Lower Ninth Ward Tours

Hit hard by the floods of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, New Orleans’ Lower Ninth Ward neighborhood is still dotted with abandoned houses and empty lots. Despite these reminders of the disaster in this working-class and predominantly African-American neighborhood, the vibe in the area today is one of hope, inspiration, and resilience.

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. 

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.

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

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.