French Quarter Travel Guide

New Orleans

French Quarter featuring a city, heritage architecture and street scenes
French Quarter
French Quarter
French Quarter
French Quarter

One of New Orleans’ oldest neighbourhoods is popular for an ecclectic blend of romantic history, stunning architecture, jazz and black arts.

The French Quarter is a collection of charming streets at the heart of New Orleans. It’s bordered by Canal Street and home to the origins of this modern city. This is where the original settlers built and where many of the freed slaves, no longer required to work on the surrounding sugar or cotton plantations, resettled. Their influence can be seen in almost every building façade or gated garden in this compact district.

New Orleans was where jazz music originated, and the French Quarter led the way. It was the music of the slaves, with its raucous expression of momentary freedom, that started it all. Over the years, and as immigrants began to integrate as free men, the music developed into a blend unique to New Orleans. And, it was given a unique name: jazz. The French Quarter is still a jazz focal point, with parades held throughout the year to celebrate this pioneering music. 

Aside from music, the French Quarter’s history has a darker side. Stop by the LaLaurie House on Royal Street, an allegedly haunted house where slaves were tortured in a secret attic chamber. Nearby, journey through the city of the dead at St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 where the queen of Voodoo, Marie Laveau, lies buried. It is believed that leaving a gift at her tomb grants a person their wish.  

Relive the romanticism of the past by hiring one of the horse-drawn carriages that wait in lines on Decatur Street, and ride past the district’s varied colonial buildings. Many of these are now home to up-market French restaurants, so couples should take the time for a candle-lit dinner. The French Quarter is also home to the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.

The French Quarter is best seen on foot, and you can get there by taxi, bus, or streetcar.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in French Quarter

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

4 out of 5
717 Orleans St., New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿3,177 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
฿3,177
฿4,498 total
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this historic hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (3,940 reviews)
"Wonderful hotel. The pool area was like a small paradise, the beds were so comfortable. Perfect home base for exploring New Orleans and also relaxing at the hotel. We walked almost everywhere. Loved it and can’t wait to return."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Hyatt Centric French Quarter

Hyatt Centric French Quarter

4 out of 5
800 Iberville Street, New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿2,832 per night from 18 Aug to 19 Aug
฿2,832
฿4,314 total
18 Aug - 19 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,690 reviews)
"The Hyatt Centric was beautiful! The location was perfect and everything was in walking distance. Our room was large and very clean. The only disappointment was there wasn’t a “free” continental breakfast. However, I would recommend the Hyatt Centric to anyone."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Hyatt Centric French Quarter
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter

Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter

4 out of 5
124 Royal St, New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿2,822 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
฿2,822
฿4,304 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,307 reviews)
"Ms. Cee Cee was wonderful! We also loved Ms. Koran at the concierge desk. Both were so warm and welcoming. Housekeeping and engineering were very quick the two times that we had a request. There was lap an older gentleman, and I apologize that I didn’t look at his name tag, but he had glasses and ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
Four Points By Sheraton French Quarter

Four Points By Sheraton French Quarter

3.5 out of 5
541 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿3,563 per night from 6 Aug to 7 Aug
฿3,563
฿4,192 total
6 Aug - 7 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star golf hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,228 reviews)
"I love the property just hope and thought it should’ve had free parking"

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Four Points By Sheraton French Quarter
The Westin New Orleans

The Westin New Orleans

4.5 out of 5
100 Rue Iberville, New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿3,530 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
฿3,530
฿5,304 total
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,928 reviews)
Great stay!
"The hotel was on the canal and a short distance to Bourbon Street. You could walk it or take a taxi. It was too hot for us so transportation was our option. Oliver at the hotel bar was great! The room was wonderful and the bed put me right to sleep. Everything was clean, which is a big deal for me ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

The Westin New Orleans
Omni Royal Orleans Hotel

Omni Royal Orleans Hotel

4 out of 5
621 Saint Louis St, New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿3,426 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
฿3,426
฿5,010 total
10 Aug - 11 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 bars/lounges and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the bar ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,797 reviews)
"We enjoyed our stay very much! Our room was very clean, and the staff at check in was very nice. Made the process very easy. Pool, and upper deck area very nice. Check out was easy as well. Had to wait a little while for them to bring car around, but expected as several people were trying to check ..."

Reviewed on 27 Jul 2025

Omni Royal Orleans Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around French Quarter

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Tremé

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Tremé is noteworthy for its live music, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Mahalia Jackson Theater and Louisiana Museum of African American History.

Tremé
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Faubourg Marigny

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Faubourg Marigny. You can visit top attractions like Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street Jazz Clubs, and jump on the metro at Saint Claude at Elysian Fields Stop or Saint Claude at Pauger Stop to see more of the city.

Faubourg Marigny
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New Orleans Central Business District

4/5(98 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and great live music, there's plenty to explore in New Orleans Central Business District. Check out top attractions like Canal Street and Caesars Superdome, and jump on the metro at Carondelet at Poydras Stop or Poydras Street Stop to see more of the city.

New Orleans Central Business District
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Arts/Warehouse District

4/5(6 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Arts/Warehouse District. Top attractions like National World War II Museum and The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk are major draws, and you can catch the metro at St. Charles at Julia Stop or Saint Charles at Saint Joseph Stop to see more of the city.

Arts/Warehouse District
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Bywater

Live music, bars and historical sites are some highlights of Bywater. Make a stop by Decatur Street or Mississippi River while you're exploring.

Bywater
St Louis Cemetery which includes heritage elements

Mid-City District

If you're spending time in Mid-City District, check out sights like Fair Grounds Race Course or Mahalia Jackson Theater and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Canal at White Stop or Canal at Salcedo Stop.

Mid-City District

French Quarter Travel Guide