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New Orleans Travel Guide (2025)
New Orleans, Louisiana, nicknamed "The Big Easy," is a vibrant, culturally rich city known for its unique blend of French, African, Spanish, and American influences. Famous for its lively music scene, particularly jazz, it offers an eclectic mix of historic architecture, world-class cuisine, and spirited festivals like Mardi Gras, Essence Music Festival, and NOLA Christmas Fest.
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Visitors can explore the iconic French Quarter, with its colorful buildings and lively bars, or stroll Magazine Street, a popular shopping destination with many locally-owned shops, art galleries, and restaurants. Whether you're savoring Creole dishes, dancing to live music, or enjoying the beautiful Mississippi River views, my New Orleans travel guide will help you plan an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience. In my guide, you'll find top attractions, culinary delights from renowned restaurants, cultural events, accommodation options, historic sites, local experiences, and so much more!
Learn More: New Orleans: What You Need to Pack
Skip to the section you're most interested in: Top Attractions - Where to Eat - Where to Drink - Cultural Events & Festivals - Historic Sites - Accommodations - Local Experiences - How to Get Around
New Orleans Travel Guide | All You Must Know Before You Go
Top Attractions
French Quarter: The oldest neighborhood in New Orleans known for its historic architecture, vibrant nightlife, and food.
Garden District: A historic neighborhood known for its grand mansions, beautiful gardens, and notable architecture. It's a walkable area with many shops, restaurants, and landmarks.
Magazine Street: A six-mile long street known for its shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Jackson Square: A 2.5-acre park that's known for its bronze statue of Andrew Jackson. It's a National Historic Landmark and popular destination for tourists featuring open-air market space for artists and vendors. It's nearby the famous Cafe du Monde.
Frenchmen Street: A street known for its live music, restaurants, bars, and art.
New Orleans City Park: A 1,300-acre park in the heart of New Orleans. It's one of the largest urban parks in the United States and has been New Orleans' largest outdoor attraction since 1854.
Mardi Gras World: A tourist attraction that offers a behind-the-scenes look at Mardi Gras. It's a 300,000 square foot warehouse where artists and craftsmen build the floats and props for the city's Mardi Gras parades.
Audubon Zoo: A 58-acre zoo that features exotic animals, natural habitats, and educational programs. It's part of the Audubon Nature Institute, which also includes the Audubon Aquarium and Audubon Louisiana Nature Center.
New Orleans Museum of Art: NOMA is a non-profit art museum in New Orleans. It's the oldest fine arts institution in the city.
Louis Armstrong Park: A 32-acre public park located in the Treme neighborhood, across Rampart Street from the French Quarter. The park is name after the Famous jazz musician Louis Armstrong and honors the city's musical heritage.
French Market: A historic open-air market and shopping district that includes a flea market, farmers market, dining, and entertainment. It's the oldest market in the United States.
Where to Eat
Restaurants
Acme Oyster House: Casual seafood restaurant that serves Louisiana-style dishes. Especially known for their chargrilled oysters.
Katie's Restaurant & Bar: Casual, family-owned restaurant and bar that serves Creole-Italian cuisine. It's known for its large portions, beignets, and brunch.
Cajun Seafood: Casual, family-run restaurant creating Southern-style seafood platters, traditional p0-boys, and gumbo. Best known for their boiled seafood including crawfish, shrimp, crab, potatoes, corn, and pigs feet. My go-to location is 1479 N Claiborne Ave, New Orleans, LA 70116.
Jack Dempsey's: Small, down-home restaurant that's been a staple for generations. It's known for its large portions of fried and boiled seafood. Lunch specials available.
Clesi's Seafood Restaurant & Catering: Family run restaurant and catering company that serves New Orleans cuisine and seafood boils. Brunch and weekly specials are available.
Dat Dog: Colorful local counter-serve chain featuring hot dogs, veggie dogs, and sausages, plus fries and shakes. Happy hour menu is available.
Parkway Bakery & Tavern: Longtime neighborhood hangout with a patio known for classic-style po' boys.
Castnet Seafood: Casual restaurant and seafood market that serves fresh, boiled, and fried seafood, po-boys, and gumbo. Be sure to grab a snoball next door at Brain Freeze Snoballs.
French Toast: French Quarter cafe specializing in breakfast fare including savory and sweet options.
Drago's Seafood Restaurant: Modern, downtown hub known its charbroiled oysters and other seafood.
Cafe du Monde: Iconic New Orleans cafe know for cafe au laits, chicory coffee, and beignets.
Happy Hour
Superior Seafood & Oyster Bar: A restaurant serving authentic Louisiana seafood and Creole inspired dishes.
Johnny Sanchez: Modern Mexican restaurant that serves traditional dishes with a contemporary twist.
Copper Vine Restaurant: Wine gastropub and inn located in a historic building in the Central Business District (CBD) that serves Southern regional food and a notable wine list.
Black-owned
JusTini's: Black woman-owned cocktail bar and restaurant. Its' known for its creative cocktails, cozy alcoves, and chandeliers. Happy hour and brunch menus are available.
