'''Treme''' (pronounced "Trah-May"; (historically sometimes called Tremé or Faubourg Tremé) is an old historically African-American and Creole neighborhood of New Orleans, just "back" (away from the Mississippi River) from the French Quarter.

Treme is famous for its music, and has some attractions, music venues, and small inexpensive hotels.

Understand

The neighborhood has a rich Creole and African American history, as one of the oldest such districts in the country.

Like most downtown inner-city New Orleans neighborhoods during the late 1800s through the early 1900s, it was integrated with French Creoles; not by White Americans. Present day Treme is still integrated and its residents are still mostly Creole and African American, the homes are valued between $150,000.00 and $700.000.00. Residents of Treme are working professionals, artists, musicians, community leaders, entrepreneurs and activists. There is much pride associated with having a Treme address.

Stay safe

Treme is a neighborhood to be cautious about rather than avoided completely. Informed visitors can visit interesting attractions. Still, it is a good idea to dress down, do not display expensive jewelry or video-cameras in this poor neighborhood. Know where you are going and you can walk to the attractions which are just a block or so from the French Quarter or along Esplanade Avenue during the day time. However it is not reccomended to take random long walks through the area, especially in the areas furthest from the French Quarter.

Small music venues in the area sometime offer good music; at night visitors may be more comfortable taking a cab to and from them.

Daytime events with many people around such as "jazz funerals" at Saint Augustine Church or outdoor concerts at Armstrong Park are generally safe.

See

  • '''Backstreet Museum''', 1116 St. Claude Av., [http://www.backstreetmuseum.org/]. Costumes of "Mardi Gras Indians" and other artifacts of Treme culture. An easy walk a block and a half from the French Quarter; well worth the $5 admission fee not only for the displays but also for facinating narration about local culture by the neighborhood curators.
  • '''Basin Street Station''', 501 Basin St. [http://www.basinstation.com/] tel. 293-2600. Old Southern Railway train station has been remodeled; the ground floor has a vistors information center with informative film and exibits.
  • '''Louisiana Museum of African American History''', 1210 Governor Nicholls Street, Phone: 586-1919. In the historic St. Augustine Catholic Church complex. Open Sa,Su, 11AM-5PM; adults $3.
  • '''Saint Augustine Church''', St. Claude at Governor Nicholas [http://www.staugustinecatholicchurch-neworleans.org/]. This famous church founded at the start of the 19th century by "free people of color" is famous in local African-American history.
  • '''Saint Louis Cemetery #1''', Basin Street between St. Louis and Conti Streets, ''2 block walk from the French Quarter''. Local notables entombed here include 19th century Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. It is not recommended to visit this cemetery alone, as criminals have been known to target vulnerable individual tourists. It can safely be visited with tour groups; free ones are given by the park service in addition to various pay tours. Some of the best of New Orleans History is heard during group touring.
  • '''Louis Armstrong Park''' includes historic Congo Square, and statues of early jazz greats Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet. As of mid 2008, the gates to the park are unfortunately usually closed except when events are held in the park. Within Armstrong Park are 3 important buildings:
  • *'''Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts''', official address listed as 801 N. Rampart St., but it is actually located away from Rampart towards the back of the park.
  • *'''Municipal Auditorium''', 1201 Saint Peter Street. Old neoclassical stone auditorium from c. 1930. (Still closed from Katrina flood damage as of May 2009.)
  • *'''Perseverance Hall #3''', in the Saint Claude entrance, is an old 19th century dance hall, usually vacant, but sometimes used for music, exhibits, and other events.
  • '''New Orleans African American Museum''': 1418 Governor Nicholls St. [http://www.noaam.org]. Tel 566-1136. Posted as open 11a-4p Wednesday through Saturday, but calling to make sure they'll be there before visiting is reccomended.
  • Do

  • '''Ernie K. Doe's Mother In Law Lounge''', 1500 N. Claiborne (just below Espanade Avenue), [http://www.k-doe.com/lounge.shtml].
  • Eat

  • '''Lil Dizzy's''', 1500 Esplanade Avenue, at N. Robertson, tel: 569-8997. Creole soul food, run by members of the Baquet family, locally famous for great chefs and jazz musicians for generations. Breakfast and lunch Tues-Sat
  • '''Willie Mae's''' 2401 Saint Ann (at the corner of N. Tonti; one block off Orleans Avenue) Tel. 822-9503. The sign above the front door says "Willie Mae's Restaurant", but everyone calls it "Willie Mae's Scotch House" -- no, not Scotts food; the name is from when the place started out as a bar generations ago. No booze served now; just a limited delicious menu of fried chicken or smothered pork chops with sides such as red beans, butter beans, or french fries. So well loved that chefs and food fans from near and far chipped in to help them rebuild and reopen after this family owned restaurant flooded in the Katrina disaster of 2005. Lunch Mon-Sat, no reservations, cash only. Drive or take a cab to and from here.
  • Drink

    Sleep

  • '''Penelope's Bed & Breakfast''', 1211 Governor Nicholls, 504-309-0177
  • '''Monrose Row Bed & Breakfast''', 1303 Governor Nicholls, 504-524-4950 & 504-616-6377
  • Contact