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New Orleans Travel Guide

Erik Pronske Photography/Getty Images

New Orleans is an over-the-top experience for the senses, a city filled with vibrantly colored streets, soul-filled rhythm and blues, and memorable flavors. The coastal Louisiana enclave is the culinary heart of creole and cajun food, and beyond delicacies from gumbo to shrimp and grits, it's the city that brought us the muffuletta, beignets, and char-broiled oysters.

Nicknamed "The Big Easy," it's a town of jazz kings and queens, iconic architecture, the New Orleans Saints, and perhaps the most spirited street in America — Bourbon Street. It's also one of the only cities in America where you can legally drink on the street, which only adds to the lively nature of NOLA nightlife.

Comedian and actor Hannibal Burress famously said of the Big Easy that "for $300 you can have your own parade on a day's notice," and if that doesn't beautifully encapsulate the glory of New Orleans in one sentence, we don't know what does. Not surprisingly, the motto of New Orleans is " Laissez les bon temps rouler ," or "Let the good times roll."

Louisiana is divided into parishes rather than counties like the other states, and greater New Orleans spans eight parishes. New Orleans is one of the top 10 cities in the United States for the number of annual visitors. And it's important to remember that category five Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in August 2005, flooding 80 percent of the city, which is still rebuilding from the devastation.

For legendary New Orleans jazz — the city is known as the birthplace of jazz, and legendary musician, Louis Armstrong was born in the city — the best restaurants in New Orleans, and every other must-try activity, including tours of the bayou and ghost tours of the city's most haunted streets, consult this guide. We've mapped out exactly what to do in New Orleans to experience this renowned city of celebration and resilience.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Maison de la luz.

A favorite of luxury travelers, Maison de la Luz is a gorgeously decorated hotel known for its idyllic guest house. The hotel has 67 suites, including over-the-top rooms like the Grand Studio suite, which can be joined with a one-bedroom suite to accommodate larger groups. If you're looking to book a room in one of the best hotels in New Orleans , this is definitely a must-stay.

Hotel Peter and Paul

Once a church, rectory, schoolhouse, and convent, Hotel Peter and Paul has refurbished the former religious institution into a memorable boutique hotel.The schoolhouse has 59 rooms and the reception area; the convent has seven rooms and the Sundae Best Ice Cream shop; and the rectory features a brick-lined courtyard, on-site restaurant, and the last five rooms.

The Roosevelt New Orleans

Home to the Sazerac Restaurant, an outdoor pool, a rooftop bar, Waldorf Astoria spa, and polished guest rooms and suites, the historic Roosevelt New Orleans offers an opulent experience.

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

Set in the heart of the French Quarter on famed Canal Street, guests can listen to live jazz at the Davenport Lounge, marvel at the authentic Beaux Arts architecture of the 1908 building, indulge in the spa's VooDoo ritual, and dine at on-site M Bistro.

Melrose Mansion

This luxury boutique offers 14 rooms and suites, each with unique design, in the historic Faubourg Marigny neighborhood within walking distance to attractions like the French Market, Cafe du Monde, and Jackson Square.

Best Things to Do

French market.

French Market is a popular open-air market and food hall in New Orleans. The space has permanent food stalls serving local  étouffée,  char-broiled oysters, crawfish, and more. Culinary demonstrations and cultural events are held there as well.

New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours

New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours offers a range of excursions, including a tour of Manchac Swamp, an extended bayou tour along Shell Bank, and an introduction to the scenic Honey Island Swamp. The discovery experiences are educational, ecological, and cultural.

Preservation Hall

Honorable Mention: Frenchmen Street is one of the best streets for live music in New Orleans, and the Blue Nile is one of the best spots. Catch jazz, funk, blues, and brass bands at Blue Nile, and you'll immediately be swept up in the Frenchmen Street atmosphere.

New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tour

Much of New Orleans folklore is rooted in the city being more than a little bit haunted. As such, ghost tours are quite popular in the French Quarter. Summon spirits from the beyond with a New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tour. They offer a selection of tours, including voodoo and cemetery tours, haunted pub crawls, and ghost tours of the Garden District.

Page Light Studios/Getty Images

National WWII Museum

The museum's exhibits cover "the war that changed the world" through exhibits that focus on world leaders, events, and the war's courageous men and women. Stay on the Museum's campus at the  Higgins Hotel and Conference Center , an art-deco-style property offering first-class accommodations.

Read More : 25 Best Things to Do in New Orleans, From Streetcar Rides to Bar Crawls

Best Shopping

Shops at the colonnade.

Next to French Market, the open-air food hall, you'll find great shopping at the Shops at the Colonnade. After lunch at the market, dip into the Shops at the Colonnade to find souvenir vendors and local boutiques.

Piety & Desire Chocolate

Be sure to visit Piety & Desire Chocolate for a box of gorgeous  chocolats  to take home as a souvenir. (or enjoy while you're in NOLA)

Louisiana Music Factory

Stop in at Louisiana Music Factory where you'll find an inspiring number of records (across every genre, but with an emphasis on soul) as well as CDs, sheet music, posters, books, tee shirts, and hats.

St. James Cheese Company

A local favorite in New Orleans, St. James Cheese Company has an extensive, high-end array of  fromage . Visit St. James at either their uptown or Warehouse District venues for a few artisanal goods—and grab a sandwich to go while you're there.

Billy Reid is a prominent Southern clothing designer, so why not duck into the branch on Magazine Street and outfit yourself like a Southern lady or gentleman? Their style has an air of Southern class with a modernized, street-style finish.

Best Restaurants

New Orleans is a food lover's paradise with many must-try dishes and delicacies. The official cocktail of New Orleans is the Sazerac which was created in a French Quarter bar. Those visiting should try Creole and Cajun food. Some iconic dishes from New Orleans include gumbo, shrimp and grits, muffuletta, beignets, char-broiled oysters, and po' boys.

Commander's Palace

World-class chefs like Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme have graced the kitchen of this landmark restaurant. In existence since 1893, Commander's Palace features "haute Creole cuisine" and a "dirt to plate within 100 miles" policy that contributes to its legendary status as one of the city's great dining establishments.

Herd Dat Kitchen

This Black-owned eatery is a no-frills spot with (limited) outdoor seating. Though, we recommend ordering for pickup or through an app to enjoy on a night in. First-time visitors at Herd Dat Kitchen should try the Superdome: blackened fish topped with mashed potatoes garnished generously with lobster cream sauce, corn, and crispy onion rings.

Susmita Baral / Travel + Leisure

Elizabeth Street Cafe

This neighborhood Vietnamese cafe and French bakery TK.

Loretta's Authentic Praline

Cafe du Monde and Cafe Beignet get a lot of recognition (rightfully so!) for their beignets but Loretta's Authentic Praline elevates the offerings. The praline beignets are decadent and the Rampart Street location offers savory varieties like crab meat beignets and breakfast versions.

Susmita Baral/Travel + Leisure

Toup's Meatery

With signature Meatery Boards and his meat-focused entrées that range from lamb to venison, chef Isaac Toup manages to blend fine dining with the casualness of charcuterie and wine. As Toups approaches its 10-year anniversary, Toup continues to branch out, releasing two new hot sauce flavors to go along with his 2018 cookbook  Chasing the Gator .

Courtesy of Toup's Meatery

Best Time to Visit

New Orleans is a great city to visit in the winter and spring, whereas the heat, high humidity, and threat of hurricanes make the summer and fall less enticing. June through August can be rainy. Hurricane season is from June through November.

Some visitors plan a trip around Mardi Gras (or Fat Tuesday), which typically falls in February. (If you want to experience Mardi Gras, be sure to book well ahead of time and be ready for hotel rates to be higher than at other times of the year. Also, many popular sightseeing attractions are closed during Mardi Gras.) Others stay away from the crowds and high price tags associated with the festivities of the biggest event of the year.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and New Orleans Wine & Food Experience are popular events that attract visitors.

Read More: Best Time to Visit New Orleans for Great Weather and Fewer Crowds

Mariah Tyler/Travel + Leisure

Neighborhoods to Know

French Quarter: Between the Central Business District and the Marigny, the French Quarter is where you'll find some of the best restaurants and nightlife in New Orleans. One of New Orleans' most historic neighborhoods, the Quarter is where you'll find the delightful French Market and, of course, lavish homes with the quintessential decorative facades.

Marigny: From gorgeous historic buildings to under-the-radar jazz clubs and inviting local shops, the Marigny is a lovely place to spend time when visiting New Orleans. Adjacent to the French Quarter, it's an easy walk to find the artistic heart of New Orleans. Come for the preserved architecture, and stay for the Frenchmen Palace Market.

Garden District: South of the French Quarter and Marigny area and slightly farther inland, you'll find NOLA's Garden District, home to Commander's Palace and lush, oak tree-lined streets. In this neighborhood, which dates back to the 19th century, you'll find opulent mansions that exude Southern charm and old-world design.

Bywater: Boho-chic New Orleans neighborhood, Bywater, sits on the Mississippi River, bordering the Marigny. It's slightly quieter than the Marigny and significantly quieter than the French Quarter but packs an arts and culture punch. You'll find NOLA's best galleries and vintage shopping in Bywater.

Central Business District: Also thought of as New Orleans' downtown, the Central Business District (CBD) is centrally located, roughly equidistant to the Marigny and the Garden District. New Orleans' business district is bustling seven days of the week and is home to some of the city's most renowned restaurants and high-end hotels.

Treme: Bordering the French Quarter, this area was founded in the 18th century, and is known for African American history, authentic Creole food, parades, jazz funerals, and the Backstreet Cultural Museum.

How to Get Around

The New Orleans Transit Authority operates four streetcar lines: the St. Charles line, the Canal Street line, the Riverfront line, and the Rampart line. Plan ahead using the map and have your exact fare ready as they do not give change. ($1.25 one way) They also offer a Jazzy Pass which can be purchased online.

Taking a streetcar is part of the fun as well as convenient transportation. The historic vehicles are part of New Orleans' history.

Buses: There are 40 different RTA bus routes that run across the city of New Orleans. A one-way ticket costs $1.25, and a $3 all-day Jazzy Pass gets you unlimited rides for 24 hours.

Ferries: RTA Ferries transport travelers to Algiers for $2 per ride and are commonly referred to as "water taxis."

Address: 2727 S Broad Avenue New Orleans, LA 70125 Phone: (504) 799-1709 Website

Be sure to visit Piety & Desire Chocolate for a box of gorgeous chocolats to take home as a souvenir. (or enjoy while you're in NOLA)

Address: Multiple locations Website

A local favorite in New Orleans, St. James Cheese Company has an extensive, high-end array of fromage . Visit St. James at either their uptown or Warehouse District venues for a few artisanal goods—and grab a sandwich to go while you're there.

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Wander in Color - a style, travel & lifestyle blog by Erica Valentin

Top fashion & style tips with a bit or travel and lifestyle from top Atlanta Blogger Erica Valentin

• New Orleans , North America , Travel , United States

New Orleans Travel Guide

• NEW ORLEANS, LA
• July 5, 2021

The late great Anthony Bourdain said it best.  There is no place on Earth even remotely like New Orleans.  I haven’t been many places but I trust Anthony and the city was amazing!  I put together a New Orleans Travel Guide with all my favorite places and things NOLA has to offer.  We are fresh off our first trip to New Orleans and I loved every minute of it.  Mardi Gras is obviously on a future dated bucket list but with covid we opted for a trip well after the crowds.  I must say May is great to visit New Orleans.  The weather is hot though, but coming from Atlanta the heat was no big deal.

TRAVEL GUIDE TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. When to Visit 2. Getting There 3. Where to Stay 4. Where to Eat 5. What to Wear 6. Things to Do 7. Safety Read the full post or use the links above to skip ahead to your favorite section!

“There is no place on Earth even remotely like New Orleans. Don’t even try to compare it to anywhere else.” - Anthony Bourdain

THE BEST TIME TO VISIT

I didn’t research this before going but lucky enough I found out that April, May and October are the best times to visit weather wise.  Mardi Gras is also the most popular time to visit for entertainment but prices are much higher.  Hopefully when covid subsides a bit we can come back during Mardi Gras.  April and May are perfect though as there will be less crowds and the weather is warm but not scorching hot.  If you visit during the summer months, be prepared for temps over 100 degrees and humidity!

Like any touristy city this place gets packed during any time of the year.  That being said, If you want to get out and take pictures around any iconic landmarks you need to be up at the crack of dawn.  or you will be greeted with crowds in the hundreds, maybe thousands.

Getting there

New Orleans is located on the Gulf Coast of southern Louisiana.  Depending on where you are coming from it may be a quick drive or a long road trip.  Flights to NOLA from within the U.S. are also relatively cheap right now and if you don’t like road trips flying is a great alternative.  Check out  Travelocity  and  Expedia   are great sites to plan your entire stay all in one place!  Due to covid we opted to drive since it’s about 7 hours from Atlanta.  We left about 6 am and arrived at 1 pm just in time to check into our hotel and enjoy the city!Both

The Best Places to stay

AIRBNB: If you are traveling on a budget or you just like the feel of staying in a home with amenities you are probably looking for an  AirBnb .  There are actually some strict regulations on AirBnb’s in New Orleans but you can find them.

HISTORICAL HOTELS:   If you are looking for the historical vibes be sure to check out  Hotel Monteleone  and the famous Carousel Bar.   Hotel Provincial   and  The Olivier House  are also great picks if you really want that old town NOLA vibe.

UPSCALE MODERN:  For a more modern vibe check out the Marriott properties.  We were lucky enough to be hosted by the Marriott for entire stay and they have  multiple properties around New Orleans for any budget!

want to hear more about our stay at the marriott?

The best places to eat.

CAFE BEIGNET:   New Orleans has a huge food and they are known for beignets.  When it comes to the best beignets though, there is some stiff competition between Café Du Monde & Café Beignet .  Newcomers swear by Café DuMonde but people on the street that have had both to swear by Café Beignet.  The most difference is that Café Beignet serves their on the warm and Café DuMonde does not so it depends what you like.  I’m not a huge sweets person and in fact, I despise funnel cakes.  To me, a beignet tastes just like a funnel cake so I wasn’t a fan of either.