Morrow's: Polished, casual restaurant that serves classic New Orleans cuisine and Korean dishes. Happy hour and daily specials.
Monday Restaurant & Bar: A restaurant and bar with indoor and outdoor seating that serves American classics with a flavorful twist. Brunch and happy hour menus are available.
Biscuits & Buns on Banks: Comfy coffee shop with sidewalk seating serving American-Creole breakfast and lunch.
Fritai: Laid-back Haitian restaurant that serves traditional and modern dishes aimed at bridging the lost connection between Haiti and New Orleans.
Nice Guys Nola: Restaurant and bar that serves inventive takes on New Orleans classics. Brunch and weekend specials are available.
Neyow's Creole Cafe: Restaurant serving authentic Creole cuisine known for its home-style dishes like gumbo, fried fish, red beans and rice, and smothered pork chops.
Late Night
Willie's Chicken Shack: A restaurant chain that's considered a staple of the French Quarter known for serving fried chicken, plus a range of frozen daiquiris and classic soul food including wings, biscuits, and red beans and rice.
Cleo's: Grocery and contemporary eatery serving Greek and Mediterranean food 24 hours a day. It also sells snacks, candy, and drinks.
Coop's Place: Casual, historic pub located in the French Quarter that serves Cajun and Creole food.
Verti Marte: Longtime market and deli open 24/7 known for Creole-inspired sandwiches and entrees, Breakfast options are available.
Where to Drink
Bars & Lounges
Carousel Bar & Lounge: A historic, circular bar that revolves like a carousel. It's located in the historic Hotel Monteleone. The bar is know for its unique design, craft cocktails, and live entertainment. It's New Orleans' first and only rotating bar.
Chart Room: Dive bar located in the French Quarter known for its friendly atmosphere, affordable drinks, and local vibe. Cash only.
Ingenue: Rooftop bar and restaurant located on the 17th floor of the Troubadour Hotel. It offers unique views of the city skyline, live entertainment, cocktail favorites, and bar snacks.
Beach on Bourbon: Bar/nightclub located on Bourbon Street known for its large dance floor, live music, and vibrant atmosphere. It's considered one of the top spots on Bourbon Street for dancing and partying.
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar: Historic bar considered to be the oldest continuously operating bar structure in the United States. It's known for its Voodoo daiquiris, live piano musics, and vibrant nightlife.
Observatory Eleven Bar: Lively, circular bar and restaurant with city views located on the 11th floor of the Westin. The curated cocktail menu includes original craft cocktails.
The World-Famous Cat's Meow: Karaoke bar located in the heart of the historic French Quarter on Bourbon Street. They offer over-the-top live entertainment and fun atmosphere.
Couvant: French-inspired brasserie located in the Eliza Jane Hotel. The restaurant features a quartz-topped oak bar, intimate dining room, and bistro tables in the courtyard.
Tropical Isle: Bar and nightclub located in the French Quarter on Bourbon Street. It's known for the fame Hand Grenade cocktail.
Pat O'Briens: Bar and restaurant located in the French Quarter. It's known for its dueling piano show, the famous Hurricane cocktail, and other signature drinks.
Find More: New Orleans Full Events & Festival Calendar
Cultural Events & Festivals
Mardi Gras: The biggest celebration in New Orleans, culminating on Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Known for its spectacular parades, vibrant costumes, and deep-rooted traditions, this celebration is a bucket-list experience. Typically celebrated in February or March.
Bayou Classic: It started out as a simple football game between two rival, historically Black universities and now, more than four decades later, it has morphed into a citywide celebration between Southern University and Grambling State University. It's a multi-day event featuring a parade, a battle of the bands, and much more. The game is held annually on Thanksgiving weekend.
National Fried Chicken Festival: Two-day outdoor festival that celebrates food, music, and culture. The festival features chicken from over 40 restaurants, live entertainment, and competitions. The festival is typically held in October.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: Also known as Jazz Fest, is annual festival celebrating music, art, food, culture and heritage of New Orleans. The festival is typically held in April/May.
Essence Festival of Culture: Large annual music and cultural event celebrating African American culture, music, and art. It features renowned performers across various genres like R&B and Hip-Hop, alongside inspirational talks, workshops, and community gatherings. The festival is held over the Fourth of July weekend.
Red Dress Run: Charity fundraiser where participants, regardless of gender wear red dresses and run or walk through city streets, primarily through the French Quarter and Marigny neighborhoods. It's held annually on the second weekend of August.
Allstate Sugar Bowl: College football game played annually at the Caesars Superdome. It's one of the oldest college football games in the United States and usually played on New Year's Day.
Easter Parades: Easter in New Orleans is a festive celebration that includes parades, church service, egg hunts, and brunches.
Easter Parades & Events >>
Halloween: Vibrant, spooky celebration that leverages the city's rich history of voodoo, pirates, and ghosts. It features festive costumes parties, haunted house tours, masquerade balls, and a large-scale Halloween parade called "Krewe of Boo" where floats and costumes are themed around eerie creatures and supernatural elements, all taking place in the French Quarter.
French Quarter Festival: a free, annual celebration of New Orleans' music and food in the French Quarter also known as the Vieux Carre. The festival is typically held in April.
