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New Orleans/Faubourg Marigny

The Faubourg Marigny (FAW-borg MER-ih-nee), commonly just Marigny, is a hip neighborhood just "below" (down river from) the French Quarter.

Best known for the great live music district on Frenchmen Street, the Marigny also offers neighborhood cafes & businesses, historic architecture, and more.

Understand
It has the air of what the French Quarter was a generation or two ago before there was so much tourist development. It has a few small hotels and many bed-and-breakfasts, as well as a number of good restaurants, coffee shops, and music venues. Part of the city's old high ground, it fortunately escaped the worst of the post-Katrina disaster.

Orientation
Marigny is down river from the French Quarter, to the north-east by compass. Due to its odd shape (following a bend in the Mississippi River), locals often divide the Marigny into the "Marigny triangle" and the "Marigny rectangle." The triangle runs from Esplanade Avenue (abutting the French Quarter) to Elysian Fields Avenue. The rectangle begins at Elysian Fields and runs to the railroad tracks on Press Street, where the Marigny abuts the Bywater district (the "Ninth Ward").

By foot
Marigny is maybe the most foot friendly neighborhood to explore in the whole city. It's small, compact, and centrally located, and many visitors get to the area by simply walking down river on Royal or Dauphine from the French Quarter. A tip: Bourbon St does not intersect Frenchmen St, and walking to Marigny on Bourbon is a pretty surefire way for an out-of-towner to get turned around.

By car
Parking is fairly easy, especially if you venture a little further east. The main avenues for getting around are St Claude/Rampart, Elysian Fields, and the Esplanade. Frenchmen St gets backed up during events only.

By bus
Quite a few New Orleans RTA buses pass by here.

 * 55, Elysian Fields: this is the most noticeable route cutting through Marigny, and is also the most useful, as it will take you through the French Quarter along Decatur to Canal and the CBD, or north through the 7th, 8th, and Upper 9th Wards and on to the University of New Orleans in Gentilly.
 * 5, Marigny-Bywater: you can theoretically catch this bus on Canal Street at the corner of N. Peters (right in front of the Canal Place tower, across the street from the casino); it goes through the French Quarter on N. Peters/Decatur Streets before taking Elysian Fields back four blocks to Dauphine, and from there follows Dauphine Street through the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods all the way down to Poland Avenue next to the Industrial Canal. Coming back up the route is the same except the bus follows Royal Street instead of Dauphine.
 * 88, St Claude-Delery and 57, Franklin: both routes will pick you up on St Claude and take you down Rampart past the French Quarter to Canal and the CBD. The 88 going eastbound will take you past the Bywater and on to the Lower 9th Ward.
 * 91, Jackson-Esplanade: this bus picks up only at the edge of the district, at Rampart & Esplanade, but the route is pretty handy. Going upriver, it goes past the French Quarter, through the heart of the CBD and on to the Garden District in Uptown. Going back along Esplanade, it will go straight through Mid-City.

By taxi
Taxis are pretty easy to catch in the busy section of Frenchmen St.

See
Architecturally, the Marigny is known for its many styles of Creole cottages, most of which date to the 19th century. Its "heart" is Washington Square Park (bounded by Frenchmen Street, Royal Street, Dauphine Street, and Elysian Fields Avenue). Frenchmen Street is the main nightlife district, with half a dozen live music clubs and just as many restaurants in four short blocks.

At Mardi Gras, the Marigny is one of the city's hidden hot spots, popular with locals who enjoy partying in the streets without the drunken frat-boy atmosphere of Bourbon Street. Crowds gather at the corner of Royal and Kerlerec (outside the R-Bar), as well as at the intersection of Royal and Franklin. Elaborate costumes are the order of the day, along with brass bands and many drummers. Two weeks before Mardi Gras, the Marigny is also the starting place for the Krewe du Vieux, a satirical, raunchy parade in 19th-century Carnival style, complete with small floats drawn by krewe members and mules.

Known for its bohemian atmosphere and low rents (though the latter is changing), the Marigny is home to many artists and musicians, as well as a sizable gay and lesbian population. Among its notable residents are chef Paul Prudhomme, painter James Michalopoulas, and actors Harry Shearer and Jennifer Coolidge, who can be seen around town when they're not working in L.A. Local writers include New Orleans mystery writers Julie Smith and J.M. Redmann, as well as Andrei Codrescu, Michael Swindle, and Kevin Allman.

Buy

Budget

Drink
Frenchmen Street is in the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood just below the lower edge of the Quarter. A 4 block stretch of bars, restaurants, and coffee shops mixed with live music venues make it one of the city's most hip places, catering more to locals than tourists (though tourists are certainly welcome, and welcomed).

On any given night, one might find modern jazz, swinging traditional jazz, Latin American style music, rockabilly, and more within this small area. Except for Buffa's, all the below venues are all either on this stretch of Frenchmen Street or just around the corner from it on Esplanade Avenue.

The best way to enjoy Frenchmen (particularly on weekends) is to walk the street with a drink in hand, listening to the music in each club. Many don't have cover charges, but most require at least a one-drink minimum to enter and listen to music. Whenever the music is enjoyable, don't forget to put some cash in the band's tip jar.

Connect
Cafe Rose Nicaud, Marigny Perks, and the Orange Couch listed above all offer coffeeshop style free Wi-Fi.

Stay safe
Like with many urban neighborhoods, there have been problems with crime in Marigny and in the nearby Bywater neighborhood. The Frenchmen Street corridor with most music venues and restaurants is generally safe. Cabs are plentiful and are always a good idea if you're traveling to areas with less "foot traffic."

Go next
The lower part of the French Quarter is adjacent to the Faubourg Marigny just upriver. The Bywater serves as the Marigny's downriver neighbor, with a similar vibe but even less visited by out-of-towners. The 7th and 8th Ward neighborhoods begin just back across St. Claude -- while much of this section is still struggling 6 years after the Katrina disaster, it also has some attractive venues and sights just a short distance from Marigny. Drive, bike, or take the bus back on beautiful Esplanade Avenue toward City Park (located in Mid-City New Orleans) where you can visit NOMA museum and the free admission, not-to-be missed, Sculpture Garden; alternatively you can also get there by catching the Riverfront Streetcar just beyond the floodwall at the foot of Esplanade Avenue- this will take you lengthwise through the French Quarter along the Mississippi, then back along Canal Street.

title: New Orleans/Faubourg Marigny


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New Orleans/French Quarter

The French Quarter is the oldest and most famous and visited neighborhood of New Orleans. It was laid out in French and Spanish colonial times in the 18th century. While it has many hotels, restaurants, and businesses catering to visitors, it is best appreciated when you recall that it is still a functioning mixed-use residential/commercial neighborhood where locals live.

Understand
The French Quarter or "Vieux Carré" ("old square" in French) stretches along the Mississippi River from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue (13 blocks long) and back from the Mississippi to Rampart Street (6 blocks wide).

"The Quarter" is compact. One can spend an enjoyable vacation here without leaving it for several days. If the French Quarter is your headquarters, consider leaving your car behind and not bothering to rent one if your health permits a few blocks walk. Parking is difficult, expensive, or both. Occasional trips to other parts of town can be made by streetcar or cab. The neighborhood is pedestrian friendly. Take care walking at night, particularly on dark or deserted streets. If you've been drinking, a cab is advisable.

The "Upper Quarter" (between Canal Street and Jackson Square) is the area most patronized by visitors, but the "Lower Quarter" (between Jackson Square and Esplanade Avenue) also has shops and restaurants sprinkled amongst the residences.

Get in, get around
Take the streetcar in if you're in Uptown or Mid City. Driving in on Interstate 10, take the Orleans Avenue or Vieux Carré exit. Once you're in the Quarter, it's best seen on foot. If you do drive within the Quarter, expect it to be slow, and watch for the pedestrians and bikes. The Quarter is very doable on a bike, but again be especially alert.

The Quarter is wider (from Canal to Esplanade) than it is deep (from the River to Rampart). Bourbon and Royal Streets (see below) are the main avenues running through the width of the French Quarter; sections are often closed off to motor vehicles. Parallel Chartres Street is often a better option for pedestrians actually heading somewhere when Royal and Bourbon are jammed with visitors. The heart of the Quarter is Jackson Square, listed below.

House museums
Some elegant old homes are now museums:

Do
Stroll the streets, look at the architecture, shops, and people. Hear live music in the street, in restaurants, and music venues.

Live music

 * Bourbon Street. Upper Bourbon has been given over to catering to hard-drinking out-of-towners, and this part of the street has a number of music venues (not named here) whose owners make their money off them, with loud mediocre bands hired cheaply. Nonetheless, despite what some say, it is still possible to find New Orleans jazz on Bourbon Street.

Buy

 * Art or high-end antiques on Royal Street.
 * Tacky t-shirts and souvenirs on Bourbon Street.
 * There are several good used book stores on Chartres, Royal, Pirates' Alley, and elsewhere in the Quarter.

Budget

Drink

The French Quarter has a wide variety of bars for all sorts of tastes. The legal drinking age is 21, sometimes though not always strictly enforced. If you are over 18 but under 21, you generally won't have much problem in New Orleans. Just play your cards right, act like an adult, drink responsibly and you'll have a good time. Don't argue with bartenders, liquor store owners or police officers unless you want to spend the night in OPP (Orleans Parish Prison) -- not pleasant. Rule of thumb for anyone wanting to party in Louisiana, regardless of age, don't drink and drive -- those staying in the Quarter will find bars within an easy walk, and others can take a cab.

Sleep
Places within the French Quarter or just outside of it on Canal Street are the most centrally located, and also cost more than rooms in other parts of town. Those wishing a fuller immersion in the city may wish to go ahead and pay extra for a location from which they can find many days of things to do with no need of a car or transit.

Connect

 * Cafes including CC's and Envie (listed above at eat) have free wi-fi for customers

Go next
Walk across Canal Street and you're in the Central Business District. Take the red Canal Streetcar line to the attractions of Mid-City, or the green St. Charles Streetcar line to Uptown and Carrollton. The ferry at the foot of Canal Street (free for pedestrians, $1 for cars) will take you across the Mississippi to the Algiers neighborhood, and give you a scenic budget mini-cruise of the River in the process.

Just "below" (down river) from the French Quarter is the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood, across Esplanade Avenue, with hip music joints and restaurants. A little further downriver and you are in the Bywater, a funky neighborhood with genuine corner bars, great restaurants and a friendly atmosphere.

Inland or "back" (away from the Mississippi River) from the Quarter is the Tremé neighborhood.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: New Orleans/French Quarter


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New Orleans/Gentilly

Gentilly  is a large section of New Orleans generally paid little or no attention by visitors. Nonetheless, Gentilly has a variety of local restaurants -- mostly very reasonably priced for local clientele -- some inexpensive accommodations, and a few unique sights.