One thing I did love more about Café Beignet though, is that they also serve regular food too so we also had some delicious gumbo and a po’boy!  When we tried to go to Café DuMonde they only have coffee and beignets on the menu so we skipped on Café DuMonde.  With either place, be sure to get there before opening or you may get stuck in an hour long wait in line!

CENTRAL GROCERY NEW ORLEANS: The famous muffuletta comes Central Grocery New Orleans. This iconic sandwich originated with the influx of Sicilian immigrants and is a must try!  Aside from the famed muffuletta this grocery store if full of products straight from Sicily & Italy.  It reminded me a lot of some of the Italian grocery stores we loved so much back in New Jersey.  They also have a small bar so you can sit down to eat without reservations if you walk in from the street which is a rare find in New Orleans.

PECHE: Located on the gulf,  New Orleans is home to some of the most delicious seafood! Per the recommendations of several people we decided to check out Peche , but like many other places there was no walk-in seating available so we booked a reservation for the next day. The food was fantastic and the service was excellent! We shared an oyster platter and the fried bread was to die for!

SOFIA:   If you like lighter Italian style food this is a great option! They have a huge wine menu and al fresco dining…my favorite!!  Of course my daughters name is also Sofia so they get points for that too!

There were several other places we wanted to eat at as well but 2 of them were closed and the rest were booked but we still found some great places that we feel in love with too.  Next time we visit the crescent city we will be checking out Cane & Table , Shaya , Dooky Chase , Willie Mae’s and a few others!

know before you go

What to wear in nola.

It’s pretty safe to say you probably don’t need a bikini because there are no beaches in NOLA.   Most likely you are going to be out and about exploring the nightlife that makes this city famous.   Although just in case maybe bring one swimsuit if your hotel has a pool or jacuzzi.  I would definitely pack shorts, tank tops and sandals that are comfortable enough to walk around in.  Nightlife is huge here so pack accordingly if you like to go out in the evenings.   If you plan on taking a swamp tour, keep in mind you can get dirty and wet so be sure to bring a pair or old sneakers.

things to see and do

ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL:   I grew up Roman Catholic and the awe and beauty in the inside of a Catholic Church never ceases to amaze me!  St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson square just happens to be the oldest Catholic church in the United States that still holds regular mass services.  

THE GARDEN DISTRICT:   I loved touring this area and the homes are gorgeous!  Built in the 1800’s, the entire neighborhood was once the  Livaudais Plantation , ( pronounced Lee-Voo-Day ).  After a divorce the wife of the owner moved back to France and sold the land to business men. From then on wealthy people began to build these mansions that are still just as gorgeous today!  It’s hands-down one of the most beautiful neighborhoods I have seen in my life.  The pink Carroll-Crawford House and the Pritchard-Pigott House were my favorites!

TOUR A CEMETARY: New Orleans lies below sea level and because of this, the cemeteries are above ground.  They  are hauntingly beautiful and give you a nostalgia. In the past, cemeteries were open all the time but due to vandalism, you can only enter via tours now.  Lafayette Cemetery is one of the most notable cemeteries in the city.  We had a cemetery tour booked but had to bail at the last minute due to time constraints but if you are looking to tour one there are tons of options online.

HAVE A DRINK AT THE CAROUSEL BAR: Located in Hotel Monteleone, the famous  Carousel Bar  spins a full rotation every 15 minutes but it is very hard to get a seat.  Try getting there early or just politely ask someone to let you know when they are leaving so you can get an insta-worthy shot at the bar!

VISIT THE SAZERAC HOUSE:  Take a tour of the historic Sazerac House and learn all about the history behind prohibition and the famed New Orleans cocktail known as ‘The Sazerac.’  You can tour the multilevel facility at your own leisure and you get to enjoy 3 mini-cocktails during your visit!  The best part is that the tour is free and you just need to make a reservation. 

NOLA Kayak tours

TAKE A SWAMP TOUR:  A swamp tour is a must when visiting New Orleans especially if you want to see the local wildlife.   The kayak tour guides are seasoned veterans when it comes to kayaking and really put you at ease if it’s your first time in the swamp.  I was nervous at first but to my surprise they just want to be left alone. Just keep an eye out for anything that resembles a shiny wet log because it’s probably a gator.   I also recommend a morning tour because the turtles and alligators love to hang out in the sun after chilly night in the swamp.     

As tempting as it is to take a big boat through the swamp and feed/hold the alligators, please don’t.  These types of tours are not good for wildlife.  They are not pets and as humans we should respect their habitat so I highly suggest one of these Kayak Tours instead!

VISIT A PLANTATION:  This was one of the things I really wanted to do but we ran out of time. While visits to plantations are a very sad awful reality of the past they can make for a good educational experience.  I recommend checking one out if you have time and  Grayline  has some of the best packages. Oak Alley and Whitney Plantation are the two most popular among visitors!

new orleans steamboat company

TAKE A STEAMBOAT RIVER CRUISE:   If you are looking for a more laid back relaxing activity go for a steamboat cruise on the river.  The Steamer Natchez and the Riverboat City of New Orleans offer multiple tours daily.  Enjoy 4 levels of fun while cruising the river.  The top level features a full bar and seating where you can listen to live jazz! If you get hungry during your cruise there is also a full restaurant on the bottom level.

Is it safe???

Like any big city in any part of the world you should always use your best judgement.  The city is relatively safe but at night stick to well populated areas and be sure to keep an eye on your belongings.  You may be surprised to learn that most people are friendly and don’t wish to bother anyone.  The people of New Orleans are extremely nice to travelers and very hospitable and we loved every person we met there!

All-in-all, visiting the crescent city for the first time was absolutely amazing but my only complaint is that I didn’t have more time to spend.  Our trip was packed full every single day so I have to leave several things off my bucket list.  But hey, that means I should plan another trip there in the near future right?!  Check back again in the near future as I will add additional content to my New Orleans Travel Guide with each new visit!

Did you enjoy my New orleans travel guide?

Are you a travel blogger looking to share your own posts with the world?  Are you a reader just looking for inspiration for your next trip?  Check out these blogs for more fun travel guides and travel inspiration: MY CORNER OF THE WORLD | SHARON’S SOUVENEIRS

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July 9, 2021 at 2:51 pm

Loved your article Erica. Makes me want to travel right now!

July 10, 2021 at 12:54 pm

mother daughter trip????

July 12, 2021 at 4:15 am

It’s great to see your link at ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!

July 27, 2021 at 5:56 pm

Thank you so much!

July 14, 2021 at 8:03 am

I’d love to go to New Orleans, it looks amazing! My husband has been and loved it. It’s definitely on my bucket list!

Emma xxx http://www.style-splash.com

July 27, 2021 at 5:57 pm

I highly recommend! It is amazing and such a fun place to visit!

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21 Best Hotels in New Orleans

By Paul Oswell

New Orleans was home to some of the first luxury hotels in the country, and this legacy of high-quality hospitality is still evident today. Along with superb outposts of major hotel chains, there are dozens of beautiful independent properties that evoke the timeless nature of this historic city. The French Quarter remains a perennially desirable spot for accommodations, but the neighboring Central Business District has seen a rash of new hotels open up in recent years, and other areas like the Lower Garden District are drawing visitors for their ability to depart from the expected and bring something fresh to the scene. Here are our picks for the very best hotels in New Orleans.

Read our complete New Orleans travel guide here .

Every hotel review on this list has been written by a Condé Nast Traveler journalist who knows the destination and has visited that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider properties across price points that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination, keeping design, location, service, and sustainability credentials top of mind. This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Celestine Arrow

Built in 1791 as a private residence in the fabled French Quarter , The Celestine marks the glowing return to what its storied former tenants—the Creole chemist Antoine Peychaud, responsible for his namesake bitters and a female hotelier who ran the fashionable Maison Deville hotel (where Tennesse Williams is said to have penned A Streetcar Named Desire )—would have enjoyed. The property, named after Peychaud’s wife, was lovingly restored by local restaurateur and hotelier Robert LeBlanc (The Chloe), interior designer Sara Costello (The Chloe), and cocktail whiz Neal Bodenheimer (Cure, Cane + Table). A stylish sprawl of 10 rooms features antique furniture, four-poster beds, pencil drawings, and a trove of 19th-century oil paintings discovered in the building’s attic. Sip a Sazerac from your balcony or descend into the dimly-lit Pecyhaud’s Bar for a nip. Outside, a tropical-fringed courtyard with a babbling fountain is a delightful spot for a Ramos Gin Fizz amid the sounds of jazz music wafting from the legendary Court of Two Sisters next door. —Kate Donnelly

Virgin Hotels New Orleans Arrow

The New Orleans outpost of Virgin Hotels opened in 2021, a welcome addition to the Central Business District’s steadily-increasing portfolio of stylish, smaller hotels. The design-forward aesthetic sits somewhere between Old World and contemporary via Art Deco and Southern residential. Hotels in New Orleans know there’s a wealth of city entertainment options luring guests off property, but the Virgin Hotel makes an impressive effort to keep you on site for a while. There’s a rooftop pool (The Pool Club) that’s relatively tranquil and with its bar and classy, conservatory-style lounging areas, you’ve got a spot where you could stay all day with pleasure. Downstairs, the bar and restaurant of the Commons Club are equally commodious, with James Beard-recognized Chef Alex Harrell doing fine work.

Hotel Saint Vincent Arrow

Located in the alluring Lower Garden District, Hotel Saint Vincent has the air of a laid back country club with expansive public spaces, shade-giving palms, and many a porch on which to sip a Mint Julep as the sun dips down in the evening. A couple of bars and two lovely restaurants are great additions to one of the neighborhood’s rare hotel swimming pools. The tastefully tropical decor gives off a retro, Riviera-like ambiance. The elegance of the pool area alone makes this a hotel worth visiting; add to that the originality and visual charisma of the interior design and you’ve got one of the city’s—nay, the region’s most interesting hotels. From traditionally religious fixtures to daringly erotic paintings, there’s an elevated sultriness about the place that just works like a charm.

The Chloe Arrow

The prevailing image of New Orleans is one of Bourbon Street bacchanalia—shimmery beads, frozen Hurricanes, and bold after-dark choices. But the city’s deepest spirit is found in the unassuming quarters where history and culture quietly collects in mesmerizing layers as it has at The Chloe . This 14-room Victorian jewel box on St. Charles Avenue in the city’s Garden District is the imagining of restaurant hit makers LeBlanc + Smith and New Orleanian designer Sara Ruffin Costello . Here, just beyond the live oak-lined avenue, they have dressed the building’s 19th century bones in NOLA’s eclectic style: a Spanish-tiled front porch full of rocking chairs for cocktail hour, a maze of clubby and bohemian low-lit parlors that lead to the backyard bar and lap pool. Since opening day, the restaurant has become a local hot spot and chef Todd Pulsinell’s menu is equal parts new-school New Orleans (crab baked Gulf oysters and brown butter drum) and comfort (double cheeseburger and bavette steak with fries). Upstairs in the bedrooms there are turntables and records from beloved store Peaches—each album by a New Orleans artist or a musician inspired by the city—from Solange to Louis Armstrong, as well as skincare products from the homegrown Oxalis Apothecary and a fridge stocked with local beer. The lingering impression here is one of overlapping universes—old and new, subtle and daring—a grown-up distillation of New Orleans’s raffish charm. 

Emily Pennington

Charlie Hobbs

Kaitlin Menza

CNT Editors

Pontchartrain Hotel Arrow

Attention to design details and value for money make The Pontchartrain Hotel a must-stay for anyone unafraid to bed down outside of the French Quarter (it's in the Lower Garden District). There is a timeless elegance to the exterior—a style that hasn’t changed since the 1940s—which is carried through to the lobby, with its crimson and emerald overtones, defiantly analogue elevators, and gilded mirrors with gold leaf accents. For unparalleled city views, head to the rooftop bar, Hot Tin , which is as busy with locals as guests (always a good sign).

Kimpton Hotel Fontenot Arrow

The former Staybridge Suites building has been transformed into a dynamic boutique space by the MARKZEFF design studio. The flamboyance of the lobby and dining/bar space is countered by the assured minimalism of the bedrooms. Clean lines, bright whites, and black wrought iron fittings make for a sleek, modern aesthetic. Soft pinks and purples provide some pop, but it’s the cane beds and tamboured armoires that hint at a detailed approach to comfort. The hotel’s crown jewel, though, is the elaborately decadent Peacock Room. With actual stuffed peacocks overlooking the tables, it’s a statement dining room. Booths and open tables, as well as bar seating, deliver an exclusive-feeling lounge atmosphere, aided by the small stage in the corner that features acoustic sets from local jazz musicians.

The Eliza Jane - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt Arrow

Hotels built from former 19th-century warehouses aren’t uncommon, but the Eliza Jane has enough of an interesting origin story to stand out. Named after Eliza Jane Nicholson, the first woman in the country to publish a major newspaper and who did so from this site, the buildings also housed a bitters factory—New Orleans’ being the spiritual home of the cocktail makes the latter connection especially pertinent. Both of these industries are hinted at through ambient design touches, with curated vintage pieces hand-picked from local antique stores. Couvant, the hotel’s excellent restaurant (one of the best in the city), has evolved beyond the strictly French menu of its opening to a more inclusive affair that still pays homage to brasserie classics. If you want to wander outside with your cocktail, there’s a quadrant of intimate courtyards and an Instagram-friendly water feature.

