New Orleans is a city built on stories, layered with charm, culture, and a rich history spanning centuries. While the French Quarter gets much of the spotlight, the Garden District stands as one of the most breathtaking and historically rich neighborhoods in the city. Lined with oak trees, cast-iron fences, and antebellum mansions, this district is a living museum of 19th-century opulence. A self-guided or guided Garden District walking tour is the perfect way to explore the architectural beauty and historic depth of this beloved New Orleans neighborhood.

Here’s a look at some of the most significant houses and buildings you’ll encounter along your stroll:

1. The Buckner Mansion (1856)

Address: 1410 Jackson Avenue

Start your tour with one of the most iconic buildings in the district, the Buckner Mansion. Built in 1856 by cotton magnate Henry Buckner, this grand Greek Revival home features 48 fluted Corinthian columns and one of the largest residential galleries (porches) in the city. It’s a striking example of pre-Civil War wealth, built when New Orleans was one of the richest cities in America due to the cotton trade.

Fun Fact: In recent pop culture, the Buckner Mansion gained renewed fame as Miss Robichaux’s Academy in American Horror Story: Coven, but its historical significance as a symbol of antebellum extravagance is what makes it a must-see.

2. The Payne-Strachan House (1849)

Address: 1134 First Street

Next, visit the Payne-Strachan House, a beautiful Italianate-style home built in 1849. This residence is best known as the home where Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States during the Civil War, spent his final days. Davis died here in 1889 while visiting a friend.

The house serves as a haunting reminder of the Civil War’s impact on the South and remains an important historic landmark for Civil War historians and visitors alike.

3. The Briggs-Staub House (1849)

Address: 2605 Prytania Street

A unique gem in the Garden District, the Briggs-Staub House breaks the mold with its Gothic Revival architecture, a rarity in New Orleans residential design. Built in 1849 by architect James Gallier Sr. for Charles Briggs, this home looks more like a European chapel than a Southern mansion. Interestingly, Briggs, a Protestant, was required to sell the house shortly after it was completed because the predominantly Catholic community was opposed to the foreign and “un-Christian” appearance. This home now stands as a testament to cultural tensions in New Orleans’ past, and it’s one of the few examples of Gothic residential architecture in the city.

4. Commander’s Palace (1880)

Address: 1403 Washington Avenue

Though now a famed fine-dining restaurant, Commander’s Palace is also a historic building with deep local roots. Originally established in 1880, it has survived through generations, serving as a social hub for Garden District residents. Its turquoise facade and Victorian details make it a striking architectural landmark. Inside, it has hosted countless important figures, from politicians to celebrities, and helped launch the careers of chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme, making it a historic icon in the world of Southern cuisine.

5. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (Established 1833)

Address: 1427 Washington Ave (currently closed for renovations, but visible from the perimeter)

Although currently closed to the public for preservation, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 remains an essential stop. As one of the oldest city-operated cemeteries in New Orleans, it’s filled with above-ground tombs, reflecting the city’s unique burial traditions influenced by its French and Spanish heritage. The cemetery has been featured in numerous films and novels and is the final resting place of many prominent New Orleanians, including military heroes and yellow fever victims. It’s also a symbol of how disease, death, and disaster shaped the city’s infrastructure and cultural psyche.

Tips for Your Walking Tour:

• Wear comfortable shoes. The sidewalks are old and uneven in places.
• Go early or late. Summer heat can be intense, so morning or early evening walks are ideal.
• Book a guided tour. Local guides often provide insider stories and access to private gardens or interiors. Check out NOLA Historic Tours.
• Bring water and sunscreen. Shade from oak trees helps, but the Louisiana sun is strong. 

A walk through the Garden District is more than just a stroll among beautiful homes, it’s a step back into the 19th century, where every wrought-iron fence, moss-draped oak, and stately column tells a story. From Civil War history and Southern Gothic architecture to the birthplace of Creole cuisine, the Garden District reveals a quieter, elegant side of New Orleans. So slow down, look up, and let the stories of the past guide your journey.