local milk and cream, and sells its own, custom-blended, micro-roasted espresso. The place opens at noon, and could also serve well as a brunch destination.

Picnic Provisions & Whiskey (741 State Street)

Coming from the people helming Commander’s Palace, including co-founder and owner Tory McPhail, the former executive chef at Commander’s, this casual family-friendly spot serves comfort food cold and hot. Check out the mouthwatering hot fried chicken thighs along with a buttermilk biscuit and Cajun potato salad (crawfish boiled potatoes, sweet corn, chopped egg topped with crushed jalapeño Zapp’s chips). Eat indoors or outdoors, and bring your family and your pup.

Saba (5757 Magazine Street)

Alon Shaya’s Saba is the award-winning chef’s love letter to Middle Eastern cuisine, with a focus on Israeli culinary classics. Everything here, from hummus to labneh to falafel is worth sampling and very sharable. Saba is open for lunch Friday through Sunday.

Tal’s Hummus (4800 Magazine Street)

A great on-the-go option on the bustling Magazine Street, Tal’s is a quick-service-style tiny spot that specializes in Israeli-inspired food such as falafel, hummus, pita sandwiches, platters, kebabs, salads, and more. It’s fresh, quick, delicious, and made to order.

Taqueria Corona (5932 Magazine Street)

Taqueria Corona is a go-to for the whole family if you’re craving well-done classic Mexican food like tacos and burritos. The house margarita is a good deal, and tasty, too. This Uptown sit-down is popular for very good reasons and always seems to be packed, but the service is efficient, so you’ll be seated quickly. Taqueria Corona is not just our lunch recommendation, it’s a great pick for brunch and dinner as well.

Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco (5015 Magazine Street)

Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco is chef Juan Lock’s ode to the Peruvian culinary traditions, including ceviche, the national dish of his home country, and pisco sour, a popular national drink. The menu is laden with traditional Peruvian dishes made with love and fresh, local ingredients. Dine as a family, or bring a date — you won’t be disappointed either way.

The Company Burger (4600 Freret Street)

We also recommend The Company Burger on Freret and Cadiz streets for its solid menu of delicious burgers, fries and milkshakes. The menu keeps it simple with the award-winning lamb, turkey, and beef burgers, plus sides, shakes, and cocktails. The house burger comes with a fried egg, two patties, and bacon. The “not burger” options are also kept simple: hot dogs, and grilled cheese and fried chicken sandwiches.

Best Places for Co-Working Near the Alder Hotel

There’s something to be said for exploring a new city while leaving your everyday life and responsibilities behind. But occasionally, circumstances dictate that you bring your work on the road. It’s not an ideal situation, but it’s a reality for many travelers. The silver lining? At many co-working locations, you can accomplish your tasks while soaking up uniquely New Orleans experiences — and see a side of the city that’s hidden from most tourists. These co-working destinations are less than two miles from the Alder Hotel, and all offer free wi-fi or public computers, along with a little lagniappe of grand, historic settings. The coffee shops and cafes listed above are also a good bet if you want a good, strong cup of locally sourced coffee while you work.

Howard-Tilton Memorial Library (Tulane University, 7001 Freret St.)

The Tulane library offers all the perks of being a student, without the stressful final exams. Situated on Tulane University’s lush, live oak-filled campus, this six-story library is a haven of solitude, and it’s open to the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily (after that hour, only library cardholders may enter the building). Visitor computers are available on the first floor of the Research Help Center, but wi-fi is limited to student use only. Head to the third-floor stacks if you’re seeking a quiet study area, or grab a cup of locally roasted coffee at PJ’s on the first floor.

Latter Branch Public Library (5120 St. Charles Ave.)

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this gorgeous 1907 neo-Italianate mansion on St. Charles Avenue would be worth a visit even if it didn’t offer all the amenities of a public library. The limestone building was donated to the city of New Orleans in 1958, and its beauty has been preserved: think chandelier-hung, antiques-furnished reading rooms, Dutch ceiling murals and mahogany paneling. On the more technology-centered side, there’s printing, wi-fi (out-of-town visitors get a free one-hour pass with a valid I.D.), computers for public use, and outdoor garden seating. It’s a way to be productive while experiencing a very New Orleans setting.

Propeller (4035 Washington Ave.)

Looking for blazing-fast wi-fi, free coffee, printing, scanners, copy machines, and a community of like-minded individuals? This 10,000-square-foot, industrial-chic space is the spot. Co-working desks can be rented by the day or month. And if you need to organize a presentation during your visit, there are projector-equipped conference rooms available to rent. Propeller is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but 24/7 access is available to its members or anyone for a fee.

Stay in touch and save on rates and more at the Alder Hotel by signing up for our email list at https://alderhotel.com/email-offers/. If you find a lower rate on your Alder Hotel room at the time of booking, call 1.888.626.5861, and we will match that rate, too.

food bucket

New Orleans Food Bucket List, Uptown Edition

When you think of the must-try food in New Orleans the culinary wonders spread far beyond the French Quarter and the iconic Creole and Cajun restaurants. It seems there’s a handful of new places opening every month, adding to the stellar roster of delicious food you’ll likely won’t find anywhere else. Then there are the old (sometimes decades- or even centuries-old) favorites that make the food-bucket lists for very good reasons. The Uptown area is no exception — from the ambitious newcomers to the old-world landmarks — there’s much to recommend for you to try. Here’s just a sampler of our favorites.

There’s a slew of restaurants along the St. Charles Avenue streetcar route, so you can hop on and off the streetcar while sampling your way between Canal Street and the Riverbend. For breakfast or brunch, try the Mardi Gras sandwich at The Camellia Grill (626 S. Carrollton Ave.), a classic 1940s diner where white-jacketed staff members serve up delicacies ranging from grilled pecan pie to cherry-chocolate slushies. Stuffed with turkey, bacon and corned beef, it’s a meal in itself, and worth joining a fast-moving line of Tulane students, tourists, and locals waiting for a seat.

Another inexpensive local hangout with Southern staples and plenty of local color, the upbeat Slim Goodies Diner (3322 Magazine St.) does many different kinds of scrambles, from meaty to vegan, called slammers. Try the Creole slammer, which comes with a biscuit, crawfish étouffée, and hash browns.

For satisfying lunch options, try the house burger at The Company Burger (4600 Freret St.) or the fried shrimp po-boy at Guy’s Po-Boys. The burger comes with a fried egg, two patties, and bacon. And all hot dogs at Dat Dog (with two Uptown locations, 3336 Magazine St. and 5030 Freret St.) come with a choice of more than 30 toppings. Both locations also have dog-friendly outdoor seating.

For oysters, head to Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar (4338 St. Charles Ave.), located in a high-ceilinged, imposing building on the corner of St. Charles and Napoleon Avenues with some of the best views of St. Charles Avenue in the city. The full-service oyster bar doles out raw oysters, which you can enjoy with Superior’s signature frozen pomegranate mojito.

Another option is Casamento’s Restaurant (4330 Magazine St.). A staple and a go-to destination for fresh seafood since 1919, Casamento’s is as New Orleans as it gets. Head on over to enjoy the oyster bar nestled inside a small, mosaic-tiled space, but also try any and all of the seafood offerings on the menu. Casamento’s should be on every local’s and visitors’ bucket list.

Also on the streetcar’s route, Luke (333 St. Charles Ave.) offers a raw bar complemented by Executive Chef Erick Loos’ Creole-inspired menu that features plenty of seafood and local ingredients. The menu’s seasonal ingredients come from the Gulf and local farms and are highlighted in dishes like BBQ Gulf oysters and trout Amandine. If you’d like a really well-made martini with your dozen raw, head to the iconic Pascal’s Manale (1838 Napoleon Ave.), where oysters are shucked right in front of you.

