New Orleans Travel Guide
- Dominique Coleman
- Sep 4, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 4, 2025
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I recently visited New Orleans for the second time on a solo trip, and I had a great time. I generally prefer to visit new places when I travel, but after my first visit in 2018 for Essence Festival, I knew I wanted to return and immerse myself in the city’s culture and cuisine. Between these two trips, I covered a lot of ground, from the locals’ favorite restaurants and one of the world’s best cocktail bars to various museums and live jazz music experiences. Here’s everything you should know about visiting New Orleans, including where to stay, where to eat, and the best things to do to have a great time in the Big Easy.
When to Visit
Spring or Fall is the best time to visit New Orleans because of the great weather. In the summer, you can expect heat, humidity, and frequent rain due to hurricane season. Weather aside, one of the best times to visit is for one of the city’s many festivals, most notably, Mardi Gras, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the French Quarter Festival, and the ESSENCE Festival of Culture.
How to Get Around
New Orleans’ historic streetcar system is a great, affordable way to explore the city. There are five lines, most notably, the St. Charles Avenue line, the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world. In addition to the streetcar, there’s a very reliable bus system and an Uber/Lyft presence. Depending on where you stay, walking is also a great option.
Where to Stay
Downtown New Orleans, which encompasses the French Quarter and the Central Business District, is generally a great area to stay since it offers easy access to most attractions, restaurants, and nightlife—many spots are walkable, and the streetcar makes it easy to explore beyond the Quarter. If you’re looking for a different vibe, the Garden District is another fantastic option, with oak tree-lined streets, historic mansions, and a quieter, more residential feel while still being close to the action. Here are some standout hotels to consider:
Bourbon Orleans Hotel – A historic hotel sitting right between the lively Bourbon Street and the elegant Orleans Street, this property balances New Orleans charm with modern amenities. It’s a great option if you want to be in the heart of the French Quarter and within walking distance to Jackson Square, live jazz, and some of the city’s best restaurants.
Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter – Located in the middle of Bourbon Street, this hotel is ideal for travelers who want to be at the center of New Orleans’ nightlife. Some rooms even come with balconies that overlook the festivities, giving you a front-row seat to the city’s famous energy.
Omni Royal Orleans Hotel – A classic choice that blends French Quarter architecture with upscale comfort. The rooftop pool and bar have incredible city views, and its central location makes it easy to explore both the Quarter and nearby neighborhoods.
Hotel Tonnelle New Orleans, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott – Set near the Garden District and St. Charles streetcar line, this stylish hotel offers a quieter, more residential experience while still making it easy to get to the French Quarter. It’s great for those who want a balance between neighborhood charm and tourist attractions.
Hotel Saint Vincent – Located in the Lower Garden District, this boutique hotel is all about design and atmosphere. The restored 19th-century building mixes old-world details with trendy touches, plus it has an outdoor pool and multiple restaurants and bars on-site. A perfect pick if you want something Instagrammable and chic.
Things to Do in New Orleans
New Orleans is a city that invites you to slow down, wander, and soak in its unique rhythm. Whether you’re into history, live music, art, or just great food and culture, there’s no shortage of things to fill your itinerary. Here are some of the best things to do:
Explore the French Quarter
Start your trip with a stroll through the French Quarter, the heart of New Orleans. Its colorful architecture, lively streets, and hidden courtyards make it perfect for wandering.
Jackson Square – This iconic plaza is a must-visit. Admire the stunning St. Louis Cathedral, one of the city’s most photographed landmarks, and pop into the Presbytère Museum, which features powerful exhibitions on Hurricane Katrina and the history of Mardi Gras.
Bourbon Street – Known for its neon lights, bars, and non-stop nightlife, Bourbon Street is lively at all hours. Even if it’s not your scene, it’s worth walking through at least once.
French Market – A historic market where you can shop for local crafts, souvenirs, and try regional foods.
Frenchmen Street – Head here in the evening for some of the best live jazz and blues in the city. Don’t miss the Frenchmen Art Market, a night market with local artists, jewelry, and creative pieces.
Preservation Hall – For an intimate and unforgettable live jazz performance, grab tickets to a show here. No frills, just incredible music in one of the city’s most legendary venues.
Ride the Streetcar & Explore the Garden District
Hop on the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar, the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world, and ride to the Garden District, where you’ll find oak tree-lined streets, historic mansions, and boutique shopping.
Magazine Street – Vibrant thoroughfare where you'll find unique shops, art galleries, and cafes.
Women’s Opera Guild House – If you’re curious to peek inside one of the Garden District mansions, this beautifully preserved home is open for tours with a suggested $15 donation, well worth it for architecture lovers.
Self-Guided Walking Tour – Stroll the neighborhood at your own pace and admire the blend of Greek Revival and Victorian architecture. For a complete walking route, check out the NOLA Tour Guy's free map.
Museums & Art
New Orleans has an impressive art and history scene that goes beyond jazz and Mardi Gras. Here's a shortlist of my favorites:
Louisiana Civil Rights Museum – A powerful museum that tells the story of the Civil Rights Movement in Louisiana.
New Orleans Jazz Museum – Celebrates the city’s deep musical roots with exhibitions and performances.
Ogden Museum of Southern Art – A must for art lovers, with one of the largest collections of Southern art in the world.
Studio BE – A striking warehouse-turned-art-space in the Bywater neighborhood, showcasing large-scale murals and installations by local artist Brandan “BMike” Odums, centered around Black history and resilience.
