New Orleans/French Quarter

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.

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.

• 🌍 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. 
• 🌍 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. 
• 🌍 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, 701 Chartres St (between St Peter St and Pirates Alley), ☏ +1 504 568-6968, toll-free: +1-800-568-6968. Tu-Su 9AM-4PM (last ticket sales 3:30pm). Colonial city hall, now a museum; Louisiana Purchase agreements transferring the city from France to the USA were signed here. $10 adults, $8 students/seniors/military, free for children 6 and under. (updated Apr 2024)
  • 🌍 Presbytere, 751 Chartres St (between Pere Antoine Alley and St Ann St), ☏ +1 504 568-6968, toll-free: +1-800-568-6968. Tu-Su 9AM-4PM. Colonial church offices, now another museum, including exhibits on New Orleans Mardi Gras and the city's recovery from Hurricane Katrina. $7 adults, $6 students/seniors/military, free for children 6 and under. (updated Apr 2024)
  • 🌍 St. Louis Cathedral, 615 Pere Antoine Alley (front entrance on Chartres St between Pirate and Pere Antoine Alleys), ☏ +1 504 525-9585. The cathedral is open for self-guided tours daily from the end of morning mass until 4PM; see website for mass times. 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. Free. (updated Apr 2024)
  • 🌍 Pontalba Buildings (along St Peter and St Ann Sts facing Jackson Square). 4-story brick apartment buildings have specialty shops, restaurants, and a tourist information office on the ground floors. (updated Apr 2024)
• 🌍 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. 
• 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. 
• 🌍 Old French Market, bound by Ursulines Ave, N Peters St, Barracks St, and French Market Pl (main market entrances along Ursulines Ave and Barracks St), ☏ +1 504 522-2621. 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. 
• Lower Decatur Street. Right around the corner from the historic US Mint, and the French Market. A French Quarter neighborhood with shops, dining, and entertainment. Late at night the bars really hop with local color. 
• 🌍 New Orleans Jazz Park Visitor's Center & Headquarters, 916 N Peters St (between Dumaine and St Philip Sts), ☏ +1 504 589-4841. Often has live music, lectures, and gives music history related walking tours. Many events are free; those that aren't are a bargain. 
• 🌍 Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve, 419 Decatur St (between Conti and St Louis Sts). Headquarters for National Park that includes several historic sites in and near New Orleans. Has a small museum and visitor's center. Show up by 9AM to get a place on the informative free walking tour of the French Quarter. 
• 🌍 Historic New Orleans Collection, 533 Royal St (between St Louis and Toulouse Sts), ☏ +1 504 523-4662. Tu-Sa 9:30AM-4:30PM, Su 10:30AM-4:30PM. Museum with changing exhibits of local history. Also has a research center nearby on Chartres Street. Free. 
• 🌍 Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave (between Peters and Decatur Sts), ☏ +1 504 568-6968, toll-free: +1-800-568-6968. Tu-Su 10AM-4:30PM. Coins haven't been minted in New Orleans for decades, so the building is now a museum, with the minting process downstairs and the world's top exhibit on New Orleans jazz upstairs. $6 adults, $5 students/seniors/military, free for children 12 and under. 
• 🌍 Old Ursuline Convent, 1100 Chartres St (at Ursulines Ave), ☏ +1 504 529-3040. M-Sa 10AM-4PM. Completed in 1752, open for tours. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students, free for children under 6. 
• 🌍 Pharmacy Museum, 514 Chartres St (between St Louis and Toulouse Sts), ☏ +1 504 565-8027, pharmacymuseum@gmail.com. Guided Tours: Th-Sa 10:00am - 11:00am. Self-Guided Tours: Tu & W 10:00am - 4:00pm; Th-Sa 11:00am - 4:00pm. See and learn about medical practices of the mid 19th century. Calling ahead to verify hours is recommended. Reservations required for guided tours. Guided Tours: Adult $15, Senior/Student/Military $10; Self-Guided: Adults $10, Senior/Student/Military $7. Children 6 and under: Free. (updated Dec 2023)
• 🌍 Cigar Factory New Orleans & Museum, 415 Decatur St (between Conti and St Louis Sts), ☏ +1 504 568-1003. 10AM-10PM daily. History and tradition of one of New Orleans' oldest traditions -- cigar rolling! Watch the masters at work daily in the only operating cigar factory since the 1950s. Free. 
• 🌍 Musee Conti Wax Museum, 917 Conti St (between Burgundy and Dauphine Sts), ☏ +1 504 525-2605. M F-Sa 10AM-4PM. Experience more than 300 years of history, legend and scandal with the 154 life-size figures displayed in historically accurate settings. $7 adults, $6.25 seniors, $6 children. 