Everything is worth trying at the James Beard Award winner Chef Donald Link’s wildly popular restaurant Herbsaint (701 St. Charles Ave.). Herbsaint predates Katrina and remains the flagship of the Link Restaurant Group (which runs several businesses including Peche, Cochon and La Boulangerie). Herbsaint has been, and continues to be, on many “Best Restaurants” lists, for reasons that will become clear as soon as you dig into its grilled tuna sandwich, or shrimp and fish ceviche. The French-Southern menu sports some Italian influences (evident in the presence of housemade spaghetti), with a spotlight on local, seasonal produce and sustainably sourced seafood and meats.

For outstanding gumbo and fried catfish head to High Hat Cafe (4500 Freret St.). Part old-fashioned diner, part neighborhood bar and part Deep South food destination, High Hat Cafe is located in a once sleepy neighborhood thoroughfare bordering Tulane University. Now revitalized, the Freret Street corridor is a food and entertainment destination in its own right. Another plus? It’s only two blocks from the Alder Hotel.

For lighter fare, like a well-curated cheese board, perhaps paired with a glass of wine, check out St. James Cheese Company (5004 Prytania St.), also home of the kid-friendly $5 Mini Moo sandwich. Wine and small plates rule at Bar Frances (4525 Freret St.), a lovely bistro with a seasonal menu and a large selection of natural wines, so that’s another solid bet for a great cheese plate. Yet another contender in that category is Cure (4905 Freret St.), a chic, dimly lit craft cocktail bar with a leafy patio and award-winning concoctions.

For something more substantial, the romantic La Crepe Nanou, located on the corner of Robert and Prytania Streets, has a fantastic selection of sweet and savory crepes. Patois (6078 Laurel St.), helmed by Chef Aaron Burgau, puts a local spin on mussels, scallops, and southern staples like seasonal gumbo in a lovely, softly-lit setting.

For authentic Sicilian cuisine by the renowned Chef Nick Lama head to Avo (5908 Magazine St.). The seasonal menu is bursting with seafood (try the charred octopus) and homemade pasta dishes. The interior is gorgeous, but see if you can score a table in the candlelit courtyard.

The grand dame of Creole cuisine, Commander’s Palace (1403 Washington Ave.) is a beloved landmark that’s been occupying a tree-lined block across the street from Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in the Garden District. Everything you decide to try on Chef Meg Bickford’s haute Creole menu will be top-notch, but the turtle soup and Creole bread pudding soufflé (dubbed the “Queen of Creole Desserts”) are a must.

Set in a renovated double shotgun cottage, Apolline (4729 Magazine St.) spotlights chef Michael Shelton’s creative use of local ingredients in modern Southern dishes like veal sweetbreads and crawfish bisque. Impress your date with some elevated dining, New Orleans style, or bring the family for brunch.

At La Petit Grocery (4238 Magazine St.), the James Beard Award-winning chef and owner Justin Devillier puts his creative spin on traditional New Orleans cuisine with dishes like blue crab beignets and shellfish stew.

If you’re here from March through October no New Orleans visit would be complete without trying a local snoball. These heavenly, frozen concoctions of finely shaved ice and flavored cane sugar syrup are uniquely Southern and come with an explosion of flavors. Your best options near the Alder Hotel are SnoWizard Snoball Shoppe (4001 Magazine St.) with a creamy and sweet Mexican vanilla flavor as one of the standouts, or Plum Street Snoballs (1300 Burdette St.). Pink lemonade, bananas Foster, nectar cream, and vanilla orchid cream are just a few flavors you’ll find at this cash-only joint with ample outdoor seating. Another New Orleans treat, yakamein, is available alongside classic snoballs at Red Rooster Snoball Stand (2801 Washington Ave.).

For more dessert options, we heartily recommend small-batch, handcrafted Italian gelato at Piccola Gelateria (4525 Freret St.), which comes in classic and experimental flavors including bananas Foster, caramelized fig, and pistachio. Finally, Sucre (3025 Magazine St.) cannot be beat for its Parisian patisserie feel and amazing macaroons the whole family could enjoy.

Bon appetit!

Freret

Alder Hotel’s Top 12 Reasons to Stay in the Freret Neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans

The Freret neighborhood, where the Alder Hotel is located, is full of historic destinations, architectural landmarks, lush greenery, delicious culinary adventures, and fun shopping. There’s plenty to see, do, eat, and drink around here. Here are our top 12 reasons to stay at the Alder Hotel in the historic Freret neighborhood.

1. Free Parking

The Alder Hotel offers free self-parking in the parking lot directly across the street. It’s relatively rare to find this amenity in New Orleans, so grab this opportunity pronto! There’s also street parking available near the hotel, but it might be limited depending on the time of day and year.

2. You Can Bring Your Pet

We are a pet-friendly New Orleans hotel. We welcome dogs and cats, and look forward to hosting you and your pets when you stay in Uptown New Orleans. You can review our pet policy here. If you are traveling with large dogs (over 50 pounds) or need supervision for your dog while you sightsee, we recommend Zeus’ Place (4601 Freret St.).

Want to take your furry friend with you wherever you go? No problem! The Freret neighborhood, like much of New Orleans, is very dog-friendly. You’ll find a few parks and dog runs nearby, and plenty of restaurants and cafes in the area that will welcome your dog and put out a water bowl.

3. Navigation Is Easy

You can explore much of the neighborhood on foot, but, the most popular way to do it is to ride the historic streetcar along St. Charles Avenue. You can ride for $1.25, exact change; or get a $3-day pass for unlimited rides (also, check out our preferred and therefore most recommended walking route from the hotel to catch the St. Charles Ave. streetcar).

Take the streetcar from the CBD/downtown all the way upriver, or anywhere in between, as the streetcar stops on almost every block along St. Charles Avenue. The Italianate, Victorian and Greek Revival architecture of Uptown is unique, and many of the original mid-19th-century mansions have been immaculately preserved and are surrounded by impressive gardens. Heading into Carrolton and toward the Mississippi River, the imposing facades and sprawling balconies become generously mixed with the more modest but still well-preserved shotguns and thriving local businesses, including some of the best bars and restaurants in the city.

4. Shopping and Entertainment on Freret Street

One of the main attractions in the neighborhood is Freret Street, named after an antebellum New Orleans mayor. The stately mansions mix with the historic shotguns, surrounding the thriving eight-block corridor of Freret Street between Napoleon and Jefferson avenues. Due to the robust recovery and development efforts led by the locally-owned small businesses, developers, and the city administration, the street got an injection of much-needed business and renovation and is showing no signs of slowing down. The neighborhood enjoys its own monthly market and an annual festival, both held along Freret Street’s commercial strip. It even has its own Carnival krewe, Krewe of Freret, which parades during Mardi Gras and hosts a summer stroll.

5. The Lively Commercial Corridor of Magazine Street

Magazine Street runs parallel to St. Charles Avenue, about 10 blocks apart. Just like Freret Street’s revitalized strip, the 13 blocks of Magazine Street are meant to be walked. It’s the main commercial artery that the Garden District and Uptown share, and it’s crammed with restaurants, bars, sidewalk cafes, and dozens of retail stores where you can buy local art, antiques, vintage clothing, funky costumes, and more.

6. Numerous Options for Eating and Drinking Your Way Through the Neighborhood

Just walking down the Freret Street or Magazine Street corridors will bring you to the top-notch (and some of the most diverse) shopping and entertainment destinations. Of course, there’s plenty to eat and drink there as well.

You can start your day with breakfast at The Camellia Grill, a landmark diner beloved by locals and visitors alike since 1946 and famous for its pecan pie, “freezes,” and generous omelets. For lunch, try alligator sausage at the affordable Dat Dog. Catfish is the star of the menu of the Louisiana-meets-the-Delta High Hat Cafe, and The Company Burger offers potent house cocktails along with its milkshakes and lamb burgers.

Is it happy hour yet? Have a craft cocktail at Cure or a glass of award-winning wine at Bar Frances. For another popular happy hour, head to Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar to take advantage of its full-service oyster bar and Superior’s signature frozen pomegranate mojito. Another option is The Avenue Pub, the iconic Lower Garden District pub that boasts fireplaces, tin ceilings, a balcony overlooking St. Charles Avenue, a pool table, and sidewalk and patio seating.

