Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4
FRENCH QUARTER: WHERE HISTORY
MEETS FUN
BOUNDARIES:
Iberville St., Bourbon St., St. Ann St., Decatur St.
DISTANCE:
1.66 miles
PARKING:
Several garages and lots along N. Peters St.
PUBLIC TRANSIT:
Riverfront Streetcar, St. Charles Ave. Streetcar
To much of the outside world, the French Quarter is synonymous with Bourbon Street, that
often sleazy yet strangely magical playground where you can let loose with a Hurricane or
a Hand Grenade, go crazy for a pair of beads, or party so hard that when you wake up the
next day, you just might wonder who you are and where you've been.
But the French Quarter, or the Vieux Carré, as it's known in French, is a hotbed of fascinat-
ing history, culinary artistry, and mesmerizing music. It's the antiques shops of Royal
Street, the artists of Jackson Square, and the jazz musicians of Preservation Hall. It's Friday
lunch at Galatoire's or late-night drinks at the Napoleon House.
The French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, developed after the city's
founding in 1718 by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. Most of the historic buildings in
the Quarter were built in the late 18th century, after two devastating fires destroyed most of
the old French Colonial architecture. At the time, New Orleans was under Spanish rule, so
much of what you'll see—from wrought-iron balconies to common-wall brick
houses—reflects that period.
There's so much to do and see in the Quarter that just one walking tour wouldn't do it
justice. Therefore, we offer three separate walks: this one, along with the Back of the
•
Begin at North Peters and Iberville Streets. Walk four blocks down Iberville.
In the fourth block, you'll pass two classic seafood eateries: Acme Oyster
House to your left and Felix's to your right. Both places have bars where you
can take in the art of oyster shucking. Also on this block are the higher-end
Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse and Bourbon House, both run by restaurateur
Dickie Brennan, who with other members of the Brennan family owns some of
the city's top restaurants.
