Overview
The Central Business District (CBD) is the part of New Orleans similar to what many cities call "Downtown" (though in New Orleans this term is often used to refer to a broad portion of the city down river from Canal Street). Just "up" (meaning up the Mississippi River) from the French Quarter is the CBD. Like many other large American cities, this area has skyscrapers and modern office towers housing cooperate and regional offices; however some interesting 19th-century architecture is also preserved. The area also has hotels, residences, restaurants, museums, and art galleries. Located here are the Morial Convention center, Lee Circle, Champion Square, and the gigantic Caesars Superdome. The main avenues are Canal Street, Poydras Street, Loyola Ave and St. Charles Ave.
Some locals and guidebooks still refer to the CBD or the older part of it as the American Quarter, as it was the first part of town settled by large numbers of people from other parts of the United States, as opposed to the older French Quarter.
The portion of the "CBD" nearer the river is often called the "Old Warehouse District" or Warehouse District. In the late 20th century many of the 19th-century warehouses were converted into condominiums, art galleries, and restaurants.
12 sights · 6 things to do · 10 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 17 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Central Business District
Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
A fine aquarium at the foot of Canal Street. Take advantage of the combination ticket, which enables access to the Aquarium, the adjoining Entergy IMAX Theatre, and the Audubon Zoo which is uptown (shuttle provided).
Audubon Insectarium
An attraction opened in 2008 in the historic old Custom House Building on Canal Street. As it's in a Federal building, you'll pass through a metal detector.
Lafayette Square
The center of what was the "Old American Quarter" in the early 19th century, with the city's neo-classical city hall and a belle epoch courthouse.
Caesars Superdome
It was built as the Louisiana Superdome, and is home of the NFL's New Orleans Saints. When no games or events are scheduled, you can take tours.
Smoothie King Center
Located beside the Superdome, the Smoothie King Center (formerly New Orleans Arena) hosts smaller shows & sporting events. Most notably home to the NBA's New Orleans Pelicans.
Morial Convention Center
The first part of the city's large convention center complex was built during the 1984 World's Fair and is named after a former mayor.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 94°F; winter lows dip to about 46°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby New Orleans)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MSY Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, New Orleans — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
- GPT Gulfport Biloxi International Airport, Gulfport — 68 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $23–$99 a night (typical $89), from 5 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$70, mid-range ~$160, comfortable ~$260.
Options are grouped as Budget, Mid-range, Splurge in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Lafayette Square, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, National World War II Museum
- Lunch Cafe Du Monde
- Afternoon Morial Convention Center, Contemporary Arts Center
- Dinner City Greens
- Evening Gordon Biersch
Day 2
- Morning Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Insectarium, Caesars New Orleans
- Lunch La Boca
- Afternoon Entergy IMAX Theatre, Mardi Gras World
- Dinner Merchant
- Evening Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar
Day 3
- Morning Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center, Confederate Museum
- Lunch Mulate's
- Afternoon Howlin' Wolf, Saenger Theater
- Dinner Emeril's
- Evening Sazerac Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
See
- Art galleries line Julia Street. Evenings of the first Saturday of the month are festive with new exhibits opening.
See Lafayette Square
The center of what was the "Old American Quarter" in the early 19th century, with the city's neo-classical city hall and a belle epoch courthouse.
See Mardi Gras World
The colorful floats for many of the parades of New Orleans Mardi Gras are made here. Experience a taste of Mardi Gras any time of year.
See National World War II Museum
Formerly the "D-Day Museum". Exhibits on the United States in World War II on the battlefronts and the home front. It has a restaurant, the "Victory Theater" presenting multi-media historical presentation, and the "Stage Door Canteen" featuring live music shows in the style of World War II-era USO shows.
- Walking tours of the buildings of the Old American Quarter.
Do
Live entertainment
- Davenport Lounge, on the 3rd floor of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 921 Canal. Th-Sa nights jazz bands and singers, in the style and atmosphere of an upscale pre-World War II jazz club. They serve good meals as well. Not cheap, but truly swank.
Buy
- Art at the galleries along Julia Street.
Eat
Budget
Eat Cafe Du Monde
Sells chicory-flavored coffee with New Orleans beignets.
Eat City Greens
Soups, salad, wraps; breakfast & lunch.
- Mothers 401 Poydras. Great "po' boys" (New Orleans style sandwiches); Located at Poydras @ Tchoupitoulas in the lower CBD. Try the "debris" po'boy, made with the bits of beef that remain in the pan once the main cut is removed. The bread pudding is also famous and very good. Weekday lunch crowd of local business people, but the line moves fast.
Coffee and snacks
- PJ's Coffee popular local chain with locations at 622 Canal Street and 644 Camp Street.
Mid-range
Eat La Boca
Argentine steak house.
Eat Merchant
Crepes, quiches, sandwiches, salads.
Eat Mulate's
At Convention Center Boulevard. The other well known Cajun place.
- Tomas Bistro 755 Tchoupitoulas. Contemporary Creole. Dinner nightly. +1 504 527-0942
Splurge
Eat Emeril's
In the Warehouse District.
Eat Grill Room at Windsor Court Hotel
Contender for best restaurant, but very expensive; in the CBD just down from the Casino. They also serve a fine high-tea.
Eat Palace Cafe
French Creole, noted for the seafood and duck dishes, and the luscious white chocolate bread pudding.
Eat Restaurant August
Renowned chef John Besh's signature restaurant featuring Contemporary French with a focus on local ingredients. Menu balances seafood, fowl and meat. Try either the 5 course tasting or the John Besh "Degustation" menu which changes nightly.
Drink
- Circle Bar, 1032 St. Charles (on Lee Circle at Howard Avenue). Casual joint with good jukebox
Drink Gordon Biersch
Handcrafted beer brewery and restaurant.
Drink Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar
Relaxed. All-you-can-eat crawfish party Sunday evenings.
Drink Sazerac Bar
In the Roosevelt Hotel. Sip signature drinks like the original Sazerac cocktail or the Ramos gin fiz.
Sleep
Numerous hotels are in this part of town.
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Stay The Roosevelt
One of the city's grand old hotels; reopened in 2009 after a $145-million restoration modernized the rooms, returned the lobby to its historic glory, and reopened the famous Sazerac Bar and the Blue Room dinner & music venue. The lobby is worth a look even if you're not staying here.
Go next
The convenient location of the neighborhood, especially the area between Rampart and the river, allows easy access to other parts of town: walk across Canal Street and you're in the upper part of the French Quarter. Take the red Canal Streetcar line away from the river to the attractions of Mid-City, or in the other direction the end of the line and you're at the edge of Faubourg Marigny. The green St. Charles Streetcar line takes you to Uptown and Carrollton. The ferry at the foot of Canal Street (free for pedestrians, $1 for cars) will take you across the Mississippi to the Algiers neighborhood, and give you a scenic budget mini-cruise of the River in the process.
Nearby
Jefferson
City / town · 10 listings · 5 mi away
Chalmette
City / town · 1 listings · 6 mi away
Metairie
City / town · 18 listings · 7 mi away
Avondale
City / town · 3 listings · 9 mi away
Kenner
City / town · 5 listings · 12 mi away
Saint Rose
City / town · 1 listings · 14 mi away
Jean Lafitte
City / town · 7 listings · 15 mi away
Luling
City / town · 4 listings · 18 mi away
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