There are numerous options to have an unforgettable dinner Uptown, from high to low and casual to iconic. Where you head for dinner depends on whether you’re looking for something more casual and on the budget, want to cross off a few items from your New Orleans food bucket list, or want to fully immerse yourself in experiencing a night out somewhere busy and packed with nightlife and action. (See our dining guides below to help you pick a perfect dining destination.)

Two of our favorites won’t ever steer you wrong: The James Beard Award winner Chef Donald Link’s Herbsaint, the flagship of the Link Restaurant Group (which runs several businesses including Peche, Cochon and La Boulangerie), and Desi Vega’s Steakhouse, an elegant, high-ceilinged classic steakhouse with a few local touches, located inside the Lafayette Hotel, a French Regency-style 1916 landmark overlooking Lafayette Square.

7. The Historic Audubon Park and Zoo

The magnificent 19th-century, 350-acre Audubon Park that contains the Audubon Zoo is perfect for a stroll. Lined with hundreds of ancient live oaks, it features a 1.8-mile jogging path, playgrounds, picnic shelters, a lagoon, recreation areas, and much more. The Audubon Zoo is one of the top zoos in the country, full of lush vegetation and exotic animal exhibits. The Zoo features rare white alligators, sea lion shows, a carousel, and the award-winning Louisiana Swamp and Jaguar Jungle natural habitat areas.

8. Loyola and Tulane Universities

Right across Audubon Park, you’ll find the campuses of Tulane and Loyola universities. Both boast an architectural mix of styles of the 19th century and modern, with the backdrop of large live oaks. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, Tulane University’s campus occupies more than 110 acres and extends north to S. Claiborne Avenue through Freret and Willow streets. Note that the Newcomb Art Museum on Tulane University’s campus is free and open to the public. Past and present exhibitions have focused on contributions by women artists in the multi-disciplinary fields spanning art and design.

You can find Loyola’s sprawling main campus adjacent to Tulane and facing St. Charles Avenue and Audubon Park. It was established in 1904 on the land purchased by the New Orleans Jesuits in 1889. Marquette Hall is the oldest campus building and is the iconic image of the university you’ll probably recognize the most.

9. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

Temporarily closed for maintenance and repairs as of 2022.

No Uptown architectural tour is complete without hitting the above-ground Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 on Washington Avenue, in the heart of the Garden District. It’s the oldest of the seven city-operated cemeteries in New Orleans, with some interesting society tombs (the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Home For Destitute Orphan Boys among them) and over a thousand family tombs. The iconic cemetery has served as a popular backdrop for many music videos and movies over the years. Right across the street is the incomparable Commander’s Palace, where you will find elevated Creole fare and a 25-cent martini lunch special.

10. Ochsner Baptist Medical Center

The hotel’s close proximity to the Ochsner Baptist sprawling medical campus means you get the advantage of dedicated security patrolling the area. It’s also one of the best, fully staffed medical centers in Louisiana, should you need any medical services during your stay.

11. Enjoying a Workout During Your Stay

Staying at the Alder Hotel means you’re within walking distance from Anytime Fitness (the 4600 Freret St. location), which offers state-of-the-art cardio machines, free weights and exercise classes. Ask the concierge for directions; it’s just a five-minute walk away.

12. Catching a Movie at the Longest Continually Operated Theater in the South

More than a century old, the family-run Prytania Theatre screens first-run features daily, and hosts screenings of classic movies every Wednesday and Saturday. Grab some buttered popcorn, or a gourmet treat from the espresso bar, and sit back and enjoy the show.

Want to dig deeper? Explore our up-to-date Uptown guides to help you get the most out of your stay:

Food and Drink
10 Dishes That Define New Orleans and Where to Try Them Uptown
New Orleans Food Bucket List, Uptown Edition
Where to Get Breakfast Near the Alder Hotel Uptown

Sightseeing
Guide: Navigating the Freret Neighborhood and Uptown New Orleans
Essential Stops and Sights Along the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar Route
Our Neighborhood — Most Popular Attractions Near the Alder Hotel
Architectural Landmarks — Uptown New Orleans
Things to Do on Loyola and Tulane Campuses – Alder Hotel Uptown New Orleans
Exploring Uptown New Orleans on a Budget

Shopping
Shopping Near Alder Hotel Uptown New Orleans
Shopping the Freret Market
Edible Souvenirs From New Orleans
Guide to the New Orleans Art Markets

Planning Your Itinerary
Your Itinerary: 24-Hours in Uptown New Orleans
Rainy Day Fun Near the Alder Hotel
Uptown New Orleans: A Family-Friendly Itinerary
Fun with Fido in Uptown New Orleans

Essential Stops and Sights Along the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar Route

Essential Stops and Sights Along the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar Route

St. Charles Avenue Streetcar by Sharon Mollerus on flickr

Essential Stops and Sights Along the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar Route

There’s a way to see New Orleans’ Uptown, Garden District, Carrollton, and Central Business District (CBD) neighborhoods that are historically accurate, affordable, and entertaining. It’s called the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, and a ride costs $1.25. Best of all, the streetcar stop is less than a mile away from the Alder Hotel — about a 15-minute walk. Here’s what to know before you go and which destinations are worth a visit, organized by street addresses as you head further from Uptown and then downtown.

Streetcar Facts

Stroll to the intersection of St. Charles Avenue and Cadiz streets, where the streetcar stops. If you want to head downtown, stand on the riverside (south) of St. Charles Avenue. If you are heading further Uptown, stand on the lakeside (north) of St. Charles Avenue. Have exact change — $1.25 for a one-way ride, or $3 for a Jazzy Pass, which gives you unlimited rides for the day.

Pay the driver and settle into a vintage mahogany bench. St. Charles Avenue streetcars are not air-conditioned and are not wheelchair accessible, although that will change soon (the city’s other lines using red, not green, streetcars are wheelchair accessible, by the way).

To make a stop, simply pull the horizontal cord running across your window to signal to the driver that you want to get off. Ideally, you should exit using the rear doors, but this recommendation is often ignored by locals and visitors alike.

Stop 1: Audubon Park (6500 Magazine St.)

Begin your streetcar adventure by heading further Uptown to Audubon Park. You should see the live oak trees, running paths, lakes, and playground equipment from the streetcar, but if not, just pull the cord when you hit Calhoun Street. Take a stroll through the 350-acre public park, where New Orleanians have come to relax since 1898. At the very rear of the park lies the Audubon Zoo. The elephants, tigers, white alligators, monkeys, and other animals make a visit to this beautifully landscaped zoo a must.

Stop 2: Tulane and Loyola Universities (6363-6823 St. Charles Ave.)

You’ll spot the campuses of Tulane and Loyola universities right across Audubon Park. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, Tulane University’s campus occupies more than 110 acres and extends north to S. Claiborne Avenue through Freret and Willow streets. From the Italian Renaissance to Mid-Century Modern, the campus boasts many styles and is known for its large live oak trees.

Loyola’s sprawling main campus also faces St. Charles Avenue and Audubon Park. Marquette Hall is the oldest campus building and is the iconic image of the university you’ll probably recognize the most. Both campuses deserve a walkthrough thanks to their architectural significance and well-landscaped grounds.

Stop 3: Newcomb Art Museum (6823 St. Charles Ave.)

This museum sits on Tulane University’s campus, and it is free and open to the public. Past and present exhibitions have focused on works by contemporary abstractionists and contributions by women artists in the multi-disciplinary fields spanning art and design. Be sure you have a map handy, and check hours before you go.

Stop 4: The Camellia Grill (626 Carrollton Ave.)

By this time, you’ve probably worked up an appetite. Head further Uptown, to the Riverbend area, and hop off at the Camellia Grill, a classic diner where white-jacketed staff members serve up delicacies ranging from grilled pecan pie to cheeseburgers and cherry-chocolate slushies. There may be a line of Tulane students, tourists, and locals waiting for a seat, but it’s well worth the delay. Get in line and find out why Camellia Grill has been an institution since 1946.

Stop 5: Ogden Museum of Southern Art (925 Camp St.)