Understand
In the first decade or two of the 20th century, most development in Gentilly was confined to Gentilly Ridge, a narrow stretch of higher ground around Gentilly Road. Most of the rest of the area was farm and pasture land, which tended to get marshy in heavy rains or when Lake Pontchartrain rose above its banks. Starting in the late 1920s, land reclamation projects and the construction of a flood wall along the lakefront opened the area to development. Whatever land that was still vacant in the 1940s was quickly filled with new housing in the post World War II boom.

For generations Gentilly was perhaps the quintessential New Orleans middle-class residential neighborhood. Then in 2005 Gentilly, like the majority of Greater New Orleans, was severely flooded in the great levee failure disaster during Hurricane Katrina. As of spring 2012, Gentilly is back, but at half strength. The 2010 census showed a bit less than half the pre-Katrina population. There are new and rebuilt restaurants and businesses dotting Gentilly, but there are still about an equal number that remain vacant and boarded up.

Get in
Gentilly is about 3 miles north-east of the French Quarter. From out of town, drive in on Interstate 610, (a short-cut within the city of Interestate 10)

While there are some bus routes along major avenues, it's best to have a car to get around in Gentilly.

Bus 55 travels the length of Elysian Fields from the UNO main campus down to the French Quarter.

See

 * Architecture New Orleans is mostly known for its Colonial and 19th-century architecture, which Gentilly lacks.  But people whose appreciation for historic architecture extends into the 20th century will find some interesting residential neighborhoods, some of which one might not expect to see in New Orleans: Spanish Revival Bungalows that look like something out of the 1920s Florida Land Boom, and Louisiana's biggest collection  of California Craftsman style architecture (around 1909 a real estate developer brought in a foreman from Los Angeles to teach local carpenters the style). Just drive along Gentilly Road, and when you see a residential avenue with a big metal sign announcing its name (like "Gentilly Terrace", "Gentilly Woods", or "Sugar Hill") take a little drive to the side.

 * Hellenic Cultural Center, Robert E. Lee at St. Bernard, by Bayou St. John. Large Greek Orthodox Church and a building complex, puts on the popular Greek Festival each summer. The popular "Greek Fest" with Greek food and live music is held each year in the last weekend of May. If you go here, note that the ruins of Old Spanish Fort are just across the Bayou in the Lakeview & Lakeshore neighborhood.
 * University of New Orleans, Main campus is near the lake end of Elysian Fields Avenue. The UNO Arena is at a separate location at the lake end of Franklin Avenue. The modern campus has little to see and there is little reason for the visitor to come to the campus except for when special events, exhibitions, or concerts are held here.
 * Lake Pontchartrain, Lakeshore Drive is a park along Lake Pontchartrain that has playgrounds,picnic areas, shelters, a seawall where you can go crabbing and fishing, and Pontchartrain Beach at Lakeshore Drive and Elysian Fields. Many families in New Orleans use this park as a barbeque and picnic areas. Swimming is allowed at some parts of the lake by the Seabrook Bridge and on Pontchartrain Beach but on the rest of Lakeshore Drive but sun bathing is good too.
 * Lake Pontchartrain, Lakeshore Drive is a park along Lake Pontchartrain that has playgrounds,picnic areas, shelters, a seawall where you can go crabbing and fishing, and Pontchartrain Beach at Lakeshore Drive and Elysian Fields. Many families in New Orleans use this park as a barbeque and picnic areas. Swimming is allowed at some parts of the lake by the Seabrook Bridge and on Pontchartrain Beach but on the rest of Lakeshore Drive but sun bathing is good too.

Do

 * Krewe of Dreux (pronounced "Crew of Drew") Mardi Gras parade and party. The Saturday before Mardi Gras Day, forgo the big famous parades elsewhere in the city to check out New Orleans Carnival Gentilly style.  People gather in "People's Park" (along People's Avenue around Filmore) for a big informal outdoor party; then parade around the neighborhood in the afternoon. Come in costume if you like; it should just be something comfortable for walking around in (serious costumers save their best for Mardi Gras Day). For fuller immersion in the local experience, bring some food or beverage to share, or if you happen to play New Orleans style/Dixieland jazz, bring your instrument.
 * The Sandbar, in the University Center of the University of New Orleans, off Elysian Fields near Lake Pontchartrain. Sometimes hosts good modern jazz.
 * The Sandbar, in the University Center of the University of New Orleans, off Elysian Fields near Lake Pontchartrain. Sometimes hosts good modern jazz.

Eat

Connect
Free Wi-fi at Juju Bag Cafe listed above.

As of April 2012, the new Gentilly branch public library at 3001 Gentilly Blvd. 70122 had just opened, and did not yet have wi-fi; it was expected to offer full access by sometime in May.

title: New Orleans/Gentilly


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New Orleans/Lakeview and Lakeshore

Lakeview and Lakeshore are sections of New Orleans near and along Lake Pontchartrain. The old neighborhoods along the riverfront, like the French Quarter and Uptown are most popular with visitors. The Lakeview and Lakeshore area are comparatively little visited by out of towners. It is known by locals for the parks along the lakeshore and restaurants.

Understand
Public transit is poor in this part of town; unlike the French Quarter, this is a part of New Orleans best visited by car. It is a short drive from Mid-City.

This area was hit hard by the flooding from levee failures during Hurricane Katrina in 2005-- some parts were under more than 10 feet of standing water for weeks. Six years later, many businesses and attractions are back, and there are ever more signs of the pleasant prosperous part of town this was before Katrina. The park along Lake Pontchartrain again offers pleasant views. Harrison Avenue is again bustling with restaurants and shops. Still, the recovery is an ongoing process. The area is still of interest to those wishing to see the scope of the destruction; down residential side streets there are long stretches with a mix with buildings repaired and reoccupied, buildings with reconstruction work ongoing, buildings gutted and vacant, damaged buildings still sitting in limbo while owners try to get long ago promised insurance or "Road Home" money, and vacant lots where unsalvageable buildings were demolished. Streets warped and buckled under the weight of the flood water; many side streets are still in need of repair so drive cautiously. This section of the city is not generally subject to the high-crime rate found in many other areas, though one must still be cautious, as with any unfamiliar area.

By car
This is a large section of the city and is more sparsely populated than the areas south, so you really will want a car to get around. I-10/I-610 and US-90 are by far the fastest routes, but Robert E Lee, St Bernard, and Elysian Fields are also reasonably fast for getting around the lakeside portions of the district.

By bus
You can get where you are going by bus on the lakeside half of the city, but expect it to take a while. For the areas upriver of City Park, buses 45 and 60 are useful. Both pick up right by the Cemeteries stop at the end of the Canal St Streetcar (which in turn is the way to get back into the CBD and on to the French Quarter) and then go towards the lake along Canal Blvd, stopping at the main commercial area on Harrison. When they hit Robert E Lee, 45 heads west towards the West End Harbor, while 60 goes east to both campuses of the University of New Orleans in the Gentilly section.

By taxi
Do not expect to be able to hail a cab on this side of town. You'll only get one if you call.

Background
The Mississippi River was one reason why New Orleans was built where it was; Lake Pontchartrain was the other. For much of the city's history this part of town was best known for fishing camps and music halls built up on wooden piers in the mud-flats and shallow waters around the ever shifting edge of the lake. In the 1930s a dredging project filled in and extended the land on the shore, ending with a sea-wall, giving the lake and land a firm boundary for the first time.

For this reason, most of this part of town was built after World War II, making it one of the newer neighborhoods of New Orleans.

Lakeview
Despite the potentially misleading name, you can't view the lake in Lakeview. The "Lakeview" area is a bit inland, on the other end of City Park from Mid-City. View the lake from West End or the Lakeshore Park.

Lakeview is mostly residential, but has a strip of businesses along Harrison Avenue with a number of notable restaurants. The largest concentration is on the stretch of Harrison from City Park to Canal Boulevard, with some more scattered further west.

See

 * Lake Pontchartrain is a wide rather shallow brackish water lake. Lake Pontchartrain is roughly oval in shape, about 40 miles wide from east to west, and measures about 25 miles from north to south. The far shore is beyond the horizon, giving it the appearance of an inland sea.

 * The Lake was long a favorite recreation area for New Orleanians. In the 1960s problems with pollution closed the New Orleans shore to swimming. A popular and successful "Save Our Lake" campaign began in the 1980s to eliminate pollution sources running into the lake. By 2000 water quality far surpassed that needed for safe swimming. After the setback of Katrina in things are improving again.

 * Much of the shore is a series of parks, known collectively as Lakeshore Park. The Lakeshore Park is a pleasant place to picnic during good weather.

 * Old Spanish Fort the remains of this colonial era fortification are just across the Bayou and Robert E. Lee Blvd. from the Helenic Cultural Center. Not much to see; little remains other than a few walls and ruined piles of brick foundations. May not be worth a special trip unless you're a serious fortification buff, but if you're nearby anyway, worth a quick look. If you go here, note that the Hellenic Cultural Center is just south-east across the Bayou in the Gentilly section.
 * West End is a park with a marina at the end of West End Boulevard. (The seafood restaurants and bars which used to surround it were all destroyed by Katrina. As of late 2019 all construction and renovation was completed.) Getting there is a slight trick if you aren't familiar with it. Take West End Boulevard almost to the end: when you see the sea-wall with "WEST END" in big letters on it, don't go straight, instead turn left. After the road parallels the seawall for a while it will bend right and you'll find yourself at West End. If you accidentally go straight, you wind up driving along Lakefront Park, which also has a nice view of the lake.

Eat
This part of the city was long noted for good restaurants and as of early 2012 the restaurant scene is back strong.The greatest concentration is along Harrison Avenue between City Park and the Jefferson Parish line, with a few more scattered elsewhere.

 * Chateau Coffee Cafe, 139 Robert E. Lee, Lakeview, +1 504 286-1777. Salads, sandwiches, and wraps.
 * Chicken Sue's 203 W. Harrison. Lunch, including freshly fried chicken, Cuban sandwiches. There are tables for eating in, though much of the business is "to go". For those who remember Lakeview pre-Katrina, owner "Chicken Sue" and some of the staff and menu used to be at the now defunct Meme's Market Deli. Tel. +1 504 371-5546
 * Lakeview Harbor, 911 Harrison. Casual lunch & dinner.
 * Lakeview Harbor, 911 Harrison. Casual lunch & dinner.
 * Lakeview Harbor, 911 Harrison. Casual lunch & dinner.
 * Lakeview Harbor, 911 Harrison. Casual lunch & dinner.
 * Lakeview Harbor, 911 Harrison. Casual lunch & dinner.
 * Lakeview Harbor, 911 Harrison. Casual lunch & dinner.
 * Lakeview Harbor, 911 Harrison. Casual lunch & dinner.

Drink

 * Dream Lounge, 870 Harrison.

