Treme-Lafitte - New Orleans, LA Area Guide

Treme-Lafitte is one of New Orleans' oldest neighborhoods, dating back to the early 1700s. Then, it was the site of two forts: Fort Ferdinand and Fort St. John. A large plantation, the Morand Plantation, was established during this time, as well. Around 1780, the plantation was purchased by Claude Treme. In 1794, the Spanish Governor of Louisiana built a canal from the French Quarter to Bayou St. John, cutting through Treme's property. Around 1800, Treme decided to sell off much of his land, and it was subdivided for development in 1812. During the mid- to late 1800s, many double-shotgun and Creole cottages were built. Nine blocks of historic homes were demolished in the 1960s to build the Theatre of the Performing Arts and Louis Armstrong Park. Among the lost historic sites were the famous jazz sites the Gypsy Tea Room and Economy Hall.

Treme-Lafitte is a National Historic District, home to landmark historic sites like the St. Augustine Church, built around 1841. The church was one of the original 26 sites on the Louisiana African American Heritage Trail.

Also on the heritage trail, the New Orleans African American Museum is also located in Treme-Lafitte. The museum contains several historic buildings on its property, which was a former plantation. It includes the Meilleur-Goldthwaite House, a mansion built in 1828 and part of Claude Treme's plantation. The house sits on the site of the first brickyard in New Orleans, established in 1725.

Congo Square, located in Louis Armstrong Park, is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Beginning in the 1700s, slaves gathered here on Sundays to play music and dance. It is considered an important location in the history of jazz. Today, the Congo Square Preservation Society preserves the history of this location, as well as hosting musical performances and special events in the square.

New Orleans is famous for its food and its nightlife, and Treme-Lafitte has a few gems of its own. Willie Mae's Scotch House is famous for its soul food. Choose from comfort-food classics like fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, red beans and rice, and fried okra. Top it off with bread pudding or red velvet cheesecake for a truly decadent night out. Willie Mae's has been serving up great food since 1957, and won the James Beard Award in 2005 for "America's Classic Restaurant for the Southern Region." The Food Network and the Travel Channel both featured Willie Mae's for having America's best fried chicken.

Another must-visit is Dooky Chase's, a neighborhood staple since 1941. The chef, Leah Chase, is known as the "Queen of Creole Cuisine." The list of people who've enjoyed her cooking is impressive: Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, Duke Ellington, Quincy Jones, Jesse Jackson, Ray Charles, and more. When you're craving gumbo, stuffed shrimp, crab cakes, or chicken creole, you'll want to visit Dooky Chase's.

When you want the very best poor boy in town, there's only one place to go: Parkway Bakery and Tavern. This popular restaurant has been here since 1911 and is considered a neighborhood landmark. It has been featured on the Travel Channel's Food Wars and the chef, Justin Kennedy, was featured on Food Network's Chopped. He won Destination America's Last Call Food Brawl in 2013.

Treme-Lafitte is home to the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, a terrific destination for an evening out. It is located in the historic Louis Armstrong Park. This fantastic venue features musical performances, dance, theatrical shows, and more.

The oldest bar around is just outside the neighborhood on Bourbon Street. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar has been serving drinks to thirsty patrons since the 1700s. The building was constructed around 1722 and is a fascinating location -- it is the oldest building to be used as a bar in the country.

Like the majority of New Orleans, Treme-Lafitte is extremely walkable. For longer trips, there are bus stops located throughout the neighborhood. I-10 cuts through the neighborhood, providing access to the greater New Orleans area, the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, and neighboring cities like Gulfport and Biloxi. The Lafitte Greenway Trail is a 2.6-mile walking, jogging, and bicycle trail that begins in Armstrong Park and leads to City Park. This historic trail follows the original canal that connected Bayou St. John to Treme-Lafitte in 1794.

Louis Armstrong Park, named for one of New Orleans' most famous residents, is the pride of the Treme neighborhood. The park contains 31 acres and includes historic Congo Square. The New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park and the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts are also located in the park.

The Lafayette Greenway is a shady green space featuring more than 500 trees. It is also the location of the Greenway Trail, a popular paved walking and bicycling path. The Sojourner Truth Community Center is located in the park, near North Galvez Street.

Treme-Lafitte, even with its proximity to the French Quarter, is relatively inexpensive. An apartment in Treme averages $586, much less than the New Orleans average of $764. While there are some small businesses scattered throughout Treme-Lafitte, most residents work in other New Orleans locations.

Just six blocks from Treme-Lafitte, the French Market Corporation is an open-air market that has been in operation since 1791. The market is open daily and features a colonnade with shops like Aunt Sally's Praline Shop, the Little Toy Shop, Pop City, and Galerie Cayenne. There's also a farmer's market held twice a week and a daily flea market with art, jewelry, candles, and crafts. Events at the market include live music performances, classes, children's events, and festivals.

Treme-Lafitte has several shops and other businesses along North Broad Street. A few others are located near I-10, including the popular Manchu Food Store -- a combination super market/restaurant famous for its chicken wings and fried rice. Near the corner of St. Bernard Avenue and North Clairborne Avenue, Circle Food Store offers a more traditional grocery store experience. For Latin foods, head to Ideal Discount Market.