To get to the Ogden, also get off at Harmony Circle. You’ll find this museum a block away on Camp Street, which runs parallel to St. Charles Avenue. The Ogden puts a spotlight on the visual arts and culture of the American South, holding some of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Southern art in the U.S. The museum was founded in 1999 with donations of more than 600 works from New Orleans businessman Roger H. Ogden’s private collection and has grown since to include more than 4,000 works.

Stop 6: Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) (900 Camp St.)

The CAC is a must-stop and a Warehouse District staple, with an impressive roster of events ranging from world-class visual arts exhibitions to performing arts shows. There’s always something cooking up at this vibrant cultural hub: art camps, workshops, avant-garde music shows, and much more. The building, a historic 1905 warehouse located between Andrew Higgins Drive and St. Joseph Street one block from Lee Circle, is a sight to behold. Inside, it’s a 30,000-square-foot dazzling maze of sunlit open spaces, site-specific art installations, theaters, studios, and an atrium.

If you happen to be here in August, the CAC hosts a massive and popular White Linen Night on the month’s first Saturday. The first Saturday in October is reserved for another important art happening, Art for Art’ Sake. The CAC’s party calendar is full year-round, however, with the venue hosting everything from world-renowned jazz musicians to burlesque to beloved Louisiana acts like Lost Bayou Ramblers.

Stop 7: Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar (4338 St. Charles Ave.)

You can’t miss the imposing building on the corner of St. Charles and Napoleon Avenues, so hop right off for some seafood-centric Creole fare with some of the best views of St. Charles Avenue in the city (and some prime parade-watching spots if you’re here during Mardi Gras). The decor has a lot going for itself too: gigantic windows, a 32-foot zinc bar imported from France, vintage wood floors and beadboard ceilings salvaged from the New Orleans’ long-gone landmarks, antique French dining chairs, oversize wall mirrors, and porch and patio seating.

The menu is Louisiana classics, from po-boys to whatever fresh catch is swimming in the Gulf. Take advantage of the popular happy hour and a full-service oyster bar: deals on raw oysters, washed down with Superior’s signature frozen pomegranate mojito.

Stop 8: The Avenue Pub (1732 St Charles Ave.)

This iconic Lower Garden District pub boasts fireplaces, tin ceilings, a balcony overlooking St. Charles Avenue, a pool table, and sidewalk and patio seating. Under new ownership since 2022, the pub churns out quality grub and features a ton of craft beer.

Stop 9: Herbsaint (701 St. Charles Ave.)

James Beard Award winner Chef Donald Link’s wildly popular restaurant predates Katrina and remains the flagship of the Link Restaurant Group (which runs several businesses including Peche, Cochon, and La Boulangerie). Herbsaint has been and continues to be on many “Best Restaurants” lists for reasons that will become clear as soon as you dig into its crispy goat, or shrimp and fish ceviche — or anything. The menu is best described as French-Southern, with some Italian influences (evident in the presence of housemade gnocchi and spaghetti), with a spotlight on local, seasonal produce and sustainably sourced seafood and meats.

Herbsaint offers a great view of St. Charles Avenue and outdoor seating. Ask the knowledgeable staff for pairing recommendations from the restaurant’s eclectic wine list.

Stop 10: Desi Vega’s Steakhouse (628 St. Charles Ave.)

Desi Vega’s Steakhouse is an elegant, high-ceilinged space with street views and lots of room. It’s located inside the Lafayette Hotel, a French Regency-style 1916 landmark overlooking Lafayette Square. The menu is classic ribeye and filet mignon, seafood, and sides, but with local touches like Andouille and crawfish mac ‘n’ cheese named after Freddie McAfee, a former New Orleans Saints player. Two full bars flank the staircase at Desi Vega, with a daily happy hour.

Spot 11: Gallier Hall (545 St. Charles Ave.)

This historic Greek Revival building overlooks the charming Lafayette Square in New Orleans’ Central Business District (CBD) and has a colorful past. Built in 1845–53, it used to house the City Hall, hosted many events during the Reconstruction and Huey Long eras, and is still in use today. Such important New Orleans figures as Jefferson Davis, General Beauregard, and, most recently, the local R&B legend Ernie K-Doe lay in state in Gallier Hall. It also remains a focal point of the Uptown Mardi Gras parades.

The building is considered to be one of the finest works of architect James Gallier, standing three stories tall and featuring Tuckahoe marble and two rows of fluted Ionic columns. Inside, Gallier Hall is a treasure trove of grand ballrooms full of paintings, antique frames and mirrors, clocks, Steinway pianos, and dozens of chandeliers. A large-scale renovation has been completed in March 2018 as part of the city’s tricentennial celebration, refurbishing the period details and installing a state-of-the-art A/V system.

Stop 12: Luke (333 St. Charles Ave.)

Luke joins an impressive roster of CBD’s notable restaurants with its prime location and brasserie vibe. Executive Chef Erick Loos helms the kitchen, and his French/German menu has a Creole flavor and highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients that come from the Gulf and local farms in dishes like stuffed Gulf oysters, Creole seafood, and sausage gumbo. The elegant dining space contains a raw bar, and you can get raw oysters for a bargain during Luke’s happy hour. Other highlights are Luke’s massive burger and its famous French 75 as well as other bartender-created specialty cocktails.

Well, there you have it. From there, you can walk or take the streetcar down to Canal Street to kick off a night in the French Quarter, or ride back Uptown and call it a night. Either way, you’ll have gotten in a full day of sightseeing, eating, and drinking.

Uptown-New-Orleans-On-a-Budget

Exploring Uptown New Orleans on a Budget

You don’t have to drop serious cash anywhere in New Orleans to have a great time, and Uptown is no exception. You can still eat really well and get around for a little over a dollar to see some astonishingly beautiful sights. Here are our budget-friendly recommendations near the hotel.

Free parking from Alder

Alder offers complimentary self-parking in the parking lot directly across the street from the hotel — take full advantage as street parking in the area is limited, and commercial parking lots could be pricey.

The sightseeing

For just $1.25 per ride, hop on the historic streetcar that runs along St. Charles Avenue. It can take you all the way to Canal Street (the French Quarter is just across the street), and to the Riverbend in the opposite direction. Many visitors use this opportunity to soak up some incredible views of the stately mansions and live oak trees the Garden District and Uptown are famous for. If you plan to hop on and off the streetcar, you can buy one-, three-, or five-day Jazzy passes online. We also highly recommend taking a (free) self-guided walking tour.

Next,  enjoy the urban oasis of the historic Audubon Park. This 350-acre public park, where New Orleanians have come to relax since 1898, has a 1.8-mile jogging path, tennis courts, riding stables, soccer fields, plus an area behind the Audubon Zoo and along the Mississippi River called The Fly that is great for walking.

For under $25, you can also hit the historic Audubon Zoo located at the rear of the park (you can save money by buying tickets online). The elephants, tigers, white alligators, monkeys, and other animals make a visit to this beautifully landscaped zoo a must.

While you’re in the area, why not walk through the grounds of two historic universities, located next to each other? You’ll spot the campuses of Tulane and Loyola universities right across Audubon Park. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places, Tulane University’s campus occupies more than 110 acres and extends north to S. Claiborne Avenue through Freret and Willow streets. From Italian Renaissance to Mid-Century Modern, the campus boasts many styles and is known for its large live oak trees.

Loyola’s sprawling main campus also faces St. Charles Avenue and Audubon Park. Marquette Hall is the oldest campus building and is the iconic image of the university you’ll probably recognize the most. Both campuses absolutely deserve a walkthrough thanks to their architectural significance and lush grounds.

Also, take note: The Newcomb Art Museum on Tulane University’s campus is free and open to the public. Past and present exhibitions have focused on works by contemporary women abstractionists and other contributions by women artists in the multi-disciplinary fields spanning art and design.

Eating and drinking

For a well-priced breakfast, head to the Riverbend area, and hop off at The Camellia Grill (626 S. Carrollton Ave.), a classic diner where white-jacketed staff members serve up cheeseburgers, grilled pecan pie, and cherry-chocolate slushies. Get in line and find out why The Camellia Grill has been an institution since 1946.