Maison de la Luz Arrow

A layered, tactile, kaleidoscope like this—from pro outfit Ace—could only exist in the Big Easy. ‘New Orleans is such an amalgam of culture and languages and histories,’ says Kelly Sawdon of Atelier Ace. ‘It’s rich and complicated and somewhat messy in a beautiful way.’ The address is Ace’s second in the city, and a more intimate, flamboyant and narrative number than its more formulaic sibling across the street . A collaboration between Atelier Ace and Los Angeles-based Shamshiri Studio, it’s taken over a former City Hall annex built in 1908 and filled it with a traveling steamer trunk of curiosities. The lobby, with its twin staircases, Art Deco lights and front desk straight out of The Grand Budapest Hotel, is Golden Age Europe. The sitting room, an Egyptian adventure with hieroglyphic artwork, while the breakfast room (huge windows, parquet floors and custom-drawn wall coverings) feels like a Parisian bistro for lingering over café noir and beignets . And in the bedrooms, vivid-blue bed frames and navy-piped white linens are layered with curious details, from coffee tables etched with zodiac symbols to sculpted snake handles slithering through shower doors. Finally, a place that artfully distills the bohemian hedonism and mysticism of New Orleans in a gloriously designed jewel box.

Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans Arrow

The formerly-derelict World Trade Center at the riverside end of Canal and Poydras Streets is enjoying a new, high-end lease of life thanks to a $530 million investment by The Four Seasons group. Consistently high standards are an expected hallmark of any Four Seasons property, and their New Orleans outpost is certainly no exception. Floor-to-ceiling windows grace both the city and river-view rooms, all replete with white oak fixtures and a stylish mid-century modern look. The white Carrara marble bathrooms are memorably chic, and above each bed there’s a delightful plaster wall relief of magnolia flowers. I’ll make the case that these are the smartest-dressed hotel staff in town, with their fitted blue tunics and Panama hats, while the Chandelier Bar has quickly become one of the most memorable watering holes in New Orleans—its showstopping eponymous chandelier a gleaming cascade of some 15,000 crystals.

Nopsi Hotel, New Orleans Arrow

Almost a hundred years ago, this imperious building was built to house New Orleans Public Service, the city's general utility company. Civic administration isn’t the most glamorous origin story, and while this new iteration takes a completely different path, the legacy of public service has been faithfully maintained. Everyone from the doorman to the front desk and servers never gave anything less than their fullest, friendliest commitment—at least, the people that I interacted with. Managers weren’t shy about helping with luggage and the like when lobby staff were otherwise engaged. The NOPSI is a sophisticated addition to the boutique portfolio of the city’s Central Business District. The vaulted ceilings of the lobby, marble desks, and framed NOPSI memorabilia are all remnants of a proud past, while wartime-era brass fittings and blue velvet chairs in the lobby stylishly evoke a bygone age.

The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel Arrow

The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, is the epitome of a classic city hotel, with well over a century of history in the imposing building. The hotel’s provenance is celebrated throughout, from the Sazerac Bar , renovated to its original glory, to the must-see lobby, outfitted with gilded pillars, gleaming marble floors, and huge crystal chandeliers framing the bustling throng of guests and lobby staff.

Hotel Peter & Paul Arrow

Of all the boutique hotels that have landed in New Orleans over the past few years, none gets into the bones of the city like this one. Beyond the heavy mint-green doors, the foyer smells of gardenias. It’s bright, airy, colorful, with a canary-yellow check-in counter and equally bright welcome. Star design team Ash NYC has revived the former 19th-century Catholic church, schoolhouse, convent, and rectory in the boho Marigny neighborhood, just northeast of the French Quarter and a walk from the sax-trumpet-clarinet licks of jazz epicenter Frenchmen Street. As with other Ash NYC hotels— The Dean , in a 1912 clergy house in Providence; the Siren, filling a Renaissance Revival building in Detroit—this place is meant to double as a destination, with sophisticated communal spaces that beg to be sat in with a chicory coffee or a Sazerac. In a city of sensory overload, Hotel Peter & Paul is the anti–Bourbon Street, where the bed linen is crisp—and a little austere, like a convent holdover—and the crowd at its Elysian Bar, brought to you by homegrown wine bar Bacchanal , is European-house-party cool.

The Higgins Hotel New Orleans, Curio Collection by Hilton Arrow

A complementary property to the neighboring National World War II Museum , The Higgins is hard to suss out at first. The building exterior has a stark, almost modern Gothic look, which gives way to an Art Deco and retro aesthetic inside. The lobby is huge, with a floor-to-ceiling mural looming over the reception area. Period chandeliers and tastefully arranged artifacts complete the look. Even if you're not fully transported back in time, you're aware of the serious respect the hotel gives to history.

The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery Arrow

It’s not every day that you get to stay in a converted warehouse—but this daring, independent boutique hotel delivers that opportunity. Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery, right on the edge of the CBD, is marked by a pleasing retro sign. Exposed brickwork and dark wood floors can feel run of the mill these days, but the thoughtful lighting and rotating exhibitions elevate the interior design scheme. The hotel is also home to Compère Lapin , a vaunted Caribbean brasserie.

The Windsor Court Arrow

There’s an immediate sense of exclusivity as you step into the hotel forecourt, secluded away as it is from the surrounding downtown. Stepping into the lobby, the huge oil paintings and floral arrangements deliver an elegant, almost regal ambience that stands out in this otherwise casual city. Local doyens of society in colorful hats and seersucker suits brush past you as they meet for the afternoon tea service at Le Salon just off the main lobby. The hotel is a singular experience in New Orleans, British high society brought to the Big Easy.

Hotel Monteleone Arrow

The old-school elegance of Hotel Monteleone's architecturally elaborate entrance leaves no doubt as to the stature of this fine property, which dates back to the 1880s. There’s a sophistication to the sculpted marble —a grandeur that continues into the busy lobby and public spaces. We booked a functional, pleasant-enough room with period touches like sweeping curtains and chandeliers. The palette features yellows and browns in regal-looking stripes, and the luxurious bed was a welcome bonus.

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans Arrow

The palatial Maison Blanche building was an elegant department store for most of its existence, redeveloped in the 1980s as the New Orleans outpost of the Ritz-Carlton. Today it's a popular stop for visitors of note, from politicians to professional sports teams—one that delivers the brand's signature quality, hospitality, and luxury. The City View King Rooms are as traditionally luxurious as you might expect. Period-inspired décor is sophisticated without feeling dated—embroidered headboards, elaborate curtains, and velvet armchairs. As this is New Orleans, the hotel has its own resident jazz musician; every weekend in the Davenport Lounge, trumpeter Jeremy Davenport plays his way through the classic American songbook.

W New Orleans French Quarter Arrow

One of the few modern hotels in the historic French Quarter, the W stands out while still managing to hide its secrets beyond its forecourt. Out front, windows offer a peek into the sleek lobby, living room–like reception area, and restaurant within. The back patio area is the main draw for this hotel. The lovely pool itself is surrounded by a dozen cabanas—perfect for lazing on a steamy New Orleans summer day away.

Hotel Mazarin Arrow

The French Quarter does historic aesthetics well, but some more modern buildings also stand out in an appealing way, including Hotel Mazarin, which has a Mediterranean feel that complements the centuries-old Spanish architecture around it. The location, just one all-important block back from Bourbon Street, is as central as it gets, and so it’s perfect for exploring dining and nightlife as well as all the major downtown New Orleans attractions. It feels like a European-style oasis right in the thick of it.

Le Pavillon Hotel Arrow

One of the grande dames of the New Orleans hotel scene along with the Roosevelt and the Monteleone , Le Pavillon opened in, and has been operational since, 1907. Its storied history is apparent in the period art that adorns the public spaces, but the hotel just finished a welcome renovation that brought the public spaces right into the 21st century. The guest rooms, which were looking tired, have seen a thoughtful modernization that means even the base-cost rooms will wrap you in comfort. And if you splash out on the honeymoon suite you can bathe in a marble bathtub that was once owned by Napoleon Bonaparte, which is about as impressive as it gets in this city. 

Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans Arrow

Surrounded by the lurid cacophony of Bourbon Street, the hotel is a bit of an oasis with Art Deco décor, contemporary art, and seriously impressive floral arrangements. Because it's on Bourbon Street, it sees a constant parade of tourists and visitors looking to stay in the heart of the action. If it’s possible, and it’s your kind of thing, get a balcony overlooking Bourbon Street. What you'll see out there is better than anything you'll find on TV. If you’re going to stay on Bourbon, this is the place to be.

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40 Best Travel Tips For First Time Visitors To New Orleans (2024 Review)

Last Updated on March 13, 2024 by Nicole

New Orleans is unlike any other city in the United States. For starters, it is one of the country’s oldest cities. It has a distinct and diverse culture derived from its African, French, Spanish, and Creole elements mixing together. This translates into architecture, food, and southern hospitality that is distinct from anywhere else in the USA or the world. For the visitor, this creates an opportunity to have unique experiences that will leave a lasting impact. However, it also means that things are done a little differently than what you would normally find in other major American cities. Here are 50 of the best travel tips for first time visitors to New Orleans offered by locals, regular visitors, travel bloggers and industry experts to help guide you so that you can have an amazing and safe time in the Big Easy.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means that I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you buy something through my site. This helps me run my website and produce the articles that I hope you find helpful.

Best Travel Tips For First Time Visitors To New Orleans

The best travel  tips  to New Orleans for first time visitors fall into several categories. Those include:

• How best to get around;
• Ways to save money;
• How to stay safe
• Where to stay;
• Where and what to eat; and
• Best things to do.

There were a couple of areas that I received the same advice over and over again from different travel experts and locals. Those were:

• Take at least one streetcar to explore the city.
• Be careful in the French Quarter in the evening.
• Make sure you allot some time to enjoy live music.

Those travel tips and others are described below and explained.

There are other destinations in the world that are expensive, overwhelming, or unique and require some extra assistance in navigating so that you can save money, stay safe, and know the best things to do.

• New York City – If you are travelling to New York soon and want to arrive prepared, take a look at  50 Best New York City Tips For First Time Visitors .
• Las Vegas – Here are  50 Best Las Vegas Tips For First Time Visitors to make sure that you are ready for this crazy fun destination.
• London – For help with these enormous metropolis, here are 50 Best Travel Tips For First Time Visitors to London .

Finally, just organizing and booking a trip can be complicated and frustrating. I have written a comprehensive step by step guide about how I go about planning a trip, focusing on how I save money and get the best flights and accommodation. For more information, please see  Planning A Holiday: A Foolproof Guide To Easy Vacation Planning.

Best Travel Tips For Getting Around New Orleans

Here are some of the best travel tips for first time visitors for finding your way around New Orleans.

Avoid Driving To The French Quarter

Try to avoid driving to or trying to find parking in the French Quarter, especially in the evening. Most streets are one way and very narrow. Moreover, some streets turn into walking zones in the evening. In addition, it is very popular and extremely busy at night with pedestrians everywhere.

Walk or Ride A Bike

You can easily walk or ride your bike around New Orleans. It is very flat and the layout of the city is pretty straightforward. If you get lost, people are generally helpful and street signs are everywhere.

Olivia , a frequent visitor to NOLA says, “Try The American Bicycle Rental Company, a family owned business on Burgundy Street. They offer maps and guidance on making the most of each day and rent out American-made Cruiser bikes with comfy 13-inch wide saddles and oversized, puncture-resistant tyres. They are perfect for a long day negotiating the bumpy roads of the city and, with their chrome fenders and bells, look pretty cool too.”

Rely On Public Transportation

Public transportation in NOLA is excellent. Rob , a regular visitor says, “The public transport system in New Orleans is awesome for tourists. I would recommend that first-time visitors purchase a day pass ticket which costs only $3. This is a bargain as it allows you to use the RTA (Regional Transit Authority) busses, streetcars, and ferries for unlimited rides for 24 hours. The transport systems are very well kept and it’s a pleasure to ride to see the beautiful city of New Orleans.

The streetcars will take you across all the major areas of the city including the City Park, Jackson Square, and give you a scenic view of the Mississippi River whilst the busses will get you to the intracity and outer lying areas such as the Bayou Sauvage which is a National Wildlife Refuge. There are two ferries – the Algiers Point-Canal Street Ferry and the Lowers Algiers-Chalmette Ferry – that will get you across the Mississippi to visit parts of the city.”

Take A Street Car

Even if you do not need or want to use public transportation, you should take a street car ride at some point. Allyson , a resident of New Orleans says, “Locals and visitors alike enjoy the reliable and leisurely street car rides across the city. St. Charles, Canal Street, Riverfront, and Rampart lines all either run along or intersect with Canal Street in the area between the French Quarter and the Central Business District, so you can see numerous NOLA icons along the way. At $1.25 for a one-way ride, you won’t find cheaper fare anywhere else.”

Best Travel Tips For Saving Money in New Orleans For First Time Visitors

Travelling and exploring any city can be expensive. However, there are always ways to save money if you know where to look. Accordingly, here are some of the best travel tips to save money in the Big Easy.

Stay A Couple Blocks Away From French Quarter

If you want to have easy access to the French Quarter and save money, book accommodation a block or two beyond the French Quarter. You will not only pay less for accommodation, but you will be able to walk and avoid any taxi or Uber costs.

Stay Outside Of New Orleans

If you really want to save money, then stay outside the Big Easy. This would really only work if you don’t want to party into the night on Bourbon Street. However, if you see yourself only spending the days exploring, then this could be a good option.

In addition, there are some cool excursions outside of NOLA such as taking a swamp tour or visiting plantations, such as the Oak Alley Plantation, both between 1 and 1 1/2 hours drive. For more information about these attractions and how to get there, please check this out .

Karen recommends driving Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. It is the longest continuous bridge passing over water (126,122 feet according to Guinness Book of World Records) and in the middle you cannot see land! 

Consider Youth Hostels

Heidi from Holiday St. says, “Accommodation is generally cheaper than other major U.S. cities averaging about $187 per night for a three-star hotel. There are also a few youth hostels to check out if you’re looking to save some money. These include The India House Backpackers Hostel and The Quisby.

Get The GO New Orleans Pass

If you plan to see a lot of the major sites, consider purchasing the GO New Orleans Pass. Imani, a travel blogger says, “You can save time and money and enjoy stress-free touring with the GO New Orleans Pass. The allows you to choose from over 25 attractions in New Orleans, is good for up to 5 days, and saves you up to 35% on ticket prices. It also comes with a mobile pass option.”

For other simple travel tips to save you money, please take a look at 10 Best Money Saving Travel Tips .

