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 ฿4,469 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
฿4,469
฿6,210 total
11 Nov - 12 Nov
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! (3,955 reviews)
Nice place in a great walkable area.

Reviewed on 22 Oct 2025

Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor by IHG

Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor by IHG

4 out of 5
739 Canal Street at Bourbon, New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿1,972 per night from 3 Nov to 4 Nov
฿1,972
฿3,273 total
3 Nov - 4 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
7.4/10 Good! (4,982 reviews)
We stayed here a few months ago and had a great experience. We decided to book again, and as always, the service was wonderful, the customer service was great, and the hotel was very clean overall. It’s very convenient to New Orleans and everything it has to offer. We will definitely book ...

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor by IHG
Holiday Inn FRENCH QUARTER-CHATEAU LEMOYNE by IHG

Holiday Inn FRENCH QUARTER-CHATEAU LEMOYNE by IHG

3.5 out of 5
301 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿2,432 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
฿2,432
฿3,831 total
17 Nov - 18 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, valet parking (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,382 reviews)
The staff was super friendly and helpful. The room was clean, comfortable, and quiet. The restaurant was yummy.

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

Holiday Inn FRENCH QUARTER-CHATEAU LEMOYNE by IHG
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter

Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter

4 out of 5
124 Royal St, New Orleans, LA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿3,196 per night from 29 Oct to 30 Oct
฿3,196
฿4,747 total
29 Oct - 30 Oct
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! (4,609 reviews)
We enjoyed our stay. The on-site restaurant was very good, the location was great, the rooms were comfortable, clean, and quiet. Staff was variable, some very good and others were not. It’s an older hotel and would benefit from updates; however it was a good price and we were happy with our stay ...

Reviewed on 21 Oct 2025

Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
New Orleans Marriott

New Orleans Marriott

4 out of 5
555 Canal St, New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿3,648 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
฿3,648
฿5,302 total
11 Nov - 12 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy 2 restaurants, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,717 reviews)
Clean room. Thermostat easy to use. TV remote needs some work.

Reviewed on 19 Oct 2025

New Orleans Marriott
The Westin New Orleans

The Westin New Orleans

4.5 out of 5
100 Rue Iberville, New Orleans, LA
The price is ฿4,703 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
฿4,703
฿6,542 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (2,145 reviews)
Clean room, great view

Reviewed on 20 Oct 2025

The Westin New Orleans
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 New Orleans African American Museum of Art, Culture & 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 Degas House Historic Home Courtyard and Inn or Fair Grounds Race Course 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