Need a caffeine fix? Mojo Coffee House (4700 Freret St.) is a cozy, welcoming hangout where you can grab small-batch roasted coffee and a vegan muffin, and connect to wi-fi.

For lunch, grab a cheese plate or a sandwich from St. James Cheese Company, and sit outside for some people-watching. Dat Dog’s both Uptown locations (3336 Magazine Street near Louisiana Avenue and 5030 Freret Street near Soniat Street) have dog-friendly outdoor seating, great for people-watching too. The very affordable Dat Dog dishes out a wide variety of meat, fish, vegan and veggie hot dogs, sausages, and other comfort food like burgers and chicken. The dogs and the sausages come with a choice of more than 30 toppings.

We also recommend The Company Burger on Freret and Cadiz streets (4600 Freret St.) for its affordable menu of delicious burgers, fries and milkshakes. The menu keeps it simple with the award-winning lamb, turkey, and beef burgers, plus sides, shakes, and cocktails. The “not burger” options are also kept simple: hot dogs, and grilled cheese and fried chicken sandwiches.

Guy’s Po-Boys is a no-frills, budget-friendly, beloved local lunch staple since the early 1990s. It’s often voted among the top five po-boy shops in the city, if not the top. The fried shrimp po-boy is definitely among the best in the city.

Nomiya defines itself as a New Orleans ramen bar and sticks to it by serving the traditional, pork-based tonkotsu plus two more types of broth. The menu is simple: pick your broth and the toppings, and maybe supplement with edamame and pork buns. The mochi ice cream flavors rotate.

Coming from the people helming Commander’s Palace, including co-founder and owner Tory McPhail, the former executive chef at Commander’s, Picnic Provisions & Whiskey is a casual family-friendly spot serves comfort food cold and hot. Check out the mouthwatering hot fried chicken thighs along with a buttermilk biscuit and Cajun potato salad (crawfish boiled potatoes, sweet corn, chopped egg topped with crushed jalapeño Zapp’s chips). Eat indoors or outdoors, and bring your family and your pup.

A great on-the-go option on the bustling Magazine Street, Tal’s Hummus is a quick-service-style tiny spot that specializes in Israeli-inspired food such as falafel, hummus, pita sandwiches, platters, kebabs, salads, and more. It’s fresh, quick, delicious, and made to order.

The family-owned and wallet-friendly Sarita’s Grill (4520 Freret St.) is a good option for both dinner and lunch. This Mexican and Cuban popular eatery has a loyal local following, and you’ll understand why once you try Sarita’s fish tacos or housemade guacamole.

Taqueria Corona is a go-to for the whole family if you’re craving well-done classic Mexican food like tacos and burritos. The house margarita is a good deal, and tasty, too. This Uptown sit-down is popular for very good reasons and always seems to be packed, but the service is efficient, so you’ll be seated quickly. Taqueria Corona is not just our dinner recommendation, it’s a great pick for brunch and lunch as well.

Piccola Gelateria, a classic Italian gelateria with crepes and Italian flatbread sandwiches, can satisfy a craving for something sweet with over a dozen flavors of its small-batch, housemade gelato and sorbetto (and the crepes come in both savory and sweet options). Piccola Gelateria also sells its own, custom-blended, micro-roasted espresso.

For sipping on the budget, hit a happy hour at the James Beard Award winner Cure (4905 Freret St.) or Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar (4338 St. Charles Ave.). Sidle up to Superior’s 32-foot French zinc bar and enjoy raw oysters and Superior’s signature frozen pomegranate mojito.

Want to see some local music for a small cover? The venues we recommend in our guide to the 24-hour itinerary in Uptown New Orleans often have covers as low as $10, especially for their earlier shows, so check those out.

Happy exploring Uptown New Orleans on a budget! We promise you, it’s very doable.

French Market

Guide to the New Orleans Art Markets

French Market

There are a few quality indoor and open-air art markets in New Orleans, so you have choices all year round in addition to all the great galleries in the French Quarter, Warehouse District, and on Magazine Street Uptown. Prices range from a few bucks to four digits, and the options are plentiful, from souvenir trinkets to unique local art. Whatever you’re on the hunt for, you can find a piece of art with your name on it at these New Orleans art markets.

Artists of Jackson Square

Where: 700 Chartres Street, Jackson Square, French Quarter

When: Open daily

Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Although technically not a market under any organization’s umbrella, the art lined along the fence and on the sidewalks of Jackson Square and the Pontalba buildings flanking it often rivals what you might find in a gallery on Julia Street. The loose, self-regulated colony of artists that, weather permitting, displays their original artwork day in and day out, is as essential to the scene as the historic buildings themselves. All vendors have a permit from the city, and quite a few of them have been selling in Jackson Square for decades. You’ll find them all year round, but more artists come out on weekends, in the evenings, and during big events like Mardi Gras.

Arts Market of New Orleans

Arts Market at City Park

Where: 8 Victory Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70119 (City Park’s Goldring/Woldenberg Great Lawn) –

When: Second Saturday of every month

Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Arts Market at Marsalis Harmony Park

Where: 2299 Dublin St., New Orleans, LA 70118

When: Last Saturday of every month, except the December market, which occurs in advance of Christmas.

Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

LUNA Fête Arts Market

Where: The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Pedestrian Park (900 Convention Center Blvd.)

When: December 15 – 18, 2022

Hours: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The Arts Market New Orleans is the Arts Council’s free, twice-monthly open-air, family-friendly monthly marketplace. All exhibited artwork is original and made by hand and created by a rotating roster of more than 300 juried regional artists, both local and from all over the Gulf Coast. You’ll find affordable paintings, photography, ceramics, and glasswork, plus everything from jewelry to soap. Food vendors and live music are also featured. The Arts Market also includes the annual Luna Fete.

French Market

Where: 700-1010 Decatur Street, French Quarter

When: Open daily

Hours: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.               

This sprawling open-air mall was founded in 1791, which makes it the oldest continually operating public market in the country. You can spend hours strolling through this six-block market reminiscent of traditional European markets, from the daily flea market at the end of Esplanade Avenue, through the farmers market stalls, and all the down to Cafe du Monde on Decatur Street. Vendors offer their creations in all price ranges. Depending on the time of year you visit the French Market, you might walk into a festival taking place, and there’s a good chance you’ll be hearing live music on any given day.

Freret Market

Where: Freret and Napoleon Streets, Freret/Uptown

When: First Saturday of the month except for June, July and August, with two markets in December

Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Freret Market was born in 2007 as part of the revitalization effort of the commercial corridor of Freret Street and has been impressively successful since. This open-air market combines the elements of art, food and flea markets, and features about 70 vendors offering everything from crepes to dog adoptions. The market also features special events, local restaurant and catering business pop-ups and food carts, and live music. Freret Street kicks it up with an annual festival held in the spring, with many participating vendors who are also market regulars.

Palace Market Frenchmen

Where: 619 Frenchmen Street, Marigny

When:  Open daily

Hours: Sunday – Wednesday 7 p.m. – midnight; Thursday – Saturday 7 p.m. – 1 a.m.

This open-air night market gets a lot of foot traffic thanks to its prime location on the historic Frenchmen Street in the Marigny, just steps from the French Quarter. It features a diverse rotating collection of over 80 local illustrators, painters, jewelers, sculptors, and more. If you want to bring home some handmade New Orleans-themed art, this is the place to get it.

Piety Market at Beanlandia

Where: 3300 Royal Street at Piety Street, Bywater

When: Second Saturday every month, with additional holiday markets throughout the year

Hours: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. 

Piety Market returned to its original location after a few years of being held at the New Orleans Healing Center (it was then rebranded as Piety Market in Exile). The Old Ironworks on Piety Street in the Bywater is a 25,000-square-foot former furniture factory that has been reborn as Beanlandia, a community center and home to the Krewe of Red Beans. This bustling market is a must for local art, craft, vintage and flea market merch, and it also features live acoustic music and pop-up food.

