New Orleans: Travel Guide

New Orleans is unlike any other American city. The French Quarter, the oldest urban neighbourhood in the country, has wrought-iron balconies, narrow streets, and a culture shaped by French and Spanish colonial rule, West African traditions, and Caribbean influence. The food is one of the most distinct regional cuisines in the US—gumbo, red beans and rice, beignets, po’boys, and crawfish étouffée aren’t approximations of other cuisines; they’re specific to this place. The music is live, loud, and starts early by most cities’ standards. Plan to eat, drink, and walk; the city rewards slow movement.

Getting There and Around

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is approximately 15 miles from the French Quarter. The Loyola/UPT streetcar line connects the airport to Canal Street downtown; the ride takes approximately 45–55 minutes and costs approximately $1.25 as of 2026. Taxis from the airport charge a flat rate of approximately $36 for 1–2 passengers to the CBD or French Quarter as of 2026; rideshares run approximately $25–$40 depending on traffic.

Within the city, the streetcar system is the most useful transit for tourists. The Canal Street line runs from the French Quarter to Mid-City; the St. Charles line runs from Canal Street through the Garden District to the universities (Tulane, Loyola). Single fare is approximately $1.25 as of 2026; a 1-day pass approximately $3. The Riverfront streetcar line runs along the Mississippi from the French Market to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

Most of the French Quarter and the immediate surrounding area (Marigny, CBD) is walkable. Rideshares are widely available; cycle-share bikes (Blue Bikes) cost approximately $1 to unlock plus approximately $0.15 per minute as of 2026.

The French Quarter

The French Quarter (also called the Vieux Carré) is the geographic and cultural centre of the city. Jackson Square is the heart of it—the St. Louis Cathedral (free to enter, open daily 8:30am–4pm) flanks the square on one side; street musicians and portrait painters work the square and the surrounding streets. The French Market (1008 N Peters St) is open daily with food vendors and a flea market component.

Bourbon Street is loud, commercial, and busy with bars and music clubs; it’s the best-known stretch in the city and also the most expensive and touristy. Frenchmen Street in the adjacent Marigny neighbourhood is where locals go for live jazz and blues; three or four venues operate simultaneously within walking distance of each other, with no cover charge and music starting around 10pm.

Royal Street is the gallery and antique shop street; quieter than Bourbon and more architecturally interesting. Walk it for the ironwork balconies and the shop fronts rather than for specific attractions.

Major Attractions and Sights

The National WWII Museum (945 Magazine St, Warehouse District) — One of the best museums in the country, covering the American experience in World War II through immersive displays and primary-source material. Admission approximately $30 per adult as of 2026; the 4D film “Beyond All Boundaries” costs an additional $7. Open daily 9am–5pm. Plan at least 4–5 hours; the museum is enormous.

New Orleans Museum of Art (1 Collins Diboll Circle, City Park) — Inside City Park, accessible by the Esplanade bus. Admission approximately $15 as of 2026; free on Wednesdays. The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden adjacent to the museum is free. Open Tuesday–Sunday 10am–5pm.

Audubon Zoo (6500 Magazine St, Garden District) — One of the top-rated zoos in the US. Admission approximately $25 as of 2026. Open daily 10am–5pm. Accessible via the Magazine Street bus or the St. Charles streetcar to Audubon Park.

Steamboat Natchez (Toulouse St Wharf) — A genuine steam-powered sternwheeler running 2-hour daytime and evening jazz cruises on the Mississippi. Daytime cruise approximately $40; evening jazz dinner cruise approximately $90–$120 per person as of 2026. The daytime cruise includes Dixieland jazz; the evening cruise has a full jazz band and buffet dinner.

The Garden District and Uptown

The Garden District is the antebellum residential neighbourhood developed by American (not Creole) merchants after the Louisiana Purchase. Magazine Street runs through it with independent boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. The St. Charles Avenue streetcar passes through on its way uptown.

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (1400 Washington Ave) — A 19th-century above-ground cemetery open to the public Monday–Friday 7am–2:30pm, Saturday 7am–noon. Free entry. The above-ground burial is a city-wide architectural feature driven by the high water table.

Where to Eat

Dooky Chase’s Restaurant (2301 Orleans Ave, Tremé) — Leah Chase’s Creole cooking is the most historically significant in the city. Fried chicken, gumbo, and red beans are the core dishes. Lunch buffet approximately $20 as of 2026; dinner approximately $35–$50 per person. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Commander’s Palace (1403 Washington Ave, Garden District) — The city’s grande dame restaurant since 1893. Saturday and Sunday brunch is legendary; dinner approximately $80–$100 per person with wine as of 2026. The 25-cent martinis at brunch have been a long-running promotion. Reservations essential.

Café Du Monde (800 Decatur St, French Quarter) — Open 24 hours; beignets (fried dough covered in powdered sugar, three for approximately $5 as of 2026) and café au lait (approximately $4) are the only items. Sit outside at a table on the edge of Jackson Square.

Mother’s Restaurant (401 Poydras St, CBD) — Po’boys and Creole staples at cash-register prices. The roast beef debris po’boy (approximately $14–$16 as of 2026) is the dish. Lines form early for lunch; get there by noon.

Where to Stay

Hotel Monteleone (214 Royal St, French Quarter) — The revolving Carousel Bar and a 1886 history make this the most characterful large hotel in the Quarter. Rooms from approximately $250/night as of 2026.

The Roosevelt New Orleans (130 Roosevelt Way, CBD) — Waldorf Astoria property in a landmark 1893 building. The Sazerac Bar is the finest hotel bar in the city. Rooms from approximately $300/night as of 2026.

Audubon Cottages (509 Dauphine St, French Quarter) — Seven private cottages around a pool in the French Quarter. From approximately $500/night for a cottage as of 2026. The most private option in the Quarter.

India House Hostel (124 S Lopez St, Mid-City) — A beloved backpacker institution. Dorm beds from approximately $35/night; private rooms from approximately $90/night as of 2026.

Practical Notes

• Mardi Gras (date varies; falls 47 days before Easter, typically February or early March) is the peak visitor event. Hotel rates triple or quadruple; book at least 4–6 months ahead.
• Jazz Fest (late April to early May) is the other major festival; tickets approximately $85/day as of 2026. Hotels fill up fast.
• Weather: June–September is hot (frequently above 90°F/32°C) and humid, with hurricane risk. October–May is more comfortable.
• Safety: The French Quarter and main tourist areas are generally safe during the day and in the evening with groups. Stay aware in less-trafficked streets late at night.
• Louisiana sales tax is 4.45% state + 5% Orleans Parish = 9.45% as of 2026, plus restaurant-specific taxes.