City Park
At 1,300 acres, City Park is even larger than New York’s Central Park and offers a mix of outdoor beauty and cultural attractions. Add these to your must-see list:
New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) – The city’s premier fine arts museum.
Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden – A serene garden with over 90 sculptures set among lagoons and mossy oaks.
Dueling Oak – A historic spot where 19th-century duels once took place.
Café du Monde – Skip the crowds at the French Quarter location and grab your beignets at this quieter outpost.
Tours & Experiences
To dive deeper into the culture and history of New Orleans, consider adding these guided experiences to your trip:
Treme Walking Tour – Explore one of the oldest African American neighborhoods in the U.S. Highlights often include Louis Armstrong Park, Congo Square (a historic gathering place for enslaved Africans), St. Augustine Church, and cultural landmarks that tell the story of this vibrant community.
Live Music Pub Crawl – A fun way to discover local bars and hear live music across the city with a guide who knows the best hidden spots.
Day Trips & Tours Outside the City
If you have extra time, consider these two tours to round out your visit:
Whitney Plantation – A deeply moving and educational experience, this is the only plantation museum in Louisiana with an exclusive focus on the lives of enslaved people.
Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour - Explore Louisiana's protected wetlands on this half-day tour
What & Where to Eat
New Orleans is hailed as one of the best food cities in the world, with Creole and Cajun cuisine heavily influencing traditional New Orleans dishes. Gumbo, crawfish etouffee, po-boys, and beignets, just to name a few, can be found at restaurants throughout the city. When you find yourself in New Orleans, here are some of the traditional dishes you have to try:
Gumbo, which originated from South Louisiana, is typically made with a dark roux, vegetables, chicken, sausage, and shrimp, and served over rice.
Crawfish Etouffee, similar to gumbo, has a lighter roux and gravy-like consistency, cooked with vegetables and crawfish tails.
Red beans and rice are precisely as they sound. The red beans are perfectly seasoned with smoked sausage and Creole seasoning and served over rice. Don’t underestimate how delicious this simple dish can be!
Jambalaya, a one-pot rice dish consisting of vegetables, stock, meat, and/or seafood, with Cajun seasoning.
Muffaletta, an Italian sandwich made with ham, salami, provolone cheese, olive dressing, served on muffaletta bread, a cross between focaccia and ciabatta.
The po-boy is an original Louisiana sandwich consisting of meat or fried seafood, with lettuce, tomato, and sauce.
Beignet, a deep-fried pastry, similar to a donut, covered in powdered sugar.
Here are some of the city’s best restaurants to add to your itinerary:
The award-winning restaurant, the Gumbo Shop was voted the best gumbo shop in America.
Dooky Chase’s, a restaurant with cultural significance, serves up some of the best gumbo, po-boys, and fried chicken in the city.
Central Grocery and Deli is the original home of the muffaletta sandwich.
Antoine’s, New Orleans’ oldest restaurant, is famed as the birthplace of Oysters Rockefeller, Eggs Sardou (poached eggs over artichokes and anchovies), and Pommes de Terre Soufflés (puffed potatoes).
In Mid-City, you’ll find a local favorite, Neyow’s Creole Cafe, where if you can’t decide on which po-boy to go with, you can split a combination of two, which I thoroughly appreciated.
Black-owned Lil Dizzy’s Cafe is a New Orleans institution serving some of the best fried chicken in the city and other New Orleans favorites.
Grab a traditional beignet from Café Du Monde to cure your sweet tooth, and if you prefer a more savory option, try a crab beignet from Loretta’s Authentic Pralines.
For a great live music experience while dining, head over to Arnaud’s Restaurant, Broussard's Restaurant & Courtyard, or Commander’s Palace for the Jazz Brunch.
If you want to explore the culinary scene beyond traditional New Orleans favorites, Dakar NOLA, serving modern Senegalese cuisine, Acamaya, contemporary Mexican seafood, and Saffron, serving elevated Indian fare, are highly acclaimed options.
Where to Drink
New Orleans is not only the birthplace of many classic cocktails, such as the Sazerac, Ramos Gin Fizz, Brandy Milk Punch, and Hurricane, but it is also home to two of the World’s Best Bars, Jewel of the South (#6) and Cure (#47). Here’s a list of cocktail bars to check out in New Orleans:
Jewel of the South, located in the French Quarter, is known for its great caviar menu and classic cocktails, including their signature drink, the Brandy Crusta.
Cure, located in Freret, an up-and-coming arts and culture district, takes a contemporary approach to classic cocktails
The Sazerac Bar, located within the Grand Roosevelt Hotel, is the perfect place to have America’s first cocktail and the official cocktail of New Orleans, the Sazerac.
Carousel Bar, located within the Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, is the city’s first and only revolving bar, offering a unique experience with live entertainment every Thursday through Saturday.
The French 75 Bar at Arnaud’s is a James Beard winner for Outstanding Bar Program and is known for classic New Orleans cocktails with high-quality ingredients.
Bourbon House. If the Brandy Milk Punch caught your attention, head to Bourbon House for their version: Bourbon Milk Punch.
New Orleans is one of those cities that leaves a lasting impression long after you’ve returned home. Between the soulful music drifting through the streets, the incredible food scene, the rich layers of history, and the unmistakable charm of its neighborhoods, the Big Easy has a way of pulling you in.
Whether you spend your days wandering the French Quarter, riding the streetcar through the Garden District, diving into the city’s museums, or simply listening to live jazz, there’s plenty to take in. If New Orleans is on your list, I can’t recommend it enough. Go with an open heart and an empty stomach.
Happy Travels!
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