New Orleans Street Adventures: Rue Chartres Highlights

Rue Chartres, a lively street in New Orleans’ French Quarter, encapsulates the city’s storied history, distinctive architecture, and dynamic street scene. This thoroughfare offers an authentic New Orleans experience brimming with music, cuisine, art, and culture through its variety of shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars.

TL;DR

• Rue Chartres showcases historic landmarks and buildings that reflect New Orleans’ French and Spanish colonial heritage, including St. Louis Cathedral, the Presbytère, the Cabildo, and Creole townhouses.
• The street features a variety of shopping options, from antique boutiques and art galleries to the open-air French Market, as well as numerous restaurants serving classic New Orleans cuisine and international fare.
• Street performers, artists, and musicians enliven Rue Chartres day and night, especially near Jackson Square, creating a lively and entertaining atmosphere.

Historic Architecture and Landmarks

Rue Chartres exemplifies the city’s French and Spanish colonial legacy through its numerous historic buildings and landmarks. St. Louis Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedrals in the U.S., anchors Jackson Square at the upriver end of Rue Chartres. The cathedral’s striking façade and towering spires have become iconic symbols of New Orleans. The Presbytère and Cabildo, two Spanish colonial buildings flanking the cathedral, now house the Louisiana State Museum. These buildings offer captivating exhibits on the city’s history, culture, and Mardi Gras traditions.

As you stroll down Rue Chartres, you’ll be enchanted by the Creole townhouses from the late 18th and early 19th centuries that line much of the street. These elegant buildings feature cast-iron balconies, hidden courtyards, and pastel-colored facades, creating a picturesque and romantic atmosphere. Don’t miss the Old Ursuline Convent at 1100 Chartres St., built in 1752 and the oldest surviving building in the Mississippi Valley. The convent’s beautiful architecture and serene courtyard provide a peaceful oasis from the bustling street.

Shopping and Galleries

Rue Chartres is a shopper’s paradise, offering a variety of boutiques selling antiques, local art, handmade crafts, vintage clothing, voodoo dolls, and other unique souvenirs. Browse the eclectic selection at shops like Hemline (609 Chartres St., open daily 10am-6pm) for trendy clothing and accessories, or Vintage 329 (329 Chartres St., open daily 11am-7pm) for one-of-a-kind vintage finds.

Art enthusiasts will delight in the many galleries showcasing works by local painters, sculptors, photographers, and other artists, often with a focus on New Orleans-inspired themes. Check out Angela King Gallery (241 Royal St., open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12pm-5pm) for contemporary art or Galerie Rue Royale (541 Royal St., open daily 10am-6pm) for fine art and sculpture.

For a truly immersive shopping experience, visit the French Market, which spans several blocks near Rue Chartres. This open-air market features stalls selling food, crafts, music, and more in a tradition dating back to 1791. The French Market is open daily from 9am to 6pm.

Dining and Nightlife

Foodies will find plenty to savor on Rue Chartres, which boasts an array of restaurants serving classic New Orleans fare like gumbo, jambalaya, po-boys, and oysters, as well as international cuisines. For a taste of history, dine at Napoleon House (500 Chartres St., open Wed-Sun 11am-10pm), housed in a 200-year-old landmark building. The restaurant serves up classic New Orleans dishes like muffulettas and jambalaya in a charming, old-world atmosphere.

Other legendary restaurants on the street include Muriel’s (801 Chartres St., open daily 11:30am-10pm) for upscale Creole cuisine and K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen (416 Chartres St., open Thu-Sat 11am-2pm & 5:30pm-10pm) for Chef Paul Prudhomme’s famous blackened redfish and other Cajun specialties.

As night falls, Rue Chartres comes alive with numerous bars and clubs offering live jazz, blues, zydeco, and other musical genres. Sip a classic Sazerac cocktail at the historic Old Absinthe House (240 Bourbon St., open daily 9am-2am), which dates back to 1807 and was a favorite haunt of notable figures like Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde. For a more modern vibe, check out The Bombay Club (830 Conti St., open Wed-Sun 4pm-12am) for live jazz and craft cocktails in a cozy, intimate setting.

Street Performers and Artists

No visit to Rue Chartres would be complete without experiencing the vibrant street performance scene. Jackson Square at the upriver end of Rue Chartres serves as a hub for artists, fortune tellers, street performers, and musicians. Brass bands, jazz ensembles, solo musicians, and other buskers regularly perform impromptu concerts along the street, filling the air with the sounds of New Orleans.

Painters and sketch artists set up their easels to capture the picturesque street scenes and offer their artworks to passersby. You might even spot a few acrobats, magicians, mimes, and costumed characters entertaining the crowds on Rue Chartres. Remember to tip the performers if you enjoy their acts!