Overview
America's most unique city — a living collision of French, African, and Southern cultures expressed through music, food, and a party that never really ends
Airport
MSY
From/day
$70
Best months
Feb, Mar, Apr
Local Tips
Safety
Stick to well-lit tourist areas at night, especially in the French Quarter and Marigny. Avoid walking alone on dimly lit side streets. Keep valuables hidden during festivals.
Cultural Norms
New Orleans is laid-back and celebratory. Second line parades can pop up any weekend — join in! Say 'Where y'at' as a greeting. Locals pronounce it 'New OR-lins' or 'NAWLINS', never 'New Or-LEENS'.
Language
English with a distinct Yat accent. You'll hear Cajun French phrases and Creole expressions sprinkled throughout.
Currency
USD. Carry cash for street musicians, po'boy stands, and smaller restaurants in neighborhoods.
Tipping
18-20% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink. Tip street performers if you stop to watch.
Getting Around
Public Transit
Walkability
Neighborhoods
French Quarter
The historic heart of NOLA with Bourbon Street nightlife, Jackson Square, and Creole architecture. Touristy but essential.
Best for: Live music, bars, history, street performers
Marigny & Bywater
Colorful shotgun houses, local music venues like the Spotted Cat, and an artsy, bohemian atmosphere east of the Quarter.
Best for: Live jazz, local dining, art galleries
Garden District
Stately antebellum mansions, live oak-lined streets, and Magazine Street's boutiques and restaurants.
Best for: Architecture, boutique shopping, brunch
Treme
The oldest African American neighborhood in the US, birthplace of jazz, with deep cultural roots and excellent food.
Best for: Jazz history, Creole cuisine, cultural heritage
Warehouse District / Arts District
Former industrial area turned arts hub with galleries, the WWII Museum, and upscale restaurants.
Best for: Museums, contemporary art, fine dining
Activities & Interests
How New Orleans scores across 15 travel interests
Suggested Itineraries
3-Day Trip
French Quarter Immersion
- •Beignets and chicory coffee at Cafe Du Monde, then explore Jackson Square
- •Tour the historic French Quarter — St. Louis Cathedral, Royal Street galleries, and Preservation Hall
- •Evening on Frenchmen Street for live jazz at the Spotted Cat or d.b.a.
Garden District & Culture
- •Ride the St. Charles streetcar to the Garden District for a mansion walking tour
- •Lunch on Magazine Street, then visit the National WWII Museum (allow 3-4 hours)
- •Dinner at a classic Creole restaurant like Commander's Palace or Dooky Chase's
Bayou & Beyond
- •Morning swamp tour to see alligators and cypress trees in the bayou
- •Afternoon in Treme — visit Congo Square, St. Augustine Church, and grab a po'boy
- •Final evening bar hop along Bourbon Street or catch a brass band in the Marigny
7-Day Trip
French Quarter Arrival
- •Settle in and walk Jackson Square — watch street artists and fortune tellers
- •Beignets at Cafe Du Monde and a stroll along the Mississippi River
- •Dinner in the Quarter and an evening at Preservation Hall for traditional jazz
Deep French Quarter & Treme
- •Morning walking tour of the French Quarter — Creole architecture, hidden courtyards
- •Cross into Treme for lunch at Dooky Chase's or Willie Mae's Scotch House
- •Visit the New Orleans Jazz Museum and Congo Square
Garden District & Uptown
- •Ride the St. Charles streetcar and walk the Garden District mansions
- •Lunch and shopping on Magazine Street
- •Evening cocktail at the Sazerac Bar — birthplace of the Sazerac cocktail
WWII Museum & Arts
- •Spend the morning at the National WWII Museum (one of the best in the world)
- •Explore the Warehouse District galleries and Ogden Museum of Southern Art
- •Dinner in the Marigny followed by live music on Frenchmen Street
Bayou & Plantations
- •Morning swamp tour by airboat or kayak
- •Afternoon visit to Oak Alley or Whitney Plantation (focuses on enslaved peoples' stories)
- •Return for a late dinner at one of the city's iconic restaurants
Bywater & Local Culture
- •Bike through the Bywater neighborhood — murals, the Music Box Village
- •Lunch at Bacchanal Wine — live music in the backyard
- •Afternoon at City Park — Sculpture Garden, Besthoff collection, and Cafe Du Monde outpost
Food & Farewell
- •Cooking class to learn gumbo, jambalaya, or pralines
- •Final po'boy and a walk through the French Market for souvenirs
- •One last jazz set at a venue of your choice before departure
Flights
Estimated round-trip prices from major US hubs
ATL
Round-trip estimate
$150
Best priceMIA
Round-trip estimate
$200
ORD
Round-trip estimate
$220
JFK
Round-trip estimate
$280
LAX
Round-trip estimate
$320
Prices are estimates based on historical data. Check airlines for current fares.
Daily Budget
Estimated daily cost per person including accommodation, food, transport, and activities
Budget
$70
per day
Moderate
$140
per day
Luxury
$320
per day
7-Night Trip Estimate (1 person)
Budget
$640
incl. flights from ATL
Moderate
$1,130
incl. flights from ATL
Luxury
$2,390
incl. flights from ATL
When to Go
Jan
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Feb
✓
Mar
✓
Apr
✓
May
—
Jun
—
Jul
✗
Aug
✗
Sep
✗
Oct
✓
Nov
✓
Dec
—
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 16° | 6° | 9d | Cool and damp. Mardi Gras season often begins in January. |
| Feb | 18° | 8° | 8d | Mild with Mardi Gras festivities usually peaking this month. |
| Mar | 22° | 11° | 8d | Pleasant spring weather. Great time to visit with festival season kicking off. |
| Apr | 26° | 15° | 7d | Warm and green. Jazz Fest typically held late April into May. |
| May | 30° | 19° | 8d | Getting hot and humid. Jazz Fest continues. |
| Jun | 33° | 23° | 11d | Hot, humid, and rainy. Afternoon thunderstorms common. |
| Jul | 34° | 24° | 12d | Peak summer heat with frequent rain. Hurricane season. |
| Aug | 34° | 24° | 12d | Hottest month. Humidity is oppressive but hotel deals abound. |
| Sep | 32° | 22° | 9d | Still very warm. Hurricane season continues. |
| Oct | 27° | 16° | 6d | Relief from summer heat. One of the best months to visit. |
| Nov | 22° | 11° | 7d | Pleasant and mild. Holiday season begins. |
| Dec | 17° | 7° | 9d | Cool but mild. Holiday celebrations and festive atmosphere. |
Temperatures in Celsius. Rain days = days with measurable precipitation.
Nearby Destinations
Nashville, Tennessee
Another legendary music city — swap jazz for country, honky-tonks, and hot chicken.
Austin, Texas
Live music capital with a creative food scene and outdoor swimming holes.
Savannah, Georgia
Another charming Southern city with historic squares, Spanish moss, and excellent food.
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