Discover New Orleans
Life in the Crescent City
Where to Live
New Orleans is a city unlike any other - a vibrant tapestry of cultures, music, and traditions. From the historic French Quarter to the bohemian arts scene of Marigny, the elegant Garden District mansions to Tremé's rich jazz heritage, each neighborhood has its own unique character. Our location in Tulane/Gravier puts you in the heart of it all, with the Canal Street streetcar connecting you to every corner of this extraordinary city.
The School of Public Health is located in the Tulane/Gravier neighborhood at 1440 Canal Street, part of the expanding BioDistrict New Orleans. This area is at the edge of Mid-City and near the French Quarter, surrounded by medical institutions including Tulane Medical Center, University Medical Center, and the VA Hospital.
Walking: 10-15 minutes | Biking: 5-8 minutes | Driving: 5-10 minutes
Vibe: Historic, tourist-heavy, vibrant nightlife
Best for: Entertainment, dining, walking distance convenience
Walking: 25-40 minutes | Biking: 10-15 minutes | Driving: 10-15 minutes
Artsy, bohemian neighborhoods downriver from the Quarter. Frenchmen Street live music scene, colorful shotgun houses, local coffee shops and restaurants. Very bikeable.
Vibe: Bohemian, artistic, authentic local culture
Best for: Live music, art galleries, local bars and restaurants
Walking: 25-35 minutes to core Mid-City | Biking: 12-18 minutes | Driving: 10-15 minutes
The Tulane/Gravier area is technically on the edge of Mid-City! The Canal Street streetcar runs directly from our school into Mid-City proper. Home to City Park (1,300 acres - bigger than Central Park!), the New Orleans Museum of Art, local restaurants, and the Lafitte Greenway bike path. Very diverse, authentic neighborhood.
Vibe: Local, diverse, family-friendly, quirky
Best for: City Park access, local dining (po'boys, Vietnamese food), authentic New Orleans living
Walking: 10-15 minutes | Biking: 5-8 minutes | Driving: 5-10 minutes
America's oldest African American neighborhood, just north of the French Quarter. Rich jazz history, cultural sites like the Backstreet Cultural Museum, and authentic local restaurants.
Vibe: Historic, culturally significant, authentic
Best for: Jazz history, cultural immersion, local community
Garden District / Lower Garden District
Walking: 35-45 minutes | Biking: 18-25 minutes | Driving: 15-20 minutes via streetcar or car
Grand 19th-century mansions, oak-lined streets, Magazine Street shopping and dining. The St. Charles streetcar connects Canal Street to the Garden District (about 3-4 miles away).
Vibe: Elegant, historic, picturesque
Best for: Beautiful architecture, Magazine Street boutiques and restaurants, quieter residential feel
Walking: 60+ minutes | Biking: 25-30 minutes | Driving/Streetcar: 20-30 minutes | Tulane Shuttle: 20-30 minutes
About 4-5 miles from the downtown campus. Home to Tulane's main Uptown campus, Audubon Park and Zoo, and Riverbend. The St. Charles streetcar connects the two campuses along a scenic route.
Vibe: College town, leafy, residential
Best for: Main campus access, Audubon Park, student scene, oak-lined streets
Ferry: 25-30 minutes (including walk + ferry ride) | Driving: 20-25 minutes via bridge
Across the Mississippi River on the West Bank. Access via the Canal Street Ferry (right near our school!). Small-town feel, historic homes, great river views.
Vibe: Quiet, affordable, village-like
Best for: Affordable living, unique perspective, scenic ferry commute
Walking: 15-25 minutes | Biking: 8-12 minutes | Driving: 10-15 minutes
Home to the WWII Museum (about 1.5 miles from our school), art galleries, Superdome, and modern apartments. More urban and business-oriented.
Vibe: Urban, modern, museum district
Best for: Museums, events, newer apartments
Transportation Notes:
- Canal Street Streetcar: Runs right past our school! Red line goes to Mid-City/City Park; St. Charles line goes to Garden District/Uptown
- Biking: Very flat and bikeable, though watch the potholes! Blue Bike share program available throughout the city
- Walking: Most nearby neighborhoods are walkable, though summer heat/humidity can be intense
- Tulane/Gravier Location: Our school is perfectly positioned between the French Quarter, Mid-City, and Tremé - very central!
Call New Orleans Home
The Bertie M. and John W. Deming Pavilion is Tulane University’s graduate housing complex. It is located on Tulane's downtown campus in New Orleans’ medical district and offers furnished studio, one and two bedroom apartments.
Modern comfort. Exceptional convenience. Find the path to your picture-perfect Tulane lifestyle at Thirteen15, a bold new community ideally located in the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, right next to the university’s Downtown campus.