Best Travel Tips For What To Do In NOLA For First Time Visitors

New Orleans offers a long list of fascinating and fun attractions. You will likely need multiple trips in order to see everything, explore different areas, and eat all the wonderful food. So how do you figure out what you should see or how best to organize your time? Here are some of the best travel tips for what to do in the Big Easy for first time visitors.

Explore The French Quarter

When people hear “New Orleans”, they normally think of the French Quarter. More specifically, people often associate New Orleans to the “crazy-night-time-party” scene where people drink and dance in the streets, and others throw beads at them. However, it is very different during the day. It is calm and lovely to explore. The architecture and history of the French Quarter is something beautiful and shouldn’t be missed.

For example, walk around LaFayette Cemetery No. 1 where famous residents such as Tennessee Williams, Jean Lafitte and Anne Rice are buried. In addition, the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square is the oldest cathedral in the US and the only remaining example of French Colonial architecture.

Visit Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street is located in the French Quarter and the center of New Orlean’s nightlife. Even if you don’t want to stay long or participate in the festivities, you should swing by one evening and take a look. It is considered by many to be one of America’s foremost party streets.

Design Your Own Pub Crawl

Marc from JTG Travel recommends designing your own pub crawl in the French Quarter. That should include “Old Absinthe House, Maison Bourbon, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Bar ( the oldest structure in the United States operated as a bar), Pat O’Brien’s terrace, Beach on Bourbon, and the Cat’s Meow.” They can be enjoyed all day and night.

Live Music All Day Long

A visit to the Big Easy wouldn’t be complete without seeing some live music. You have a choice of almost any type of music and multiple areas where you can enjoy it, starting with the French Quarter. Sam says “The French Quarter is home to some of the nation’s finest musical acts, so be sure to take in a show while you’re here.”

Street Performers

You can find dozens of street performers all over the French Quarter from morning until night. They are incredibly accomplished. In any other city, you would only be able to see such talented people in their own show at a venue. Make sure you allow yourself time to walk and enjoy them. Don’t forget to bring some cash for tips.

Go Where The Locals Go

Frenchmen Street is packed with venues that offer an array of live performances ranging from traditional jazz to blues to reggae and rock. They attract audiences from all over the world. This is a good alternative if you wish to avoid Bourbon Street.

If boutique shopping, artist’s galleries and delicious Creole restaurants are more of your vibe, then Magazine Street is for you.

Freret Street offers more of a chill and laid back feel, with blocks filled with yummy restaurants.”

Rent A Paddleboat

Rent a paddle boat on Lake Pontchartrain. It is an excellent way to see the city without costing too much money.

Have A Parade

Steve from Insanely Cheap Flights says, “What many people don’t know is how easy it is to have your own parade, complete with  police escort . You can hire the musicians directly, or hire a full-service company to take care of all the details. The police will close the streets to traffic along your route, and you’ll be able to celebrate with a unique New Orleans experience.”

Recommended Restaurants

New Orleans is also a foodie paradise. There are many iconic foods and drinks that you should try in New Orleans.

Eva from Discovering Hidden Gems says, “Cafe du Monde is a must for every visitor, so I recommend stopping in early, say before 9 am to avoid heavy crowds and long lines.” Make sure you get New Orlean’s classic, a beignet, a deep fried fluffy donut.

For other quintessential food and restaurant establishments:

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop “the oldest structure used as a bar in the US” – Voodoo Daiquiri  NOLA Po’ Boys – Shrimp Po’ Boy Sandwiches Carousel Bar (the bar rotates around like a carousel) – Vieux Carre and The Sazarac are signature drinks Napoleon House – hot Muffuletta sandwich and Pimm’s Cup signature drink Old Absinthe House – Absinthe House Frappe (fair warning – it tastes like licorice, so if you don’t like licorice you won’t like this!) French Market Restaurant – Crawfish (which you can see boiling in the window throughout the day and smell it from a block away to draw you in).

Take The Garden District Streetcar

Taking the streetcar from the Central Business District to the Garden District is another fantastic way to explore New Orleans. It is the world’s oldest continuously functioning streetcar and is available for less than $2. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as this is the only streetcar in the city that still boasts mahogany seats, brass fittings and exposed ceiling light bulbs.

Ralph Calhoun from the Biedenharn Museum and Gardens in Monroe, Louisiana says, “If you like rare or used books, you can pick up a map in most of the bookstores in the Garden District which lead you to lots of sources for used books.”

Visit The National WWII Museum

The National WWII Museum is an amazing interactive museum that focuses on the American experience in WWII —why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. It is a must-see experience for your whole family.

The Higgins boats central to Operation D-Day were built in New Orleans. They revolutionized the war by carrying troops from ships to open beaches rather than the historical need to land at ports. This was one of the many reasons Congress made NOLA the home of one of the largest collections of WWII artifacts in the United States.

For Animal Lovers

If you love animals or are travelling with children, check out the Audubon Zoo and Aquarium . The zoo features animals from around the world and offers animal demonstrations, feedings, and the award-winning Jaguar Jungle and Louisiana Swamp habitats. The Aquarium is consistently voted as one of the best in the country and ranked as one of the best things to do in New Orleans. Both are dedicated to conservation and education.

Iris from Trip 1010 recommends catching one of the free opera performance from Bon Operatit held every month.

Spend Time On The Banks Of The Mississippi River

For a relaxing afternoon, spend time on the banks of the Mississippi River. It has a gorgeous view of the Big Easy which is a magical ending to any day. Across Jackson Square, you will have some of the best views of New Orleans.

If you would like to Travel Cheaper, Smarter and Easier, then join the thousands of subscribers who receive my weekly newsletter filled with the most up to date and best travel tips around. Sign up with this link !

Best Travel Tips To New Orleans For First Time Visitors Concerned About Safety

New Orleans is a large American city. That means there are safe areas, less safe areas, and areas best left avoided at all costs.

The tourist areas (French Quarter, Central Business District, and Garden District) are all relatively safe places to stay or visit provided you use common sense. In other words, don’t get rip roaring drunk and walk alone down an alley at 2:00 am. Beyond that scenario, there are a couple of unique scenarios of which you should be aware.

Tourist Area Is Small

The tourist area in New Orleans is in a small concentrated area. That means petty thieves don’t have to guess where to find the tourists. Be alert and keep your items secure in a zippered purse or pocket.

Stay Together

When out at night having a good time, do not cut yourself off from other revellers. Stay up with your group. On the flip side, make sure you take a moment every so often to ensure everyone in your group is keeping up.

Avoid Solicitation

It is best to avoid anyone who you feel is soliciting you in any way. If someone is offering their service or a product out of the blue, they are likely trying to take advantage of you. Keep your eyes ahead and continue on.

Don’t Overindulge

You should either try not to drink too much or have one person in your group who stays relatively sober and keeps an eye on things. This might be difficult if you are in New Orleans with your college buddies or for a bachelorette party. However, unfortunately, people are waiting to take advantage of you.

Skip The Beads

Bead necklaces are usually thrown from partiers from the upper terraces along Bourbon street all year long. You don’t have to do anything to get them except be walking by when they are thrown (which is usually all night). You certainly don’t have to flash anyone to get them. If you want to wear them while on Bourbon street, then fine. However, don’t wear them beyond. It marks you as a tourist.

Research Area

Michelle from Brit Adventures strongly recommends researching the crime rate where you are staying if you can’t find accommodation in the tourist areas. She ended up staying in a high crime area on one visit to New Orleans when she couldn’t find accommodation in her budget somewhere else. Taxi drivers refused to enter the area to pick up or drop her off.

Spend More To Stay Somewhere Safe

Every neighbourhood in NOLA is not equal. That is particularly true when it comes to safety. If you can’t afford to stay in the tourist districts like the French Quarter, Central Business District, or the Garden District, or other safe neighbourhoods, then save for a bit longer and wait until you can. Otherwise, be prepared to go over budget.

Beware of Pickpockets

The French Quarter offers endless amount of street entertainers and buskers all day and night. They are truly exceptionally talented. Make sure you save time everyday to savour the entertainment. However, keep an eye on your phone, wallet and other valuables. As people gather, it is an easy way to get pickpocketed.

Best Travel Tips To New Orleans For First Time Visitors

There is some advice that falls into lots of different categories. Accordingly, here are the rest of the best travel tips to the Big Easy.

Be Mindful Of The Weather

Summer is very hot and humid. Then, there is hurricane season from June to November. Make sure you understand how each will impact your trip and decide when is the best time for you to visit New Orleans .

Bring Cas h

Sidra, a local , recommends always having cash on hand. “Places will charge fees or they might not accept credit cards. You’ll need cash for food that’s not part of a standard restaurant menu, too. This also includes beers at happy hour prices.”

Watch Out For Alligators

Alligators are common sights in many roadways in Louisiana, especially in the swamps that surround New Orleans, so if make sure you pay attention when you are around water.

Take Your Beverage To Go

Jeff says, “One of the most bizarre New Orleans travel advice is that if you have liquor in your possession, you may request a to-go cup. It’s permitted to consume alcoholic beverages on the street in a disposable plastic cup (not in glass).”

No Closing Tim e

There isn’t any specific time that the bars must close. Some regularly stay open until 4:00 am or later. This is a recipe for disaster if you don’t know your limit.

Drinking Age is 18 Years Old

Louisiana is one of a few states that allow teenagers as young as 18 to drink alcohol provided they are accompanied by a guardian or spouse who is over 21 years old.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

New Orleans is a very walkable city. The tourist area is relatively small and flat so it is easy to walk and explore for many hours. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes so you can tour, eat and shop all day long.

Wear Stretchy Pants

Marquita from Marquitas Travels says, “New Orleans is not the place to come visit while on a diet. The city is known for its food. From the delicious chargrilled oyster and poboys, to the decadent pralines and beignets, and everything in between. Most guests leave the city vowing to eat more fruits and veggies when they return home.”

Be Aware Of Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is on a different date every year, so make sure you figure out that date long before you arrive. If you intend to visit during Mardi Gras or inadvertently book your trip just before, during or just after, you should book accommodation asap.

New Orleans is unlike any city in the United States. It is interesting and fun and offers something for everyone, including families. However, the Big Easy does things a little differently than most American places. This is exactly why it is one of the best cities in the USA to visit. If you follow these best travel tips for first time visitors to New Orleans, you should have an exciting and safe time. Arriving prepared will leave you stress free and ready for all the exhilarating experiences waiting for you.

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Summer in Our City

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Break away from ordinary summer vacation destinations and plan a getaway that allows you to experience the one-of-a-kind culture, magic, and timelessness of New Orleans.

Whether you're in town for Pride or any other time of the year, enjoy our three-day itinerary packed with must-dos from supporting LGBTQ-owned businesses, nightlife, dining, and more.

Hop aboard this historic mode of transportation for scenic rides to some of the city’s best attractions, restaurants and more.

Visit New Orleans this June for Pride Month celebrations, Restaurant Week New Orleans, New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, and more. 

From classic Creole eateries to neighborhood po-boy joints, New Orleans is a city for foodies. Celebrate Restaurant Week from June 17-23 and try multi-course menus at some of the best spots.

New Orleans is full of once-in-a-lifetime meals at every budget. Looking to treat yourself? Here are the top spots for bigger-ticket meals that are 100% worth it.

Looking for snacks long after the sun has set? Here are some of our favorite places to grab a bite after a night out on the town.

Find bites that both kids AND adults will love at these top picks for family-friendly dining in NOLA.

There's a New Orleans hotel for every traveler's needs. Take advantage of deals and offers from hotels all around the city.

Whether you're looking for low-key relaxation, breathtaking views, poolside cocktails with lounge vibes, or a family-friendly oasis, we've broken down our favorite pools by type.

From suites to kid-friendly amenities, make your little ones right at home with these family-friendly hotel options.

From total overhauls to extensive upgrades, book a room at one of these recently revamped hotels in New Orleans.

New Orleans is known for its cocktail culture. Some even say we invented it. Whether you’re looking for craft creations or a neighborhood dive (or both), we've got you covered.

When the temperatures rise, so does the need for a nice, cold beverage. From frozen daiquiris to fresh fruit tropical concoctions, here are our favorite libations to cool off with.

Immerse yourself in a tropical paradise at these six, must-visit tiki bars in New Orleans.

From laid-back spots for natural wine to outdoor oases with live music and small plates to boot, here are our favorite wine bars in NOLA.

For more great New Orleans content, visit our Instagram page at VisitNewOrleans .

Leave with a story, not just a souvenir. Share your NOLA story with #visitneworleans .

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The best hotels in New Orleans, from the French Quarter to the Garden District

Affectionately called the Big Easy , the city of New Orleans pulses with energy at every turn. From the French Quarter to the Garden District to the Treme, New Orleans' neighborhoods have their unique personalities. Each offers so many sights and activities it's impossible to fit them all into a travel guide .

Then there's the food. New Orleans' culinary scene is full of delicious food showcasing a slew of Cajun, Creole and classic Southern dishes. It celebrates the city's rich history, and you can taste it in every bite.

Unsurprisingly, hotels in New Orleans are equally as memorable. Accommodations here are exactly what you'd expect to find in a city brimming with culture, character and charm .

Whether you're after a quirky boutique hotel with local flair or a chic outpost of a big-name brand, New Orleans' accommodations have you covered. These are the best hotels in New Orleans — and what you can expect at each.

Opened in 1886, Hotel Monteleone claims to be one of New Orleans' last great family-run hotels. Less than a block from lively Bourbon Street, this Preferred Hotels-affiliated property gives guests easy access to many of the contemporary attractions and amenities for which this city is known. It doesn't forget about its storied past, though.

The interior remains distinctly baroque in style. Details like crown molding, chandeliers and matching patterned fabrics on beds and draperies are on display in the 522 guest rooms and suites. Modern-day comforts like Keurig coffee makers, minifridges and plush bathrobes are also available, should you crave a few contemporary amenities when you travel.

Splurge on one of the Literary Suites to sleep in a space that draws inspiration from famous American authors — such as Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner — with ties to the hotel. Rooms and suites in the Hotel Monteleone's recently renovated Iberville Tower come with twice-daily housekeeping, marble bathrooms with walk-in showers, a New Orleans-themed amenity, private check-in, and a personal concierge.

