Just a cable car ride away is a really great diversion and polar opposite atmosphere from the craziness and stench of Bourbon Street. The Garden District is rich in history and down every tree lined street are stately homes with spectacular architectural details, beautifully landscaped yards tucked behind ornate garden gates. We did a self-walking tour and were able to take our time. You can go on the internet and get a map of the homes so that you know the history http://www.scsh.com/pdfs/Garden-Dist-tour-2.pdf . My suggestion is to go in the morning before it gets too hot and then have lunch at the amazing Commanders Palace (Reservations recommended and they close at 2:00pm but do reopen at 6:00pm for dinner. They also have a dress code). If you have time and want to walk off some of your lunch, head across the street to the Lafayette Cemetery. There is no entrance fee, and there is a free (tip only) tour which I highly recommend. The tour among the above ground tombs takes no more than 20 minutes and is definitely more interesting with a guide who will explain the process of “reusing the tombs” and “recycling the bodies.” Note that the cemetery is only open from 8:00am – 2:30pm every day except Sundays so would work well with a before lunch or after lunch visit. Don’t forget your camera!