SecondLine Arts & Antiques

Where: 1209 Decatur Street, French Quarter

When: Thursday – Sunday

Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Located on a busy block of Decatur Street not far from the French Market in the French Quarter, SecondLine Arts & Antiques gets a lot of foot traffic in its expansive indoor and outdoor spaces. The inside is crammed with funky, junkyard-type salvaged pieces of ironwork, signs and windows, and the more serious antiques. Right outside, the art and flea market is filled with furniture and tons of local art, all priced to move quickly.

Zele NOLA

Where: 2841 Magazine Street, Garden District

When: Open daily

Hours: Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday noon – 5 p.m.

Located on Magazine Street between 7th and 8th streets, this permanent indoor market features more than 100 shops under one roof. There you’ll find locally made art, clothing, crafts, home decor, and jewelry you can take home. The eclectic inventory is mostly handmade and maintains the green theme by featuring recycled and repurposed items.

car

Our Neighborhood — Most Popular Attractions Near the Alder Hotel

There’s plenty to explore around the Alder Hotel, even on foot. Mostly, this area of the city is heavily residential, with late 19th-century houses and small commercial properties drowning in lush greenery. The grand mansions under the canopies of live oaks of St. Charles Avenue are a few blocks away, and so is the shopping and dining strip of Magazine Street.

One of the main attractions in the neighborhood is Freret Street, named after an antebellum New Orleans mayor. The stately mansions mix with the historic shotguns, surrounding the thriving eight-block corridor of Freret Street between Napoleon and Jefferson avenues. Due to the robust recovery and development efforts led by the locally-owned small businesses, developers, and the city administration, the street got an injection of much-needed business and renovation and is showing no signs of slowing down.

The neighborhood has its own monthly market and an annual festival, both held along Freret Street’s commercial strip. It even has its own Carnival krewe, Krewe of Freret, which parades during Mardi Gras and hosts a summer stroll.

Just walking down the Freret Street corridor will bring you to the top-notch (and some of the most diverse) shopping and entertainment destinations. Of course, there’s plenty to eat and drink there as well. In the morning, hit up the dim and cozy Mojo Coffee House or the Rook Cafe for vegan pastries and locally roasted coffee.

Need something more substantial first thing in the morning? The fun, upbeat Slim Goodies Diner on Magazine Street won’t steer you wrong with its inventively named slammers (different kinds of scrambles, from meaty to vegan, served with hash browns). Another inexpensive option is The Camellia Grill, a legendary Carrollton Avenue diner that’s been serving hearty omelets and pecan pie since 1946. There will probably be a line, but it moves quickly, and you can get breakfast all day.

Molly’s Rise and Shine on Magazine Street, the followup to nationally buzzed-about Turkey and the Wolf, is also worth a visit. Its menu is full of items like bagel bites, burritos, the star special, the Grand Slam McMuffin (pork patties, hashbrowns, onions, American cheese), but also lighter fare like the roasted carrot yogurt.

A bright, quaint daytime cafe best known for its hearty American breakfast, Riccobono’s Panola Street Cafe is yet another option. Since opening in 1998, Riccobono’s Panola Street Cafe has become a New Orleans fixture, known for some of the best breakfast in the city. Panola serves classics like Eggs Benedict, Crabcakes Benedict, and a host of specialty omelets from open to close (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.), along with hot-plate lunch specials every weekday.

For lunch, try alligator sausage at the affordable Dat Dog, or have a craft cocktail at Cure and a glass of award-winning wine at Bar Frances come happy hour. Any time of day, catfish is the star of the menu of the Louisiana-meets-the-Delta High Hat Cafe. Also, check out Mint Modern Vietnamese Bistro & Bar for several varieties of pho, banh mi, or a kimchi burger (we love this place!).

Guy’s Po-Boys has been a beloved local lunch staple since the early 1990s. It’s often voted among the top five po-boy shops in the city, if not the top. The fried shrimp po-boy is definitely among the best in the city. A great on-the-go lunch option on the bustling Magazine Street, Tal’s Hummus is a quick-service-style tiny spot that specializes in Israeli-inspired food such as falafel, hummus, pita sandwiches, platters, kebabs, salads, and more. It’s fresh, quick, delicious, and made fresh to order.

At least two more Magazine Street lunch options among the post-pandemic newcomers we can recommend are the ramen bar Nomiya and Picnic Provisions & Whiskey, a family- and dog-friendly indoor/outdoor, casual spot from the people helming Commander’s Palace, including co-founder and owner Tory McPhail, the former executive chef at Commander’s.

Dinner options abound, too. Our top recommendations include Appoline or Bistro Daisy for their romantic settings and high-end Southern/French cuisine, the iconic Casamento’s for oysters and other types of local seafood, chef Alon Shaya’s Saba or the family-friend Misa for elevated Middle Eastern cuisine, and the ever popular Taqueria Corona for great margaritas and family-style classic Mexican food.

The very photogenic St. Charles Avenue is probably best seen out of its historic streetcar, which you can ride for all of $1.25 from the CBD/downtown all the way upriver (exact change required, or get passes online). The street has retained a good number of historically significant 19th-century mansions, and you’ll find a lot of them in the Garden District section of Uptown.

St. Charles Avenue hosts one of the best collections of historic houses in the South, including the “Wedding Cake House” (5807 St. Charles Ave.), the 1896 Colonial Revival home with lots of Victorian splendor to offer; the “Anthemion” (4631 St. Charles Ave.), which used to house the Japanese consulate; the “Smith House” (4534 St. Charles Ave.), built in 1906 for the president of the New Orleans Cotton Exchange, William Smith; the “Elms Mansion” (3029 St. Charles Ave.), an 1869 architectural wonder; and the “Diocesan” (2265 St. Charles Ave.), designed and built by the prominent local architect James Gallier.

Another St. Charles Avenue gem that deserves a mention is the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library, a restored neo-Italianate limestone mansion built in 1907 for a wealthy merchant, Mark Isaacs. Inside, you’ll find the original ceiling frescoes and murals, and the well-preserved formal rooms on the first two floors.

Heading into Carrolton and toward the Mississippi River, the imposing facades and sprawling balconies become generously mixed with the more modest but still well-preserved shotguns and thriving local businesses, including some of the best bars and restaurants in the city.

Of course, don’t miss the magnificent Audubon Park which contains the Audubon Zoo and faces the historic campuses of Tulane and Loyola universities. Both boast an architectural mix of styles of the 19th century and modern, with the backdrop of large live oaks.

Just like Freret Street’s revitalized strip, the 13 blocks of Magazine Street are meant to be walked. It’s the main commercial artery that the Garden District and Uptown share, and it’s crammed with restaurants, bars, sidewalk cafes, and dozens of retail stores where you can buy local art, antiques, vintage clothing, funky costumes, and more. Get some locally made New Orleans-centric gear at Dirty Coast or Fleurty Girl, or satisfy your costuming and vintage needs at Funky Monkey and Miss Claudia’s Vintage Clothing & Costumes.

If you’d like a dozen raw oysters with your martini, head to the iconic Pascal’s Manale, where oysters are shucked right in front of you. For live music, the iconic Tipitina’s and the Maple Leaf Bar cannot be beaten, both a short ride away. There’s also something going on at Gasa Gasa, be it a movie screening, live music, or a krewe party.

Finally, no Uptown architectural tour is complete without hitting the above-ground Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 on Washington Avenue, in the heart of the Garden District. It’s the oldest of the seven city-operated cemeteries in New Orleans, with some interesting society tombs (the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Home For Destitute Orphan Boys among them) and over a thousand family tombs. The iconic cemetery has served as a popular backdrop for many music videos and movies over the years (Double Jeopardy, Dracula, etc.). Please note that as of December 2022, the cemetery is closed for maintenance and repairs.

And right across the street is the incomparable Commander’s Palace (elevated Creole fare), a slice of classic New Orleans, not to be missed.

Happy exploring near the Alder Hotel!

