Last reviewed: · Prices in US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Overview
New Orleans & French Quarter (Louisiana) is one of the United States' most rewarding destinations: Wrought-iron French Quarter balconies, live brass bands on Frenchmen Street, historic St. Charles streetcars, and Creole-Cajun cuisine.
Getting here and moving around is straightforward: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) via Airport Express Bus E1 ($1.50, 35 min to Downtown) or Regulated Taxi ($36 flat fare for 1–2 passengers to the French Quarter/CBD). Once in town, rely on RTA Jazzy Pass ($3/day or $8/3-day pass on the Le Pass app) covers the historic green St. Charles Avenue Streetcar, red Canal Street & Riverfront Streetcars, and the Algiers Point Ferry.
Neighborhoods & key areas
French Quarter (Vieux Carré)
Historic courtyard hotels; choose Royal, Chartres, or Dauphine streets for quieter nights than Bourbon Street.
Warehouse / Arts District & CBD
Boutique hotels inside converted 19th-century cotton warehouses near top restaurants.
Garden District & Lower Garden District
Leafy mansions along the St. Charles streetcar line.
Top sights & experiences
Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral & Cabildo (French Quarter)
Watch brass bands and artists in the 18th-century square before walking Royal Street's antique galleries.
Frenchmen Street Live Jazz Clubs (Faubourg Marigny)
Just outside the Quarter—hear world-class traditional jazz, brass, and funk at intimate clubs like Preservation Hall and Spotted Cat.
St. Charles Avenue Streetcar & Garden District Mansions
Ride the world's oldest continuously operating streetcar line ($1.25 or $3 Jazzy Pass) beneath centuries-old live oaks.
The National WWII Museum (Warehouse District)
Rank-leading Smithsonian-affiliated campus chronicling the American experience in World War II.
Steamboat Natchez Mississippi River Jazz Cruise
Paddlewheel excursion down the Mississippi with live calliope and traditional jazz music.
City Park, New Orleans Museum of Art & Bayou St. John
Stroll beneath 800-year-old Spanish moss-draped oaks and sculpture gardens.
What to eat
Café au Lait & Powdered-Sugar Beignets
Piping-hot fried French choux fritters buried under a mountain of powdered sugar alongside chicory coffee.
Creole & Cajun Gumbo, Jambalaya & Étouffée
Dark-roux seafood or chicken-and-andouille gumbo and crawfish tails smothered over rice.
Overstuffed Po'Boy (Fried Oyster, Shrimp, or Roast Beef) & Muffuletta
Crisp-crust Leidenheimer French bread or sesame Sicilian loaf layered with cured meats, provolone, and olive salad.
Chargrilled Gulf Oysters & Bananas Foster
Louisiana oysters grilled over open flames with garlic-herb butter and Romano cheese.
Where to stay by budget ($ USD)
Budget
$110/night — clean central hostels, 2-star motor lodges, and diner breakfasts.
Mid-range
$240/night — 3-to-4-star boutique or historic hotels in walkable neighborhoods (French Quarter (Vieux Carré)).
Luxury
$520+/night — 5-star landmark hotels, national park lodges, and luxury resorts.
Getting there
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) via Airport Express Bus E1 ($1.50, 35 min to Downtown) or Regulated Taxi ($36 flat fare for 1–2 passengers to the French Quarter/CBD).
Getting around
RTA Jazzy Pass ($3/day or $8/3-day pass on the Le Pass app) covers the historic green St. Charles Avenue Streetcar, red Canal Street & Riverfront Streetcars, and the Algiers Point Ferry.
Day trips & side trips
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Honey Island Swamp
40 minutes from downtown for ethical boardwalk trails and Cajun bayou boat tours.
River Road Historic Museums (Whitney Plantation)
1 hour west along the Mississippi River; Whitney is the only museum in Louisiana focused exclusively on the lives of enslaved people.
Baton Rouge & Cajun Country (Lafayette)
Explore Louisiana's state capitol or authentic zydeco dance halls and boudin stops in Lafayette.
Best time to visit
The most pleasant months to visit New Orleans & French Quarter are October–May (Mardi Gras in Feb/Mar; Jazz Fest in Apr/May), when outdoor sightseeing and trail conditions are ideal. Reserve popular timed-entry tickets and national park permits 4–8 weeks ahead.