Connect

 * Lakeview Smith Branch, New Orleans Public Library 6301 Canal Blvd (at Harrison Avenue)
 * Several cafes listed above have free wi-fi.

title: New Orleans/Lakeview and Lakeshore


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New Orleans/Lower 9th Ward

The Lower 9th Ward is a section of New Orleans, east of the Bywater neighborhood (from which it is separated by the Industrial Canal), north of the Mississippi River, and west St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana.

Understand
This neighborhood of predominantly African-American working-class homeowners became tragically famous when it was smashed by floodwaters with the catastrophic failure of the federal levees during Hurricane Katrina.

Some six years later, a few businesses have reopened, and a fraction of the population is back (some still in "temporary" trailers while they work to rebuild their homes), but large sections of the area are still either seriously damaged or simply empty lots where rows of houses once stood.

Historical background
The area on the river side of St. Claude Avenue developed during the great expansion of New Orleans in the 19th century. The land further away from the river contained scattered houses on plots of farmland; much of the area maintained a more "rural" look into the start of the 20th century.

In the 1910s, the Industrial Canal, a shipping and navigation canal between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, was built. It bisected the city's 9th Ward; after the Canal was built people started talking about the two sections as the "Upper 9th Ward" (meaning upriver from the Canal) and "Lower 9th Ward" (meaning downriver from the Canal; contrary to assumptions of people from elsewhere after the Katrina disaster, it has nothing to do with elevation). The Canal led to much more development of the "back" portions of the Ward; many laborers in the port facilities built their houses here.

In the 1940s, musicians of this area created a new musical style of what was then called "rhythm & blues". Fats Domino became the most famous; many of his neighbors also made records in the 1940s and '50s, including the bands that accompanied artists from elsewhere like Little Richard who came to New Orleans to record their hits. Some music historians argue that if the origin of rock & roll can be pinned to any one neighborhood, it would have to be the Lower 9th Ward.

Hurricane Betsy struck Louisiana in 1965. The new MRGO Canal channeled in storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico into the Lower 9th Ward and neighboring Saint Bernard Parish, flooding the majority of it.

The Lower 9th Ward declined in the last quarter of the 20th century, as the port facilities replaced many laborers with automation. Poverty, drug abuse, and related crime grew in the neighborhood. Still, many locals were proud of the Lower 9th Ward for its rich traditions and high rate of Black home ownership.

In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana. The levee and floodwall system built after Hurricane Betsy to prevent a repeat of the 1965 disaster quickly crumbled—investigations after the fact showed mistakes in the designs (though more than a few locals will say they suspect deliberate sabotage to destroy the predominantly Black neighborhood). Flooding was much worse than in Betsy, and areas that remained high and dry in 1965 found themselves over their heads in water. Collapsing floodwalls unleashed walls of water which bulldozed blocks full of homes into splinters, killing many. Most of the Federal responders were housed in the Lower 9th's Jackson Barracks; when the wall of water came they could do little more than struggle to save themselves.

Similar tales of disaster in 2005 could be told about many other neighborhoods in Greater New Orleans: black, white, and mixed; poor, middle-class, and rich. But the Lower 9th became emblematic of the destruction. Most of the area was so devastated it remained barricaded off when other sections of the city were first reopened. Drinkable running water was restored to the first New Orleans neighborhoods in October of 2005; it did not come to the Lower 9th until October of 2006.

Get in

The two main roadways are Claiborne Avenue and St. Claude Avenue, both of which have bridges over the Industrial Canal connecting them to the Bywater neighborhood and the rest of New Orleans. Heading further southeast are St. Bernard Parish and Chalmette. Car is by far the most practical way to visit, but you can also take Bus 88, St Claude-Delery: you can catch this bus on any corner of St Claude; it runs along St Claude and Rampart through Marigny, French Quarter, and the CBD to the west, the Lower 9th Ward and Arabi in the east.

See

 * Steamboat houses on Egania Street at the Mississippi River. A visitor attraction long before Katrina, these over-the-top ornate Victorian wooden houses in steamboat-baroque style are on the high ground of the least affected portion of the Lower 9th (with only a few feet of floodwaters for a few days, as opposed to over the rooftops then 10 feet of standing water for weeks in most of the Lower 9th). Take a look at the exterior of these houses, then walk up to the top of the levee for a striking view of central New Orleans around a bend of the Mississippi.
 * Steamboat houses on Egania Street at the Mississippi River. A visitor attraction long before Katrina, these over-the-top ornate Victorian wooden houses in steamboat-baroque style are on the high ground of the least affected portion of the Lower 9th (with only a few feet of floodwaters for a few days, as opposed to over the rooftops then 10 feet of standing water for weeks in most of the Lower 9th). Take a look at the exterior of these houses, then walk up to the top of the levee for a striking view of central New Orleans around a bend of the Mississippi.
 * Steamboat houses on Egania Street at the Mississippi River. A visitor attraction long before Katrina, these over-the-top ornate Victorian wooden houses in steamboat-baroque style are on the high ground of the least affected portion of the Lower 9th (with only a few feet of floodwaters for a few days, as opposed to over the rooftops then 10 feet of standing water for weeks in most of the Lower 9th). Take a look at the exterior of these houses, then walk up to the top of the levee for a striking view of central New Orleans around a bend of the Mississippi.
 * Steamboat houses on Egania Street at the Mississippi River. A visitor attraction long before Katrina, these over-the-top ornate Victorian wooden houses in steamboat-baroque style are on the high ground of the least affected portion of the Lower 9th (with only a few feet of floodwaters for a few days, as opposed to over the rooftops then 10 feet of standing water for weeks in most of the Lower 9th). Take a look at the exterior of these houses, then walk up to the top of the levee for a striking view of central New Orleans around a bend of the Mississippi.

Tour
Scenes of devastation. Those who wish to see the worst of the destruction can drive around pretty much anywhere north of Claiborne Avenue, but "ground zero" is along Jourdan Avenue north of Claiborne, the site of the major levee breaches. The levees and floodwalls have been rebuilt, the giant barge which landed in the neighborhood has been dismantled, thousands of truckloads of debris have been hauled away, and the vast majority of the thousands of the smashed houses demolished — but the scope of the destruction is still astonishing.

While at first some returned locals resented the thought of being peered at by tourists, at least as many will say the whole world needs to see what happened here and be aware of these Americans' continuing struggle to reclaim their lives. With time the second view has largely prevailed. If you decide to visit the Lower 9th, do so with respect. If your life is better than that of the people living here, make a donation to the Common Ground Collective "Blue House" neighborhood center at 1800 Deslonde St.

"Official" tours are readily available for booking at your hotel downtown, but you are likely to have a much better and less invasive experience off those awkward big tour buses and in your own car (or a privately arranged car). A hotel would certainly be able to get you a local tour guide to come along for a ride, or you could just stop by the volunteer center or the Chinese take out place and start asking locals questions. Another option is the locally-run Ninth Ward Rebirth Bike Tours.

Eat and drink
Eateries and bars are extremely scarce in the Lower 9th Ward, and you will likely find yourself heading west across the bridge to the Bywater for food, be it fried chicken, BBQ, or a nice restaurant a little further away, or for a drink or two at Vaughans or BJ's. Alternatively, head further down river to Chalmette.

Sleep
Accommodations in the Lower 9th are available only for volunteers, but they are quite nice.

Stay safe
The Lower 9th Ward is not a high crime area. It's not really a high anything area, except maybe waterfowl, as there are few people living in this devastated neighborhood post-Katrina. Still, it's best to confine your visits to daylight unless you have a specific night-time place or event you're headed to.

Connect
The Lower 9th Ward Branch of New Orleans Public Library is at 1611 Caffin Avenue at the corner of Claiborne Avenue; the building also houses the Martin Luther King School.

Go next
The closest fully functioning neighborhood with places to eat and drink is the Bywater, just west across the St. Claude Avenue Bridge. Saint Bernard Parish is to the east along Saint Claude or Claiborne Avenues.

The Lower 9th has received far more attention than the rest of the city and surrounding areas for being the worst hit, and therefore has had the biggest volunteer effort. In some ways, this has left it looking a bit better than worse off neighbors, which have yet to be visited by Brad Pitt with hammer and plywood in hand. Arabi is just across the city line to the east, and remains largely destroyed, along with much of the rest of Saint Bernard Parish. Just beyond Arabi, Chalmette is functioning, but a drive through many residential sections will show vacant lots and boarded houses sometimes more numerous than those rebuilt and reoccupied. For that matter, huge sections of New Orleans such as Lakeview, Gentilly and Eastern New Orleans continue to struggle. If you truly want to understand what happened in this city, you should make a point to see what happened beyond this one small section.

title: New Orleans/Lower 9th Ward


text:
New Orleans/Mid-City and Esplanade Ridge

Mid-City is a portion of New Orleans in the center of the metropolitan area, about midway between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain. It is less visited by tourists than more famous areas like the French Quarter, but has impressive attractions of its own.

The area of Mid-City around the Fairgrounds and the nearby portion of Esplanade Avenue is often called the Bayou St. John neighborhood or Esplanade Ridge. The old Bayou itself can be seen when you cross the bridge over it at the tail of Esplanade in front of City Park; it is a calm long finger of water constrained by grassy levees as it winds through the old urban neighborhood.

Mid-City is filled with visitors each year for the week and a half of the New Orleans Jazz Festival, and again around Halloween for Voodoo Experience. The rest of the year the neighborhood is often comparatively neglected by travelers.

Get in

Mid-City is a portion of the city that is easy to get around in either with or without a car.

The restored Canal Streetcar line starts at the riverfront of the French Quarter (at Esplanade Avenue and the levee), turns on to Canal Street to go through the Central Business District, and continues into the heart of Mid-City. Once at the intersection of Canal Street and Carrollton Avenue in the center of Mid-City, the Canal streetcar branches into two lines. Cars marked "City Park" turn on to Carrollton Avenue, with the line ending at City Park in front of the NOMA Museum, a short walk from the Fairgrounds. Cars marked "Cemeteries" continue to the end of Canal Street at the far edge of Mid-City where a number of the city's old cemeteries are located.

See

Cemeteries
Go to the cemetery? Yes, many visitors do, leaving alive and well with an interesting experience. Due to the high water table, most New Orleans tombs are in above ground crypts. Traditionally, many of the well to do adorned their tombs with marble or bronze decoration and statuary, and many of the city's less affluent joined fraternal organizations which built elaborate group crypts.
 * The Cemeteries is the informal name for a group of separate but adjoining or nearby cemeteries concentrated around the inland end of Canal Street. These include Odd Fellows Rest and Greenwood Cemetery. Some interesting monuments, but cemetery connoisseurs agree your time is best spent a little further on:
 * The Cemeteries is the informal name for a group of separate but adjoining or nearby cemeteries concentrated around the inland end of Canal Street. These include Odd Fellows Rest and Greenwood Cemetery. Some interesting monuments, but cemetery connoisseurs agree your time is best spent a little further on:

Eat
Mid-City restaurants are loved by locals, and the visitor can easily find out why. If the French Quarter and Central Business District seem too overwhelmed by tourists, one can get away to Mid-City and enjoy some of New Orleans best and most distinctive food surrounded by locals.

