Best Street Markets in Mid-City

"When people talk about Frenchmen Street they normally mean the three-block stretch through Faubourg Marigny that has ascended the throne as the best place for live music in New Orleans. Traced by charming Creole cottages and hopping into the early hours, Frenchmen Street became a local cultural zone after Bourbon Street became a tourist honeypot in the 1980s. The Maison, d.b.a., the Blue Nile, the Spotted Cat and Snug Harbor are just a few of the venues here, interspersed with bars, restaurants, coffee shops and enticing stores."

"In the 1980s, Bourbon Street reached a saturation point with tourists and unruly behavior. So, to steer clear from the madness, locals made Frenchmen Street in the Marigny their designated “Bourbon Street.”. Chockfull of live jazz bars, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques and even an outdoor market where local artists sell hip, one-of-a-kind crafts, Frenchmen Street is more laid back than Bourbon—but at only three blocks long (meaning a heavier concentration of partiers) it’s still considerably wild."

"This private and cozy private room is perfect for solo travelers, couples, or digital nomads visiting New Orleans. It’s modern throughout, and offers wifi, a workspace, and free on-site parking. Staying here puts you 15 minutes from the French Quarter and right in the middle of the neighborhood’s coolest cafes and eateries."

"The French Market is a six-block-long bustling, open-air shopping center that can hold as many as 220 vendors on a busy day. You can shop for local art, t-shirts and hats and all things Mardi Gras while enjoying New Orleans street music and the aroma of fresh gumbo and jambalaya from the food stalls. The market has a ton of history, having existed on the same piece of land for more than 200 years."

"The French Market is a bustling, open-air shopping center that can hold up over 220 vendors on a given day. You can shop for paintings, clothing and specialty items while enjoying the famous New Orleans street music and smells of fresh gumbo and jambalaya. The market has a ton of history, having existed on the same piece of land for more than 200 years."

"A beacon of locally made art and jewelry on Frenchmen Street since 2013, this evening market is open nightly from 7 pm to midnight or 1, depending on crowds. Right next door to the Spotted Cat and in the heart of the Frenchmen Street nuttiness, this brightly lit marketplace boasts a revolving roster of serious artists creating everything from sculptures made from flatware to Impressionist style streetcar scenes and inventive offbeat t-shirt designs. This is where locals in the know buy their gifts and art for the wall and wearing."

"New Orleans, LA 70116Phone: (504) 358-8287Website: www.Palacemarketnola.com. One of the best things to do in New Orleans at night is wander the Palace Market on Frenchmen Street. It’s an open-air market, hosted only in the evenings, that displays local art and other artisanal goods under string lights."

"Just outside of the French Quarter is Louis Armstrong Park, a public space honoring the jazz musician it was named after. Inside, there are iconic sites like Congo Square, a historic meeting place for slaves in the 1800s. There are also sculptures, a duck pond and plenty of green space where you can relax after spending your morning walking around the city."

"There aren’t a ton of green spaces in downtown New Orleans, so Louis Armstrong Park, just outside the French Quarter, is a welcome option. Given its proximity to the city’s culture, the park has also become a hub for festivals and seasonal events. It’s a well-designed, landscaped spot that packs a lot into 32 acres."

"Another well know park and named after a famous musician, is the Louis Armstrong Park. It’s located in Treme near the French Quarter. It has sculptures and vendors selling food and crafts."

"This waterfront park is our favorite spot in the city for taking in the Mississippi. Enter over the enormous arch at Piety and Chartres Streets, or at the steps at Marigny and N Peters Streets, and watch the fog blanket the nearby skyline. A promenade meanders past an angular metal-and-concrete conceptual "wharf" (placed next to the burned remains of the former commercial wharf)."

"This park was created in 2014, when a formerly derelict area of the city near the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods was targeted for redevelopment. The park runs along the river; it is 1.4 miles long and is spread out over 20 acres. The main attraction in the park, apart from the pleasant green spaces, is the Piety Street Bridge."

"Crescent Park is one of the city’s newest parks, but its landscape design is steeped in New Orleans’ past. This riverfront stretch of green space memorializes the robust history of New Orleans’ wharves. Plant-lined paths and breathtaking views run alongside the grand remnants of the industrial-age."

"The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve is another great park to visit if your family loves nature and animals. The Barataria Preserve located in Marrero Louisiana is about 30 minutes outside of New Orleans, if your family is in town for a while, I recommend visiting this park. For more information on The Jean LaFitte National Historical Park and Preserve visit https://www.nps.gov/jela/barataria-preserve.htm"

"This swampy nature preserve is only a half-hour drive from downtown New Orleans, but its cypress trees, turtles, wildflowers, alligators, and 200-plus species of birds make it feel light years away. Explore the boardwalks on your own, or have kids earn a badge with the park’s Junior Ranger program. View this post on Instagram"

"The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve consists of six physically separate sites in southeastern Louisiana. Two of these sites are in the New Orleans area and are well worth a visit. The Barataria Preserve offers a chance to see some of Louisiana's natural treasures."

"When I walked into Revelator Coffee and saw all of their unique blends and espresso machines at work, I knew I was in for a treat. Their coffee tastes legit, and you can even buy some coffee grinds to DIY at home. Along with the relaxing music playing, the sounds of their espresso machines were extremely therapeutic while studying."

"The gist: When it first opened earlier in 2020, waits of two hours or more were common at Blue Giant. During the pandemic, Blue Giant turned to take-out only but the original model is now back in action, so if you want to get your hands on one of their massive egg rolls, you’ll have to score a table. The food: Look for spicy stir-fried eggplant guaranteed to make your eyes water, blue crab rangoon, and an egg roll that’s big enough to share (not that you’ll want to).The cost: Starters $3 - $14, mains and shareables $11 - $16.How to book: Reserve via Resy."

"Just weeks ago, it was hard to even get inside this new Magazine Street restaurant, and nightly waits routinely climbed past 90 minutes for a table. It was worth it, though, to get a bowl full of the tear-inducing eggplant. For now, however, they’ve turned to takeout exclusively from 4pm to 9pm, but are still offering their full menu."

"New Orleans has long had a bounty of authentic Vietnamese restaurants, thanks to its vibrant population of Southeast Asian immigrants. But for a long time, you had to cross the river to the West Bank or head to New Orleans East for the good stuff, a bit of a trek if you're visiting without a car. With the recent opening of 9 Roses in the French Quarter, all that has changed."

"620 Conti St., (504) 324-9450; 1100 Stephens St., Gretna, (504) 366-7665; www.ninerosesrestaurant.com. Flank steak, meatballs and vermicelli fill pho served with a basket of bean sprouts, basil and cilantro. Reservations accepted."