Stroll the streets, look at the architecture, shops, and people. Hear live music in the street, in restaurants, and music venues.

• 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. 
• 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. 
• 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. 
• 🌍 Aquarium of the Americas, 1 Canal St. The only aquarium in New Orleans. In the French Quarter. Features an IMAX theatre. 10AM-5PM daily. 
• Audubon Insectarium, 423 Canal St. 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. 

• 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.
• 🌍 Santa's Quarters, 1025 Decatur St (between St Philip St and Ursulines Ave), ☏ +1 504 581-5820, toll-free: +1-888-334-7527. daily 10AM-6PM. Christmas decorations. They have thousands of ornaments including New Orleans and Mardi Gras themed. 
• 🌍 Latin's Hand, 1025 North Peters St, ☏ +1 504 588 2662, info@latinshand.com. 10AM-6PM. Explore the variety of Latin American, handmade goods, from hats to hammocks to all kinds of bags. (updated Sep 2022)
• 🌍 Cella's Boutique, 514 Saint Peter St, ☏ +1 504 529 5110, info@cellasnola.com. 10AM-6PM. Specializes in selling stylish, comfortable cotton and linen clothing, but also sells handmade accessories and shoes. (updated Sep 2022)

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.

• 🌍 Aunt Tiki's, 1207 Decatur. Punk version of a tiki bar on Lower Decatur. 
• 🌍 The Bombay Club, 830 Conti St (at Dauphine St), ☏ +1 504 586-0972, toll-free: +1-800-699-7711. High-end cocktails with a dress code. 
• 🌍 Cafe Lafitte in Exile, 901 Bourbon St (at Dumaine St), ☏ +1 504 522-8397. 24 hours daily. 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. (updated Sep 2015)
• 🌍 Carousel Bar, 214 Royal Street (Inside the Monteleone Hotel). Renowned for generations for the slowly rotating "Carousel" section; also has non-rotating seating. 
• 🌍 Crescent City Brewhouse, 527 Decatur St (between St Louis and Toulouse Sts), ☏ +1 504 522-0571. Microbrewery, also serves food. 
• 🌍 The Dungeon, 734 Toulouse St (at Bourbon St), ☏ +1 504 523-5530. 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. 
• 🌍 Fritzels, 733 Bourbon St (between Orleans and St Ann Sts), ☏ +1 504 561-0432. Best known as a trad jazz venue, but also has a bar with good draft German beer even when there isn't live music. 
• 🌍 Kerry Irish Pub, 331 Decatur St (at Conti St), ☏ +1 504 286-5862. 
• 🌍 Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, 941 Bourbon St (at St Phillip St), ☏ +1 504 593-9761. 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. 
• 🌍 Molly's at the Market, 1107 Decatur St (at Ursulines Ave), ☏ +1 504 525-5169. A great Irish/Quarterpunk bar, long a favorite of bohemian locals. 
• 🌍 Molly's On Toulouse (Molly's Irish Pub), 732 Toulouse St (at Bourbon St), ☏ +1 504 568-1915. 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. 
• 🌍 Napoleon House, 500 Chartres St (at St Louis St), ☏ +1 504 524-9752. 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. 
• 🌍 Oz, 800 Bourbon St (at St Ann St), ☏ +1 504 593-9491. Loud hip gay disco. 
• 🌍 Parade (Bourbon Pub), 801 Bourbon St (at St Ann St), ☏ +1 504 529-2107. New Orleans' largest gay nightclub since 1974. 
• 🌍 Pat O'Brien's, 718 St Peter St (between Bourbon and Royal Sts), ☏ +1 504 525-4823, toll-free: +1-800-597-4823. 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. 
• 🌍 Tropical Isle, 600 Bourbon St (at Toulouse St), ☏ +1 504 523-1927. Home of the Hand Grenade, "New Orleans's Most Powerful Drink", is a staple of Bourbon Street decadence. Definitely a must-try. 
• 🌍 Brieux Carre, 2115 Decatur St, ☏ +1 504 304-4242. Small craft brewery located off of Frenchman St. Has a good selection with a primary focus on sours and stouts. Good pilsners. (updated Sep 2020)

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.