As mentioned above, visitors flock here during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and to a lesser extent during Voodoo Experience. At these busy times it's best to either make reservations well in advance, or expect to wait in lines, or plan to eat in another part of town.

Budget

 * Liuzza's By The Track, 1518 N. Lopez (at Ponce de Leon, a block off Esplanade towards the Track). "The other Liuzza's" is also a neighborhood favorite, known for Creole gumbo, seafood, and garlic roast beef po'boys. Reasonably priced lunches, also open for dinner weekdays.
 * Mona's Cafe, 3901 Banks. Middle Eastern. Mona's also has restaurants in Marigny and Uptown, but this one has a fair sized Middle Eastern grocery attached as well, in case you need to buy a bag of loose tea leaves, a bucket of hummus, or a hookah.
 * Neyow's Creole Cafe 3340 Bienville (at Davis Parkway). New Orleans Creole, lunch & dinner. Closed W; dinner only Su. +1 504 827-5474
 * Nonna Mia 3125 Esplanade. Pizza, pastas, and panini. +1 504 949-1717. Lunch & dinner 7 days.
 * Santa Fe 3201 Esplanade. Southwestern. Some people may remember its former location in the Marigny neighborhood.
 * Liuzza's By The Track, 1518 N. Lopez (at Ponce de Leon, a block off Esplanade towards the Track). "The other Liuzza's" is also a neighborhood favorite, known for Creole gumbo, seafood, and garlic roast beef po'boys. Reasonably priced lunches, also open for dinner weekdays.
 * Mona's Cafe, 3901 Banks. Middle Eastern. Mona's also has restaurants in Marigny and Uptown, but this one has a fair sized Middle Eastern grocery attached as well, in case you need to buy a bag of loose tea leaves, a bucket of hummus, or a hookah.
 * Neyow's Creole Cafe 3340 Bienville (at Davis Parkway). New Orleans Creole, lunch & dinner. Closed W; dinner only Su. +1 504 827-5474
 * Nonna Mia 3125 Esplanade. Pizza, pastas, and panini. +1 504 949-1717. Lunch & dinner 7 days.
 * Santa Fe 3201 Esplanade. Southwestern. Some people may remember its former location in the Marigny neighborhood.
 * Santa Fe 3201 Esplanade. Southwestern. Some people may remember its former location in the Marigny neighborhood.

Snacks

 * Fair Grinds Coffeehouse, 3133 Ponce De Leon (just off Esplanade Avenue), coffee and light eats; neighborhood atmosphere; free Wi-Fi.
 * Fair Grinds Coffeehouse, 3133 Ponce De Leon (just off Esplanade Avenue), coffee and light eats; neighborhood atmosphere; free Wi-Fi.
 * Fair Grinds Coffeehouse, 3133 Ponce De Leon (just off Esplanade Avenue), coffee and light eats; neighborhood atmosphere; free Wi-Fi.
 * Fair Grinds Coffeehouse, 3133 Ponce De Leon (just off Esplanade Avenue), coffee and light eats; neighborhood atmosphere; free Wi-Fi.

Mid-range

 * Katie's Restaurant & Bar, 3701 Iberville. Neighborhood mainstay. Creole Italian, fresh seafood and sandwiches. Tu-Su 11AM-10PM, M lunch only
 * Lola's, 3312 Esplanade. Mediterranean and Spanish. Menu highlights include romescu lamb. The palleas fresh made to order take half an hour but regulars find them worth the wait.
 * Katie's Restaurant & Bar, 3701 Iberville. Neighborhood mainstay. Creole Italian, fresh seafood and sandwiches. Tu-Su 11AM-10PM, M lunch only
 * Lola's, 3312 Esplanade. Mediterranean and Spanish. Menu highlights include romescu lamb. The palleas fresh made to order take half an hour but regulars find them worth the wait.
 * Lola's, 3312 Esplanade. Mediterranean and Spanish. Menu highlights include romescu lamb. The palleas fresh made to order take half an hour but regulars find them worth the wait.
 * Lola's, 3312 Esplanade. Mediterranean and Spanish. Menu highlights include romescu lamb. The palleas fresh made to order take half an hour but regulars find them worth the wait.

Connect
The Mid-City branch of New Orleans Public Library is in the American Can Factory Building at 3700 Orleans Avenue. Many of the cafes listed above have free wi-fi.

Stay safe
Mid-City is an excellent microcosm of New Orleans as a whole in that some upper-income neighborhoods are bordered by lower-income neighborhoods and the level of safety can change from block to block. The neighborhood is generally safe in the daytime, but avoid areas on the Eastern side of Broad and around much of Tulane Avenue. The area closer to City Park around and to the West of N Carrollton is generally very safe, but always have your wits about you in this urban area.

Go next
Mid-City's central location allows easy access to other parts of town. Take the Canal Streetcar to the French Quarter and the Central Business District. Drive or take the bus to the other end of beautiful Esplanade Avenue to arrive at the lower edge of the Quarter and the hip Faubourg Marigny neighborhood (alternatively reached by taking the Canal Streetcar to the far end at Esplanade and the river levee). Lakeview and Lakeshore neighborhoods are a short drive away to the north west; to the north east is the Gentilly neighborhood. The Carrollton neighborhood at the upper end of Uptown can be driven to by taking Carrollton Avenue to the other end. The #32 bus "Leonidas" runs from Carrollton Avenue at Esplanade Mid-City to the Old Carrollton Riverbend neighborhood then ends by the Zoo in Audubon Park. However it winds through a rather rough section of Hollygrove en route, and it runs less than once an hour. Those relying on public transit may wish to consider getting to Uptown and Carrollton by a more indirect route: take the Canal Streetcar to the Central Business District, then the green St. Charles Streetcar up. While this route is longer, it may be less aggravating and is certainly much more picturesque.


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New Orleans/Tremé

Tremé (pronounced "Treh-MAY"; historically Faubourg Tremé) is an old historically African-American and Créole neighborhood of New Orleans, just "back" (away from the Mississippi River) from the French Quarter.

The Tremé is famous for its music, and has some attractions, music venues, and small inexpensive hotels.

Understand
The neighborhood has a rich Créole and African American history, as one of the oldest such districts in the country.

Like most downtown inner-city New Orleans neighborhoods during the late 1800s through the early 1900s, it was integrated with French Créoles; not by White Americans. Present day Tremé is still integrated and its residents are still mostly Créole and African American, the homes are valued between $150,000 and $700,000. Residents of Tremé are working professionals, artists, musicians, community leaders, entrepreneurs and activists. There is much pride associated with having a Tremé address.

By car
A car is quite a good way to make your way around the Tremé if you intend to venture any further than the cemetery, Louis Armstrong Park, and the few sights just east of the park—getting to the specific restaurants is a pain without one, and it's not the safest part of town after dark to hang out waiting for buses or take long walks. Even for most of the B&Bs, having a car is going to be a big help. Parking is in ample supply.

By bus
Bus 91 is a handy route if you are staying on the Esplanade, as it will take you down Esplanade to the border of the Quarter on Rampart, and on to the CBD. Weekends see pretty limited service, only every hour from 6AM to around 10PM, but on weekdays it's every half hour from 6AM-11PM. Buses 57 and 88 also run from the CBD along Rampart, with the ever handy route 88 going east to Marigny, Bywater, and on the Lower 9th Ward, and 57 going to Marigny and then up all the way on to the University of New Orleans.

Buses 51,52,62, and 64 all run through the center of the Tremé along Claiborne to the Canal St in the west, and then the length of I-10 throughout central New Orleans to the east.

Bus 84 is a handy and relatively frequent (by New Orleans standards) bus running the full length of Broad St through Midtown

By taxi
Taxis work great on the way in, but getting one on the way out can be tough.

Do

 * Mardi Gras Henriette Delille Street (formerly St. Claude Street) in front of the Backstreet Cultural Museum (see above) is a popular gathering place during New Orleans Mardi Gras -- on Lundi Gras ("Fat Monday", the day before Mardi Gras Day) the "Red Beans & Rice Parade", and on Mardi Gras Day brass bands, troupes of Mardi Gras Indians, and various costumed revelers make a stop here.
 * Mardi Gras Henriette Delille Street (formerly St. Claude Street) in front of the Backstreet Cultural Museum (see above) is a popular gathering place during New Orleans Mardi Gras -- on Lundi Gras ("Fat Monday", the day before Mardi Gras Day) the "Red Beans & Rice Parade", and on Mardi Gras Day brass bands, troupes of Mardi Gras Indians, and various costumed revelers make a stop here.

Drink
Candlelight Lounge; see above at "Live Music". Drinks served even when there isn't live music going on.

Sleep
The historic Esplanade Ave corridor is lined with beautiful mansions, several of which house beautiful bed and breakfasts (and plenty of others which still lie sadly in disrepair post-Katrina). They are some of the highest rated inns (by guests) in the city, and you are likely to have a great time there. But be aware that the Esplanade is not the safest street in the city after dark, so enjoy the pretty walk along the busy street in the day to the French Quarter and Marigny, take a cab back after dark.

Stay safe
Tremé is a neighborhood to be mindful about rather than avoided completely. Informed visitors can visit interesting attractions. Still, it is a good idea to dress down, do not display expensive jewelry or video-cameras in this economically compromised neighborhood.

Know where you are going and you can walk to the attractions which are just a block or so from the French Quarter or along Esplanade Ave during the day time. Since Katrina has rendered portions of the area relatively sparsely inhabited—the boarded up houses are not a result of blight, they are a result of natural disaster. Regardless, it is not recommended taking random long walks, at nighttime, through the neighborhood, especially in the areas furthest from the French Quarter, and those closest to the Iberville housing projects (west of St Louis Park and south of I-10).

Those who live in major metropolises, such as New York City for instance, would be less inclined to feeling "fearful" in this historic neighborhood. But, as with any place that is new to one, common sense as opposed to fear, is always the advantage. Keep in mind also that New Orleanians as a people, are exTremély hospitable and helpful.

Daytime events with many people around such as "jazz funerals" at Saint Augustine Church or outdoor concerts at Armstrong Park are very safe.

title: New Orleans/Tremé


text:
New Orleans/Uptown

Uptown is a large portion of New Orleans settled in the 19th century after the Louisiana Purchase, upriver from the older parts of the city around the French Quarter and the Central Business District. It includes the Garden District, which is popular with visitors. At the upper end of Uptown is the Audubon & University District, and just beyond that the Carrollton neighborhood. The majority of this historic section of the city escaped the great flood of 2005.

