French Quarter - New Orleans, LA Area Guide

Vieux Carre, or the French Quarter, was the first settlement in New Orleans. It was established by French colonists in 1718, and it is filled with amazing architecture. Much of New Orleans is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a Historic Landmark District -- an incredible 85 square blocks. The French Quarter is considered a sub-district within that area, listed as the French Quarter CBD. And while it is known for its wild nights and Mardi Gras, there's much more to explore in the French Quarter, from fantastic museums to gorgeous courtyards.

Most of the buildings in the French Quarter were built before 1800. Back then, the majority of the buildings weren't adorned with the lacy balconies the French Quarter is so famous for. It wasn't until the very fashionable Baroness Pontalba added them to her row houses near Jackson Square in 1850 that others soon followed suit.

During the 1920s, the French Quarter found favor with the artistic, bohemian crowd. Instead of tearing down the old architecture, they worked to save it. The Vieux Carre Commission was established in 1925 to preserve as much of the historic French Quarter as possible. They won a major victory in the late 1960s, when the city wanted to build an expressway through the French Quarter. After a court battle that lasted nearly a decade, the VCC won and the freeway was cancelled in 1969. They've also worked to keep the number of inns and hotels to a minimum -- up until the 1970s, the building of large hotels destroyed much of the early architecture.

Be sure to go on a walking tour after moving to the French Quarter. In addition to the historic buildings, you'll be able to see the beautiful courtyards, fountains, and ironwork. The tours include historical, haunted, culinary, and cocktail. Carriage rides are also available.

The restaurants in the French Quarter are as famous as the chefs who own them. After renting an apartment in the French Quarter, you'll be tempted to try them all. Of course, you'll have to start at the Cafe Du Monde -- this coffeehouse is legendary. You will probably want to start every morning here with a cafe a lait and a beignet.

From there, the choice is yours … Creole, seafood, French, Italian, American. Some must-visits in the French Quarter include GW Fins, Atchafalaya, Verti Marte, Muriel's Jackson Square, Emeril's, Shaya, Langlois, Restaurant August, Jacques-Imo's Cafe, the Italian Barrel … you can't go wrong when dining out in this fantastic neighborhood, so try everything.

Some restaurants offer a historic glimpse into New Orleans' long history, such as the Pirates Alley Cafe. The alleyway is allegedly where the Lafitte brothers hid their contraband. It is also where they supposedly met with Andrew Jackson, where they plotted together to defeat the British.

Nightlife in the French Quarter is famous for a reason. Bourbon Street bars, amazing music venues, dancing -- this is home to the world's largest street party. When it is Mardi Gras, the party doesn't stop. But even when it isn't, New Orleans heats up when the sun goes down.

Listen to jazz at the 21st Amendment Jazz Club at La Louisane, check out the latest talent at the Balcony Music Club, or marvel at the unique merry-go-round bar, the Carousel Bar. Head to the Crescent City Brewhouse to try some freshly-brewed beer, and listen to world-class musicians at the famous House of Blues.

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar is another must-visit. Built around 1722, this is the oldest bar in the nation and one of the three oldest buildings in New Orleans. The tiny tavern was once owned by the Lafitte brothers, who used it as their New Orleans base for their privateer activities. Admire the historical architecture, have a drink, listen to the piano player, and be sure to glance around every now and again -- you might catch a glimpse of a ghostly Lafitte, among other spirits who supposedly frequent the bar. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

New Orleans is a very pedestrian-friendly city, and the French Quarter is the city's most walkable neighborhood. It is also a great place for bicycling -- New Orleans ranks 5th in the nation for people who bike to work. If you feel like riding, New Orleans has the oldest continuously-operating streetcars in the world (but don't call them trolleys). There are also pedicabs, taxis, buses, and the Algiers Ferry.

You may find a car to be more of a nuisance in New Orleans -- the parking rules are complicated, and it can get expensive. Some of the parking offenses (many of which carry steep fines) include: blocking driveways, parking on neutral grounds, parking in a service zone, parking on a parade route within two hours of a parade, parking on major streets during rush hours, parking on-street for more than 24 hours, parking on a narrow street, parking more than 18 inches from the curb … if you plan to keep your car when you move to New Orleans, be sure you familiarize yourself with all of the parking regulations.

Jackson Square -- named for the three statues of Andrew Jackson in the park -- is the main square in the French Quarter. The square includes an open-air artist colony and often hosts events and festivals. The square offers fantastic views of the historic St. Louis Cathedral -- the nation's oldest cathedral, first built in 1718 and rebuilt in 1789. The St. Louis Cemetery is the final resting place of several notable New Orleans residents, including Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau.

The Washington Artillery Park and Moonwalk is a scenic boardwalk extending from Jackson Square to the Mississippi River. Known as the "Moonwalk," it is named in honor of Mayor Moon Landrieu, who proposed the walkway. A linear park extends along the riverfront. Woldenberg Park features 16 acres of green space along with jogging paths and views of the river.

Several squares and pocket parks are scattered throughout the French Quarter, including Musical Legends Park off Bourbon Street, Latrobe Park off Decatur Street, and Place de France near the merge of Decatur Street and North Peters Street.

It can get expensive living in the French Quarter. The cost of living is 37 percent higher than the rest of New Orleans and 23 percent higher than the national average. In New Orleans, the average apartment rents for about $922. In the French Quarter, the cost will be slightly higher -- roughly $1,000 a month.

The French Quarter's economy is heavily in the service industry. Travel to the Central Business District to find larger companies, such as Reily Foods Company, Whitney National Bank, and Tidewater Marine.

The place to go in the French Quarter is the same place people have shopped here since 1791 -- the French Market. Encompassing six blocks along the river, this open-air market features shops, cafes, restaurants, a weekly farmers market, and a daily flea market. As the oldest public market in the country, the French Market is an experience. Be sure to stop in on Wednesday afternoon or Saturday morning to pick up fresh, local produce and more at the farmers market. The French Market also hosts events and festivals, including the Creole Tomato Festival and the Harvest Festival.

Nearby Magazine Street contains six miles of antique stores, boutiques, shoe stores, home furnishing stores, toy stores, and more. This popular shopping district also offers sidewalk cafes, bakeries, and restaurants so you can make a day of it.

One of New Orleans' oldest streets, Royal Street, is another terrific shopping destination. This pedestrian mall (closed off to vehicle traffic) is home to art galleries, antique shops, thrift stores, souvenir shops, and boutiques. While you shop, you can enjoy street performers, fantastic architecture, and a beautiful setting that is often used for photographs.

Other shopping destinations include the Shops at Canal Place, which offers upscale stores like Saks Fifth Avenue and J. Crew, and the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, home to a Tommy Bahama Outlet, Gymboree Outlet, Steve Madden, Kenneth Cole, Fossil, LOFT Outlet, Lucky Brand, and Cafe Du Monde.