Uptown

While many refer to the Garden District and Carrollton as “Uptown,” Uptown is actually a distinct New Orleans neighborhood bordered by Louisiana Avenue, Broadway Street, Claiborne Avenue, and the Mississippi River. The City Planning Commission breaks this large area into smaller sub-neighborhoods such as Freret, Touro, West Riverside, and Black Pearl.

Uptown is home to Tulane and Loyola Universities, both located on St. Charles Avenue across from Audubon Park. About six miles from downtown, the park was established on city-purchased land in 1871 and stretches from St. Charles to the river. Named for naturalist John James Audubon, it features ponds, Beaux Arts fountains, bridle paths, and a top-rated golf course. A ring road around the park is popular with joggers, skaters, and cyclists. Nearby, the Audubon Zoo is nationally acclaimed for its naturalistic habitats and rare species, including white alligators and white tigers.  

Adjacent to the zoo, the levee and riverbend—known locally as “The Fly”—is a popular spot for picnicking, biking, dog walking, and sunbathing. Uptown also offers unique shopping and dining on Magazine Street, known for its mix of boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. Freret Street, revived over the past decade, has become a hub of local culture and cuisine. Each April, the Freret Street Festival highlights its vibrant scene.  

Another local gem is the Prytania Theater. Built in the early 1900s, it remains one of the only single-screen cinemas in Louisiana still showing first-run films.   Uptown’s historic raised homes and natural elevation helped it avoid the worst flooding during Hurricane Katrina. It was among the first areas to recover and remains one of the city's most enduring and beloved neighborhoods.