Understand
Uptown New Orleans was developed during the 19th century boom when New Orleans was one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. The concentration and variety of intact 19th and early- 20th-century architecture make it a treat for those who enjoy the architecture of those eras, as well as a frequent setting for movie scenes.

Although predominantly residential, there is a wealth of local shops and restaurants -- many clustered along "neighborhood main streets", others scattered here and there.

The main streets of interest to visitors, stretching in gentle curves reflecting that of the Mississippi River from one end of Uptown to the other, are St. Charles Avenue with its famous streetcar line, and Magazine Street, a commercial hub with a bus line. Those visiting with a car or bicycle may also wish to check out Prytania Street, which parallels St. Charles a couple of blocks closer to the river, competing with St. Charles for beautiful architecture along with a smattering of local businesses.

The parts of Uptown "back of town" (furthest from the river) near Claiborne Avenue experienced some flooding in the Federal levee failure disaster during Hurricane Katrina. For the most part it is still less thriving and of less interest to visitors. A notable exception is a section of Freret Street between Jefferson Avenue and Napoleon Avenue. This circa 1900 neighborhood commercial street was in decline for a generation before it was flooded chest deep in 2005. By 2011, however it was one of the success stories of the New Orleans rebirth. While a few parts are still on the ragged side, the 8 block stretch of Freret is now hopping with new innovative local restaurants, shops, cafes, a comedy club, and a monthly market.

By car
While a busy section of town, car is still an effective means of getting around Uptown, unlike the CBD, French Quarter, or Marigny. Parking is seldom too hard to find, outside major events like Mardi Gras, although you may sometimes have to park around the corner from where you're going, since many of the old commercial buildings have little or no off street parking. Traffic is often slow on major streets, especially during rush hour.

By streetcar
The St Charles Streetcar is quite a convenient way to get around Uptown, running along the main street from the edge of the French Quarter through the CBD, all the way through Uptown to Tulane University and then on to the main section of Carrollton.

The streetcars are interesting to ride, though it is relatively loud inside (sounds like a somewhat muffled compressor is under the streetcar) and the streetcars travel slower than buses. There are only a few wheelchair accessible stops and most of the streetcars are not wheelchair accessible.

By bus
Bus 11 is the most useful public transport route (aside from the streetcar), coming from Canal St in the CBD and then running the length of Magazine St through the shopping corridor and on to the Audobon Zoo. Bus 16 runs along Claiborne from Canal and bus 10 along Tchoupitoulas.

Bus 27 is another useful route if you are near the shopping corridor. It runs along Louisiana and will take you to the most popular (and safest) cemeteries. The Cemeteries terminus also connects back up with the Canal Streetcar.

By taxi
Taxis are reasonably easy to hail off the street throughout Uptown, provided you are on one of the main roads.

See
The green Saint Charles streetcar line, with 1920s vintage trolleys, was restored post-Katrina by 2008.

Whether traveling on streetcars, driving or biking, St. Charles Avenue is well worth a look for the mansions of the city's 19th-century "millionaire row".

 * Garden District is a part of town known for the fine mansions. The official historical district is bounded by St. Charles Avenue, Jackson Avenue, Louisiana Avenue, and Magazine Street; historically some definitions have defined the boundaries otherwise, and more equally fine historic mansions can be found nearby outside these boundaries. The name "Garden District" came from early in the 19th century when this area was laid out with fine mansions of businessmen and plantation owners, building a couple of grand houses to the block surrounded by large gardens. In the late 19th century most of the land owners sold off most of the surrounding lots, on which wooden Victorian homes rich in architectural "gingerbread" were built. Thus, despite the name, the "Garden District" is now notable more for its architecture than for the gardens. Tours of the mansions of Uptown's Garden District are given by the Park Service and by private companies; there are walking and bus tours available. Walking tours typically cost about $25 per person (April 2018), and may sell out, so booking ahead is recommended. Many of the homes have plaques posted in front that describe the history of the house and its historical occupants.
 * Lafayette Cemetery #1, Prytania & Washington. Historic old cemetery.

Do

 * Private and group escorted mansion walking tours
 * Streetcar ride

Magazine Street
The six miles of Magazine Street offer a great variety of local businesses: antiques, art new and old, clothing, furniture, and curiosities, with local cafes and restaurants along the way. The greatest concentrations of interesting businesses are in the sections from around Felicity Street to Jackson Avenue, around the intersection of Louisiana Avenue, and from Napoleon Avenue to Nashville Street. However, other businesses are sprinkled along the route, in some places mixed with mostly residential blocks. There are shops for tastes from elegant to funky and for any price range.

A small sample of some of the more interesting unique shops includes the following.

Elsewhere Uptown
The Rink 2200 block of Prytania at the corner of Washington Avenue. A small shopping center in a building that used to house a 19th-century skating rink. Notable shops include:

Budget

 * Cafe Luna, 802 Nashville at Magazine. Coffee & tea, sandwiches & pastries.
 * Dat Dog≤, 5030 Freret (2½ blocks up from Jefferson Avenue; they moved across the street to larger space in 2012) +1 504 899-6883. Hot dog stand bammed up a notch, New Orleans-style. A variety of quality wieners and sausages, including Louisiana Hot Sausage and Alligator Sausage for the adventurous. Lunch & early dinner, Tu-Su, open late Sa night. Cash.
 * Domilise's Po-Boys, 5240 Annunciation. Good neighborhood po-boy place has been here for generations.
 * Guy's Po-Boy, 5259 Magazine, 891-5025. Small traditional po-boy place. M-Sa 11AM-4PM
 * Joey K's, 3001 Magazine, 891-0997. Neighborhood po-boys, catfish, and fresh caught fish specials.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.
 * Guy's Po-Boy, 5259 Magazine, 891-5025. Small traditional po-boy place. M-Sa 11AM-4PM
 * Joey K's, 3001 Magazine, 891-0997. Neighborhood po-boys, catfish, and fresh caught fish specials.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.
 * Taqueria Corona, 5932 Magazine: cheap good Mexican. Closed for siesta from 2PM to about 5:30PM in the afternoons.

Snacks

 * SnoWizard, 4001 Magazine (at Constantinople) Another excellent sno-ball place, a short walk down from Napoleon. Open during hot weather Su-F noon - 8PM; Sa noon - 7PM.
 * SnoWizard, 4001 Magazine (at Constantinople) Another excellent sno-ball place, a short walk down from Napoleon. Open during hot weather Su-F noon - 8PM; Sa noon - 7PM.
 * SnoWizard, 4001 Magazine (at Constantinople) Another excellent sno-ball place, a short walk down from Napoleon. Open during hot weather Su-F noon - 8PM; Sa noon - 7PM.
 * SnoWizard, 4001 Magazine (at Constantinople) Another excellent sno-ball place, a short walk down from Napoleon. Open during hot weather Su-F noon - 8PM; Sa noon - 7PM.

Coffee houses
Some local places for a good cup of coffee, some light eats, and pleasant locations with people-watching.

 * CC's, 900 Jefferson (at Magazine Street), has other locations too. Wi-fi.
 * Cafe Luna, 802 Nashville at Magazine: Coffee & tea, sandwiches & pastries. Locals loved it even more when it was the first coffee shop Uptown to reopen after Katrina. Wi-fi
 * Fuel, Magazine just up from Bourdeau Street. Wi-fi
 * Mojo coffee house , 1500 Magazine Street (corner of Race Street). M-F 6:30AM-midnight, Sa Su 7AM-midnight. Great coffee! lots of teas, sandwiches, soups, bubble tea and free Wi-fi. Mojo also features organic fair trade coffee.
 * PJ's, 5432 Magazine (just up from Jefferson Avenue). Small local chain also has location in Carrollton and others around the metro area. Wi-fi

Mid-range

 * La Thai 4938 Prytania (at Robert), tel: +1 504 899-8886. Thai
 * La Thai 4938 Prytania (at Robert), tel: +1 504 899-8886. Thai
 * La Thai 4938 Prytania (at Robert), tel: +1 504 899-8886. Thai
 * La Thai 4938 Prytania (at Robert), tel: +1 504 899-8886. Thai
 * La Thai 4938 Prytania (at Robert), tel: +1 504 899-8886. Thai
 * La Thai 4938 Prytania (at Robert), tel: +1 504 899-8886. Thai
 * La Thai 4938 Prytania (at Robert), tel: +1 504 899-8886. Thai
 * La Thai 4938 Prytania (at Robert), tel: +1 504 899-8886. Thai
 * La Thai 4938 Prytania (at Robert), tel: +1 504 899-8886. Thai

Connect
An hour of internet time at New Orleans Public Library branches:
 * Latter Branch, 5120 St. Charles Avenue.
 * Napoleon Branch/ Children's Resource Center, 913 Napoleon Av., just back from Magazine Street.

Wi-fi offered at several of the coffee houses listed above.

Stay safe
Uptown is a large section of the city. Being a relatively high-end area, it is one of the safest in New Orleans. The parts of most interest to visitors are generally some of the safer in the area, but neighborhood conditions can change dramatically within a few blocks. Be aware of where you're going if you venture away from major streets like St. Charles, Prytania, and Magazine. Parts of the Garden District are bordered by housing projects and unsafe neighborhoods. Be cautious if parking on dimly lit side streets at night. If you're unsure of an area ask in advance or play it safe and take a cab.

title: New Orleans/Uptown


text:
New Orleans Mardi Gras

 * This article describes the festival in New Orleans. See Carnival for a general description of the holiday.

Mardi Gras or Carnival Time is the biggest celebration in New Orleans, Louisiana. The yearly festival includes numerous events throughout the city, and is known as the biggest free party on earth.

Understand

The festival is rooted in the ancient European Carnival traditions. It marks the final celebrations before the period of fasting during Lent in the Roman Catholic Religion, although New Orleans Carnival is enjoyed by people of any belief.

For locals, "Mardi Gras" strictly speaking is only the last and biggest day of the Carnival season, "Fat Tuesday". Visitors less clear on this distinction sometimes call the whole New Orleans Carnival season "Mardi Gras". The final big day is thus sometimes called (redundantly) "Mardi Gras Day".

After spotty earlier festivities, parades roll most nights starting 2 weekends before Mardi Gras. Things kick into high gear the weekend before Mardi Gras, when the population of New Orleans more than doubles (book a room well in advance!). There's an all day party along the riverfront downtown on Lundi Gras ("Fat Monday", the day before Mardi Gras) followed by more parades that evening, and just when you think things couldn't get more wild, the climax of Mardi Gras takes Carnival to an entirely new level.

Wearing a mask or costume on Mardi Gras Day is highly recommended by Mardi Gras veterans; one becomes part of the party, rather than just watching it. Veterans also start the party on Mardi Gras morning, even if you aren't usually a morning person. Mardi Gras officially ends promptly at midnight Tuesday.

The next day is Ash Wednesday (nicknamed locally "Trash Wednesday" from the debris left in the streets from the parties), the start of Lent. Wearing Mardi Gras beads during Lent will mark you as a tourist; time to take them off.

