New Orleans
Vacation Guide
Culture, music, and food unlike anywhere else — New Orleans is one of the most singular cities in America — a place where French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cultures have merged into something that exists nowhere else on earth.
Why visit New Orleans?
New Orleans is one of the most singular cities in America — a place where French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean cultures have merged into something that exists nowhere else on earth. The French Quarter is a walking museum of 300-year-old architecture. The food — from beignets at Café du Monde to a proper muffuletta at Central Grocery — is among the most distinctive in the country. And the music, always the music: jazz drifting out of every bar on Frenchmen Street.
- The most culturally distinct city in America — architecture, food, and music found nowhere else
- Audubon Zoo is one of the finest in the South, beautifully landscaped along the Mississippi River
- Bayou swamp tours offer a genuinely wild wildlife experience within 30 minutes of the city
- Frenchmen Street provides authentic live jazz in intimate venues without the tourist crowds of Bourbon Street
- Exceptional dining: Café du Monde, Commander's Palace, Dooky Chase, and dozens more
Best areas to stay in New Orleans
French Quarter
The historic heart of New Orleans with 18th-century architecture, Jackson Square, and St. Louis Cathedral.Garden District
Beautiful antebellum mansions along Magazine Street, with excellent restaurants and residential elegance.Frenchmen Street / Marigny
The authentic jazz and live music corridor — less touristy than Bourbon Street with better venues.Uptown / Tulane Area
Home to Audubon Zoo and Park along the Mississippi River, with a quieter neighborhood feel.Top attractions in New Orleans
French Quarter
Explore Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the French Market, and the gorgeous ironwork balconies of the Vieux Carré.Audubon Zoo
One of the South's finest zoos, situated in Audubon Park with excellent Louisiana swamp habitat exhibits.Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
A world-class aquarium at the edge of the French Quarter with a Gulf of Mexico exhibit and interactive touch tanks.Bayou Swamp Tours
Airboat or pontoon boat tours into the bayous south of the city — alligators, herons, and ancient cypress trees.National WWII Museum
One of the finest museums in America — an immersive, emotionally powerful experience for older children and adults.More ideas for New Orleans
Café du Monde
Beignets and café au lait in the shadow of Jackson Square — a non-negotiable New Orleans ritual, open 24 hours.Garden District Walking Tour
Explore gorgeous antebellum mansions and above-ground cemeteries of one of America's most beautiful neighborhoods.Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise
A narrated cruise on the Mississippi River on a genuine steam-powered sternwheeler with live jazz.Frenchmen Street Live Music
The authentic New Orleans jazz experience — live bands in small venues with a community atmosphere.How long to spend in New Orleans
Recommended trip length: 3–5 days. Day 1: Arrive, French Quarter walk, Jackson Square, Café du Monde beignets, Frenchmen Street jazz evening. Day 2: Audubon Zoo, Garden District tour, Magazine Street dining. Day 3: Audubon Aquarium, National WWII Museum, Steamboat Natchez cruise. Day 4: Bayou swamp tour, final French Quarter afternoon, depart.
Getting around New Orleans
Fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), about 15 minutes from downtown. The French Quarter and nearby neighborhoods are highly walkable. The St. Charles Avenue streetcar connects the Quarter to the Garden District. Ride-share is widely available.
Best time to visit New Orleans
October through April is ideal — comfortable temperatures and low humidity. February is Mardi Gras season (spectacular but extremely crowded and expensive). Summer (June–August) is very hot and humid. Purchase travel insurance during hurricane season (June–November).
Build your New Orleans itinerary now.
Tell YourTripPilot about your group, budget, and dates — and it builds a personalized New Orleans itinerary matched to your trip. Free.
Plan My New Orleans Trip