Guide: Navigating the Freret Neighborhood and Uptown New Orleans

New Orleans has a lot to offer, as does the Uptown Freret neighborhood where the Alder hotel is located. You’ve probably also done your homework and have your sightseeing, dining, and shopping options and preferences lined up. However, the idiosyncrasies of any city might throw off even a seasoned traveler. On top of that, online directions could be unreliable, transportation schedules confusing, and what looks like an easy 10-minute walk on the map might get you lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood.

That’s why we’d like to help you navigate the Freret neighborhood and beyond with comfort and confidence, to make your stay in Uptown New Orleans as pleasant as possible. Here’s our guide to your transportation options, our top recommendations for places to see, eat and shop within walking distance, as well as the options for when you’re looking for a workout or a little pampering, and more.

Transportation Options

Parking

The Alder Hotel offers free self-parking in the parking lot directly across the street. It’s relatively rare to find this amenity in New Orleans, so we hope you take advantage of it. There’s also street parking available near the hotel, but it might be limited depending on the time of year and day.

Streetcar

The historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar line is within walking distance, about 20 minutes away. The streetcar stops on every block of St. Charles Ave., running from every eight to 20 minutes, depending on the time of day and night (although please don’t quote us on that). The fare is $1.25 per person, and you can get passes ranging from one-day passes ($3) to month-long ($55).

Our preferred and therefore most recommended walking route from the hotel to catch the St. Charles Ave. streetcar is to:

  • Take a left at the hotel’s entrance
  • Take Magnolia St. toward Napoleon Ave.
  • Make a right at Napoleon Ave.
  • Walk down Napoleon Ave. for about 10 blocks until you arrive at St. Charles Ave.

Bus

Besides the streetcar, another public transportation option is getting around by bus. There are three lines that stop within walking distance, with the #15 Freret St. line being the closest:

  • #15 Freret and Cadiz streets
  • #16 at S. Claiborne Ave. and Cadiz St.
  • #28 at Napoleon Ave. and Magnolia St.

Walking

Our guests often ask if the area near the hotel is safe for walking, and it generally is. Plus, the hotel’s close proximity to the Ochsner Baptist sprawling medical campus means you get the advantage of dedicated security patrolling the area.

Getting to the hotel from the airport

You can get the shuttle service from the airport that will deliver you to our door, for $24.00 per person. Airport Shuttle Inc. is a minibus/van service located at baggage claim. To book your ride, click here.

Taxi service is also available at baggage claim, with the $36 flat rate for one or two passengers, and $15 per person if more than two passengers are riding.

Taxicab and ride-share services

The ride-share options in New Orleans include Uber and Lyft (you can download their apps at the links). There’s also a handful of taxicab services servicing the Uptown New Orleans neighborhood. We recommend:

  • United Cabs, Inc., (504) 522-9771
  • New Orleans Carriage Cab, (504) 207-7777
  • Coleman Cab, (504) 586-0222

Distance

If you are getting to places by car or public transportation:

  • French Quarter: 4.5 miles; a little under 20 minutes by car, depending on the traffic
  • Central Business District: 3 miles; 15 minutes by car, 20 by streetcar
  • Warehouse/Arts District: 2.8 miles; 10-15 minutes by car, 20 by public transportation

Fitness and Spa Services

Check out the 24/7 Anytime Fitness center (4600 Freret St.). It’s located 0.2 miles from the hotel, which takes about five minutes to walk. There is also a spa within walking distance, Spa Savoire Faire (5014 Freret St.). It’s a seven-minute walk, for 0.4 miles. Savoire Faire offers coupons for discounts on services. Guests can pick up a coupon from the Concierge at the front desk.

Pets

We are a pet-friendly New Orleans hotel. At The Alder Hotel, we welcome dogs and cats and look forward to hosting you and your pets when you stay in Uptown New Orleans. You can review our pet policy here. If you are traveling with large dogs (over 50 pounds) or would like supervision for your dog while you sightsee, we recommend Zeus’ Place (4601 Freret St.).

Top 10 Recommendations for Food and Drink Near the Alder Hotel

You’ll find more recommendations specifically for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and snoballs at the links below (see the “Eating and Drinking section), but here are our top 10:

Bearcat Cafe, 2521 Jena St.

Comfort food, vegan and gluten-free options.

Less than a block off Freret Street and within walking distance of Ochsner Baptist Medical Center and the Tulane and Loyola University area, this full-service cafe offers lunch and breakfast plus micro-sourced, sustainable coffee. The menu is mostly comfort food, divided into “Good Cat” and “Bad Cat” sections. The lighter fare is full of gluten-free and vegan options. The hearty “Bad Cat” offers items like pork chops, burgers, and shrimp BBQ pasta.

The High Hat Cafe, 4500 Freret St.

Louisiana cookin’, where catfish and Gulf seafood (and pimento!) are the stars. 

This casual neighborhood eatery specializes in the Mississippi Delta and Louisiana staples like catfish, Gulf seafood, and slow-roasted pork served along with a long cocktail menu. Pimento cheese is prominently featured in the house burger, specialty fries, and even deviled eggs.

Bar Frances, 4525 Freret St.

Wine pairings and small plates in a contemporary bistro setting.

This airy bistro, located in the thick of Freret Street’s shopping and dining scene, features a large selection of natural wines plus a seasonal menu of small plates. It also offers full breakfast/brunch and dinner menus.

The Company Burger, 4600 Freret St.

Award-winning burgers with sides, shakes, and cocktails.

We also recommend The Company Burger on Freret and Cadiz streets for its solid menu of delicious burgers, fries, and milkshakes. The menu keeps it simple with the award-winning lamb, turkey, and beef burgers, plus sides, shakes, and cocktails. The “not burger” options are also kept simple: hot dogs, grilled cheese, and fried chicken sandwiches.

Mojo Coffee House, 4700 Freret St.

A cozy, welcoming hangout where you can grab small-batch roasted coffee, and a vegan muffin and connect to wi-fi.

You won’t find full kitchen service at this laid-back coffee house (the counter-service destination is more of a pastry-and-sandwich place), but for those mornings when you just need caffeine and a quick bite, nothing beats Mojo.

Humble Bagel, 4716 Freret St.

Small-batch sustainably made bagels.

Humble Bagel’s creations are made in-house daily, from scratch, with just five ingredients, and in small batches (the proprietors are big on minimizing food waste and using locally sourced ingredients when possible). The place is open till 1 p.m. daily, or until they sell out. The menu is kept simple — bagels, cream cheese, and breakfast combos like eggs, bacon, and lox — and it’s worth getting up early for.

Cure, 4905 Freret St.

Dimly-lit, upscale lounge inside a former firehouse on Freret Street with craft cocktails and small plates.

A popular destination for cocktail lovers, Cure is a stylish, upscale lounge located inside a renovated firehouse. There you can sip your classic New Orleans cocktails surrounded by bottles of bourbons from around the world, including the hard-to-find, rare and reserve varieties. The well-reviewed menu offers a rotation of frequently changing cocktails made by seasoned mixologists along with small plates and bar snacks. If you’re coming in for lunch on a weekend, it would have to be on a later side, as Cure opens at 3 p.m.

Blaze Pizza, 5001 Freret St.

Signature and build-your-own pizzas plus salads in the 2,400 sq. ft. space.

This is the second New Orleans location for the Los Angeles-based, LeBron James-backed chain. (The first one opened in 2015 on O’Keefe Avenue in the CBD.) This restaurant is located on Robert Street and Freret near Dat Dog. It’s open till midnight Sun.-Thu., and till 2 a.m. Fri.-Sat. The menu is straightforward, featuring signature pizzas with some vegetarian options, and lots of kid-friendly toppings if you want to BYO pizza.

Dat Dog, 5030 Freret St.

Affordable comfort food includes meat, fish, vegan, and veggie hot dogs and sausages with more than 30 toppings. Dog-friendly outdoor seating.

Dat Dog’s both Uptown locations (3336 Magazine Street near Louisiana Avenue and 5030 Freret Street near Soniat Street) have dog-friendly outdoor seating, great for people-watching too. At its Freret Street location, the affordable Dat Dog dishes out a wide variety of meat, fish, vegan and veggie hot dogs, sausages, and other kid-friendly comfort food like burgers and chicken. The dogs and the sausages come with a choice of more than 30 toppings.