Mardi Gras date
Because Fat Tuesday always precedes Ash Wednesday (the date of which is determined by Easter), Mardi Gras Day can fall on any Tuesday from February 3rd - March 9th. Forthcoming Mardi Gras dates include:

 * February 16, 2021
 * March 1, 2022
 * February 21, 2023
 * February 13, 2024

Parades
Mardi Gras parades are a big attraction. Many locals have their favorites and by not following the crowds, you can often get a better perspective on the Big Easy.

The parades are put on by private organizations known as "krewe"s; they do not receive any government or corporate sponsorship.

Watching a parade in New Orleans is a participatory party; crowds dance to the music of the bands and clamour for "throws". Throws are the trinkets thrown from krewe members on the floats to the crowd, including plastic beads and cups (often decorated with the emblem of the krewe), "dubloons" - small aluminum discs like a souvenir coin, and various toys and gee-gaws.

Pick up the Mardi Gras Guide magazine, or consult the newspapers for parade schedules and routes. Note that many of the smaller parades, marching krewes, neighborhood pageants, Mardi Gras Indians, etc., are usually not listed in these schedules.

The majority of the parades follow a standard route, starting Uptown at Napoleon Avenue and going down St. Charles Avenue to the Central Business District then on to Canal Street at the upper border of the French Quarter.

There are sizable parades two weekends before Mardi Gras, then every night starting the Wednesday before Mardi Gras. There are also several parades in a row during the day the Saturday and Sunday before Mardi Gras. The parades on Mardi Gras Day are in the morning and mid day.

Biggest parades

 * Endymion — Saturday night before Mardi Gras. An exception to the standard Uptown route, Endymion starts in Mid City and travels along Canal Street to the Central Business District, traveling St. Charles only the sort distance up to Lee Circle in the opposite direction from the other parades. Endymion 2008 was the first parade to return to the Mid City route since Katrina.
 * Bacchus — Sunday night before Mardi Gras. Krewe of Bacchus features national celebrity monarchs each year, and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors. (read crowded)
 * Orpheus — Monday night before Mardi Gras, known as "Lundi Gras" ("Fat Monday). Musician-oriented krewe, Harry Connick Jr. is the krewe captain.
 * Zulu - Mardi Gras morning. The Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club parade is well known for its interesting history (it was founded in 1916 as an African American organization satirizing the White krewes during the era of racial segregation) and "golden nugget" (coconut) parade throws. Zulu follows the Uptown route only from Jackson Avenue to Canal Street, not the portions of St. Charles further Uptown.
 * Rex — Mardi Gras evening. Founded in 1872, "Rex... King of Carnival" has been the international symbol of New Orleans Mardi Gras since the krewe first appeared. Rex was the first krewe to hold an organized daytime Parade and remains the main event parade of Mardi Gras.

Other parades of interest
The nights of the week leading up to Mardi Gras, in addition to the days on the weekend before Mardi Gras, have numerous parades. Pretty much every parade can be somebody's favorite for one reason or another. Some of the most popular include Muses, an all women's krewe known for it's beautiful creative parade on the Thursday night before Mardi Gras; Krewe d'Etat Friday night before Mardi Gras is known for its clever biting satire. Thoth is a Sunday day parade with an Ancient Egyptian style; it's route includes a stretch of Magazine Street above Napoleon Avenue not used for parades on other days. Proteus, which precedes Orpheus Lundi Gras Night, is the second oldest parading krewe, giving a sample of a 19th-century style night parade in the 21st century.

In addition to the parades on the standard routes, interesting off-beat parades include:

 * Krewe du Vieux — 3 Saturdays before Mardi Gras, the earliest parade in the New Orleans Carnival calendar is noted for satirical and off-color floats and costumes. Parades around the French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny neighborhoods.
 * Barkus — 2 weekends before Mardi Gras the official unofficial dog parade in the French Quarter. Dogs and their humans parade in costume; too fun, usually early in parade season before most tourists arrive. A non-profit organization, it raises funds every year to benefit local animal shelters and national humane societies.

Small krewes
There are dozens of small neighborhood krewes and walking clubs. Events better known to locals than visitors include:

Before Mardi Gras Day

 * Jefferson City Buzzards "Practice Parade" usually Sunday afternoon, 3 weeks before Mardi Gras. The Buzzards Carnival walking club have their main parade on Mardi Gras Day (listed below), but a few weeks before you can might be lucky enough to see this group in bizarre costumes followed by a brass band roving from bar to bar in Uptown New Orleans, on the lake side of Magazine Street between Napoleon and Henry Clay Avenues.
 * Krewe of OAK — the Friday night before Mardi Gras Day in the Carrollton neighborhood, starting and ending at the Maple Leaf Bar.
 * Krewe of Dreux — one of the largest alternative Mardi Gras celebrations, out in Gentilly on the Saturday afternoon before Mardi Gras. Daytime party in People's Park followed by a parade around Gentilly; come to participate, not just observe.
 * Red Beans & Rice Parade rolls through the Marigny and Treme on Lundi Gras (the Monday before Mardi Gras Day).

Mardi Gras Day

 * Mardi Gras Indians — more than a dozen "tribes" of "Mardi Gras Indians" rove the streets starting early Mardi Gras morning. In a tradition that began in the mid-19th century, possibly before, the "Indians" (most are actually of African-American ancestry) wear dazzling elaborate costumes covered with feathers and beads in styles combining Native American, African, and contemporary New Orleans influences. Routes are not announced to the public if they are set in advance at all. Central City and Treme are especially rich with tribes. Claiborne Avenue or St. Claude Street in Treme are popular places to catch the "Indians", but if you're lucky you might encounter them earlier on neighborhood back streets.
 * Society of Saint Anne — marching club through the Bywater, Marigny, and French Quarter neighborhoods on Mardi Gras morning, with some of the most elaborate and creative costumes seen.
 * Krewe of Kosmic Debris — one of the most informal krewes; if you play a portable musical instrument you can show up in costume and jam on Dixieland standards as the Kosmic Debris roams from bar to bar in the French Quarter, starting on Frenchmen Street at noon Mardi Gras Day.
 * The Completely Mystick Krewe of Chartreuse marches on Fat Tuesday. Headed by the strangest folk in living history, do not miss the parade named in honor of the liquor made from over 130 plants and herbs by Carthusian Monks. In the morning, search for the green and gold globe and crux banner on St Charles Avenue as it heads toward the French Quarter, or find us later in the Quarter proper. So drunken and raucous you will run home crying if you're not careful. You have been warned.
 * KOE - the first of the walking krewes organized on the Internet. Found in the Quarter on Mardi Gras, originally "Krewe of Elvis"
 * Jefferson City Buzzards — the oldest traditional walking krewe; men from a working class neighborhood of Uptown have been drinking lots of beer and giving out flowers to pretty gals in exchange for a kiss while parading downtown every year since 1890.
 * Pete Fountain's Half Fast Marching Club headed by the city's most famous Dixieland clarinetist who leads his band on a small float, the Half Fast wind through uptown down to the Quarter on Mardi Gras.
 * Mondo Kayo has a tongue-in-cheek tropical/Caribbean theme to celebrate New Orleans as the northernmost "Banana Republic". Starting Uptown, they go down St. Charles Avenue before Zulu, then continue into the French Quarter before winding up on Frenchmen Street in Marigny.

Other events
Mardi Gras Indians, Bourbon Street, Lundi Gras in Waldenburg Park, Arrival of Kings of the Zulus and Rex, costume parties, balls, block parties

Family-friendly Mardi Gras
While some visitors think of Mardi Gras as a "Girls Gone Wild" event, most of the city's Mardi Gras celebration is kid-friendly family fun. Stay away from the rowdies on Bourbon Street; catch the parades Uptown on Saint Charles Avenue anywhere above Lee Circle up to Napoleon Avenue (Note: on Mardi Gras Day, Zulu parades only on the portion of the route from Jackson Avenue down). Most kids love the excitement of catching the beads; for safety just make sure they don't try to run up too close to the floats. On Lundi Gras (the Monday before Mardi Gras), the festivities in Waldenberg Park (along the Mississippi by the upper French Quarter just below Canal Street) includes a children's stage. On Mardi Gras dress the family in matching costumes to be thrown extra beads and have extra fun.

title: New Orleans Mardi Gras


text:
New Orleans with children

Images of Bourbon Street may keep New Orleans from being at the top of many families' vacation destinations, but the Crescent City is actually a great place to visit with the little ones.

Understand
Generations of children have grown up in New Orleans and they enjoy life there just as much as their elders do. There are lots of fun places and activities for tourist children to experience, even beyond the river boats, carriage rides, and sweet beignets of the French Quarter.

Get in
See the main New Orleans article.

Get around
In New Orleans, travel can be part of the entertainment, as it involves options such as street cars and ferries that many other cities lack. If they capture your kids' imagination, consider integrating a ride with a visit to an out-of-the-way attraction, or just take a round-trip for the heck of it.

 * Algiers Ferry is the more common name for the Canal Street Ferry. It runs from near the aquarium to the Algiers neighborhood and is free for pedestrians.  Enjoy the views of the city from the Mississippi!
 * Hop on a Streetcar. When your kids end up reading "A Streetcar Named Desire" in 11th grade English, they'll have something to relate to. There are 3 streetcar lines. One goes from Canal Street near the Quarter up St. Charles and S. Carrollton to S. Claiborne. Another goes along the river from Esplanade to the Convention Center. Third goes from Canal near the Ferry landing up to City Park Avenue, with a spur going along N Carrollton to Esplanade. That takes you to City Park in front of the art museum.

Do

Go next

 * 10 miles west of the Big Easy lies Kenner, with its Rivertown collection of museums, attractions, restaurants and shops.
 * Do a Swamp Tour. Make arrangements with one of many tour companies.  Westwego and Honey Island  are good choices.

title: New Orleans with children


text:
New Paltz

New Paltz is a city in Ulster County, New York State. This article also covers the small town of Gardiner, less than 7 miles to the southwest.

By car
New Paltz is exit 18 on the New York State Thruway which is also designated as Interstate 87.

By bus
There is frequent bus service between The Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City and New Paltz with connections to many other villages and cities.

By plane
Stewart International Airport is the nearest major airport to New Paltz. It is in Newburgh, thirty minutes to the south (exit 17 on the NYS Thruway).

By train
The Wallkill Valley Rail Trail is on the bed of the Wallkill Valley Rail transport, the former main transportation link for New Paltz.

Rail Travel to New York City: Nearby Poughkeepsie is the end of the line for Metro-North Rail. Poughkeepsie is a 15-20 minute drive east of New Paltz. Taxis are available in Poughkeepsie to transport travelers to and from New Paltz. Riding on Metro-North out of the Poughkeepsie Station is clean, safe and reliable. Trains run from very early in the morning until late into the evening. Fares can run as low as $12.75 each way.

