New Orleans, United States: travel guide
French Quarter Creole townhouses, Garden District streetcars and Mardi Gras
Founded by the French in 1718 on a bend of the Mississippi — Creole townhouses and Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, streetcars through the Garden District, and a Mardi Gras the whole city plans around.
About New Orleans
In Louisiana, on the Mississippi River, New Orleans is legally both a city and a parish. Known also as NOLA and the Big Easy, it is Louisiana's biggest city and an important port and centre of commerce for the Gulf Coast.
Mardi Gras stands out among its annual festivals, and the city is also known for Creole cooking and music. The French Quarter forms its historic core, with buildings in French and Spanish Creole styles and Bourbon Street nightlife.
The city dates from 1718, when French colonists established it, and it later joined the United States via the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. Low elevation, heavy rain and numerous bodies of water close by have long made flooding a risk, so levees and drainage pumps were built. In August 2005 Hurricane Katrina put much of New Orleans underwater.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
- Country
- United States
- Currency
- USD
- Time zone
- America/Chicago
- Nearest airport
- MSY
Last updated
Top places to visit in New Orleans
French Quarter (Vieux Carré)
historic-district · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
The oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, founded in 1718. A grid of Creole and Spanish-colonial townhouses with wrought-iron balconies, courtyards, jazz, and Creole cuisine. Best explored on foot.
Bourbon Street
entertainment-street · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The famously raucous nightlife strip of the French Quarter — bars, neon, jazz, and go-cups. Energetic and crowded after dark; tamer and historic by day. Open-container drinking is legal here.
The National WWII Museum
history-museum · 4.8 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Designated by Congress as America's official WWII museum and consistently ranked among the best museums in the world. Immersive exhibits, restored aircraft, oral histories, and the Boeing Center.
Jackson Square
historic-square · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Historic landmark park in the heart of the French Quarter, fronted by St. Louis Cathedral and ringed by the Pontalba Buildings. Street artists, mule carriages, and live musicians fill the square daily.
St. Louis Cathedral
cathedral · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The oldest continuously operating cathedral in the United States, with triple steeples overlooking Jackson Square. Free to enter; a working Catholic church and an icon of the New Orleans skyline.
City Park
urban-park · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
One of the largest urban parks in the US (1,300 acres), home to the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, ancient live oaks, Storyland, and the Morning Call café. Mostly free to roam.
Frenchmen Street
live-music-street · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The locals' live-music corridor in Faubourg Marigny, three blocks of jazz, brass, and funk clubs like The Spotted Cat and d.b.a. A more authentic alternative to Bourbon Street.
French Market
public-market · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A six-block public market dating to 1791 — open-air stalls, a farmers and flea market, food vendors, and the Café du Monde flagship at its upriver end.
Garden District
historic-district · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
An exquisitely preserved district of 19th-century mansions, oak-canopied streets, and lush gardens, developed by wealthy Americans after the Louisiana Purchase. Best toured on foot or via the St. Charles streetcar.
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
aquarium · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A riverfront aquarium at the foot of Canal Street showcasing Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean and Amazon habitats, with a combined Insectarium under one roof.
St. Charles Avenue Streetcar
historic-transit · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The world's oldest continuously operating streetcar line (since 1835). The olive-green cars roll under oak canopies past Garden District mansions and Tulane/Loyola — a sightseeing ride in itself.
Royal Street
shopping-street · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The elegant counterpoint to Bourbon — antique shops, art galleries, hotels and balconied facades. Often pedestrianized midday with street performers and buskers.
Things to do
- Honey Island Swamp Boat Tour Swamp Tour · 2 h · from USD 60 per person
- French Quarter Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from USD 30 per person
- New Orleans Ghost & Vampire Tour Ghost Tour · 2 h · from USD 28 per person
- Cemetery & Voodoo Walking Tour Cemetery Tour · 1.8 h · from USD 35 per person
- Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise River Cruise · 2 h · from USD 49 per person
- New Orleans Creole Cooking Class Cooking Class · 2.5 h · from USD 165 per person
- Oak Alley Plantation Day Trip Plantation Tour · 5 h · from USD 95 per person
- New Orleans Food Tasting Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from USD 79 per person
Day trips and tours
- Honey Island Swamp & Bayou Day Tour 4 h · from USD 70
- Oak Alley Plantation & River Road Day Trip 5 h · from USD 95
- Baton Rouge & Louisiana State Capitol Day Trip 8 h · from USD 120
- Combo Swamp Tour & Oak Alley Plantation 8 h · from USD 145
Where to stay in New Orleans
- French Quarter about USD 230 per night
The historic heart of New Orleans — walkable cobblestone streets, Creole townhouses, Bourbon and Royal Streets, and most major sights at your doorstep. Lively (and loud near Bourbon) day and night.
- Garden District about USD 220 per night
Leafy, genteel neighborhood of antebellum mansions and oak-lined streets, served by the St. Charles streetcar. Quieter and more residential, great for couples.
- CBD / Warehouse District about USD 200 per night
Central Business and Warehouse/Arts District — modern hotels, museums, and restaurants, a short walk to the French Quarter. Best base for first-timers wanting comfort plus access.
- Faubourg Marigny about USD 170 per night
Bohemian neighborhood just downriver of the Quarter, home to Frenchmen Street's nightly live-jazz clubs. Colorful, local, and slightly cheaper.
