s the French Quarter became over-populated, the French needed more land to develop, and since they couldn't go west, they created a faubourg, or suburb, to the east, outside of the city walls. This was Faubourg Marigny (illustrated on the map to the right as a small blue wedge), located on the downriver side of the French Quarter, on the other side of Esplanade Avenue. This was indeed one of the early "suburbs" of New Orleans. The architecture and feel to the area is basically the same as the French Quarter, except not as lively, which reinforces the original feeling of separation from the "city bustle". The faubourg or "suburb" is named after the Bernard de Marigny, on whose land the area was subdivided into lots. At first a haven for many free people of color and later, for newly-arriving immigrants from Haiti and the Caribbean, it soon grew into a viable neighborhood with its own economy and infrastructure.

On the other side of Canal Street the Americans were moving. Several more plantations were subdivided into lots, moving the city progressively westward up the river. This area just west of the American sector later became known as the Lower Garden District (yellow area), partly because it was located below the affluent Garden District, and partly because it grew to be a sort of Garden District annex, with it's own large and expensive mansions. It also is a sort of transition between the American section and the Garden District, and it is readily apparent from driving through it. Commercial properties give way to townhouses, then to stately mansions. For many years this area was run-down and crime-ridden, but today there are revitalization efforts in many areas, and the area may one day return to its former status.

Appearing as a green rectangle on the next map, the Garden District was and still is where the cream of New Orleans society lives. Whereas the French of New Orleans had the royal lineage, the Americans had the money, and they used it to build elaborate mansions in the popular classic architectural styles, particularly Greek Revival. Since they also had the space to build them in, they added magnificent gardens to their estates. For the first-time or returning visitor, this area is a must-see. Although many of the houses are not open to touring, a group of them are open once a year during the Spring Fiesta. It is bounded by Jackson Avenue on the downriver side, Louisiana Avenue on the upriver side, St Charles Avenue on the lakeside and Magazine Street on the riverside.