Get around
Walk or drive. There are also buses run by Ulster County Transit.

See

Do

Eat

 * Both decent, cheap, good portions, pub food. Lots of burgers, chicken, and other fried things.
 * Delicious and a bargain. Breakfast and lunch, everything is cheap and good. A lot of interesting, uncommon combinations.
 * Very vegan friendly.
 * Delicious and a bargain. Breakfast and lunch, everything is cheap and good. A lot of interesting, uncommon combinations.
 * Very vegan friendly.

Sleep
Cozy beds and breakfasts. Youth hostel next to bus station on Main street.

title: New Paltz


text:
New Philadelphia

New Philadelphia, called New Philly by locals, is a small town and county seat of Tuscawaras County (which means "mouth of river") in northeastern Ohio. Its twin city, Dover, is immediately to the northwest. The two towns generally operate as one, and are covered together in this article..

Understand
In 2020, it was home to 18,000 people.

In the early 1800s, the town was settled by pioneers, primarily immigrating from the Susquehanna Valley in the State of Pennsylvania.

By car

 * I-77 provides direct access to New Philly via the exit at SR-39.

Do

 * Canoe the Tuscawaras River.
 * Canoe the Tuscawaras River.
 * Canoe the Tuscawaras River.
 * Canoe the Tuscawaras River.
 * Canoe the Tuscawaras River.

Buy

 * Holmes County for Amish furniture and goods.
 * Sugarcreek for antiques, crafts, cheese and items of Swiss and German American heritage.

Eat

 * Gavin's on the Square, 110 South Broadway, New Philadelphia, +1 330 343-2490. Casual eatery in the center of town with humorous art, fresh interior decor, good food, and friendly service.
 * Grinders, 3003 North Wooster Avenue, Dover, +1 330 602-3083.

Budget

 * Several choices of national brand motel chains along SR-39 just east of I-77.

Historic Zoar
Zoar was a communal village for 80 years. The historic town is a charming getaway with a handful of quaint B&Bs.

Go next

 * Amish Country centered in Holmes County.
 * Atwood Lake Resort for swimming, fishing, boating, sailing, hiking, golfing and more.
 * 90 minutes from three big cities: Cleveland, Columbus, and Pittsburgh, PA.
 * Cuyahoga Valley National Park, drive north up the Ohio and Erie Canal Byway that extends to Lake Erie in Downtown Cleveland from Historic Zoar and Bolivar, through New Philadelphia and Dover, and beyond Canton and Akron.
 * Historic Zoar Village
 * Wayne National Forest

title: New Philadelphia


text:
New Plymouth

New Plymouth is the largest city with an urban population of 58,000 (2021) in the Taranaki region, on the western coast of North Island in New Zealand, about midway between Auckland and Wellington, but well to the west. It lies on the coastal plains just to the north-west of Mount Taranaki (Egmont).

Understand
New Plymouth is the main centre of the Taranaki region.

The area has enjoyed the benefits of oil, gas and petrochemical activity and some of the public facilities in the city reflect this relative prosperity.

Modernisation has begun in the CBD with many new eateries and bars opening up, including boutique designer stores and artisanal producers.

By plane

Air New Zealand Link operates services from Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, with 6–7 return flights daily to each, using 50-seat turboprop aircraft. On the rare days when Mount Taranaki is totally free of cloud, southbound flights can get spectacular views of the mountaintop.

By bus
National bus operator InterCity Coachlines provides daily services in and out of New Plymouth and the Taranaki region with connections throughout the North Island. Fares start from just $1 and can be purchased online or via numerous local agents including the i-SITE information network. Services arrive and depart from the main bus terminal at 19 Ariki St in the city centre.

By car
State Highway 3 passes through New Plymouth.

From the north (Auckland or Hamilton): State Highway 3 diverges from State Highway 1 at Hamilton and runs via Te Kuiti in the King Country and Waitara in Taranaki. New Plymouth is about 270 km from Hamilton and takes at least 3.5 hours by car, though allow 4.5 hours to be safe. A section of this road is narrow, winding, and includes a short single-lane tunnel. It is prone to closure by slips in bad weather.

From the south (Wellington and Palmerston North): Travel via State Highway 1 and/or State Highway 3 to Bulls then via State Highway 3 through Whanganui to Hawera, then inland via Stratford (which always has petrol 2c a litre cheaper than the standard price) and Inglewood. Wellington to New Plymouth is about 360 km and takes 4.5 - 5.5 hours non-stop, depending on traffic near Wellington; allow 6 - 7 hours including scenic and rest stops.

State Highway 45, The Surf Highway, which follows the coast (though seldom in sight of it) around the west of the mountain, via Opunake, is ~25 km longer and hillier, but scenic, alternative route from Hawera. Allow an extra half hour over travelling State Highway 3 direct.

State Highway 43, The Forgotten World Highway, intersects State Highway 3 at Stratford. This can be an interesting alternative trip from the Central North Island via Taumarunui. The road winds and climbs for 160 km and includes about 30km unsealed though a spectacularly beautiful gorge. It's worth stopping at the numerous historical information boards along the way. Allow 4-6 hours. (There is no petrol available between Stratford and Taumarunui and this highway section is difficult to maintain.)

By train
On rare occasions, a steam engine can be seen on the track. This most likely will be from the Waitara Railway Preservation Society, which runs the engine between Waitara and Lepperton.

Get around
Within the city of New Plymouth, walking is certainly an attractive option. There is the very nice walking "path" or coastal promenade which gives the walked a good view of the Tasman Sea as well as being close to the downtown business section of the city. Important amenities such as the Library, the Botanical Gardens and other shopping are within easy walking distance of this coastal promenade.

By bus
There are buses on eleven routes on weekdays, branded as Citylink, supported by Taranaki Regional Council. On Saturday buses run on two routes, and none run on Sunday. Within New Plymouth a single fare is $3.70.

Sleep

Connect

 * New Plymouth Public Library has free Internet and WiFi access during library hours.

Go next

 * Mt Taranaki (Mt Egmont National Park) is a short drive from New Plymouth. There is a Visitor Centre at the Park Headquarters and many trails up and around the mountain start there.  The Visitor Centre is at an elevation of around 900 m so if you plan to hike higher, the summit is another 1600 metres above you.  Watch the weather because it can change quickly.
 * Stratford - inland Taranaki town

title: New Plymouth


text:
Newport

There is more than one place called Newport:

Australia

 * Newport - a suburb on Sydney's Northern Beaches

Belgium

 * Nieuwpoort is a coastal town in Belgium, pronounced and sometimes translated as Newport

Canada

 * Newport (Quebec) - formerly an independent municipality, now part of the city of Chandler, in the Gaspé Peninsula.

Ireland

 * Newport (County Mayo) - a town in County Mayo.

United Kingdom

 * Newport (Monmouthshire) - A city in Wales.
 * Newport (Isle of Wight) - The administrative capital of the Isle of Wight in England.
 * Newport (Pembrokeshire) - a small town in Wales.
 * Newport (Shropshire) - small market town in the Midlands

United States of America

 * Newport (Kentucky) - A city in the state of Kentucky (near Cincinnati, Ohio).
 * Newport (North Carolina) - A city in the state of North Carolina.
 * Newport (Oregon) - A city in the state of Oregon.
 * Newport (Rhode Island) - A city in the state of Rhode Island.
 * Newport (Vermont) - A city in the state of Vermont.
 * Newport News - A city in the state of Virginia.

title: Newport


text:
Newport (County Mayo)

 * For other places with the same name, see Newport

Newport is a village in County Mayo on the west coast of Ireland. It was originally Baile Uí Fhiacháin or Ballyveaghan, then re-built in the 18th century as a port and linen manufacturing centre. But even the industrious Quakers couldn't make a success of it and Newport withered as Westport grew. It's just a single street, and in 2016 its population was all of 626. That makes it by some margin the biggest village along the bleak northwest coast of Mayo, so it's convenient to describe those places' attractions and facilities here. A separate page describes Achill Island.

Get in
The nearest airport is Knock. It has limited flights and you might prefer to fly into Dublin and drive west.

The nearest railway station is Westport 11 km south, with 3 or 4 trains a day from Dublin Heuston.

Bus 450 follows the coast from Louisburgh and Westport to Newport (20 min), then on north to Mulrany and across Achill Island. It runs M-Sa every 2-3 hours, with only three on Sunday.

By road from Dublin take M4 / N4 to Longford then N5 west to Castlebar, then R311 to Newport.

Get around
The village is small, just a single street, but you need wheels for outlying attractions.

See above for Bus 450. Local Link Bus 978 runs twice M-Sa from Belmullet on the peninsula to Bangor Erris, Ballycroy, Newport and Castlebar. It's timed to enable day-trips to Castlebar; a day-trip out to Belmullet is not feasible, but it would give you a couple of hours at Ballycroy.

June-Aug a free bus may run Tu-Sa from Westport and Newport to Ballycroy National Park. It didn't run in 2021.

Greenway Bicycle Hire is on Newport Main St just north of the bridge. It's open daily 9:30AM-6PM.

See

 * is a disused railway viaduct over the river, now a footpath.
 * St Patrick's Church (Roman Catholic) is on Blackoak Rise north of the river. It was built in 1914 in neo-Romanesque style, with attractive stained glass windows.
 * was a Dominican Friary founded in 1470 and ruined after the Reformation. The church and a wall of the cloister remain, and the cemetery is still in use.
 * or Carrickahowley is a 16th century tower house on the shore, down a narrow lane. It looks substantial but is considered unsafe, so you can't go inside.
 * is an 1840 mock-castle mansion on a tidal island in Clew Bay. It's a private residence and not worth delving down the very narrow lane to view.
 * is a village on the neck of land between Clew Bay and Blacksod Bay, where R319 branches off the main road towards Achill Island. There's a scattering of B&Bs and self-catering cottages, and a golf course. East of the village, the Old Irish Goat Centre celebrates the primitive species introduced to Britain and Ireland 5000 years ago: it's open daily 11AM-5PM. A path across the bay over saltmarsh and machair was built in 1889; you can cross (no dogs) tom the other shore then circle back to the village.
 * Corraun Peninsula (or Currane) carries the road to Achill. R319 is the direct route but there's also a scenic lane, an earlier turn-off clearly signposted on N59, which loops round the south coast.
 * is reached by road from Mulranny. It has the deserted village of Slievemore: see separate page.
 * is a boardwalk over the bogs south of Ballycroy. Along the shore are fossil tree stumps, perhaps 5000 years old, preserved by the peat.
 * is one of the largest intact blanket bogs and peatlands in Ireland, a protected habitat. In 2007 a large area west of Nephin was added to the park: this was commercial timber forests, which are now being re-wilded. The visitor centre has a 2-km boardwalk loop, you need to start elsewhere for longer hikes into the hills.
 * is the village on the neck of land connecting Mullet (or Erris) Peninsula to the mainland. JM Synge visited in 1904 and wove it into The Playboy of the Western World. There's B&B, golf courses, and McDonnell's Bar doubles as an undertakers.
 * marks the south tip of the 33 km peninsula. You can't go in. Deirbhiles Twist nearby is a modern stone sculpture got up to resemble ancient megaliths.
 * are the low sandy chain off Blacksod. They still have a handful of residents, but many of their young fishermen were lost in a storm in 1927, and the survivors left for the mainland. There are no ferries, but boat trips sometimes call. In the 19th century the inhabitants practised pagan rites around a "sacred stone", after they'd been to church, mind. It was made out to be a prehistoric tradition but more likely was just a batty modern cult in a place that lacked amusements.
 * marks the northeast tip of the peninsula, almost pinching off Broadhaven Bay. Lots of bracing clifftop walks around the north coast.
 * is a good example of the megaliths further north up the coast.
 * and the Stags of Broadhaven are at the north point of this coastline. From there the coast trends east towards Céide Fields and the group of abbeys around Killala: see Ballina for these.

