Overview
The French Quarter is the oldest and most famous and visited neighborhood of New Orleans. It was laid out in French and Spanish colonial times in the 18th century. While it has many hotels, restaurants, and businesses catering to visitors, it is best appreciated when you recall that it is still a functioning mixed-use residential/commercial neighborhood where locals live.
25 sights · 11 things to do · 34 places to eat · 17 bars & cafés · 33 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about French Quarter
Bourbon Street
Some 8 blocks of Bourbon from Canal Street down are given over to catering to the hard drinking tourists. If getting drunk with other tourists is the goal of your vacation, this is the place for you. Even otherwise, this…
Royal Street
Strolling Royal Street by day is as essential a New Orleans experience as Bourbon Street by night. 1 block away in distance, a world in attitude. There are art galleries, upscale antique stores, landmark hotels and inter…
Jackson Square
The old town square, often live music is going on here, as well as street corner painters and tarot readers. Around the square are:.
Cabildo
Colonial city hall, now a museum; Louisiana Purchase agreements transferring the city from France to the USA were signed here.
Presbytere
Colonial church offices, now another museum, including exhibits on New Orleans Mardi Gras and the city's recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
St. Louis Cathedral
A symbol of New Orleans, this is the oldest Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States and has a giant statue of the Virgin Mary with her arms extended gracing the middle of the courtyard.
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 — 67 mi away. Directions
Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $18–$175 a night (typical $69), from 7 listed prices.
- Typical meal: about $6 per person at listed restaurants.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$40, mid-range ~$120, comfortable ~$270.
Options are grouped as Hostels, Bed and Breakfasts in the Sleep guide ↓.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Royal Street, Madame John's Legacy, Presbytere
- Lunch Gumbo Shop
- Afternoon St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square
- Dinner Sylvain
- Evening Oz
Day 2
- Morning Bourbon Street, Hermann-Grima House, Musee Conti Wax Museum
- Lunch Bayona
- Afternoon New Orleans Jazz Park Visitor's Center & Headquarters, Chartres Street
- Dinner Rampart Treehouse
- Evening Tropical Isle
Day 3
- Morning Cabildo, Pharmacy Museum, Historic New Orleans Collection
- Lunch NOLA
- Afternoon Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve, Cigar Factory New Orleans & Museum
- Dinner Johnny's Po-Boys
- Evening Napoleon House
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.
Understand
The French Quarter or "Vieux Carré" ("old square" in French) stretches along the Mississippi River from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue (13 blocks long) and back from the Mississippi to Rampart Street (6 blocks wide).
"The Quarter" is compact. One can spend an enjoyable vacation here without leaving it for several days. If the French Quarter is your headquarters, consider leaving your car behind and not bothering to rent one if your health permits a few blocks walk. Parking is difficult, expensive, or both. Occasional trips to other parts of town can be made by streetcar or cab. The neighborhood is pedestrian friendly. Take care walking at night, particularly on dark or deserted streets. If you've been drinking, a cab is advisable.
The "Upper Quarter" (between Canal Street and Jackson Square) is the area most patronized by visitors, but the "Lower Quarter" (between Jackson Square and Esplanade Avenue) also has shops and restaurants sprinkled amongst the residences.
See
See Bourbon Street
Some 8 blocks of Bourbon from Canal Street down are given over to catering to the hard drinking tourists. If getting drunk with other tourists is the goal of your vacation, this is the place for you. Even otherwise, this notorious strip of tourist traps is worth at least a quick look for its gaudy sleaziness. Bourbon has not only countless bars but also many fine restaurants featuring delicious local cuisine for people who want to experience the local foods.
See Royal Street
Strolling Royal Street by day is as essential a New Orleans experience as Bourbon Street by night. 1 block away in distance, a world in attitude. There are art galleries, upscale antique stores, landmark hotels and interesting specialty shops. Lots of temptations for those with money, but is also fun window shopping for those not spending a dime.
See Jackson Square
The old town square, often live music is going on here, as well as street corner painters and tarot readers. Around the square are:.
See Presbytere
Colonial church offices, now another museum, including exhibits on New Orleans Mardi Gras and the city's recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
See Pontalba Buildings
4-story brick apartment buildings have specialty shops, restaurants, and a tourist information office on the ground floors.
