Ultimate Guide to Mid City New Orleans

by Clint LaCour

Mid City New Orleans is a sought-after neighborhood with homes for sale and things to do. It’s where locals like to experience the best of New Orleans, from internationally inspired cuisine to off-the-beaten-path activities and hangouts.

The thriving culture and diverse residents of Mid City are what makes this neighborhood so special. Mid City is a great place for foodies, with options ranging from global to traditional New Orleans fare. It’s also home to some of the best music venues in town as well as award-winning theater companies like the Southern Rep Theatre.

Throughout Mid City, you’ll find plenty of activities for the entire family. Check out the Louisiana Children’s Museum on a rainy day, or soak yourself in the city’s rich history by visiting landmarks such as the Pitot House. There is something new for each member of the family to explore and learn!

Mid City is known for its charming streets, deep-rooted culture, and delicious restaurants. Plus, there are so many homes for sale in Mid City New Orleans that you can easily make this neighborhood your forever home!

If you’re looking for an urban retreat with endless possibilities, then this guide is exactly what you need!

How Old is Mid City New Orleans?

Mid City is among the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans. It was established by Colonel John Rousseau, who donated two acres of his land to establish a Catholic parish in 1823. The first church building on this site opened its doors for services in 1826 and it has been used continuously since then as both a place of worship and a community centerpiece.

Things To Do in Mid City New Orleans

If you’re looking to experience New Orleans from a local’s point of view, Mid City is where it’s at. From coffee and foodie hotspots to hidden gems, this list will lead you right into the heart of what makes our city so special!

Here are a few must-do’s in Mid City New Orleans!

The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)

The NOMA museum has exhibitions and galleries with a focus on American art from the 18th century to now. You can see works by Picasso, Pollock, Warhol, Chuck Close, Jasper Johns and many more!

New Orleans Botanical Gardens

The New Orleans Botanical Gardens is a gorgeous place to learn about the history of New Orleans with a lovely backdrop of lush greenery. Located in City Park, the garden features a recently renovated conservatory that houses their collection of rare tropical and subtropical plants.

Bayou Beer Garden

The Bayou Beer Garden is located in the heart of Mid City New Orleans. With delicious food from burgers and beer to wine and cheese, this is the perfect place to relax and enjoy quality time with your friends. It has multiple TVs, a front porch, a back patio, and a wide variety of events throughout the year, making this destination a must-go.

Is Mid City New Orleans Family Friendly?

Mid City is often described as being up and coming with a renewed sense of community. It is definitely a family-friendly community, with plenty of parks and activities for kids.

What Are the Best Restaurants in Mid City New Orleans?

The world-renowned French Quarter is not the only place to find great food in New Orleans.

Mid City offers a mix of locally grown and globally inspired cuisine, including Vietnamese street food at Pho Tau Bay, Mexican dishes like mole negro soup and carnitas tacos from El Gallito De Jalisco Food Truck, Italian feasts at Venezia, and uniquely New Orleans dishes like Creole gumbo and seafood boil from Shells & Beignets, a taste of the Big Easy at its best.

If you’re seeking an experience that is off the beaten path, try Treps or Mid-City Pizza for exquisite American cuisine with wine pairings in classic settings. (Fun fact: Treps is owned by one of our very own agents, Danny Akers!) With custom crafted ingredients, Trep’s food is mouthwatering. Grab a cool drink at the bar, sit back at the tables under the oak trees, and hang out with friends and family for an unforgettable experience. Mid-City Pizza’s thin crust pies are loaded with toppings and full of flavor. They also offer delicious appetizers, calzones, sandwiches, and so much more! Both of these restaurants are worth every penny!

If you’re looking for that perfect combination of delicious food, good beer, and an enthusiastic atmosphere for sports day, Mid-City Yacht Club is where you need to be!

And for dessert lovers, Mid City New Orleans has a variety of delicious sweet spots to fix your cravings. Brocato’s Ice Cream, a New Orleans tradition since 1905, serves their famous gelato and cannolis, along with a variety of pastries, biscottis, and beverages. Laozi Ice Cream is known for its one-of-a-kind experience where you can watch how every flavor is made. With their creamy, chewy, and crunchy ice cream, this place is irresistible.

What Kind of Activities Does Mid City New Orleans Offer?

While residents here enjoy all that this vibrant city has to offer, their own backyard boasts some pretty sweet attractions as well: sculpture gardens, parks galore (including one on-site), the Lafitte Greenway, and bike lanes throughout the neighborhood so it never feels too far away. There are plenty of activities that the whole family will enjoy, with a focus on fitness and green spaces.

What’s the Best Thing About Being in Mid City?

A 228-year old oak tree! When it was planted in 1794, this “live museum” sprouted from what’s now called Oak Street Park at Baronne and Marigny Streets (it is only one of three such trees remaining). It has been maintained by locals for generations like an evergreen family fortune – and provides shade to hot dogs while they await their mustard sauce.

The live oaks are symbolic of history and culture: welcoming strangers into its branches since before America even existed as a country. In fact, some say that General Jackson slept under one during his second term in office.

The tree is a symbol of the neighborhood and its people, just as much as it’s been an icon for generations in Mid City New Orleans. In fact, when Hurricane Katrina came rushing through town in 2005, locals pitched in to protect their precious live oaks by using sandbags to divert flood waters from destroying them.