New Orleans/Algiers

While the Algiers section of New Orleans is large, the area of most interest to visitors, Algiers Point, is a small, pleasant walkable neighborhood. Algiers Point is accessible by ferry ($2 for pedestrians in both directions, no cars allowed) going back and forth across the river to the foot of Canal Street, the boundary between New Orleans French Quarter and Central Business District. The beautiful views from the ferry are worth the trip in themselves. Most sites of interest as well as good food and accommodation are within less than a dozen blocks walk from the Ferry landing; many less than half that distance.

Background

Settled in 1719 across the Mississippi from the old city of New Orleans, Algiers is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. New Orleans annexed Algiers in 1870. A great fire devastated Algiers Point in the 1895; Victorian style residential and small business architecture from the rebuilding period just after the fire still dominate Algiers Point. A few older buildings also survive.
Natives of Algiers are known as "Algerines" (said "AL-jer-eens").

From the French Quarter or Central Business District, take the Ferry across the river from the foot of Canal Street. Bear in mind that the ferry does not run all night (hours at nolaferry.com) departing from the CBD side on the :15 and :45, and departing from the Algiers side on the hour and half hour.
Driving in on Interstate 10, take the Mississippi River Bridge (Highway 90) across the River, then take the General DeGaulle exit (Louisiana 428) and follow the signs to Algiers Point.

• Mount Olivet Episcopal Church

  phone: +1 504 366-4650
  address: 530 Pelican Ave
  This, Algiers' oldest structure, and one of the few to survive the Great Algiers Fire, dates back to 1845. While the exterior is charming, the interior is nothing terribly exciting. Just around the corner on Olivier is another interesting old columned building—this one a former Masonic house.

• Old Courthouse

  phone: +1 504 568-6968
  address: 225 Morgan St
  This hulking Romanesque building is the most obvious landmark upon arriving on the shores of the West Bank, and is still functioning both as a courthouse and office space for several local government facilities. While the original courthouse dated back to 1812 in its first incarnation as a plantation home, the current building was built following the Great Algiers Fire in 1896.

• Walking tours of nineteenth century architecture of the Point and the "jazz trail" where such Algerine jazz pioneers as Red Allen lived and played.

• Magnolia Equestrian Centre

  phone: +1 504 364-6071
  address: 1721 General Collins Ave
  A family owned horse farm with a covered arena, offering lessons to visitors by appointment.

• Old Algiers Riverfest

  address: 233 Newton St
  Weekend free music and entertainment festival celebrating Algiers', and more broadly the West Bank's, cultural heritage each April. (2012 Festival is March 31 & April 1) Great local bands, Mardi Gras Indians, food and craft tents. It became so popular that in 2011 it was moved from its original location near the courthouse to larger grounds by the Algiers Point Mardi Gras warehouses. However it has not yet been "discovered" by masses of visitors, so the crowds are much lighter than many similar festivals.

• Frames, Inc.

  phone: +1 504 393-8383
  address: 3934 Kabel St
  Small lovely store, a framing outfit that also carries an assortment of tasteful quality small gifts, from home decor items to jewelry.

• Rosetree Glass Studio and Gallery

  phone: +1 504 366-3602
  address: 446 Vallette St
  Watch the magic of glass-blowing in the hands of skilled artists. Locally made art for sale in a renovated Art-Deco movie theater.

• Village Aurora Mall

  address: 3008 Holiday Dr
  Small shopping mall serving the Algiers section of the city.

• Beatrixbell Handcrafted Jewelry and Gift

  phone: +1 504 507-0955
  address: 337 Morgan Street, Suite A
  Gift shop and jewelry studio. Entire line of jewelry (made in-house) as well as an array of accessories, gifts, and curated items with an emphasis on local treasures and handmade wares. Handicapped accessible and offers ample and free parking.

• Dimartino's Famous Muffulettas

  phone: +1 504 367-0227
  address: 3900 General De Gaulle
  The famous muffuletta sandwich is the star attraction at DiMartino's, a small local chain that also has plenty of Cajun and Creole options, plus great burgers.

• Pho My A Restaurant

  phone: +1 504 368-5694
  address: 4021 Berhman Pl
  Far out-of-the-way, family-run Vietnamese restaurants in suburban New Orleans area tend to be pretty fantastic. Pho is the way to go.

• PJ's Coffee & Tea

  phone: +1 504 392-4280
  address: 4100 Gen De Gaulle
  Branch of the popular local cafe chain offering coffee drinks and light snacks.

• Tout de Suite Cafe

  phone: +1 504 362-2264
  address: 347 Verret St
  Coffee, pastries, fresh made panini sandwiches, and WiFi. Great old Algiers atmosphere.

• Vine & Dine

  address: 141 Delaronde St
  Combination restaurant & wine shop; also has good variety of bottled beers. The cheese selections are great, and there's a small, quiet, wonderfully be-ferned tiki-ish courtyard in the back.

• Zack's Frozen Yogurt & Smoothies

  address: 4128 General De Gaulle Dr
  A 25 year-old fro-yo establishment with good prices and a family, "neighborhoody" vibe. The fruit bowls topped with frozen yogurt are a special local favorite.

• Algiers Sports Bar

  phone: +1 504 398-1255
  address: 4801 General Meyer Ave
  A good laid-back place for some Abita with older locals, and a few rounds of pool.

• Black Star Books

  phone: +1 671 671-6506
  address: 3211 General Myers
  A good mix of black/African coffee and black/African pride in a quirky coffeeshop that seems at odds with this generally staid section of town. Expect a full bar, some great Caribbean small plates, and good music. Occasional poetry/comedy/musical performances.

• Crown & Anchor

  phone: +1 504 227-1007
  address: 200 Pelican St
  Algiers Point's best known and most popular bar is an authentic-enough English-style pub, with lively darts games and friendly locals. The beer is pricey, but nonetheless, this is a great and straightforward destination on a weekend jaunt across the river.

• Dry Dock Cafe

  phone: +1 504 361-8240
  address: 133 Delaronde St
  This place will serve you expensive beer and basic and cheap New Orleans fare (until 10PM) in a casual, but nicer-than-your-average-dive bar atmosphere. A bit on the average side, though locally popular.

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• Old Point Bar

  phone: +1 504 364-0950
  address: 545 Patterson St
  Nice old style bar, also Algier's leading live music venue, showcasing a variety of local talent. If you haven't heard of a performer listed here, don't worry, they're probably good. Comfortable old road house atmosphere. Early shows on Sundays.

If you like the thought of spending the nights in a quiet neighborhood a short commute from the hubub of the big city, Algiers is an option for visitors with or without a car.

• House of the Rising Sun B&B

  phone: +1 504 368-1123
  address: 335 Pelican Ave
  There is a house, down in New Orleans... This shotgun house, though, is likely more comfortable than the one of ill-repute in the song. The owner is a huge music fan with exhaustive knowledge of local jazz musicians and local jazz history, and is an excellent resource if you are looking to learn a bit, or just to find good spots for live jazz during your stay.

Tout de Suite has wifi and has a wired rental computer. Limited computer time available at the branch library.

The ferry at Algiers Point connects to the foot of Canal Street, the boundary of the French Quarter and the Central Business District.
The Crescent City Connection Bridge across the Mississippi connects to the upper end of the Central Business District and the downriver end of Uptown New Orleans; a short drive further on the expressway gets you to Mid-City, and Interstate 10.
Just east (upriver) of Algiers are the towns of Gretna and Terrytown in Jefferson Parish.
Downriver (south) of the far end of Algiers is Belle Chasse in the west bank of Plaquemines Parish