For a glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and famous, take a walk through Garden District. After the Louisiana Purchase, the new Yankee residents settled in this area of subdivided plantations and built mansions set within large lots. Local architects thrived on commissions for Victorian palaces, the plantings grew verdant in the mild climate, and soon the spot had its own name: the Garden District. The Lafayette No. 1 Cemetery, just across from Commander’s Palace restaurant on Washington Avenue, is safe for exploring. Numerous celebrities own homes in the Garden District.