You'll find one of New Orleans' quirkiest attractions outside the hotel's rooms and suites: a rotating carousel bar. The first and only rotating bar in the Big Easy, the Carousel Bar & Lounge is a popular spot for both guests and tourists staying elsewhere (guests in the Iberville Tower have early access). So, aim to arrive early if you want to sip your Sazerac or Pimm's Cup from one of the 25 coveted bar seats. For more substantial fare, sit for a meal at Criollo Restaurant, where seasonal Southern dishes are on the menu.

If you are interested in the paranormal, be on the lookout for spooky encounters during your stay. Hotel Monteleone is considered one of New Orleans' top haunted hotels . Visitors have reported locked doors opening and shutting on their own, elevators stopping on the wrong floors and apparitions of former guests appearing by rooms where they died.

Rates at Hotel Monteleone start at $259 per night.

Occupying a former luxury apartment building from the 1920s, The Pontchartrain Hotel is a charming place to hang your hat in the quaint Garden District. The 106-room hotel's decor complements the building's 1920s facade through details such as rich fabrics in jewel tones, crystal chandeliers and old-fashioned room keys with red tassels.

Rooms continue the traditional, elevated design while drawing inspiration from the hotel's surroundings. An array of colors, including black, mint green, pale pink and red, appear on everything from the walls to draperies to furnishings; the colors are a nod to the city's Spanish-French roots and the Garden District's romantic Spanish moss-draped trees and palms. In-room amenities include reading nooks, desks and Le Labo toiletries.

On-site amenities are limited, but guests can access a few food and beverage outlets. At Silver Whistle Café, early morning essentials like coffee and pastries are available. The Bayou Bar might remind travelers of the Prohibition era, as it's adorned with dark wood and a piano. Jack Rose, the hotel's only full-service restaurant, brings you closer to the 21st century with a painting of famous New Orleans rapper Lil Wayne pictured with a tie and a piece of cake.

There's also the Tennessee Williams-inspired rooftop bar, Hot Tin, which has strong cocktails and panoramic city views. Williams was even one of the many famous faces over the years to check in to the hotel, which has also hosted Frank Sinatra and presidents Gerald Ford and George H.W. Bush. Why not add your own name to the list of fabulous guests?

Rates at The Pontchartrain Hotel start at $143 per night.

Situated in New Orleans' central business district, The Troubadour Hotel New Orleans is a clean, modern hotel that offers proximity to the bustling French Quarter neighborhood without sitting directly in the action.

Bookable with Hilton Honors points , this Tapestry Collection property is made for cool, trend-following travelers who desire modern yet timeless accommodations. All 184 rooms and suites pay homage to the art deco style and the 1970s through a mix of warm wood and leather furnishings, colorful local artwork, denim blue-hued headboards, throw blankets and carpets.

When you're not mixing up a drink with ingredients from the in-room cocktail kit, head to the laid-back Troubadour Lounge & Listening Room to hear some tunes and chill out while sipping a beverage. There's also the rooftop bar, Ingenue, where classic cocktails like peach bellinis, mojitos and Palomas come with a fresh twist.

A 24-hour fitness center is also available on-site, should you wish to maintain your fitness regimen during your stay.

Rates at The Troubadour Hotel New Orleans start at $110 or 32,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

One of the most interesting facets of The Windsor Court is its art collection, worth more than $10 million, which is displayed throughout the property. However, this impressive feature is only one of many reasons to visit this luxurious hotel.

Found in downtown's Central Business District, this member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts family offers all kinds of upscale amenities. This includes a tranquil rooftop pool, a well-equipped fitness center, concierge service that's practically guaranteed to get you a reservation at any restaurant in town and a full-service spa with customized facials designed by biomedical expert Augustinus Bader. Even pooches and felines are cared for when they stay, thanks to the property's Pampered Pets Program; it spoils four-legged friends with perks like plush beds.

Guest rooms and suites feature dark wood furnishings, floral prints on curtains and throw pillows, finely patterned taupe carpeting and pops of pale blue throughout. All accommodations come with fully stocked minibars, flat-screen TVs, marble bathrooms, and private balconies or bay windows with views of the Mississippi River or the city skyline.

As for dining, you'll find a variety of restaurants on-site: The Grill Room (which serves American cuisine), The Polo Club (with elevated pub fare and live jazz music) and the seasonal Pool Bar (where salads, sandwiches and frozen cocktails are on the menu). A salon serving afternoon tea on weekends and a grab-and-go cafe with caffeinated beverages, homemade sweet treats and more are also available.

Rates at The Windsor Court start at $301 per night.

One of the newest hotels in the French Quarter, One11 Hotel offers the perfect blend of solitude and convenience. This boutique property has a phenomenal location on the southwestern edge of the lively French Quarter neighborhood. It gives guests enough peace and quiet to get a restful night's sleep without keeping them too far away from the action on Bourbon Street.

Housed in a former sugar warehouse, the decor combines contemporary design with original features. Each of the 83 guest rooms and "sweets" (a playful nod to the property's history) has a neutral color scheme that lets original details — like exposed brick walls, high beamed ceilings and natural timber pillars — shine. Expect modern essentials like glass walk-in showers, flat-screen TVs and pillow-top mattresses.

For a boutique hotel, One11 Hotel offers quite a few property amenities. A courtyard with a fire pit and pool is available for lounging. Additionally, guests can venture eight stories up to the rooftop terrace for incredible views of the neighborhood and the Mississippi River. Visitors can enjoy complimentary access to a fitness center located across the street.

When you start to get hunger pangs, head to the first-floor Batture Bistro + Bar, which serves New Orleans-inspired fare for breakfast, brunch and lunch. Small plates and cocktails are available later in the day as well for those who need some sustenance after a day of exploring the French Quarter.

Rates at One11 Hotel start at $199 per night.

Related: Understated glamour and hospitality: The One11 Hotel in New Orleans

If you're planning to visit The National WWII Museum (or another attraction in the Warehouse Arts District), The Higgins Hotel New Orleans should be on the top of your hotel list. This Curio Collection property, named after a local entrepreneur who built more than 20,000 boats used during World War II, is the official hotel of The National WWII Museum. It features art deco decor inspired by the time period. In addition to The National WWII Museum, it sits within walking distance of the Ogden Museum of Southern Art and the Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, making it an ideal spot for museumgoers.

The Higgins is only about a mile from Bourbon Street's bars and restaurants, though its drinking and dining establishments are worth sticking around for. Rosie's on the Roof serves up city views and delectable small plates like crab beignets, while the French-inspired Café Normandie is open daily for breakfast and lunch. Additional options include Kilroy's Bar & Lounge, a terrific spot for happy hour, and Provisions, a grab-and-go cafe with drinks, sandwiches and salads.

Once you've satiated your appetite, retreat to your room or suite. All 230 accommodations offer at least 360 square feet of space and come equipped with minifridges, 55-inch TVs, walk-in showers and custom linens with red, white and blue piping. Book one of three suites named after former presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harry S. Truman and Franklin D. Roosevelt to enjoy extras like a spacious terrace, a kitchenette, a soaking tub and an entrance foyer.

Rates at The Higgins Hotel New Orleans start at $175 or 50,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Related: Trendy and affordable steps from the French Quarter: My stay at the Canopy by Hilton New Orleans Downtown

With just 67 rooms and suites, Maison de la Luz feels more like an intimate guesthouse than a traditional hotel you'd find in any city in America.

Every corner and detail has a thoughtful design, with an eclectic mix of decor styles combined to a beguiling effect. The concierge desk looks like a 1920s Hollywood movie palace concessions counter; the Breakfast Room is flooded with light that sets the royal blue furnishings and blue palm wallpaper off to dazzling effect. The Living Room lounge is a snapshot of a vintage Egyptian hotel lobby with boldly patterned rugs, African-inspired wall art and brass chandeliers with pink shades.

Spacious guest rooms are just as thoughtfully adorned as the rest of the property, with wavy, blue headboards, mismatched light fixtures and huge windows that let ample light pour in. Room rates also cover several extra touches, including a daily pot of coffee, a carafe of filtered water and a post-breakfast glass of iced tea; a nightly wine and cheese reception; concierge service; and use of a pool and gym at the adjacent Ace Hotel New Orleans.

On-site dining options are limited but include 24-hour room service and buffet and a la carte breakfast options at the aptly named Breakfast Room. Guests also enjoy priority access to neighboring establishments like Bar Marilou, Josephine Estelle and Three Keys, so don't be afraid to ask the concierge to put your name on the list. This is Southern hospitality, after all.

Rates at Maison de la Luz start at $296 per night.

Housing only 14 rooms, The Chloe exudes New Orleans charm from the moment you arrive. Occupying a 19th-century mansion, the hotel displays (and sells) all kinds of local art and sundries to bring more genuine flair.

The hotel feels like a home away from home. The lobby bar has rich green walls and busy fleur-de-lis bar stools; meanwhile, blush pink walls, upholstered booths with vibrant floral patterns and an assortment of hanging plants await patrons in the property's Creole restaurant. The small outdoor pool also offers a classic pool bar with a beachy blue exterior, wicker barstools, wooden accents, and a collection of straw hats.

The guest rooms offer simpler (yet stylish) designs, mostly white with blue or black pops of color. While each room category is slightly different in appearance, all come equipped with locally sourced touches like record players with vinyl records, handwoven robes, chocolates, bath salts and oils. Breakfast is complimentary every day.

Rates at The Chloe start at $280 per night.

The vibe at Ace Hotel New Orleans is trendy, hip, mature, and, some might say, ascetic. It might not have the bold colors or plush fabrics of some other hotels on this list, but its affordable price point and pared-down design draw many visitors.

The hotel has a second-floor gym and Three Keys, a music venue where you can listen to live jazz, rock and blues performances. The Ace also features five dining outlets, including one in Alto — a rooftop garden with a heated pool, fire pits and lounge chairs for enjoying cocktails and small plates. Additionally, guests can head to Lovage for drinks and pastries on the go, the lobby bar, a seafood-focused eatery and Josephine Estelle, which dishes up Southern cuisine with an Italian twist.

Inside the 234 rooms and suites (all pet-friendly), you'll discover boho-chic midcentury modern furniture, plus large windows and moody black, gray and brown color schemes. Standard amenities include wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, custom bathrobes, Smeg refrigerators and fully stocked minibars with local treats. Music lovers will want to pay extra for a suite, as they're also outfitted with Martin guitars and turntables with various vinyl records.

Rates at Ace Hotel New Orleans start at $143 per night.

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, is located on Canal Street, just one block from the French Quarter. Housed in the former Maison Blanche department store building, this Marriott -affiliated outpost wows with its beaux-arts design. Resembling the Garden District's pre-Civil War mansions, the property is packed with eye-catching details, ranging from marble floors and ornate chandeliers in the tall, light-filled lobby to verdant plants surrounding a bubbling fountain in the tranquil courtyard.

Unsurprisingly, amenities here aim to attract guests who prefer the finer things in life but still want a taste of New Orleans while on-site. The property is home to the largest spa in the city. You'll find a whopping 20 treatment rooms for locally inspired spa services such as the Voodoo Ritual and a couples package that incorporates coffee and praline (two New Orleans staples). Additionally, guests can enjoy farm-to-table fare at the fine dining restaurant M Bistro or enjoy cocktails or afternoon tea in the elegant Davenport Lounge.

As for accommodations, you'll have your pick of 528 rooms, including the Residence, that continue the luxe New Orleans theme. The decor varies by room category, but expect Big Easy touches like headboards with fleurs-de-lis accents and vibrant throw pillows and curtains in Mardi Gras-appropriate colors. Some suites have balconies or terraces overlooking the Mississippi River; others have exclusive access to a lounge with concierge services and culinary offerings throughout the day.

Rates at The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans start at $234 or 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Opened as an orphanage in 1861, Hotel Saint Vincent invites guests to branch out beyond the elegant, traditional decor commonly found in Garden District accommodations. The property's interior is not for the faint of heart. Guests will either love or hate the pink tiled bathrooms and bright, kaleidoscopic wallpaper — This is retro, 1970s style at its boldest.

The 75 rooms are on the small side: Measurements start at 252 square feet for basic Crescent King rooms and measure no more than 589 square feet for the largest suite available, the Mary Suite. However, they come with all the essentials, including walk-in showers, flat-screen TVs and minibars. Plus, some offer private furnished verandas or direct access to the hotel's courtyard, where the pool and pool bar are located.

When you're not taking a dip in or lounging by the small outdoor pool, browse the local textiles and jewelry sold at the ByGeorge New Orleans Boutique. Or, head to the guest-only Chapel Club lounge for drinks.

Enjoy pastries and specialty dishes like dumplings and noodles at Elizabeth Street Café, a French-Vietnamese eatery to satiate your appetite. There's also the signature San Lorenzo restaurant, where menu items combine Italian and New Orleans flavors.

Rates at Hotel Saint Vincent start at $221 per night.

This Hyatt property — part of the brand's Unbound Collection — is conveniently located in the Warehouse Arts District, placing guests just two blocks away from the bustling French Quarter. Situated inside seven historic warehouses that once housed local businesses like the Gulf Baking Soda company and The Daily Picayune newspaper, The Eliza Jane is named for Eliza Jane Nicholson — The Daily Picayune's first female publisher.

Several parts of the 196-room property pay homage to the building's rich history. At The Press Room — the hotel's lobby lounge full of antique typewriters and original architectural details — guests can ease into their day with a cup of coffee and a newspaper, or they can mix and mingle while enjoying snacks and cocktails. Couvant, The Eliza Jane's signature restaurant, also takes cues from its past: It serves French-inspired specialties in a dining room full of art from the Peychaud Cocktail Bitters factory that once occupied the space.

Beyond the food and beverage outlets, visitors can access a 24-hour fitness center with various machines, including a Peloton bike. The property also sports a charming courtyard with a gas lantern and a bubbling fountain and a small business center with a tablet, printer and fax machine.