Tulane is located in vibrant residential communities both in Uptown and Downtown New Orleans. Off-Campus Housing and Roomate search is easy with our OffCampusHousing platform!
Getting Around
Public Transportation & Biking
New Orleans' iconic streetcars are operated by the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) and offer a charming way to navigate the city. The system includes five lines, all accessible from our downtown location:
- Canal Street Line runs right past our school! The red line goes to Mid-City and City Park; another branch heads to the historic cemeteries
- St. Charles Avenue Line - the world's oldest continuously operating streetcar line (since 1835), connecting downtown to the Garden District, Tulane's Uptown campus, and Audubon Park
- Riverfront Line runs along the Mississippi River from the French Market to the WWII Museum area
- Rampart-St. Claude Line - connects Downtown to Marigny/Bywater and the St. Claude Arts District
Fares: $1.25 per ride (exact change required) or purchase a Jazzy Pass through the Le Pass app for unlimited rides ($3/day, $9/3 days, $55/month)
Download Le Pass on iOS or Android
Website: www.norta.com
RTA operates 28 bus routes throughout New Orleans. Multiple bus lines serve the Canal Street and Tulane Avenue area within easy walking distance of our campus, including routes to Uptown, Mid-City, the airport, and beyond. Popular routes near campus include lines to Magazine Street, City Park, and the French Quarter. Use the Le Pass app to track buses in real-time and plan your routes.
Download Le Pass on iOS or Android
Website: www.norta.com
New Orleans is flat and increasingly bike-friendly, with a growing network of bike lanes connecting neighborhoods throughout the city.
Lafitte Greenway - The 2.6-mile car-free trail is the backbone of the city's bike network, connecting City Park through Mid-City and Tremé to the French Quarter. The trail features LED lighting, sports fields, public art, and connects directly to our area - just 4 blocks from Canal Street. The Greenway is used by 375,000 people annually and offers a safe, scenic route for commuting or recreation.
Blue Bikes - Our community-run bike share program offers hundreds of pedal-assist e-bikes throughout the city. Pay-as-you-go ($1 to unlock + $0.35/minute) or monthly membership ($25/month with 60 minutes free daily). Download the Blue Bikes Nola app to find stations near you. The service area includes the French Quarter, Tremé, CBD, Marigny, Bywater, Mid-City, and more - essentially all the neighborhoods students frequent.
Check the Bike Easy Online Map for Fix-It stations, bike shops and bike rentals
Culture & Entertainment
New Orleans is a vibrant, culturally rich city unlike anywhere else in the United States. As you prepare to join Celia Scott Wheatherhead School of Public Health, you'll discover a city where music spills onto the streets, world-class cuisine reflects centuries of cultural fusion, and festivals celebrate life year-round.
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz, and live music fills the air throughout the city. Explore the New Orleans Jazz Museum in the historic French Quarter, catch shows on Frenchmen Street's live music corridor, visit Preservation Hall for intimate traditional jazz performances, or the LPO for a full scale symphonic orchestra.
Check WWZO Live Music Calendar to see who's playing in town tonight!
There's no shortage of museums in New Orleans, from Art to History, and from Nature to Mardi Gras. Dive into the city's complex history at the Historic New Orleans Collection (free), explore New Orleans' African American heritage and culture at the Backstreet Cultural Museum, or explore Southern art (and catch a show) at the Ogden Museum.
Louisiana residents can access some museum for free on some days.
- Ogden Museum of Southern Art: Free every Thursday for Louisiana residents (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.).
- New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA): Free on Wednesdays.
- New Orleans Botanical Garden: Free on Wednesdays.
- Louisiana Children's Museum (LCM): Free on the second Sunday of every other month via the Art for All program (reservations needed)
New Orleans Public Library cardholders can also access many local museums for free via the Culture Pass program.
Need we say more? Mardi Gras is probably New Orleans' most iconic celebration. Each February or March, the city transforms with elaborate parades, colorful costumes, masked balls, and centuries-old traditions that bring the entire community together in a spectacle unlike anywhere else in the world.
Beyond Mardi Gras, New Orleans likes to throw a party nearly every weekend, and celebrates year-round with the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April/May), French Quarter Festival (April, FREE!), ESSENCE Festival of Culture (July), and countless neighborhood celebrations, such as Po-Boy Fest, Beignet Fest (both in November). Check NewOrleans.com for current festival calendars.
Need we say more? Mardi Gras is probably New Orleans' most iconic celebration. Each February or March, the city transforms with elaborate parades, colorful costumes, masked balls, and centuries-old traditions that bring the entire community together in a spectacle unlike anywhere else in the world.
Need we say more? Mardi Gras is probably New Orleans' most iconic celebration. Each February or March, the city transforms with elaborate parades, colorful costumes, masked balls, and centuries-old traditions that bring the entire community together in a spectacle unlike anywhere else in the world.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
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