See Moon Walk
A brick walking path along the Mississippi River across Decatur Street from Jackson Square. The curious name comes from its dedication to former New Orleans mayor Moon Landrieu.
See Chartres Street
Parallels Bourbon and Royal Streets, one block closer to the river than Royal. While less famous with visitors, those who enjoy historic architecture will find the city's greatest concentration of preserved colonial era buildings along Chartres, along with early 19th century town-houses. Plus it passes through Jackson Square. A pleasant walk with local shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars scattered along the street.
See Old French Market
While souvenirs for visitors have taken over a good bit of the space at this more than 250-year-old market, there are still vendors selling fresh produce as in days of old. On weekends a much larger number of vendors set up here, with handicrafts and flea market type goods.
House museums
Some elegant old homes are now museums:
Do
Stroll the streets, look at the architecture, shops, and people. Hear live music in the street, in restaurants, and music venues.
Do Carriage rides
Mule-drawn carriages have driven tourists around the Quarter since the gasoline rationing of the 1940s. Carriage drivers are licensed tour guides and give tourists a full blown tour consisting of a mix of history, architecture, restaurants & stories, though some drivers have been known to spin stories that are more colorful than factual. Available to tourists is a 30-minute tour of the French Quarter, hour tour of the St. Louis No.1 Cemetery/French Quarter combo, hour and one half or two hour Garden District tour, or any combination thereof. Carriage drivers also do bar-hopping tours, shopping by carriage, Marigny tours & ghost tours. There are several options from group rates 6-8 people to private tours for 1-4 people. Things have changed quite a bit in the carriage industry in the past 7 years! Drivers are more customer service oriented & courteous.
Do Street entertainers
Performing for tips from tourists, varying greatly in talent. The still mime-ers are a sight to see, they stand still alone or with a partner and when you give them a tip they will move very slowly in tandem, like a robot. There are excellent musicians who enjoy keeping up their chops out of doors. There are also hacks with little talent other than scamming money. Beware of the Got-yo-shoes-ers; these are scammers who go up to tourists saying "I bet you I know whe' you got yo' shoes!". If they succeed in getting the tourist to take the bet, the answer is "You got yo' shoes on yo' feet!" They usually have a large and threatening-looking friend or someone who looks like they just smoked too much crack nearby to make sure bets are paid. You will almost always encounter one of these burnt out hustlers, when they do just politely reply: "They are on my feet" and they will know the jig is up.
Do Walking tours
Plentiful but often pricey. Most cost $10-20 per person, but there are a couple of good, free walking tours. Or you can simply walk and see all of the landmarks since most are labeled and you can go in and read about it yourself. Park rangers from the Jean Lafitte National Park (see above) offer a free walking tour of the French Quarter that is very informative. Space is very limited, and spots on the tour are only given out on the day of the tour at 9AM. You should try to show up at least half an hour early to reserve a spot. You'll learn the real history of New Orleans, which is often as colorful as the tall stories.
Do Audubon Insectarium
In the historic Old Customs House Building. The Audubon Institute, which also runs the nearby Aquarium and the Zoo up in the Audubon District, opened the Insectarium in 2008. 10a-5p daily.
Live music
- Bourbon Street. Upper Bourbon has been given over to catering to hard-drinking out-of-towners, and this part of the street has a number of music venues (not named here) whose owners make their money off them, with loud mediocre bands hired cheaply. Nonetheless, despite what some say, it is still possible to find New Orleans jazz on Bourbon Street.
Do Maison Bourbon
Sometimes has decent bands (though as often doesn't), as many good local Dixieland players lacking a better gig for the moment often wind up here. As the doors are open to the street, you can listen a bit from outside, judge for yourself whether they have a band you'd enjoy, and walk on by or go on in as appropriate.
Do Palm Court Jazz Cafe
Those who prefer their old style New Orleans jazz in a somewhat more upscale atmosphere where dinner and drinks are served should be sure to visit this place in the lower Quarter. Some of the same musicians who play Preservation Hall play here on other nights, along with other top local classic style jazz greats. The owner's husband runs the Jazzology record company, featuring the world's largest independent label catalogue of trad jazz, so you can pick up CDs by your favorites from Bunk Johnson to current Dixielanders while you're here.
