Esplanade Avenue: The Creole Millionaires' Row

Step away from the neon lights of Bourbon Street and onto the tranquil, oak-shaded promenade of Esplanade Avenue. Known historically as the 'Creole Millionaires' Row,' this grand thoroughfare served as the aristocratic answer to the American Sector's St. Charles Avenue. On this self-guided walk, you will explore a different side of New Orleans, where the city's French and Spanish roots blossomed into opulent 19th-century estates. This neighborhood stroll takes you through the heart of the Treme and Seventh Ward, areas rich with the stories of free people of color and the European elite who once defined the city's social hierarchy. As you wander beneath a canopy of centuries-old live oaks, the architecture tells a story of prestige and cultural identity. You will encounter landmarks like the Degas House, the only home and studio of the French Impressionist Edgar Degas in the United States, and the Pitot House, a rare surviving example of a late 18th-century West Indies-style plantation cottage. This route is a dream for those interested in photography and history, offering unobstructed views of Italianate, Greek Revival, and Queen Anne mansions. This walking route New Orleans enthusiasts love follows the avenue from the banks of Bayou St. John toward the edge of the French Quarter, or vice versa, culminating in the lush greenery of City Park. You will pass by the ornate marble tombs of St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, where the city's unique above-ground burial traditions are on full display. Unlike a standard walking tour New Orleans visitors might find in the crowded center, this path offers a peaceful, independent way to appreciate the city's layers of history, from its colonial beginnings to its Gilded Age peak. Discover the legacy of the Creole elite at your own pace, stopping to admire the intricate ironwork and sprawling gardens that make Esplanade Avenue one of the most beautiful streets in America.