Given the array of structures that comprise the property, each accommodation features a unique design and layout. However, there are a few commonalities, including bathrooms with white subway tiles, tufted leather headboards, polished brass fixtures, and accent walls or furnishings with floral prints and patterns. Some rooms and suites also have exposed brick walls (painted or in their natural state) and wooden beams.

Rates at The Eliza Jane start at $175 or 17,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Related: The 12 hotels where you'll get the most out of your Hyatt reward night certificate

Kimpton Hotel Fontenot brings IHG's whimsy brand to the up-and-coming Warehouse Arts District — and it's pet-friendly. Like other Kimpton properties, this New Orleans location's nightly rates cover all kinds of amenities, including the use of in-room yoga mats, a 24-hour fitness center and loaner bikes, plus a wine reception every evening.

Guest rooms and suites here are spacious and stunning, offering light and airy interiors with pops of light blue and pale pink; the metal and wicker beds are dressed in Frette linens, and the curvaceous art deco-inspired chaise lounges are upholstered in velvet. All accommodations also come outfitted with minibars stocked with local items, plush bathrobes, Bluetooth speakers and Atelier Bloem toiletries. The hotel added 33 rooms and suites in a 2023 expansion that also saw the addition of a new French restaurant, King.

The gorgeous design continues in the Hotel Fontenot's two more established on-site bars. The ornately decorated Peacock Room bar serves craft cocktails and small plates like local oysters and chorizo-stuffed dates in a chic space; its murals and deep blue banquettes nod to its namesake bird. Meanwhile, Gospel Coffee and Boozy Treats is an interesting take on the typical cafe: You can add a shot of alcohol to any menu item, whether you enjoy it in the cool black-and-white space or take it to go.

Rates at the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot start at $136 or 23,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

Originally the World Trade Center and International Trade Mart, this waterfront 34-story tower is now the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans. Inside the historic modernist building — designed by highly regarded architect Edward Durell Stone to commemorate New Orleans' 250th anniversary in 1968 — visitors will find 341 accommodations, 61 of which are suites.

The sleek decor is a breath of fresh air that contrasts nicely with the city's 19th-century character and the more classic look of other luxury hotels in the area. Each spacious room offers at least 438 square feet of elbow room, plus a clean, bright look; decor includes white shiplap walls, a light gray chaise, blond wood furnishings and a bathroom covered in marble. All have walk-in showers, Nespresso coffee makers, iPads for service requests and minibars stocked with a selection of soft drinks, wine and snacks; select upgraded accommodations also come with freestanding bathtubs and walk-in closets.

Even the pickiest of eaters will find plenty to enjoy here. The hotel has two restaurants to choose from, including Miss River — which serves elevated New Orleans fare like blackened snapper with creamy rutabaga and pecan chimichurri — and Chemin à la Mer — where patrons can savor a variety of Louisiana-inspired dishes while taking in picturesque views of the Mississippi River. The Chandelier Bar, a chic lobby-level hangout, is also available for classic New Orleans cocktails and gourmet snacks such as caviar, duck liver pate and fried oysters, among other options.

For even more pampering, head to the hotel's spa, which houses a sauna and a steam room. No visit would be complete without a dip in the crescent-shaped pool on the hotel's fifth floor.

Rates at the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans start at $405 per night.

The cheekily named Hotel Peter & Paul is housed in a renovated complex featuring a former church, schoolhouse, convent and rectory. It gives guests the unique opportunity to sleep in a one-of-a-kind apostolic hotel. The 71 rooms are just as eclectic as the Marigny neighborhood in which the property resides, offering old-fashioned details fitting of this converted church.

No two rooms are the same, but you can expect traditional touches such as plaid textiles in yellow, green, red or blue hues, black rotary phones and antique furnishings perfectly polished to make any sexton proud. Know, though, that entry-level rooms are tiny, with some only measuring 200 square — enough space to squeeze in a set of twin bunk beds or a full or queen-size bed.

When you're not sleeping, visit The Elysian Bar for more elbow room. Open daily for breakfast and dinner, the eatery offers an assortment of pastries and caffeinated beverages in the morning; it transforms into a sit-down establishment at night. Highlights from the dinner menu include oven-roasted beef bone marrow and roasted Gulf shrimp with Calabrian chile butter.

Rates at Hotel Peter & Paul start at $149 per night.

This townhouse-turned-boutique hotel, the Henry Howard Hotel, sits in the verdant Garden District. Unlike other properties in the neighborhood, you'll discover a mishmash of styles here. This includes everything from Greek Revival elements (think: tall columns and crisp white paint) on the facade to a parlor with Italianate details (like an ornate chandelier and period-appropriate furnishings). Yet despite the blending of styles, every aspect of the property pulls together and works.

Inside the 18 rooms, you'll find a mix of modern and vintage furniture atop hardwood floors. Accent walls with patterned wallpaper depict city scenes, and brass instruments serve as wall art. The compact but beautiful bathrooms have pedestal sinks and Beekman 1802 Fresh Air bath products.

Property amenities are limited, but guests can relax in the parlor, on the front porch or in the courtyard when they're ready to venture outside their rooms. Coffee, pastries and cocktails are available daily in the parlor.

Rates at the Henry Howard Hotel start at $159 per night.

You're in the Big Easy, baby. The whole town is a party — right? But don't feel bad if you have a night in while staying at Virgin Hotels New Orleans, where the party — plus a dose of Southern charm — is alive and well within these walls.

Funky designs (think: a sculpture of a man in a bunny costume playing chess in the library) are some of the first eye-catching clues that this hotel is more than just a place to sleep and shower. Book a table at Commons Club for everything from dinner to a burlesque brunch, where you can tack on a bottomless Veuve Clicquot accompaniment to your shrimp and grits.

Upstairs, you'll find guest rooms and suites with city views and spacious dressing rooms, even in the most affordable guest rooms. Don't forget to escape the New Orleans heat at The Pool Club on the rooftop — doing laps always feels better when seeing the sun set over the Crescent City.

Rates at Virgin Hotels New Orleans start at $198 per night.

A French Quarter glow-up arrived earlier this year at the W New Orleans — French Quarter.

The hotel unveiled an extensive, multimillion-dollar renovation of its 97 guest rooms and suites and Carriage House suites. The new color palette is a nod to Sazerac, the signature amber-hued New Orleans cocktail, and bayou moss as well as the nautical heritage of the city. Guests will also find elevated, modern furnishings and French-style wall moldings with gold hardware and soft accent lighting in their accommodations — the design team refers to it as "textural gumbo."

Guests who splurge on Carriage House suites can be treated to more than just extra elbow room. The one-bedroom studio suite comes with a living area as well as a private courtyard to feel like a true resident of the French Quarter.

The 3rd Block Depot Kitchen + Bar is the W's sleek restaurant and bar serving Southern classics mere steps from Bourbon Street. 3rd Block's bananas Foster French toast is decadent, but don't forget you're in one of America's top food cities: The W concierge team is more than happy to help you find any number of scrumptious restaurants in the surrounding neighborhood.

Rates at the W New Orleans – French Quarter start at $224 or 42,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

What is the best part of New Orleans to stay in?

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is a roughly 15-mile, 25-minute drive to downtown New Orleans, where you'll find some of the city's most popular neighborhoods.

Travelers flock to New Orleans for the French Quarter and Bourbon Street during the bacchanalia of Mardi Gras and beyond. This is one of the city's oldest parts and where you'll find some of the most historic boutique hotels (with the occasional big brand masquerading as a boutique hotel).

New Orleans' Central Business District and Warehouse District are where travelers looking for bigger, modern hotels or proximity to the Caesars Superdome and additional nightlife venues and restaurants.

Uptown and the Garden District have more of a residential feel suitable for travelers looking for a quieter experience with access to boutique shopping and art galleries. There's more of a bohemian-meets-jazz residential vibe to the east of the French Quarter in the Marigny, where jazz clubs and bistros dot the streets.

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

ELLE Escapes: New Orleans

There’s no place like NOLA.

Perhaps one of the most romanticized places in the South, New Orleans has a charm that makes it easy to understand why. Sure, some might associate the city solely with Mardi Gras, but it’s so much more than beads and boas (although people here do love a good party). Warm and vibrant, NOLA has been a breeding ground for authors, poets, musicians, artists, and most importantly, lore. Vampires and voodoo aside, it has a spirit unlike any other destination in the country, one built over centuries of mixing cultures, people, ideas, and food.

What to See

Baldwin & co..

D.J. Johnson founded Baldwin & Co. (named after legendary writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin) as a way to enrich and give back to the cultural landscape. Both a bookstore and a coffee shop, the business is so much more than that. Baldwin & Co. largely functions as a community space with author events, a podcast studio, and a non-profit foundation that supports literacy through tutoring, festivals, and book giveaways. Its primary goal is to engage people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. Baldwin would be proud.

Peaches Records Store

An independent, family-owned record shop since 1975, Peaches Record Store boasts 14,000 square feet of every kind of music you could possibly think of. From Dolly Parton to Kevin Gates, at Peaches you’ll find old-school and contemporary, mainstream and local, and any genre you might fancy. The music culture in New Orleans is part of its charm—just visit Preservation Hall in the French Quarter to get a taste of its jazz heritage. At Peaches, you can take a piece of it with you.

Sazerac House

Another must in NOLA: indulge in the spirit and cocktail culture. The famed cognac and rye brand Sazerac, in particular, became popularized here in the 1800s. Cocktail enthusiasts can explore the history of the iconic spirit at Sazerac House , a museum, bar, and distillery downtown. Tours and tastings offer an educational and cultural experience that’s also just plain fun.

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Where to eat.

A unapologetically southern-style bar and restaurant, Sylvain is the spot to get a quality New Orleans culinary experience. From cast-iron cornbread to slow-cooked short rib, the restaurant serves a variety of elevated comfort food with thoughtful cocktails. Set in a late-1700s carriage house in the French Quarter, it’s perfectly located for an excellent meal and setting.

Turkey and the Wolf

If you love sandwiches—and let’s be real, who doesn’t?—you have to visit Turkey and the Wolf . If you don’t enjoy deliciousness pressed between loaves of bread, this eatery will undoubtedly change your mind. A silly, non-pretentious sandwich shop set in the lower garden district, it has garnered stellar reviews from top foodies and casual travelers alike, and it’s easy to see why. Just looking at a photo of its sandwiches, made with quality ingredients and flavors that are both classic and innovative, is enough to make you hungry.

The Will & The Way

Set in the French Quarter, The Will & The Way is a casual, chic spot that’s perfect for daytime or nighttime chilling. With yummy eats like housemade pimento, loaded Korean hot fries, the signature TW&TW burger, and an array of custom or classic cocktails, you can enjoy the space inside at the bar or outside in the back courtyard amongst classic architecture.

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Where to drink, barrel proof.

Whiskey lovers will enjoy Barrel Proof , a cocktail bar in the Garden District with over 350 different whiskeys to offer. With knowledgable bartenders and a comfortable, casual setting, the watering hole is great for those looking to try different spirits and cocktails, or patrons just looking for a quick beer.

Anna’s is for those who prefer comfortable dive bars over swanky cocktail bars, although you can still enjoy a house-crafted beverage here. Located in the Marigny neighborhood, the space and the menu are designed to welcome everyone into an establishment filled with character, art, and, of course, a pool table.

Bar Marilou

Located in a former library in the Warehouse District, Bar Marilou is an Instagram paradise. Fun and bold, yet chic and elevated, the bar offers the best of New Orleans style (think: red bookshelves, green velvet chairs, and greenery). The cocktails and bites feel just as luxurious, making this the perfect spot for a sophisticated night out.

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Where to stay.

Nestled in the Garden District, The Chloe offers the comfort of an historic home with the luxury of a boutique hotel, with just a little bit of New Orleans mysticism mixed in. Interior designer Sara Ruffin Costello used the unique structure of the residence to create moody alcoves where guests can lounge, work, gather, or just explore. If you’re lucky enough, you may even get a room boasting a wardrobe that’s actually a door leading to the cozy bath and shower room (basically The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , but for adults). The property also has a restaurant and bar, a pool stocked with its own drinks, a front yard and porch with games and seating, and bike rentals that guests can use to explore the city.

Dew Drop Inn

Housed in a newly renovated historic music venue, the Dew Drop Inn has been dubbed “the South’s swankiest spot.” Previous guests of the rock-and-roll hub, hotel, restaurant, and nightclub include Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Little Richard, and Irma Thomas. Now, guests can enjoy the legendary location for themselves. With 17 rooms and a 350-person music venue (which two VIP suites overlook), as well as a pool and restaurant, the inn is a modernized version of the once-happening hot spot.

The Celestine

The Celestine is a new boutique property in the French Quarter, right by Preservation Hall and The Will & The Way. Its indoor-outdoor component is what makes it stand out, with each room boasting a private balcony overlooking either the French Quarter or the hotel’s courtyard, which is where Tennessee Williams is said to have written A Streetcar Named Desire . Also designed by Costello, the brains behind The Chloe, the hotel creates a world of French, Spanish, and Afro-Caribbean influences—with a touch of antique glamour—right above Peychaud’s , where guests can enjoy cocktails while listening to the bustling jazz of the neighborhood.

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Beauty picks.

Lion Pose Ghost-Buster 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42 with Super Zinc

With plenty of sights to see—and food to eat—your skin needs as much sun protection as possible. Lion Pose’s mineral sunscreen imparts a subtle sheen and keeps the skin hydrated with help from squalane.

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Matte formulas are taking a backseat to comfier, satin ones that kiss the skin with moisture instead of leaving behind cracks and flakes. Charlotte Tilbury’s latest lipstick feels like a warm embrace on the lips with tree extracts that build a defense against UV damage.

Dae Fairy Duster Dry Shampoo

Just a few pumps of this dry shampoo powder sops up any oil weighing down your vacation hair. With a summery scent, weightless finish, and vegan formula, this is the travel companion that won’t disappoint you.