Do

 * Golf: Westport GC is closest. Mulranny GC west along N59 is nine holes: there and back is 6199 m, par 71.
 * Great Western Greenway is a cycling and walking route, 42 km from Westport to Newport, Mulranny and the bridge to Achill Island. It's off-road, following the trackbed of the old Great Western Railway.
 * The Wild Atlantic Way is a coastal itinerary from Donegal all the way to Kinsale near Cork. The local section through northern Mayo is self-evident: from Ballina along the north coast to Mullet Peninsula, south via Ballycroy to Mulranny and Achill Island, then to Newport and onward to Westport.
 * Dark skies: the Ballycroy / West Nephin park is one recommended area, but anywhere away from town should do.
 * Myna Stables organise horse and pony-riding lessons and treks. They're on the coast midway between Newport and Westport.

Buy

 * Centra is the convenience store in Newport, open M-Sa 7:30AM-9PM, Su 8AM-8PM. Do your big shop in Westport or Castlebar.

Eat

 * Port Chipper next to Grainne Uaile serves fast food W-Su 5-9PM, eat in or takeaway.
 * Newport House has the best dining in the village, see Sleep.
 * Port Chipper next to Grainne Uaile serves fast food W-Su 5-9PM, eat in or takeaway.
 * Newport House has the best dining in the village, see Sleep.

Drink

 * Bridge Inn on Main St serves good pub grub and has rooms.

Sleep

 * B&Bs include Brannens on Main St, Greenway View northeast on Rosmore R317, Western Greenway east on Blackoak Rise, Riverside House west on Castlebar Rd R311, and Anchor House west on Quay Rd. Hotel Newport has closed down.
 * There isn't a campsite or caravan park in Newport, the nearest is in Westport.
 * There isn't a campsite or caravan park in Newport, the nearest is in Westport.

Connect
As of Feb 2021, Newport village has a mobile signal from Eir and Three. There's no coverage by Vodafone, no 4G, and very patchy coverage on the roads around.

Go next

 * Achill Island has a deserted village, abandoned in the Great Famine.
 * The road round the north coast continues to Killala and Ballina, with several ruined abbeys.
 * Westport has a fine Georgian Manor and is near the pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick.

title: Newport (County Mayo)


text:
Newport (Isle of Wight)

Newport is the county town (administrative centre) of the Isle of Wight. It is in the centre of the island on the River Medina. It is the second largest town on the island, with a population of 24,000, slightly fewer than Ryde.

Visitor information

 * Newport visitor information

Get in
Newport is the hub for Southern Vectis bus services throughout the island, so is easily reached from the other towns, including those where ferry services arrive from the mainland.

title: Newport (Isle of Wight)


text:
Newport (Kentucky)

Newport is a city on the Ohio River in Kentucky's Northern Ohio River Region or as locals call it, Northern Kentucky.

Founded in the 1790s by James Taylor, Jr., Newport is named after British Admiral Christopher Newport, who helped to found the Jamestown colony in 1607. In its early years, Newport was home to an army post, which helped to spur the town's growth. Later, it was known as a vice district, given Cincinnati's conservative nature it was a perfect nearby refuge for burlesque, gambling, and other vices. The City had a strong mafia presence for many years.

Today, it is proximity to Cincinnati that provides the spur, as Newport's hotels and riverfront area draw visitors from the Queen City. The city is quite a bit more family friendly these days with Newport on the Levee having an aquarium and many family friendly events. In spite of these changes, if you know where to look you can still find some vice.

By plane
There are three airports close to Newport:

 * Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is on the Kentucky side of the Ohio River.
 * Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport
 * Lexington (Blue Grass Airport)

By car
Newport is served directly by Interstate 471, which can be reached by Interstates 71 (from Columbus and Louisville), 75 (from Dayton and Lexington), US 50 (Columbia Parkway from the eastern suburbs of Cincinnati) and 275 (the circle beltway).

One of the most beautiful panoramic views in the country occurs when driving northbound on Interstate 71/75 (the interstate routes share the same highway in part of Northern Kentucky) traveling into downtown Cincinnati, just before the Brent Spence Bridge. If you go this way get off in Covington at 4th street and cross over the Licking River to Newport where 4th St joins 5th St.

By foot
The Purple People Bridge (officially the "Newport Southbank Bridge"), formerly a road and rail bridge, now a pedestrian and bicycle only bridge, is a good way to get across from Downtown Cincinnati, particularly if you can't find a parking spot in Newport and want to park in one of the less traveled parts of the Cincinnati riverfront (though with a revitalization of Cincinnati's downtown and riverfront this is getting more and more difficult). The Bridge is nicely landscaped and could make a pleasant walk on a warm evening. Its also open to cyclists.

By bicycle
RedBike, Cincinnati's bike share program, also has some stations in Newport most notably right by Newport on the Levee so you can quickly ride your bike straight from Downtown Cincinnati or Over the Rhine to Newport in minutes via The Purple People Bridge. Sadly, its not as easy to get from nearby Covington as the bridges over the licking river are quite high and could be difficult to ride a bike over.

By bus

 * TANK runs buses all over Northern Kentucky. Check website for routes and times.
 * The Southbank Shuttle which is provided by TANK provides regular bus service from Downtown Cincinnati to the Covington and Newport Riverfronts. For more information on times and stops check the Southbank Shuttle website here.

By car
Newport is on a grid, so getting around by car is relatively easy. Keep in mind that the street numbers/addresses get larger as you are going south instead of north. Monmouth Street is the main commercial district and the area around Newport on the Levee its main Entertainment district.

Parking can be difficult. The Levee has a parking garage, but on weekends it can be full. It used to be free to park on the riverfront, but the restaurants in the boats on the river banded together to jack up prices to rates way above what you'd pay to park in the Levee garage, expect to pay around $6 to park there.

Finally you could try parking on the narrow city streets, but keep your eye out for any parking restrictions such as street cleaning.

By foot
Newport is very walkable. Most everything you'll need is within walking distance as the city is relatively small and compact. The pedestrian-only Newport Southbank Bridge (popularly known as the "Purple People Bridge") connects the Newport on the Levee mall with Downtown Cincinnati.

By bus

 * Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK). Provides bus service in Northern Kentucky and has several routes that crosses the Ohio into Cincinnati.
 * TANK Sales Office; Mercantile Building; 120 East 4th Street, Cincinnati, OH; Hours: M-F 6:30AM–6PM.

See

Do
Newport previously had the reputation of being where to go to find strippers, due to revitalization, most of these places have closed down. In its place is a rich nightlife, and many family-oriented destinations and events, though if you look hard enough there still are a few gentlemen's clubs here and there.

Drink

 * Huddle's, 628 Monmouth St. Sports bar with a diverse crowd and plenty of regulars. +1 859-261-1986
 * Huddle's, 628 Monmouth St. Sports bar with a diverse crowd and plenty of regulars. +1 859-261-1986

Go next

 * Covington is also a Kentucky-based satellite of Cincinnati.
 * Cincinnati is the largest city in the region.

title: Newport (Kentucky)


text:
Newport (Monmouthshire)

The City of Newport (Welsh: Casnewydd) is in the historic county of Monmouthshire, South Wales and stands at the mouth of the River Usk. It is a busy industrial and commercial centre. Nearby Caerleon has the best Roman remains and museums in Wales.

By car
The M4 motorway skirts Newport to the North. It connects to Cardiff and Swansea to the West and London, via the Severn Bridge, to the East. This is used by the National Express and other coach companies to connect to the London (2hrs), Bristol (45 mins), and Cardiff (35 mins) airports and the rest of the UK.

By train
is on the main line between London Paddington and South Wales. It is also the junction of the main line to the West Midlands. Train companies that serve Newport are Arriva Trains Wales, Cross Country and First Great Western. Journey times by rail include London 1 hr 45 min, Birmingham 1 hr 45 min, Bristol 35 min, Cardiff 15 min.

By plane
The closest airports are Cardiff and Bristol.

Get around
The local bus services are provided by Newport Transport. They cover all parts of the city and there are also routes to nearby Cwmbran and Cardiff. From April to September open-top sightseeing tours by bus last 75 min. Every 90 min from the Bus Station.

Do

 * on the east riverbank hosts several sports teams:
 * Dragons play rugby union in the United Rugby Championship (formerly Pro14), the predominantly Celtic professional super-league.
 * Snooker: the Welsh Open is held at Celtic Manor (see below).
 * Comic Con Wales celebrates comic heroes and is held in even-numbered years in the convention centre, with the next on 10-11 Aug 2024. A rival event is held in Telford in odd-numbered years.
 * Dragons play rugby union in the United Rugby Championship (formerly Pro14), the predominantly Celtic professional super-league.
 * Snooker: the Welsh Open is held at Celtic Manor (see below).
 * Comic Con Wales celebrates comic heroes and is held in even-numbered years in the convention centre, with the next on 10-11 Aug 2024. A rival event is held in Telford in odd-numbered years.
 * Snooker: the Welsh Open is held at Celtic Manor (see below).
 * Comic Con Wales celebrates comic heroes and is held in even-numbered years in the convention centre, with the next on 10-11 Aug 2024. A rival event is held in Telford in odd-numbered years.

Stay safe
While Newport is a safe city, like many others crime can occur. Usually you will encounter no problems.

Newport can be rough at night. Bars such as Meze Lounge and Lloyds Queens Hotel are considered to be safer than Revolution.

Your personal safety in Newport on the whole is not at risk. In the unlikely event that a threatening situation occurs, it is best to simply move on and avoid offending anybody.

Go next
Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

 * Go to Blaenafon for the Big Pit National Coal Museum.
 * Caerwent - the remains of a Roman city, 12 miles along the A48, towards Chepstow.
 * Usk
 * Chepstow
 * Chepstow

title: Newport (Monmouthshire)