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Garden District Tour, New Orleans
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Garden District Tour
Guide Location: USA » New Orleans
Guide Type: Self-guided city tour
# of Attractions: 9
Tour Duration: 2 hour(s)
Transportation Mode: by foot
Travel Distance: 4.2 km
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Infrogmation
Author: ann
Dating back to the 19th century, Garden District in New Orleans is famous for its heritage mansions and cottages. Along with the heritage sites you will discover several great specialty shops. Take the tour below and discover the beauty and unique atmosphere of the Garden District.
Tour Stops and Attractions
Katy Beh Contemporary Jewelry
1) Katy Beh Contemporary Jewelry
This shop specializes in unusual fine jewelry to go with each personality. The artists are selected by the owner herself and their work is always unique and special.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Fordos
George Washington Cable House
2) George Washington Cable House
Standing on the 8th street in the Garden District, George Washington Cable House represents an important historical landmark. The cottage dates back to 1813 and was the residence of George Washington Cable, the American novelist.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Infrogmation
Christ Church Cathedral
3) Christ Church Cathedral
The Christ Church Cathedral Episcopal is the first non-Roman Catholic Church in Louisiana. It was founded in 1803 as Christ’s Church. It is also a very popular tourist attraction and was designated as a cathedral in 1891. The church was built for Protestant members of the community. The church we know today is actually the fourth version of the Christ Church Cathedral Episcopal. The first church was erected in 1816 on the corner of Canal and Bourbon street. It was designed by Henry Boneval Latrobe. The second place of worship was erected in 1833. It was built by James Gallier Sr. and featured a Greek temple design. The third church was built by James Gallier Jr. and featured Gothic architecture. It was located on the corner of Canal and Dauphine streets. The current church was built by Lawrence B. Valk in 1886. It was built to address the growing congregation and moved to an area closer to where its parishioners lived. It is located on St. Charles Avenue and Sixth Street and features Gothic design. The cathedral has a feeding ministry in conjunction with the Restoration Embassy and the Advent House, which acts a spiritual retreat and education center. Sunday services are at 7:30 am, 10 am, and 6 pm. Weekday services are at 12:15 pm. Saturday services are at 9:30 am.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and C-Ali
Lafayette Cemetery
4) Lafayette Cemetery
Located on Washington Avenue in the Garden District is the impressive and majestic Lafayette Cemetery. The memorial park is one of the oldest cemeteries in the city. It is also a popular shooting location for movies. Scenes from the movie Interview with a Vampire were shot at this location. Benjamin Buisson designed the layout of the graveyard.

Established in 1833, the burial ground was formerly part of the city of Lafayette. In 1852, it became part of New Orleans when the city annexed Lafayette. It was also part of the Livaudais Plantation where many burials took place. The cemetery fell into disrepair for many years, until the Save Our Cemeteries organization launched a restoration project.

Notable residents include the Brigadier General Harry T. Hays of the Confederate Army, the tomb of the Smith and Dumestre families, and the Brunies family tomb. In addition, there are tombs for the Chalmette Fire Company #32 and the Jefferson Fire Company #22.

Visitors will enjoy looking at the artwork that decorates the many crypts and will appreciate the weathered beauty of the tombs. The cemetery is part of the National Register of Historic Places and the World Monuments Fund Watch List. Tours of the facility are offered by the Save Our Cemeteries organization.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Infrogmation
Commander's Palace
5) Commander's Palace
Commander's Palace, the pride of New Orleans, is a restaurant known for good food, great customer service, and its many spacious dining rooms. Opened in the 1880s by the Brennan family, the eatery features authentic contemporary Cajun cuisine. One cannot visit New Orleans without eating at this café. It is located in the famous Garden District.

As soon as you enter the doors, you will be impressed with the festive atmosphere and the friendly staff. Colorful balloons decorate each chair and a live band serenades patrons with jazz on Saturdays and Sundays.

Some of the delicious cookery you will encounter at this jewel are turtle soup with sherry, pecan-crusted Gulf fish with champagne-poached jumbo lump crab, and praline parfait. One of the reasons for the excellent cuisine is the restaurant’s “dirt-to-plate within 100 miles” policy. This ensures that patrons receive the freshest food possible. Another reason for the excellent food is the culinary staff. Chef Tory McPhail is the current chef and Chefs Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme previously worked at the restaurant.

Commander's Palace is the best of the best and the recognition that they have received proves it. Some of the accolades bestowed on the establishment include the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award from the James Beard Foundation, the 2008 Best New Orleans Restaurant from Gambit's Best of New Orleans, and the 2009 Best of Award of Excellence from the Wine Spectator Magazine.

Private parties can be scheduled and include a party planner to make sure your event is memorable. The restaurant is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. Dinner hours are Monday through Sunday from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Jazz Brunch is from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday and from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm to Sunday. They are closed on Christmas Day and Mardi Gras.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Bobak Ha'Eri
The Rink
6) The Rink
Dating back to the 19th century, "The rink" was a famous skating rink. However the building has since been converted into a small shopping mall. The Rink is famous for its specialty shops, among which you can find the Garden District Book Shop, where Anne Rice held the first signings of her books.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Infrogmation
Anshe Sfard Synagogue
7) Anshe Sfard Synagogue
Located in the Garden District, Anshe Sfard Synagogue represents the Orthodox Congregation. The synagogue was built in 1926 and is included in the Uptown Historic District. The building itself represents a mixture of Neo-Byzantine and Rundbogenstil architectural styles.
Image Courtesy of Anshe Sfardgue Synagogue
Bush Antiques
8) Bush Antiques
This exquisite specialty shop opened in 1969. It focuses more on beds but all the items here are elegant and of a rare beauty. You will also find here ironwork, lighting and many other things to surprise your aesthetic tastes.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and modomatic
Jim Russell Rare Records
9) Jim Russell Rare Records
This is a paradise for collectors of old records. Also, here you will find a large and extensive collection of contemporary music ranging from hip-hop to ragtime.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and robbiesaurus
Attractions Map
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