Ninth Ward of New Orleans, African American neighborhood in New Orleans, United States.
The Ninth Ward is a neighborhood in eastern New Orleans, United States, stretching from the Industrial Canal across several communities and forming a patchwork of homes, churches, and small shops. Streets run parallel to the riverfront, while raised wooden houses and newly built bungalows shape the streetscape.
The area developed from the early 19th century onward, as plantations gradually transformed into residential neighborhoods for free Black people and later freed slaves. In 2005, levees along the Industrial Canal broke during Hurricane Katrina and flooded large parts of the ward, leading to a rebuilding phase that lasted decades.
The district takes its name from its position in the original nine-ward city plan and remains a center of African American culture with small shops selling homemade dishes and pralines. Many residents maintain gardens in front of their houses and gather on porches, where conversation and music shape daily life.
Organized walking tours led by local initiatives offer insights into rebuilding efforts and pass through residential streets where visitors can chat with neighbors. Paths are flat and manageable, though shade is scarce, so a visit in the morning or late afternoon is more comfortable.
A cluster of over a hundred colorful houses, built by the Make It Right Foundation after the hurricane, displays modern timber construction with solar panels and bright facades that stand apart from the traditional cityscape. These projects served as a testing ground for energy-efficient building in hot, humid climates.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
