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.
See
- Mount Olivet Episcopal Church, 530 Pelican Ave (Algiers Point), ☏ +1 504 366-4650. This, Algiers' oldest structure, and one of the few to survive the Great Algiers Fire, dates back to 1845. While the exterior is charming, the interior is nothing terribly exciting. Just around the corner on Olivier is another interesting old columned building—this one a former Masonic house.
- Old Courthouse, 225 Morgan St, ☏ +1 504 568-6968. M-Sa 9AM-5PM. This hulking Romanesque building is the most obvious landmark upon arriving on the shores of the West Bank, and is still functioning both as a courthouse and office space for several local government facilities. While the original courthouse dated back to 1812 in its first incarnation as a plantation home, the current building was built following the Great Algiers Fire in 1896.
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.
- Magnolia Equestrian Centre, 1721 General Collins Ave (a few dozen blocks drive east of the Point via Newton Street), ☏ +1 504 364-6071. A family owned horse farm with a covered arena, offering lessons to visitors by appointment.
Buy
- Frames, Inc., 3439 Kabel Dr #4 (Off Gen. DeGaulle Drive, about 4 miles from the Point), ☏ +1 504 393-8383. Small lovely store, a framing outfit that also carries an assortment of tasteful quality small gifts, from home decor items to jewelry.
- Rosetree Glass Studio and Gallery, 446 Vallette St (corner of Vallette and Eliza Streets, Algiers Point), ☏ +1 504 366-3602. M-F 9AM-4PM. Watch the magic of glass-blowing in the hands of skilled artists. Locally made art for sale in a renovated Art-Deco movie theater.
- Algiers Plaza, 4100 General De Gaulle Dr (about 3 miles east of the Point). Strip mall with box stores serving the Algiers section of the city.
- 1 Beatrixbell Handcrafted Jewelry and Gift, 337 Morgan Street, Suite A (in Historic Algiers Point,three blocks from the ferry landing), ☏ +1 504 507-0955. Gift shop and jewelry studio. Entire line of jewelry (made in-house) as well as an array of accessories, gifts, and curated items with an emphasis on local treasures and handmade wares. Handicapped accessible and offers ample and free parking. $30-100.
Eat
- Dimartino's Famous Muffulettas, 3900 General De Gaulle, ☏ +1 504 367-0227. M-Th,Sa 11AM-8:30PM, F 11AM-9PM, Su 11AM-8PM. The famous muffuletta sandwich is the star attraction at DiMartino's, a small local chain that also has plenty of Cajun and Creole options, plus great burgers. $7-16.
- Tout de Suite Cafe, 347 Verret St (Algiers Point), ☏ +1 504 362-2264. 7AM-7PM daily. Coffee, pastries, fresh made panini sandwiches, and WiFi. Great old Algiers atmosphere. $8-15.
- Seafood Zone, 3600 MacArthur Blvd # M (in McArthur Shopping Center), ☏ +1 504 367-0550. Strip mall dive eatery but with tasty gumbo and other seafood entrees.
Drink
- Algiers Sports Bar, 4801 General Meyer Ave, ☏ +1 504 398-1255. A good laid-back place for some Abita with older locals, and a few rounds of pool.
- Crown & Anchor, 200 Pelican St (Algeirs Point), ☏ +1 504 227-1007. M-Th 4PM-2AM, F 4PM-3AM, Sa 11AM-3AM, Su 11AM-2AM. Algiers Point's best known and most popular bar is an authentic-enough English-style pub, with lively darts games and friendly locals. The beer is pricey, but nonetheless, this is a great and straightforward destination on a weekend jaunt across the river.
- Dry Dock Cafe, 133 Delaronde St (Algiers Point), ☏ +1 504 361-8240. M-Sa 11AM-late, Su 11AM-reasonably late. This place will serve you expensive beer and basic and cheap New Orleans fare (until 10PM) in a casual, but nicer-than-your-average-dive bar atmosphere. A bit on the average side, though locally popular.*
- [dead link] Old Point Bar, 545 Patterson St (Algiers Point), ☏ +1 504 364-0950. 11AM-2AM daily. Nice old style bar, also Algier's leading live music venue, showcasing a variety of local talent. If you haven't heard of a performer listed here, don't worry, they're probably good. Comfortable old road house atmosphere. Early shows on Sundays.
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.
- House of the Rising Sun B&B, 335 Pelican Ave (Algiers Point), ☏ +1 504 368-1123. There is a house, down in New Orleans... This shotgun house, though, is likely more comfortable than the one of ill-repute in the song. The owner is a huge music fan with exhaustive knowledge of local jazz musicians and local jazz history, and is an excellent resource if you are looking to learn a bit, or just to find good spots for live jazz during your stay. $100-140.
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