South Market District in New Orleans

What to see and do in South Market District?

South Market doesn’t necessarily have any travel features, such as major attractions or museums, right within its 5 blocks. However, a few top museums in the Central Business District are within easy reach, including the Contemporary Arts Center, Louisiana Children’s Museum, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art and the National World War II Museum. The neighbourhood is also near to several popular green spaces, including Lafayette Square and Lee Circle.

For live music and artistic performances, which are among the top draws for travelers visiting New Orleans, visit the Civic Theater for a more traditional feel or Three Keys for a more intimate experience situated inside the Ace Hotel.

Upscale and boutique shopping is a popular activity in the South Market District – a nod to the neighbourhood’s history. Stop by Defend New Orleans for locally sourced art and clothing; Freda for handcrafted jewelry, clothing and lifestyle items; or Simple Gourmet for luxurious culinary items, as well as the occasional cooking class.

Where to eat and drink in South Market District?

Similar to the shopping scene, the dining and drinking scene in South Market District puts a focus on the modern and high-end. However, it is still possible to find eateries that are on the casual side, one of which is Company Burger, a New Orleans local chain that frequent visitors and locals alike love. Other casual options include Blaze Pizza for build-it-yourself pies, Poke Loa for individualized poke lawn bowling, and Aqua’s, which serves gourmet soft-serve ice cream.

For something a little more inventive, try Josephine Estelle, which blends Southern and Italian flavors for an unexpected (but still delightful) experience. There’s also Maypop, which offers an equally surprising and delightful fusion of Southern and Asian flavors, or Otra Vez for a new take on Mexican cuisine.

Wander into one of the neighbourhood’s top hotels for a cocktail, such as Alto, the rooftop bar at Ace Hotel, or Bar Marilou, the colorful watering hole at the Maison de la Luz hotel.

Good to know about South Market District

The best way to see and experience South Market is by staying in the district. Due to the neighbourhood’s lack of major attractions, it really is a neighbourhood that’s best seen over a few days, allowing you to enjoy a stay in one of the luxury hotels, shop at the high-end boutiques at your leisure and dine at the many high-end restaurants on your own schedule.

South Market makes a peaceful retreat to return to at the end of a day of exploring the rest of New Orleans, which can be, in some cases, less than refined and more than hectic. South Market’s central location lends itself to this, being within the Central Business District and close to both the French Quarter and Central City. If you do decide to just stop in South Market for a brief visit during a longer trip to New Orleans, though, you can rest assured that you’ll find lots of parking, as well as access to the New Orleans streetcars, a few blocks away.