Hotels
- Windsor Court Hotel 5-star · USD 320 to USD 700 per night
- Hotel Monteleone 4-star · USD 250 to USD 550 per night
- The Roosevelt New Orleans (Waldorf Astoria) 4-star · USD 280 to USD 650 per night
- Hotel Peter and Paul 4-star · USD 200 to USD 420 per night
- Drury Inn & Suites New Orleans 3-star · USD 160 to USD 330 per night
- Hampton Inn & Suites New Orleans Convention Center 3-star · USD 150 to USD 320 per night
Where to eat
- Café du Monde Cafe, Dessert, Coffee · about USD 10 per person
- Acme Oyster House Seafood, Cajun, Creole · about USD 35 per person
- Café Beignet Cafe, Coffee, Creole · about USD 12 per person
- Commander's Palace Creole, Fine Dining, Southern · about USD 90 per person
- Coop's Place Cajun, Creole, Southern · about USD 25 per person
- Willie Mae's Scotch House Soul Food, Southern, Fried Chicken · about USD 22 per person
- Antoine's Restaurant French, Creole, Fine Dining · about USD 85 per person
- Cochon Cajun, Southern · about USD 55 per person
Getting to New Orleans
Airport: New Orleans (MSY)
How visitors arrive in New Orleans
- Fly into Louis Armstrong (MSY) By air from Louis Armstrong International · common
The city's primary airport, in Kenner, and a Southwest hub. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Drive via I-10 By road · common
Interstate 10 is the main east-west route into the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Amtrak to Union Passenger Terminal By train from Chicago / New York / Los Angeles · possible
Four Amtrak routes serve the city, including the City of New Orleans and Crescent. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Intercity bus By road from Baton Rouge · possible
Greyhound and FlixBus use the terminal at Loyola Avenue. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Taxi from MSY
Taxis load at the Arrivals curb outside Baggage Claim Door 7 and run to the CBD and the French Quarter (west of Elysian Fields) on a flat fare shared by the group. Source: flymsy.com
- RTA Route 202 Airport Express
Route 202 runs along I-10 to the CBD, just outside the French Quarter. The stop is on Level 1 outside Door 2, zones B4 and B5. Source: flymsy.com
- Hotel airport shuttles
Courtesy shuttles wait in the Ground Transportation Center outside Baggage Claim Doors 1 to 5, but serve hotels near the airport; ask your hotel whether it offers one. Source: flymsy.com
Getting around
- Bus useful for some trips
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority runs the city's buses alongside its streetcar lines and ferries across the Mississippi.
- Ride Hail useful for some trips
- Tram useful for some trips
RTA runs several streetcar lines, including the St. Charles line, plus the Canal Street and Riverfront routes.
- Walking useful for some trips
Safety and scams to avoid
The "Bet I Know Where You Got Your Shoes" hustle
French Quarter / Bourbon Street
A stranger bets you he knows where you got your shoes. The answer is "on your feet, on Bourbon Street." After the gotcha he demands payment for the "bet," sometimes while an accomplice gets close to your pockets.
How to avoid it: Just keep walking and do not engage. There is no real bet — never agree to wager with a street stranger.
Fake or unlicensed tour guides
Jackson Square, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
Individuals posing as official guides approach tourists offering cemetery, ghost or voodoo "tours" without a city license, then overcharge or give inaccurate, rushed tours.
How to avoid it: Book cemetery and walking tours through licensed, reviewed operators. Licensed tour guides in New Orleans carry a city-issued permit you can ask to see.
Bourbon Street drink and cover-charge overcharging
Bourbon Street bars and clubs
Some bars push expensive souvenir or "hand-grenade" cocktails, add surprise cover charges, or run up tabs on open cards, especially late at night.
How to avoid it: Ask the price before ordering, pay cash or close your tab each round, and check the bill. Be wary of anyone luring you into a club with "free" entry.
Aggressive palm readers and fortune tellers
Jackson Square, French Quarter
Readers offer a "free" or cheap reading, then pressure you for escalating payments to "remove a curse" or continue, sometimes refusing to let you leave.
How to avoid it: Agree on a fixed price in writing up front, or simply decline. Walk away if anyone pressures you for more money.
Costumed performer photo tip demands
Jackson Square, Bourbon Street
Costumed characters and "living statue" performers pose with tourists, then aggressively demand a large tip after the photo is taken.
How to avoid it: Agree on a tip amount before any photo, or decline. A dollar or two is customary if you do take a picture.
Best time to visit New Orleans
- Jan 16°C
- Feb 17°C
- Mar 20°C
- Apr 24°C
- May 27°C
- Jun 30°C
- Jul 31°C
- Aug 31°C
- Sep 29°C
- Oct 25°C
- Nov 20°C
- Dec 17°C
More in United States
Frequently asked questions about New Orleans
- What are the top-rated places to visit in New Orleans?
- The highest-rated places in our New Orleans guide are French Quarter (Vieux Carré), The National WWII Museum, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, City Park.
- Where should I stay in New Orleans?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in New Orleans: French Quarter, Garden District, CBD / Warehouse District, Faubourg Marigny.
- How do I get around New Orleans?
- Ways to get around New Orleans covered in our guide: City bus, Ride-hailing app, Tram, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in New Orleans?
- Scams reported to us for New Orleans include The "Bet I Know Where You Got Your Shoes" hustle; Fake or unlicensed tour guides; Bourbon Street drink and cover-charge overcharging. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in New Orleans?
- Average daytime highs in New Orleans run from 16°C in Jan to 31°C in Aug.
- Which airport is nearest to New Orleans?
- The nearest airport to New Orleans has the code MSY.