Mint Modern Vietnamese Bistro & Bar, 5100 Freret St.

Vietnamese classics with modern twists in the bustling corner location in the Freret Street corridor.

Mint’s streamlined menu is modern indeed, packed with specialty rolls, several varieties of pho, banh mi, and a kimchi burger. One of the unusual specialty cocktails is Fishy Surprise, which is made with whiskey, Drambuie, grapefruit juice, and fish sauce.

If you want to keep exploring, here’s our collection of resources, from the fun things you can do as a couple, or with your dog, plus where to get the best breakfast, find a comfy co-working spot nearby, and much more.

Local Attractions & Things to Do

Things to Do in New Orleans: Year-At-A-Glance

Alder Hotel’s Top 12 Reasons to Stay in the Freret Neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans

Your Itinerary: 24-Hours in Uptown New Orleans

Our Neighborhood — Most Popular Attractions Near the Alder Hotel

Architectural Landmarks — Uptown New Orleans

Things to Do on Loyola and Tulane Campuses – Alder Hotel Uptown New Orleans

Essential Stops and Sights Along the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar Route

A Night on Freret Street

Rainy Day Fun Near the Alder Hotel

Eating and Drinking Near the Alder Hotel

10 Dishes That Define New Orleans and Where to Try Them Uptown

New Orleans Food Bucket List, Uptown Edition

Where to Get Breakfast Near the Alder Hotel Uptown

Where to Find Snoballs near the Alder Hotel in Uptown New Orleans

Coffee, Brunch, Lunch, and Co-Working Near the Alder Hotel Uptown New Orleans

Late Night Eats Uptown New Orleans

Shopping Uptown

Shopping Near Alder Hotel Uptown

Shopping the Freret Market

Edible Souvenirs From New Orleans

Family-Friendly Uptown

Uptown New Orleans: A Family-Friendly Itinerary

Romantic Uptown

Fun for Couples in Uptown New Orleans

Dog-Friendly Uptown

Fun with Fido in Uptown New Orleans

Fit Uptown

Staying Fit in Uptown New Orleans

Uptown on a Budget

Exploring Uptown New Orleans on a Budget

October in New Orleans

October in New Orleans

October in New Orleans

Get ready! October is an amazing time to be in New Orleans, and we’re not just talking about Halloween. October is packing over a dozen music and food festivals alone, not to mention the milder temps you’d want to be here for. Here are the highlights of what’s going on in New Orleans in October. 

Art for Art’s Sake

October 1, 2022

The Magazine Street Merchants Association‘s Art for Art’s Sake features more than 100 businesses stretching the entire length of Magazine Street offering free white wine as well as art shows, special deals, promotional sales, and live music.

Oktoberfest

October 7-8, 14-15, and 21-22, 2022

New Orleans throws its version of Oktoberfest over the three weekends in October at Deutsches Haus in Mid-City, to celebrate the city’s rich German history with all the usual trappings, including authentic food and live music.

Crescent City Blues and BBQ Festival

October 14-16, 2022

Presented by the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the free, over-decade-old fest always sports an eclectic lineup, consistently booking a mix of young talent alongside seasoned blues veterans. And that’s before you even consider the wide variety of BBQ vendors that surround Lafayette Square throughout the weekend.

Just like in the past years, there will be two stages of music and a huge arts market. As always, the event will include copious amounts of barbecue, with some of the best barbecue vendors in the region. Past vendors have included McClure’s, Blue Oak BBQ, The Joint, and many, many others. The spread will honor several regional styles, with an emphasis on Louisiana — made easier than ever with the recent proliferation of BBQ restaurants on the New Orleans dining scene. Beyond BBQ, there will be, of course, options for vegetarians, plus vegan and gluten-free fare.

Tremé Fall Festival

October 22, 2022 

This local fave throws a serious party in the blocks connecting Henriette Delille, Tremé and Gov. Nicholls Streets in one the nation’s first African American neighborhoods, just as the weather is getting nice. Most of the action is centered in front of the historic St. Augustine Church on the 1100 block of Henriette Delille Street. Expect entertainment from New Orleans musical royalty and food trucks and vendors from some of New Orleans’ best eateries. The festival is donation-based.

Krewe of Boo

October 22, 2022, & October 21, 2023 

Krewe of Boo is one of the city’s most impressive parades outside of carnival season. This Halloween procession kicks off at 6:30 p.m., starting at Elysian Fields Ave. and rolling through the Quarter to the Warehouse District. Expect plenty of floats and dance troupes, all themed after monsters, spooks, and general ghostly goodness that’s not too scary even for the youngest kids.

The parade is brought to you by Kern Studios, so expect the usual 3-D fiberglass and papier-mâché extravaganza. Parade-goers are encouraged to come in costume. Expect plush toys, candy and unique, eco-conscious throws. The fun ends with a ticketed post-parade costume party.

Additionally, that morning the Krewe hosts its annual New Orleans Zombie Run. This two-mile race starts at 9 a.m. and ends at noon, both at Lucy’s Retired Surfers Bar & Restaurant (701 Tchoupitoulas St.). Participants are encouraged to come dressed as zombies and monsters. Registration for the race begins at 7:30 a.m. You can also pre-register online.

Halloween

October 31 

In New Orleans, Halloween is much more than just a night for kids to go treat-or-treating, although there’s much to do with the little ones for Halloween too. Teeming with costume balls, street parties, and, of course, the Krewe of Boo parade, the two weeks leading up to the day itself are packed with some ghoulish, outlandish treats.

Not to be confused with another, Halloween-weekend Voodoo Fest, which is a massive music festival, Voodoo Authentica‘s VoodooFest will be held inside and outside the shop on the day of Halloween, from 1 to 7 p.m. There you can shop for potion oils, gris gris bags, voodoo dolls, plus African and Haitian art; witness an ancestral healing ritual, or speak to the priests about this version of faith.

Throughout October, the historic Hermann-Grima House, located in the French Quarter (820 St. Louis St.), changes up its historical tours to explore the mourning spaces of the 19th century. During a guided tour, you’ll explore the property while learning about the religious and cultural significance of death for the families living here in the 19th century.

You can also take any of the themed and historic tours offered this time of year, from the popular haunted tours to the vampire and voodoo tours in the French Quarter or the cemeteries tours in Mid-City or Uptown. One of the tours offered, the French Quartour Kids Spooky Tour, caters specifically to kids ages 4-8, leaving the gore out. Ask your concierge for tour recommendations.

Or, you can all trek Uptown to see some over-the-top decorated houses. The lawns at St. Charles Ave. and State St. and at Magazine and Second Streets, in particular, go above and beyond with scores of skeletons, holograms, music, and dazzling lights.

Looking for some grownup fun? Strut your stuff and see some fabulous costumes on Frenchmen St. in the Marigny, where a massive street party has been breaking out for years on Halloween night. Things really get going after 10 p.m., and there are plenty of bars to duck in and out of to recharge and replenish.

Voodoo Music + Arts Experience

TBA 2023

This massive annual undertaking started small, eventually becoming a mega fest with thousands of costumed attendees, big headliners, art installations, and a weekend of great music among the oaks. These days Voodoo Fest is considered second only to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in attendance. The fest will be held at the New Orleans City Park Festival Grounds (4 Friedrichs Ave.). Because parking will be limited we recommend hopping on the streetcar that runs along N. Carrollton Ave. and will bring you right to the City Park. [The fest was canceled for 2020-2022 but plans to return in 2023.]

Mac n’ Cheese Fest

TBA 2023

This free annual fest is held at Louis Armstrong Park and keeps expanding to accommodate its growing popularity. Over the years, it had featured a judged competition among the dozens of mac ‘n’ cheese dishes from Louisiana restaurants, pop-ups and food catering businesses, an artist market, and an eating competition. [Please note that the festival was canceled for 2020-2022, but expects to return in 2023.]