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Is New Orleans Worth Visiting? An Honest Opinion

• Published on July 18, 2022
• in Hiking , National Parks , Outdoors , Travel

My Honest Review of New Orleans:

New Orleans is a very impressive city in a way that’s just not for me. The city has architectural beauty, incredible history, and offers a gorgeous and unique environment. However, I found that to be countered by extremely dirty streets, rude people, and complete craziness. If you’ve never been down Bourbon Street on a Friday or Saturday night, you have to check it out at least once. The shear number of people who gather in the street is incredible, let alone the venders, people with snakes, and tarot card readers. If it’s your cup of tea, I guarantee you’ll be going back time and time again. Once was plenty for me. 

Where to Stay in New Orleans

My husband Sam and I spent 4 nights, 5 days in New Orleans in April 2022. We stayed at Q&C Hotel and Bar New Orleans, Autograph Collection . I appreciated the unique qualities of the hotel – it was formerly the headquarters of the Queen and Crescent Railroad and had been restored into a hotel, keeping the historic qualities of the building. However, the rooms were tiny and there was a speaker that blasted music from about 12pm until at least 10pm on weeknights. I did work each day I was there and the wifi was excellent which was a huge bonus.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in New Orleans you won’t have any trouble finding a spot to meet your budget – unless you are trying to go during Mardi Gras. There are hotels all over the city from you to choose. I’d personally recommend staying a little bit away from Bourbon Street if you want to get sleep at night, but if you are in New Orleans for the party, that just might be your spot.

For hotels and lodging, I recommend checking Hotels.com , VRBO and Airbnb . The latter two are your best bet if you want to stay in a private property, perhaps with a kitchen or yard.

What to Do in New Orleans

Don’t get me wrong, I loved my five-day trip there and am so glad I got to explore so much of the city. However, after the first night, my husband Sam and I both agreed 2-3 nights would have been plenty. It’s just a lot for two people who don’t like seafood, loud music, or the thought of voodoo. 

Just like any city though, New Orleans is so much more than Bourbon Street, bars, and blaring music. Walking through New Orleans City Park makes you forget that just a couple miles away are people overindulging in alcoholic beverages. The park is made up of around 1,300 acres filled with gorgeous live oaks, walking trails, a botanical garden, mini golf, an amusement park, fishing lakes, and so much more. It’s a fun spot for kids and adults and you could easily spend the whole day here exploring. 

The Warehouse District was my favorite area for grabbing dinner and drinks. It’s a very trendy area known for old warehouse buildings converted into modern museums, restaurants, and shops. The World War II Museum is also located in this area of the city. The streets were much calmer and with less going on around me I felt a lot more relaxed. The food is also delicious! Tommy’s Cuisine has delicious Italian entrees and is most certainly worth the visit. Sam also found a sports bar that he really enjoyed. 

Another unique area was the Garden District . The homes were gorgeous and had so much character. It was so much fun to walk the blocks and enjoy the beautiful homes and gardens, especially with the yards at home still mostly snow-covered. However, the beauty of the Garden District was overtaken by the tour groups blocking the sidewalks and the bars on the outskirts of the neighborhood. Again, not necessarily a bad thing, but for me personally, it took away from the experience. 

Perhaps my favorite part of our New Orleans trip was the visit to Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve . The park was quiet, nearly empty (probably due to the excessive heat and humidity), and stunning. It was so lush and green, had beautiful hiking trails, and I even made friends with a gator – okay, maybe a one-sided friendship. The park is about 30 minutes from downtown NOLA, but you feel like you’re in an entirely different part of the state. In my opinion, this park alone makes a visit to New Orleans worth it.

Final Thoughts on New Orleans

In the end, I really enjoyed my trip to New Orleans and Sam and I had a great time exploring all the city has to offer. Am I in a hurry to go back? No. However, there is so much history and tradition in this city, I truly believe everyone should experience it at least once. Even if you’re like me and find downtown NOLA and Bourbon Street to be too much for you, I guarantee you’ll find something else to love about New Orleans. Whether it’s the parades, tours, gardens, or architecture, New Orleans truly does offer a lot to impress with.

Happy Exploring!

When you make purchases through the links in my post, I may earn commissions at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As always, I only provide links to products and services I recommend.   Read my full disclosure  here .

7 thoughts on “Is New Orleans Worth Visiting? An Honest Opinion”

I have never been there, but it’s a place I’ve always wanted to go with the rich culture and good food.

This looks so fun! Thank you for sharing 😊

I laughed so hard when you said “it’s just a lot for two people who don’t like seafood, loud music, or the thought of voodoo” because that’s me to a T, and I also found that my trip of 4 days was more than enough!!

I love this! I have friends who absolutely adore these aspects of New Orleans, but it was just a bit too much for me.

Thank you for this sharing your honest opinion. I am thinking of stopping in New Orleans for a night when my family and I make a 10-hour trip across the South. I love nature preserves and was told by my dad’s family that I am related to Jean LaFitte, so I definitely want to check that out.

Hosting a military reunion in New Orleans this year. Our site tour was amazing!! We have decided to use Machu Picchu Tours for getting around town (site seeing) and for parking. After speaking with several companies in the area we found Angel has given our group the right combination of information and attention that will work best for our group.

Our group site tour lasted 3 days. Day one was arrival and check-in. I worked with the Higgins Hotel as our group will visit the WWII museum. The hotel has a roof top view and a 1st floor lounge area (also a restaurant serving breakfast and lunch). Rosie’s is the rooftop bar area that also serves food up until 10 pm.

There is so much to see in the area. The riverwalk (mall) area provides views of the NOLA waterfront and is within walking distance of the hotel. There are also several other hotels in this area, I believe it is referred to as the Warehouse District, it is about 10 minutes away from the garden district.

Also, getting around… the Trolley car is $3.00 a day, using the Jazzy Pass (great inside tip!!) also good for bus transfer… Next up… Hop on Hop off bus tour… a guided tour of the city, runs from 9 am to 5 pm (roughly) and is $53.00. A great way to get info about the areas around NOLA…

There’s lots more that could be said here… Canal Street has lots to see and do.. band “shout outs” are common and there is shopping and dining. I wouldnt recommend driving anywhere as paying to park ($10.00 an hour on average) adds up quick. The streets are tight and the parking fills up quick….. Lastly, Uber and Lyft services are available, but they are about double the cost of what was expected… great for quick trips, but expensive to use all day…..

Also not mentioned here…. great place to catch a western Caribbean cruise… Carnival Cruise ship docks here.

Thanks for your review.. .Just thought I would mention some smaller considerations that add to your great writeup.

Thanks so much for your suggestions! These are great tips and ideas of things to do! I agree, there are lots of activities in NOLA.

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The 16 best new orleans tours.

Maximize your time in the Big Easy with these top New Orleans tours.

The Best New Orleans Tours

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Enjoy a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi River with Steamboat Natchez.

To get the full experience of a city like New Orleans , there's no better way than to follow a local's advice. With the help of traveler reviews, U.S. News tracked down some of the best guided New Orleans tours that will give you a true lay of the land – from walks through famous cemeteries and tales of haunted mansions to finding the best beignets and live street music.

Steamboat Natchez – New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise

Price: Adults from $39; kids from $16 Duration: 2 hours

Cruise down the Mississippi River on a historic, paddle-wheel riverboat during this two-hour tour. As you take in the sights along the riverbank, you'll hear commentary from the captain while live jazz music is performed. You also have the option to upgrade your ticket to include lunch. Reviewers are complimentary of the family-friendly cruise, calling it relaxing. They are also impressed by the live jazz music. However, a few travelers advise against booking the lunch option, describing the food as average.

Tickets start at $39 per adult and $16 per child ages 6 to 12. Children ages 2 to 5 ride free. Tours are generally offered Monday to Saturday at 11 a.m. An evening cruise is also available.

View & Book Tickets: Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3

Two Chicks Walking Tours – Garden District Walking Tour

Price: From $30 Duration: 2 hours

Take a stroll through one of New Orleans' most picturesque neighborhoods and soak in the area's rich history on Two Chicks' Garden District Walking Tour. On this two-hour tour, guides take you by local mansions, including Buckner Mansion (featured in "American Horror Story: Coven") while regaling you with history about the homes and neighborhood. Reviewers enjoy the storytelling and humor of Two Chicks' tour guides, as well as their vast local insight.

Tours are typically offered daily at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets cost about $30 per person. Two Chicks' other tours include guided walks through the French Quarter .

View & Book Tickets: Option 1 | Option 2

Witches Brew Tours – New Orleans Ghost, Voodoo, and Vampire Tour

Price: Adults from $29; kids from $20 Duration: 2 hours

Get your adrenaline pumping and your ghost radar up on this two-hour walking tour through the French Quarter's most haunted areas. Guides take a maximum of 28 people along for the ride, while recounting stories of famous ghosts and local witchcraft. The tour also includes a stop at New Orleans' most haunted house (belonging to Madame Delphine LaLaurie), which was featured in the TV show "American Horror Story: Coven." Along with the beautiful scenery and architecture, reviewers love the tour guide's local knowledge and stories about the area.

Tours are available daily in the morning, afternoon and evening at various times. Tickets start at $29 for adults and $20 for kids ages 6 to 12. If you're craving more, check out the company's Voodoo, cemetery and French Quarter tour.

Destination Kitchen – New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter

Price: From $76 Duration: 3 hours

Satisfy your inner foodie (and stomach) on this three-hour food tour from Destination Kitchen. A local guide takes you to some of the French Quarter's most famous restaurants for six or seven food tastings. Some of the dishes sampled may include jambalaya, muffuletta and pralines. In addition to the eclectic tastings, travelers commend the knowledgeable guides and the history they share. Reviewers are also impressed by the generous portion sizes.   Tickets start at $76 per person and include all food tastings (cocktails can be purchased separately). Tours are available daily in the morning and afternoon. Destination Kitchen also offers a version of this tour that includes a cooking class.

Courtesy of Airboat Adventures

Tours with Airboat Adventures give travelers a close-up look at New Orleans' famous swamps.

Airboat Adventures – New Orleans Airboat Ride

Price: From $59 Duration: 2 hours

Experience the wild side of Louisiana on a New Orleans Airboat Ride. For nearly two hours, you'll zip through the Lafitte National Preserve and bayous while keeping your eyes peeled for the swamp's resident animals, including alligators, herons, ibises and turtles. Visitors love being close to wildlife and seeing the animals' natural habitats. They also compliment the friendly guides for their entertaining and informative commentary.

Tickets start at $59 per person on a large airboat (up to 30 passengers) and $89 per person on a small airboat (up to 10 passengers). Children ages 5 and younger and pregnant women are not permitted to ride. Tours are offered several times daily. Keep in mind: The departure point for the boat tour is located approximately 30 miles from downtown New Orleans. You can arrange your own transportation or pay extra for round-trip transportation provided by the company.

View & Book Tickets: Viator

Confederacy of Cruisers – Creole New Orleans Bike Tour

Price: From $44 Duration: 3 hours

Hop on a bike and let Confederacy of Cruisers show you a new side of New Orleans. With the help of a local expert, you'll bike 6 miles at your own pace (tours generally last three hours), cruising through the historic Bywater and Faubourg Marigny neighborhoods, down Esplanade Avenue and through Treme. Reviewers appreciate that the route takes you beyond the typical sights. Meanwhile, other participants love the tour's leisurely pace and the ease of riding the company's cruiser bicycles.

Tours are generally offered seven days a week in both the morning and afternoon, though there are no tours on summer Tuesdays. Tickets start at $49 per person, which includes the bike rental. If you plan on bringing your own bike, tickets start at $44. Tours are capped at eight people. The company also offers culinary and cocktail bike tours.

View & Book Tickets: Confederacy of Cruisers

Royal Carriages – New Orleans History & Haunts Carriage Tour

Price: From $70 Duration: 1 hour

For a hair-raising tour of the French Quarter, consider this nighttime mule-drawn carriage ride. The one-hour tour details the city's purportedly haunted past and features landmarks like the LaLaurie Mansion, the Gardette-LaPrete Mansion and Muriel's Restaurant. Reviewers praise the guides for their humorous storytelling and say this is the perfect activity for tourists.

The small-group tours, which are capped at eight participants, are offered multiple times daily; exact departure times vary by season. Tickets cost $70 per person. You'll meet carriages in front of Jackson Square . Travelers also have the option to book private carriage rides, as well as daytime tours of the French Quarter.

City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off Tour

Price: Adults from $42; kids from $10 Duration: 1.5 hours

Create your own adventure with the help of City Sightseeing's Hop-On Hop-Off tour. Along the 90-minute route, you'll stop at some of New Orleans' top attractions , including the National WWII Museum , Frenchmen Street and the Garden District, for a total of 19 stops. You're welcome to get off the double-decker bus at any stop and get on again at your leisure; buses service each stop every 30 minutes. Reviewers appreciate the convenience and ease the bus provides for touring the city and applaud the knowledgeable onboard guides, who provide commentary throughout the journey. However, a few reviewers note that the quality of the guides can vary widely.

Tours are available daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. One-day tickets start at $46 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. Packages that include multiday hop-on, hop-off tours plus walking tours of different neighborhoods, are also available.

View & Book Tickets: Viator | GetYourGuide

Randy P. Schmidt | Courtesy of Kayak-iti-Yat

Kayak-iti-Yat offers a relaxing, yet active, way to see New Orleans.

Kayak-iti-Yat Original Kayaking Tours of New Orleans – Big Easy Bayou Tour

Price: From $49 Duration: 2 hours

See Bayou St. John from the water on Kayak-iti-Yat's Big Easy Bayou Tour. If you want to relax, this is the tour for you as you'll spend most of the two-hour trip leisurely paddling by architectural must-sees and interesting landmarks, including homes built in the late 1700s. Along the way, guides will give you the rundown on local trivia and historical lore. In addition to the engaging and informative guides, reviewers also enjoy the tour's laid-back pace.

Tickets start at $49 per person. Tours are generally offered Wednesday through Monday in the morning and evening. If you're looking for more fun on the water, the company also offers a paddle of the full length of Bayou St. John.

