Maringy or Garden Distrist - 7 nights mid March

Question

I can't decide, please help :)

We are a 40's couple (1 first timer, 1 second). French Quarter seems too touristy for our liking. (We're New Yorkers so we have to deal w/ this everyday.)

We'd like to partake in a lot of live music, eating, wandering, architecture, thrifting, bike rides and the like.

It's important that where we stay be close enough to walk or short transit or bike ride to get back to after live music at night but is not too loud for sleeping.

Marigny is tempting for lots to do but wonder if it will still feel too touristy or busy.

Garden District seems nice for the pretty architecture and being quieter/greener, but still near a lot on Magazine st, but worried it will feel too far from a lot of what we'd want to do.

Answer

It sounds like you're looking for a balance between New Orleans' vibrant culture and a quieter, more local experience. Both the Marigny and the Garden District offer unique pros and cons, so here's a breakdown to help you decide:

Marigny

The Marigny neighborhood is often considered a lively and artsy area, offering a mix of residential and commercial spaces. It's home to many locals, with a strong focus on live music, local bars, and a bohemian vibe. You'll find plenty of places with great food, unique shops, and the well-known Frenchmen Street, which is famous for its live music venues. This area is perfect for your interests in live music and wandering, especially in the evenings. Additionally, it’s quite walkable, with a lot of activities within easy reach.

Pros:

Close proximity to Frenchmen Street, the best area for live music in New Orleans.
Walkable area with local bars, unique restaurants, and boutique shops.
Closer to the French Quarter, so you can easily pop into the more touristy areas when desired.
Lots of character and a funky, local vibe.

Cons:

The area can get busy, especially in the evenings, due to the popularity of Frenchmen Street for tourists and locals alike.
Some parts of Marigny can feel a bit crowded or touristy, especially around popular spots like Frenchmen Street, so it may not feel as "local" at night.
Some streets can get noisy, so it might not be the best for a quiet, peaceful night’s sleep if you’re close to the action.

Garden District

The Garden District, on the other hand, offers a more laid-back, residential vibe with beautiful historic homes, oak-lined streets, and a tranquil atmosphere. While it's quieter and a bit further from the nightly music scene, it’s still well-connected to the action via a short streetcar ride or bike ride. The architecture is stunning, and it's a great area for relaxing, thrifting (especially on Magazine Street), and enjoying a more serene side of New Orleans.

Pros:

Beautiful, quieter, and more residential—perfect if you value sleep and peaceful surroundings.
Close to Magazine Street, which offers plenty of shopping, dining, and bars without the same level of tourist crowds as the French Quarter.
The historic mansions and tree-lined streets make for picturesque walks and a nice environment for a bike ride.
Easy access to the streetcar that can take you to the French Quarter and Marigny.

Cons:

Not as close to the nightlife and live music venues, so you’ll need to take a short bike ride or streetcar to get to Frenchmen Street or the French Quarter.
While Magazine Street is fantastic, it’s not as central to some of the more iconic parts of the city.
The area is more residential, which means fewer late-night options if you're hoping for a lively nightlife experience just around the corner.

Recommendation:

If your main priorities are experiencing New Orleans' live music scene, eating at great local spots, and enjoying the architecture during the day, the Marigny might be a better fit. It's more centrally located for walking to music venues and bars at night, and you'll get to experience the city's energetic vibe up close. However, if you prefer a quieter, more relaxed base to sleep while still being near to everything, the Garden District could be the perfect mix of charm, local culture, and accessibility. You can always hop on a bike or take the streetcar to reach the nightlife in under 20 minutes, and you'll come home to a peaceful, tree-lined neighborhood.

Both neighborhoods offer plenty to do, so it comes down to whether you value proximity to the nightlife or a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere at night. If you’re still unsure, staying a couple of nights in the Marigny and a couple in the Garden District could give you the best of both worlds!

Maringy or Garden Distrist - 7 nights mid March

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