Do Preservation Hall
Established in 1961 to preserve Traditional New Orleans jazz. Talk about atmosphere! Listen to real jazz and nothing else (no booze, no bathrooms). You'll have to stand in line, and most people will stand through the set (accommodations will be made for those who can't stand that long; call +1 504-522-2841, or email info@preservationhall.com in advance). Sets each night from 5PM, Sa and Su from 2:30PM. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the set starts.
Buy
- Art or high-end antiques on Royal Street.
- Tacky t-shirts and souvenirs on Bourbon Street.
- There are several good used book stores on Chartres, Royal, Pirates' Alley, and elsewhere in the Quarter.
Shop Arcadian Books & Art Prints
With stacks of books filling every available surface, this is a sight to be seen (and maybe some photos posted so your friends will believe you when you get home and try to describe it to them). This is a good choice if you're love browsing through used books and don't mind packed-full shelves and partially blocked aisles in your search for a possibly overlooked treasure. Some non-English books. Staff is helpful and speak French, and while it looks disorganized, the owner seems to know where every book is. Cash only.
Eat
Budget
Eat Acme Oyster House
No ambiance, but good oysters and other southern delights. Be ready to wait in line. Great food, Great price. 1/2 dozen chargrilled oysters for $9.99 simply can't be beat, especially since Louisiana oysters are far superior in size to those from anyplace else. For an entertaining and social experience, sit at the bar, where you can talk to the oyster shuckers about the celebrities and pro athletes who have visited in the restaurant.
Eat Bennachin
African food. Good lunch specials. Many vegetarian and vegan options.
Eat Cafe Envie
Sandwiches, salads, omelets, quiches. Wireless internet access.
Eat Central Grocery
Old Italian-American grocery sandwich shop, famous for their enormous muffuletta sandwiches originated by this family in 1910. One is enough to feed four hungry people! Order 1/2 to start for 2 people!
Eat Clover Grill
Good eggs, burgers, and such. Heavily (though not exclusively) gay clientele. They cook your burger under a hubcap!
Eat Coop's Place
You can get good Cajun food at a really good price here. Locals favorite. Best fried chicken in the city! Patrons must be 21 or older to enter due to the presence of video poker machines.
Eat Felix's Restaurant & Oyster Bar
The Acme's traditional competition and usually a shorter wait, too. A very good oyster bar with other traditional Cajun fare.
Eat Jimani
When you want a great roast beef sandwich at 2AM.
Eat Johnny's Po-Boys
Lunch counter with some eat-in tables; one of the largest po-boy menus around. Excellent breakfast biscuit sandwich!
Eat Mona Lisa's
Italian and pizza.
Eat Port of Call
Awesome, huge burgers and loaded baked potatoes. Potent drinks, parrot-head juke box. Lil slice of paradise.
Eat Yo Mama's Bar and Grill
Limited but high quality grill menu, including 14 types of burgers.
Eat Rampart Treehouse
Pizza Slice Bar that serves a rich pizza menu, art, cocktails, and beer. Our space is covered from floor to ceiling in artwork that is from artists from around the globe.
Breakfast & snacks
Eat Cafe du Monde
Serves coffee and beignets. The cafe has been a local landmark since the 19th century and is across the street from St Ann St, which faces Jackson Square. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the cafe was open 24 hours daily. It often attracted long lines and crowds of locals and tourists during both the day and night. After a temporary shutdown at the beginning of the pandemic, the cafe has since reopened.
Eat CC's Coffee House (Lower Quarter)
The lower French Quarter branch of a small local chain. Great iced coffee drinks for hot days.
Eat Croissant d'Or
French pastries and light breakfasts & lunch.
Mid-range
Eat Bayona
Incredible French/Euro/NOLA food by esteemed chef, Susan Spicer. Fabulous wine selections. Many locals' favorite. Must RSVP.
Eat French Market Restaurant and Bar
Serves boiled crawfish and other down-home delicacies. Happy hour M-F 3-5PM with raw oysters $.50 each. Has downstairs restaurant and balcony seating upstairs.
Eat El Gato Negro
A local favorite for Mexican. Breakfast available on the weekends.
Eat Green Goddess
Small restaurant tucked away on a side street serving creative dishes. Opened in 2009 and quickly became a favorite with local foodies. A few years later it's certainly been "discovered"; try to go there sometime other than the busiest days and not during the busiest dinner hours to avoid long waits for a table.