View & Book Tours: Kayak-iti-Yat

Wild Louisiana Kayak Swamp Tours – Manchac Magic Kayak Swamp Tours

Keep your eyes peeled for alligators, eagles, snakes, egrets, herons and owls as you paddle through Manchac Swamp on this two-hour kayak tour. The swamp, which was once used as a logging waterway, features slow-moving currents, making this an ideal trip for beginners and children. Reviewers gush about the beautiful cypress trees and many animal sightings, and say guides are experts in the swamp's history and ecology.

Tours can be booked daily at 10:15 a.m. as well as 1 and 4 p.m.; an 8:15 a.m. tour is also available in the summer months. Tickets start at $59 per person and include use of the kayaks, life vests and necessary gear. Note that the swamp is located about 30 miles northwest of the French Quarter. For an additional charge, you can use Wild Louisiana's shuttle to get to and from the city. Wild Louisiana also offers kayak fishing trips and photography tours, among other options.

Cajun Encounters – Daily Swamp Tour

Price: Adults from $32.75; kids from $21.75 Duration: 2 hours

See the Big Easy's Honey Island up close on one of Cajun Encounters' swamp tours. This two-hour tour will take you through wildlife territory on a flat-bottomed boat for up-close views of Louisiana alligators, boars, snakes and egrets – all with a minimal impact on the environment. Reviewers enjoy the adventurous feel of the tour and the company's experienced guides.

Tickets start at $32.75 for participants ages 12 and older and $21.75 for children ages 4 to 11; infants 3 and younger ride free. For an additional charge, the company also provides round-trip transportation from select locations within downtown New Orleans. Tours are offered daily multiple times in the morning and afternoon. Cajun Encounters also offers city bus tours, plantation tours and sunset swamp tours, among others.

Buzz Nola – Garden/Quarter Combo Bike Tour

Price: From $50 Duration: 3 hours

Cycle your way through the city and see the best of the Garden District and the French Quarter with the help of Buzz Nola. This three-hour guided bicycle tour takes you through two of the most popular areas of the city, with historical trivia and interesting tidbits about New Orleans' early beginnings shared along the way. The tour also includes a visit to an above-ground cemetery. Reviewers rave about their guide's storytelling, as well as how much ground they covered in a short time.

Tours are typically available daily at 10 a.m. and/or 1:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50 per person and include bicycle and helmet rental, as well as water. Riders must be at least 12 years old. Need some help riding? Sign up for the company's electric bike tour instead.

Courtesy of Doctor Gumbo Tours

Visitors will sample New Orleans' staple cuisine while learning about the city's history and culture on Doctor Gumbo's Food History Tour.

Doctor Gumbo Tours – Food History Tour in New Orleans

Price: From $75 Duration: 3 hours

See the role food has played in shaping New Orleans' past and present with Doctor Gumbo's Food History Tour. During this three-hour walking tour, you'll taste classic and signature dishes (think: gumbo, po'boys and muffulettas) at up to five restaurants in the French Quarter. In addition to the food, tour guides share a variety of local stories and historical trivia – a highlight for participants. Travelers are also complimentary of the venues and the dishes.

Tickets start at $75 per person. Tours are generally offered Wednesday through Sunday at 1 p.m.; private excursions run Monday and Tuesday. If you're looking to further enrich your experience (and trivia skills), Doctor Gumbo also offers a cocktail history tour, as well as a combo food and cocktail history tour.

Gray Line – New Orleans Craft Cocktail Walking Tour

Price: From $68 Duration: 2.5 hours

If you want to experience all the French Quarter has to offer in the cocktail department, allow Gray Line to assist. This 2 1/2-hour tour will take you through the famous neighborhood with stories (and samples) of three cocktails, stopping at places like the Carriageway Bar and Pirate's Alley Café & Old Absinthe House. Additional drinks are available throughout the tour for purchase. Tourgoers especially like the diversion from a traditional pub crawl and that Gray Line includes history and culture trivia.

Tickets start at $68 per person; participants must be 21 or older. Tours are offered daily at 4 p.m. Gray Line offers additional walking tours, as well as ghost, plantation and swamp tours, among others.

New Orleans Secrets – Magazine Street Foodie Tour

Price: From $125 Duration: 3 hours

During this three-hour tour, you'll venture to four savory restaurants and one dessert boutique in the Garden District. Along the way, you'll enjoy six menu items and a pint of local beer or soda. Reviewers praise the beauty and charm of the Garden District, and are not disappointed by the quality or quantity of food. What's more, tour sizes are capped at nine people, making for an intimate experience, according to reviewers.

Tours are offered Thursday through Monday at 11 a.m., with an additional 3 p.m. tour on select days. Tickets cost approximately $125 per person. New Orleans Secrets also offers history, swamp and ghost tours.

View & Books Tickets : New Orleans Secrets

Tours By Steven – Garden District & Lafayette Cemetery Walking Tour

Price: Adults from $30; kids from $22 Duration: 2 hours

Stroll by celebrity homes, famous filming locations and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 on this two-hour walking tour of the Garden District. Along the way, your guide will share information about the district's distinct architecture and history, as well as the unique burial customs of the city's famous cemeteries. Reviewers appreciate the personable tour guides and say the experience made them appreciate the district's unique architecture and history.

Tours typically run daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets for participants ages 12 and older start at $30; children ages 6 to 11 can join for $22. The company also offers walking tours of the French Quarter and St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.

You may also be interested in:

• The Best New Orleans Cemetery Tours
• The Best New Orleans Ghost Tours
• The Best New Orleans Plantation Tours
• The Best New Orleans Swamp Tours
• The Best New Orleans Walking Tours
• The Top Mississippi River Cruises
• The Top Things to Do in Texas
• The Top Things to Do in Arkansas
• The Top Things to Do in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Tags: New Orleans , Tours , Travel , Vacations , food and drink , Louisiana Vacations , Southeast Vacations , US Vacations

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New Orleans Reviews & Ratings

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Benin and Togo Voodoo Discovery

It’s a shame I can’t give this 5 stars as the itinerary is incredible and the local guides worked really hard Noah and Ben … so my score is not fair on them. But I...

One must temper their expectations when traveling in countries without an established tourism industry, however the value of booking through Explore! is meant to be ...

A great trip for experienced travellers. The mask ceremonies were brilliant and there were lots of opportunities to interact with local people. The stay at Ganvie s...

Generally very well run trips The highlight was the day at the stilt village..

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Read Your Way Through New Orleans

New Orleans is a thriving hub for festivals, music and Creole cuisine. Here, the novelist Maurice Carlos Ruffin shares books that capture its many cultural influences.

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By Maurice Carlos Ruffin

Read Your Way Around the World is a series exploring the globe through books.

New Orleans is a tourist destination frequented as much for its local dishes (gumbo, jambalaya, among others) as for the spectacle that is Mardi Gras — where you may run into drunk college students on spring break, but could also bump into the Grammy Award-winning artist Jon Batiste. By some counts, it’s one of the most festive cities in America, with a party or two happening almost every week.

Behind all the festivities, though, is a rich and dark history. The city is an eclectic mix of Caribbean, French, Spanish and Native American cultures, and, depending on which neighborhood you encounter, you may feel a sense of disorientation. Historically, enslaved people from other states were sometimes sent to New Orleans as punishment, but the city also served as a home base for many Haitians seeking a new life after their country gained independence in 1804.

The literature of New Orleans is an important supplement to your experience of the city. These books are both a compass to guide you through its many different influences and a celebration of the free spirit that has made the city a haven for itinerant artists, writers and travelers in search of a new perspective.

What should I read before I pack my bags?

“Economy Hall: The Hidden History of a Free Black Brotherhood ,” by Fatima Shaik, provides a fascinating look at the city from the slavery era through the Jazz Age. Using primary documents that her father rescued from a trash hauler’s pickup truck, Shaik builds a nonfiction narrative that’s both illuminating and compulsively readable.

“New Orleans Griot: The Tom Dent Reader ,” a collection of Dent’s writings edited by Kalamu ya Salaam, covers the life of an important literary figure. These pieces provide an insider’s view of the city’s legendary Mardi Gras Indians , as well as Mississippi’s Free Southern Theater during the Black Arts movement. In many ways, modern New Orleans writers are descendants of Dent and his cohort.

Also consider a Pulitzer Prize-winning cult classic: John Kennedy Toole’s “A Confederacy of Dunces.” It is somewhat of a riff on Don Quixote and captures the cockeyed whimsy that helps natives live in a city that is below sea level and perpetually threatened with destruction by the forces of nature.

What books or authors should I bring along with me?

“Unfathomable City: A New Orleans Atlas ,” by Rebecca Solnit and Rebecca Snedeker, is a collection of essays that touches on almost every neighborhood in the city. Published in 2013, several years after the catastrophic damage caused during Hurricane Katrina and the government’s response , these snapshots will help orient the reader as they travel from place to place. One essay, for example, traces the connection between the city’s vibrant marching band culture and how those young members go on to become professional musicians.

Definitely read Sarah M. Broom’s memoir, “ The Yellow House ,” the 2019 winner of the National Book Award for nonfiction. This book deftly weaves the history of one family with the development of a neighborhood called New Orleans East, depicting life outside of the tourist districts where many working-class locals live. It’s about the dreams we have and the way those dreams do and don’t come true.

If I have no time for day trips, what books could take me farther afield instead?

Do a double header of Ernest J. Gaines classics, “Bloodline” and “A Lesson Before Dying.” Both books focus on the rural Black community in Pointe Coupée Parish, La., where he was raised. His ability to compellingly render that community, which was otherwise ignored by history, is one of the many reasons he earned fellowships from the MacArthur Foundation and the Guggenheim Foundation, among other accolades.

Before Hurricane Katrina, there was another natural disaster that redefined New Orleans: the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 . John M. Barry’s “Rising Tide” examines, in enthralling prose, the flood’s consequences for the people who lived in the rural parts of Louisiana that lacked levee protection. The book is a tale of government mismanagement and neglect that foreshadowed the arrival of Katrina many decades later.

What books can take me behind closed doors?

Jarvis DeBerry was an opinion columnist for The Times-Picayune and NOLA.com for 21 years. His excellent collection of essays, “I Feel to Believe: Collected Columns , ” covers virtually every topic that was important to the life of the city between 1998 and 2019. Fearless in DeBerry’s explorations of race, policing, education, politics and the quirkiness of New Orleans, this book is a must read.

“1 Dead in Attic: After Katrina,” by Chris Rose, is often called the definitive book about life in the city at the time of Katrina. With gallows humor and a keen eye, Rose gives the ultimate local’s perspective. For many residents who lost loved ones or property and felt abandoned by the government, this book offered catharsis.

Also, Mona Lisa Saloy has a wonderful book of poetry called “Black Creole Chronicles” that captures so much of the linguistic cadence and rhythm of locals who are heavily influenced by both African American and Francophile culture. She preserves the voices of 20th century New Orleans like no one else.

What writer is everyone in town talking about?

Karisma Price’s debut poetry collection, “ I’m Always So Serious ,” has set New Orleans buzzing with the deftness of her vision and her attention to the kind of details that show the city in a fresh way. Also, Jami Attenberg, who moved to the city about a decade ago, has become a central and supportive figure in the local literary community. She has not one but two books out this year: “ 1,000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round” and the forthcoming “A Reason to See You Again.” The first is a craft book centered around Attenberg’s popular writing program ; the latter, a novel, follows a troubled mother and her two daughters over four decades.

What literary landmarks and bookstores should I visit?

Baldwin & Co. a short walk from Jackson Square — the centerpiece of New Orleans for centuries — has become a community hub in its three years. Classic bookstores with local owners like Community Book Center and Octavia Books , which just finished an extensive renovation, are great places to learn about the city’s literary history. Also, some of New Orleans’s streetcar lines are still operational and worth a ride — especially for fans of the Tennessee Williams play “A Streetcar Named Desire.” While the Desire line no longer exists, the other lines offer great views of the city at a leisurely pace.

What else should I consider?

New Orleans has beautiful parks and public venues. Go for a walk in Crescent Park, which has gorgeous views of the downtown skyline and places to sit and read. Audubon Riverview Park, known to locals as “The Fly,” and Audubon Park proper are great places to lay out a blanket with one’s book of choice.

A trip to New Orleans must also include beignets at Cafe Du Monde . For a classic New Orleans lunch, stop by Neyow’s , Parkway Bakery or Commander’s Palace and O’Delice or Sucré for dessert. Walk through the French Quarter, take a ride on the St. Charles streetcar line and visit the New Orleans Museum of Art . When you’re ready for dinner, consider Dooky Chase , Morrow’s or Herbsaint before nightcapping at the Maple Leaf Bar or Blue Nile while listening to live music. And remember: Tip the performers — it’s good etiquette.

Maurice Carlos Ruffin’s New Orleans Reading List

“Economy Hall: The Hidden History of a Free Black Brotherhood,” Fatima Shaik

“New Orleans Griot: The Tom Dent Reader,” Tom Dent, edited by Kalamu ya Salaam

“A Confederacy of Dunces,” John Kennedy Toole

“Unfathomable City: A New Orleans Atlas ,” Rebecca Solnit and Rebecca Snedeker

“The Yellow House,” Sarah M. Broom

“Bloodline” and “A Lesson Before Dying,” Ernest J. Gaines

“Rising Tide: The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How It Changed America,” John M. Barry

“ I Feel to Believe: Collected Columns,” Jarvis DeBerry

“1 Dead in Attic: After Katrina,” Chris Rose

“Black Creole Chronicles,” Mona Lisa Saloy

“I’m Always So Serious,” Karisma Price

“1,000 Words: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round” and “A Reason to See You Again,” Jami Attenberg

“A Streetcar Named Desire,” Tennessee Williams

Maurice Carlos Ruffin, who grew up in New Orleans, is the author of “ The American Daughters ” and “ The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You .”

An earlier version of this article misstated where the bookstore Baldwin & Co. is located. The bookstore is not in Jackson Square, but a short walk from Jackson Square.

An earlier version of this article provided an incorrect title for Chris Rose’s book about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The book is titled “1 Dead in Attic,” not “1 Dead in the Attic.”

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