Lower Ninth Ward

The Basics

Revitalization of the Lower Ninth Ward has been slow, but new construction is gradually allowing some residents to return, and there are places to visit. Top Lower Ninth Ward sites include the Fats Domino House and recording studio; Victorian-style “steamboat houses” that escaped some of the storm’s worst impacts; Jackson Barracks Military Museum; and Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum, featuring displays and oral histories from neighborhood residents. Many New Orleans city tours include a drive through the district.

Things to Know Before You Go

• A few abandoned homes still bear the markings of search-and-rescue teams, though these have largely been removed or covered up.

• The Lower Ninth Ward is a residential neighborhood, so remember to be respectful of resident property and privacy.

• One of the area's few commercial businesses or restaurants is Cafe Dauphine, serving Creole and Cajun home cooking.

How to Get There

The Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans is in the easternmost downriver portion of New Orleans and is connected to downtown and the rest of the city by a bridge over the Industrial Canal. Join a group that offers walking or driving tours to dive into the differences in the landscape since Hurricane Katrina. Bicycle rentals for self-exploration are also available in the area.

When to Get There

The neighborhood has little activity or visibility at night and is best visited during daylight hours.

Nonprofit Helping the Lower Ninth Ward

The nonprofit organization Lowernine.org is dedicated to the recovery of the Lower Ninth Ward, which was both the hardest-hit and slowest to recover of all New Orleans neighborhoods after Hurricane Katrina. Partnering with local builders and volunteers, the project repairs and rebuilds area homes so that families displaced by the flooding can return. Visit www.lowernine.com to learn more.

Ways to explore

Many travelers visit the Lower Ninth Ward as part of a broader New Orleans city tour. Tours typically include transportation and cover multiple neighborhoods, such as the Garden District, Tremé, and the Ninth Ward, with stops at key landmarks including St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 and New Orleans City Park.

For a more personalized experience, some travelers opt for private tours that offer hotel pickup, flexible departure times, and the chance to pause wherever you’d like along the way—ideal for avoiding crowds and exploring at your own pace.

Accessibility

The rebuilding efforts in the Lower Ninth Ward can mean uneven surfaces that are inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Age limits

None

What to pack

Bottled water, snacks, power bank, sun or rain protection

What to wear

Comfortable walking shoes, layered casual clothing

Not allowed

Trespassing abandoned homes, littering

Amenities

Restaurants, snack bar, museums

Address

The Lower Ninth Ward sits east of the French Quarter, bordered by the Industrial Canal. It’s too far to walk from downtown, but visitors typically reach the area by car, rideshare, or on guided tours that focus on Hurricane Katrina.

Driving

From downtown New Orleans, take I-10 East and exit at Elysian Fields Avenue, continue to St. Claude Avenue and head southeast into the Lower Ninth Ward. You’ll find street parking near key landmarks and community centers.

Public transportation

To reach the Lower Ninth Ward by public transportation, take bus line 84 from downtown New Orleans, which runs along St. Claude Avenue, with stops near key sites such as the Lower Ninth Ward Living Museum.

Best times to visit

As it’s primarily a residential district, it’s best to come in the daytime—ideally in the morning until early afternoon.

Best days to visit

The Lower Ninth Ward doesn’t get as busy as tourist hot spots such as the French Quarter, but Tuesdays through Thursdays are good days to visit.

Best months to visit

October, November, March, April, and May offer mild temperatures and lower humidity—making them ideal months to visit before the peak heat of summer.

Special events

Festivals and special events: In the summer months, the area sometimes hosts festivals and events, such as Lower 9 Fest—with food, music, and a kids’ zone.