St. Patrick's Day Parades: A multi-week celebration of Irish culture that includes parades, block parties, and pub crawls.
Read More: LGBTQ Festivals & Events
Historic Sites
Congo Square: Open space in Armstrong Park in the Treme neighborhood where enslaved and free people of color gathered throughout the 19th century for meetings, open markets, and the African dance and drumming celebrations. It's a historical landmark that's known for its role in the development of jazz and other New Orleans musical traditions.
Treme: The oldest African American neighborhood in the United States and the cite of many major events that have shaped the course of Black America in the past two centuries. It's known for its jazz clubs, soul food spots, and cultural centers celebrating the neighborhood's African American and Creole heritage.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1: Established in 1789, it's the oldest extant cemetery in New Orleans. It's known for its above-ground tombs, which became popular in the city throughout the late 18th century due to the climate in New Orleans that made traditional underground graves impractical.
Whitney Plantation: Non-profit museum and historic district dedicated to the history of slavery on a former sugar, indigo, and rice plantation.
See More: History Lovers's Guide to New Orleans
Accommodations
Canopy by Hilton New Orleans Downtown: Stylish hotel within a ten-minute walk of the French Quarter.
The Eliza Jane Hotel: Luxury, boutique hotel located two blocks from the French Quarter. It's part of the The Unbound Collection by Hyatt.
voco St. James Hotel: Historic hotel characterized by its French Colonial architecture and Southern charm. It's located on Magazine street, which is in within walking distance of the French Quarter. It's part of the IHG hotel group.
Hilton New Orleans/St. Charles Avenue: 4-star hotel located in city's Central Business District, a short walk to the French Quarter and St. Charles Streetcar line.
JW Marriott New Orleans: 4-star hotel located on Canal Street in the historic French Quarter.
Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans: Luxury hotel situated in the heart of the historic French Quarter with balconies overlooking Bourbon Street.
Book Now: Best Tours, Activities, & Excursions
Local Experiences
The Sazerac House: Museum, distillery, and bar that explores the history of cocktails in New Orleans. Complimentary tours.
Evening Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez: Traditional sternwheel steamboat that offers daytime and dinner cruises on the Mississippi River. The cruise includes live music, historical narration, and optional meals.
Cajun & Creole Cooking Class: The New Orleans School of Cooking offers Cajun and Creole cooking classes that teach the basics of Louisiana cooking.
Go City All-Inclusive Pass with 25+ Attractions: Single ticket that allows you to visit multiple attractions within a chosen city over a set number of consecutive days.
Ghost Tour: Visit haunted locations and share stories of the paranormal
Swamp Tour: Takes visitors through Louisiana wetlands by boat where they can observe diverse wildlife like alligators, birds, turtles, and raccoons in their natural habitat.
Perfume Making Class: Tijon's perfume making class is a hands-on experience where participants create their own signature scent.
Sightseeing Bus Tour: 2.5-hour guided tour that ventures out of the French Quarter to explore the Garden District, Treme, Marigny, 9th Ward, and other unique neighborhoods.
New Orleans Saints Football Game: Experience that includes watching the game at the iconic Caesars Superdome.
New Orleans Pelicans Basketball Game: Professional basketball team that plays in the NBA's Western Conference. The team plays its home games at the Smoothie King Center.
Smoothie King Center Events: Hosts a variety of events including concerts, sport games, and other special events.
Audubon Aquarium: Features a variety of marine life from around the world.
Caesar's New Orleans: Formerly Harrah's New Orleans, is a casino located on Canal Street.
Cemetery Tour: Walking Tours that explore the city's historic cemeteries and the people buried there.
See More: 50 Free Things to Do in New Orleans
How to Get Around
Walking
New Orleans' neighborhoods are compact, making it easy to walk around.
The French Quarter, Central Business District, and Warehouse/Arts/Convention District are all considered "Walker's Paradises".
Public transportation
Streetcars: A fun way to get around the city, operated by the New Orleans Regional Transit
Authority. 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.
Ferries: A unique way to travel along the Mississippi River. RTA Ferries transport travelers to Algiers for $2 per ride and are commonly referred to as "water taxis."
Buses: A modern mode of transportation with extensive routes. 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.
Ride-sharing apps
Uber and Lyft: Widely available in New Orleans, including at the airport.
Airport Shuttle: A shuttle that services the downtown, uptown, and French Quarter districts.
Other transportation options
Pedicabs: A great way to see the city, you can pedal slowly or arrange a pickup.
Bicycles: New Orleans is flat, so it's easy to get around by bike. You can rent a bike from several companies.
Taxis: Available in New Orleans, but you can expect to pay a lot to get from the airport into the city.
New Orleans is a city that blends rich history, diverse culture, and an undeniable sense of joy. Whether you’re exploring its lively neighborhoods, savoring world-class cuisine, or immersing yourself in its vibrant music scene, you’re sure to leave with a deeper appreciation for its unique spirit. No matter the time of year, New Orleans welcomes all with open arms, leaving you with unforgettable memories and a desire to return. It’s more than just a destination—it’s an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left.
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