New Orleans/Algiers

Algiers is a neighborhood of New Orleans, Louisiana. It is across the Mississippi River from the rest of New Orleans. Connected to the city by bridge and Ferry, it has attractions, restaurants, and bed & breakfasts in an area an easy trip to central New Orleans while retaining some of the feel of a small Louisiana town. In addition to the easy access to the Quarter & Central Business District of New Orleans across the river, Algiers is near other West Bank towns and suburbs, including Gretna.

Understand
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").

Get in


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.

Do



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

Eat




Drink




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





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

Go next
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