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New Orleans, United States
Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
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The large park has winding lanes through old trees for walking or driving through, and includes such attractions as an outdoor sculpture garden, a botanical garden. As of 2022, renovations and improvements since Katrina have City Park looking more beautiful than ever. "Storyland", a children's playground based around fairy tale characters, has been a favorite of local children for generations. The Carousel Gardens Amusement Park has a beautiful merry-go-round (known to local old timers as "the flying horses" dating back to 1906, as well as an assortment of other amusement park rides including a miniature railway to ride around part of the park. During nights of the Christmas season there is an elaborate celebration with lights, additional rides, and music in the park called "Celebration in the Oaks". In 2020, the Louisiana Children's Museum moved to new larger quarters in City Park.
Worth a visit for art lovers; the art of this fine museum was fortunately high enough to escape the flood. Highlights from the permanent collection include a fine collection of jewelry, and paintings from France and Latin America. Open until 8:30PM Thursday nights. Louisiana residents get in free after 5PM with ID.
Indoor and outdoor exhibits of fun and education for children
French Impressionist artist Edgar Degas. The only home and studio of the French Impressionist Master, Edgar Degas, open to the public anywhere in the world. Degas lived with relatives in this house on Esplanade Avenue during 1872-1873; it is now a bed & breakfast, gift shop, wedding and special event venue. Tours are available daily. Secured offstreet/motorcoach parking.
Horse racing venue, and for two weekends of the year serves as the venue for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Historic house of a former mayor from the era of the Louisiana Purchase at the start of the 19th century.
19th-century above-ground tombs. Safe to walk around in during the day, this is popular with visitors.
This cemetery is just outside of Mid-City by most definitions, but is only a short drive from this neighborhood or a 5 minute walk from the end of the "Cemeteries" branch of the Canal streetcar line (Walking directions: from the end of the line, go left along City Park Avenue, past Greenwood Cemetery on the right, and continue under the Interstate overpass; Metairie Cemetery is on the right). Metairie is the city's most elaborate cemetery, with many interesting 19th-century grand tombs and monuments.
Elegant mansion set in lush gardens is pretty and historic. In Western central New Orleans off Metairie Road, a short drive from Metarie Cemetery and Mid-City.
Popular festival one weekend each May featuring free live local music along the banks of Bayou St. John near Orleans Avenue. Lots of local food and crafts vendors too.
Local less well known live music acts, ranging from rock to all types of jazz, often at no cover; if they're good (often they are) put a buck or so in the tip jar.
Eclectic schedule of local artists. Music venue in a comfortable bar, easy parking as well as right on the Canal Streetcar line. The kitchen serves a limited menu significantly better than average bar food. +1 504 304-4714.
Dance, or drink, or bowl while listening to great live local music. A great place to experience traditional Zydeco music or Cajun music, if you bowl or not. Also Rhythm & Blues acts, swing dancing.
Pancakes & such for breakfast and lunch.
Vietnamese.
Pizza & po-boys.
Japanese
New Orleans-style down-home Italian with a Creole touch. No credit cards.
An authentic neighborhood po-boy shop and bar; a favorite with locals.
Popular pizzeria from the Uptown neighborhood.
214 N. Carrollton. Italian ice cream, pastries, and sweets, a century old tradition.
637 N. Carrollton. Coffee, sandwiches, gelato. Wi-Fi. +1 504 324-8176
Donuts of both common and unusual types (Key lime? Maple bacon?) Come early in the day for best variety.
3127 Esplanade. Very good French.
Vietnamese.
Local favorite for Chinese.
Quality burgers, specializing in "juicy" versions stuffed with cheese and other extras. 11AM-midnight
Louisiana, Italian, and seafood.
Creole-Italian and pizza, another Mid-City landmark.
Highly regarded Contemporary Louisiana cuisine in a renovated 1860s tavern building.
Dive bar, burgers
Great beer selection; nice outdoor patio area.
Very authentic Irish pub, perhaps New Orleans' most internationally diverse clientele. Popular with European ex-pats and soccer fans. Pub trivia Monday nights. Can get smoky.
Neighborhood bar. Darts, ping-pong tables, cheap drinks.
New since Hurricane Katrina, a friendly, unpretentious bar with a great beer selection. Watch the game on one of the HDTVs, throw some darts, or just hang out. Ball field across the street has baseball, softball, and soccer during the summer.
Authentic old Mid-City neighborhood bar. Air hockey table. Eclectic crowd. Don't leave without taking a look at the men's room.
Dorms (single-sex or co-ed) and private rooms (en suite or shared bathroom) available. Unlike most hostels, dorms are exclusively for out-of-state students (with a valid student ID) and international travelers with a non-American passport.
Mid-City is a portion of the city that is easy to get around in either with or without a car.
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New Orleans · International · MSY
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