Eat Gumbo Shop
An institution for gumbos and similar traditional Louisiana dishes.
Eat Italian Barrel
Good Northern Italian cuisine in a city where Southern Italian is dominant. Small place; either make reservations or try to catch them off peak hours.
Eat Louisiana Pizza Kitchen
Upscale pizzeria in the French Market.
Eat Mr. B's Bistro
Storied, elegant restaurant whose signature dish is the (non-grilled) BBQ shrimp.
Eat Remoulade
A casual spin-off of Arnaud's where you can try their famous Caesar salad dressing and the eponymous remoulade without wearing a jacket and tie. Same shrimp remoulade and gumbo as the main restaurant for a lower price.
Eat Sylvain
Opened in 2010; quality food and drink in a beautiful Spanish Colonial era building.
Eat Tujague's
Pronounced "two jacks"; despite the weird spelling, it's been here since 1856 so they must be doing something right. The locals swear by it.
Splurge
Eat Antoine's
Antoine's lays claim to being the oldest same family owned restaurant in the country. Opening in 1840, this French Creole restaurant is where Oysters Rockefeller was invented in the 1890s -- and the only restaurant where the original authentic Oysters Rockefeller can be eaten, as the recipe is a closely guarded secret. Your waiter is your guide here; treat them well and ask their recommendations. Before dining, ask your server for a tour of the historic restaurant. There are more than 15 dining rooms, all of which reek of tradition and are steeped in history. Make sure to take a peek down the vast and cavernous wine cellar, which can take the breath away from a true wine lover. Antoine's has opened a beautiful new bar. Step off of St. Louis and step into history.
Eat Arnaud's
Another of the great old French Quarter classics.
Eat Brennan's
One of the famous local traditions; fine Creole cuisine, known for their gourmet breakfasts. Ask to sit in the courtyard, on the balcony, or in one of the upstairs rooms. Be sure to try the Bananas Foster, which was invented here. Great for upscale New Orleans breakfast.
Eat Court of Two Sisters
A place for daily brunch (with a live jazz combo) and post-night out hangover cures; beautiful courtyard.
Eat Galatoire's
Classic Creole on Bourbon Street. Despite being in the tourist strip of Bourbon Street, locals do eat here. For the true experience, wait in line for the downstairs dining room (reservations can be made for the upstairs room, but locals don't eat there), and refuse the menu when you're seated. Let your waiter know your tastes and let him feed you.
Eat NOLA
Very good, run by chef Emeril Lagasse, not quite as pricey as his namesake restaurant in the Central Business District, and not as severe a dress code.
Drink
The French Quarter has a wide variety of bars for all sorts of tastes. The legal drinking age is 21, sometimes though not always strictly enforced. If you are over 18 but under 21, you generally won't have much problem in New Orleans. Just play your cards right, act like an adult, drink responsibly and you'll have a good time. Don't argue with bartenders, liquor store owners or police officers unless you want to spend the night in OPP (Orleans Parish Prison) -- not pleasant. Rule of thumb for anyone wanting to party in Louisiana, regardless of age, don't drink and drive -- those staying in the Quarter will find bars within an easy walk, and others can take a cab.
Drink Aunt Tiki's
Punk version of a tiki bar on Lower Decatur.
Drink The Bombay Club
High-end cocktails with a dress code.
Drink Cafe Lafitte in Exile
Claims to be the USA's oldest gay bar ("in exile" since the original Lafitte's (see below) went straight back in the Eisenhower Administration). Everyone welcome.
Drink Carousel Bar
Renowned for generations for the slowly rotating "Carousel" section; also has non-rotating seating.
Drink Crescent City Brewhouse
Microbrewery, also serves food.
Drink The Dungeon
Two dark gothic bars (having split up some ten years ago) open at midnight. The "Original Dungeon" has a bit more cooler atmosphere, but fewer patrons, since it's a little harder to find--down an alley next to "Front of the Dungeon." The Front of the Dungeon's bathroom is a hoot, hidden behind a secret door in the bookcases, and with a toilet so bad as to be borderline unapproachable.
Drink Fritzels
Best known as a trad jazz venue, but also has a bar with good draft German beer even when there isn't live music.
