Im glad we went a day or so after mardi gras as it was still busy.Loads of things to see such a nice buildings, street artists.Food available easily.

Was downtown walking and looking down the street I saw beautifully decorated balconies. It was refreshing to see such a clean street after walking bourbon.

Chartres Street has some better and more upscale restaurants and bars than Bourbon Street. Stretches down from Canal Street. Worth a walk.

A Lovely Street in the French Quarter We were in New Orleans in December for business meetings, but did get to stroll the French Quarter, and took in one of our favorite streets in the Quarter, Chartres. Now, Chartres Street runs through the French Quarter, but then downriver through the Bywater neighborhood, to Poland Ave - however, few get beyond the 12, or so blocks in the French Quarter. We walked from its beginning, at Canal St, on the upriver edge of the Quarter, to where it becomes a pedestrian mall, in front of St Louis Cathedral, The Cabildo and the Presbytere, across from Jackson Square. I am old enough to remember when it continued in front of these attractions, and when that one block section was closed and traffic rerouted, to create that lovely pedestrian mall. We walked all of the way to Esplanade, where Chartres turns, to head down river, into mostly residential neighborhoods. Along the way, we stopped at Jackson Square for a bit, taking that area in. It was quite busy for a December day, but then the weather was outstanding - late Indian Summer on this trip. We passed several restaurants, such as NOLA and Muriel’s, near Jackson Square, and also a few hotels, interspersed between some commercial buildings. The Pharmacy Museum is located in that stretch too. Once past Jackson Square, we walked in a more residential section, with lovely homes, ranging from French Quarter mansions, to quaint little shotgun houses, and most painted in bright colors. Many of the larger residences had colorful plantings on their wrought/cast iron balconies, and a few already had their Holiday decorations up. It was a lovely stroll, and is more akin to walking on the parallel Royal Street, just a block away from the River. While most folk think of the French Quarter in terms of Bourbon Street, they must explore Chartres Street, just two blocks, and almost a world away. I also recommend walking the entire length of Chartres in the French Quarter, as it changes, once down river from Jackson Square, which is always worth a stop. I would allow at least an hour, and more, if one explores the restaurants and shops, along the street.

This is a great street in the Quarter for a leisurely walk to enjoy the architecture and ambience without all of the noise and craziness of Bourbon.