Drink Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop
Piano bar towards the end of the touristy part of Bourbon Street, lit entirely by candlelight. Supposedly once the in-town headquarters of pirate & smuggler Jean Lafitte, many colorful stories are told about this location. They pour great Hurricanes.
Drink Molly's at the Market
A great Irish/Quarterpunk bar, long a favorite of bohemian locals.
Drink Molly's On Toulouse (Molly's Irish Pub)
A local Irish pub with a pool table & the best juke box in the French Quarter. Irish Car Bombs are $5.50! Great selection of Irish Whiskeys.
Drink Napoleon House
The place to go if you like the thought of good drinks in a more than 200-year-old building whose owners are proud that the interior hasn't been repainted since World War I, with classical music playing over the sound system. Napoleon never made it here, as he died before the local plan to rescue him from exile and start his empire afresh in Louisiana could be carried out. Napoleon House also serves good sandwiches and a limited food menu, with service at a speed somewhere between leisurely and glacial-- don't stop here if you're in a hurry to be somewhere else.
Drink Parade (Bourbon Pub)
New Orleans' largest gay nightclub since 1974.
Drink Pat O'Brien's
Famous for strong Hurricanes, Mint Juleps, TNTs, Purple People Eaters; popular tourist hangout for a reason. Has been trendy for generations. Has an impressive fire/water fountain and patio.
Drink Tropical Isle
Home of the Hand Grenade, "New Orleans's Most Powerful Drink", is a staple of Bourbon Street decadence. Definitely a must-try.
Drink Brieux Carre
Small craft brewery located off of Frenchman St. Has a good selection with a primary focus on sours and stouts. Good pilsners.
Sleep
Places within the French Quarter or just outside of it on Canal Street are the most centrally located, and also cost more than rooms in other parts of town. Those wishing a fuller immersion in the city may wish to go ahead and pay extra for a location from which they can find many days of things to do with no need of a car or transit.
Stay Courtyard New Orleans French Quarter/Iberville
Caters to business, leisure, family, and is also gay/lesbian friendly. Spacious suites with huge bed, kitchen, large bathroom, living room with fold out, and 2 TVs. Valet parking, free bell-hop, lots of amenities, and free breakfast. They also feature fantastic massages at their spa.
Stay Hotel Monteleone
In an elegant early-20th century skyscraper (the only one within the confines of the Quarter itself, just constructed just before large new constructions were prohibited here) has long been one of the top upscale Quarter hotels. The hotel includes a rooftop heated pool with views of the skyline and an award-winning restaurant, the Hunt Room Grill.
Hostels
Bed and Breakfasts
- French Quarter Guest Houses, +1-800-535-7815 . Meticulously restored suites and rooms in different locations in the gay part of the Quarter. Gay-friendly accommodations and crowd.
Go next
Walk across Canal Street and you're in the Central Business District. Take the red Canal Streetcar line to the attractions of Mid-City, or the green St. Charles Streetcar line 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.
Just "below" (down river) from the French Quarter is the Faubourg Marigny neighborhood, across Esplanade Avenue, with hip music joints and restaurants. A little further downriver and you are in the Bywater, a funky neighborhood with genuine corner bars, great restaurants and a friendly atmosphere.
Inland or "back" (away from the Mississippi River) from the Quarter is the Tremé neighborhood.
Get in, get around
Take the streetcar in if you're in Uptown or Mid City. Driving in on Interstate 10, take the Orleans Avenue or Vieux Carré exit. Once you're in the Quarter, it's best seen on foot. If you do drive within the Quarter, expect it to be slow, and watch for the pedestrians and bikes. The Quarter is very doable on a bike, but again be especially alert.
The Quarter is wider (from Canal to Esplanade) than it is deep (from the River to Rampart). Bourbon and Royal Streets (see below) are the main avenues running through the width of the French Quarter; sections are often closed off to motor vehicles. Parallel Chartres Street is often a better option for pedestrians actually heading somewhere when Royal and Bourbon are jammed with visitors. The heart of the Quarter is Jackson Square, listed below.
Nearby
Jefferson
City / town · 10 listings · 6 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 · 15 mi away
Jean Lafitte
City / town · 7 listings · 16 mi away
Luling
City / town · 4 listings · 18 mi away
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