• 🌍 Andrew Jackson Hotel, 919 Royal St (between Dumaine and St Philip Sts), ☏ +1 504 561-5881, toll-free: +1-800-654-0224. One of the oldest hotels in the French Quarter. 
• 🌍 Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Quarter, 739 Canal St (at Bourbon St), ☏ +1 504 962-0500, toll-free: +1-888-696-4806, fax: +1 504 962-0503. 
• 🌍 Bienville House, 320 Decatur St (between Bienville and Conti Sts), ☏ +1 504 529-2345, toll-free: +1-800-535-9603, fax: +1 504 525-6079. Lovely courtyard, pool and balconies 
• 🌍 Bourbon Orleans, 717 Orleans St (between Bourbon and Royal Sts), ☏ +1 504 523-2222, fax: +1 504 571-4666. Built in 1817. 
• 🌍 La Galerie Hotel French Quarter, 131 Decatur St (between Canal and Iberville Sts), ☏ +1 504-592-7700, toll-free: +1-888-538-5666. This 80-year-old inn offers a complimentary continental breakfast in its elegant lobby. 
• 🌍 Cornstalk Hotel, 915 Royal St (between Dumaine and St Philip Sts), ☏ +1 504 523-1515, toll-free: +1-800-759-6112, info@cornstalkhotel.com. 
• 🌍 Dauphine Orleans Hotel, 415 Dauphine St (between Conti and St Louis Sts), ☏ +1 504 586-1800, toll-free: +1-800-521-7111, fax: +1 504 586-1409. 
• 🌍 French Market Inn, 509 Decatur St (at St Louis St), ☏ +1 504 207-4107, toll-free: +1 888-626-2725. Great location with reasonable rates, it's known for its courtyard atmosphere. 
• 🌍 Courtyard New Orleans French Quarter/Iberville, 910 Iberville St (between Burgundy and Dauphine Sts), ☏ +1 504 523-2400, toll-free: +1-866-229-4351, fax: +1 504 524-1321. 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. 
• 🌍 Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter, 541 Bourbon St (at Toulouse St), ☏ +1 504 524-7611, toll-free: +1-800-535-7891, info@innonbourbon.com. A beautiful historic hotel on the site of the old French Opera House. Notable for its balconies overlooking Bourbon and Toulouse Streets and a beautiful courtyard with pool. 
• 🌍 Holiday Inn Chateau LeMoyne, 301 Dauphine St (at Bienville St), ☏ +1 504 581-1303, fax: +1 504 523-5709. An historic hotel occupying what were four 19th-century townhomes. 
• 🌍 Lafitte Guest House, 1003 Bourbon St (at St Philip St), ☏ +1 504 581-2678. A boutique hotel in the residential area of Bourbon Street. Visitors will enjoy the sights and sounds of Bourbon Street as well as a retreat into their own personal French Quarter home. 
• 🌍 Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St (at Iberville St), ☏ +1 504 523-3341, toll-free: +1-866-338-4684, fax: +1 504 528-1019. 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. $175-350. 
• 🌍 Omni Royal Orleans, 621 St Louis St (between Royal and Chartres Sts), ☏ +1 504 529-5333, toll-free: +1-888-444-6664, fax: +1 504 529-7089. The Omni Royal Orleans has been a recipient of the AAA four-diamond award for the past 27 years. 
• 🌍 Royal Barracks Guest House, 717 Barracks St (between Bourbon and Royal Sts), ☏ +1 504 529-7269, toll-free: +1-866-630-7781, fax: +1 504 529-7298. Every room features a queen-sized bed, private bath and fireplace, and private entrance to the courtyard. 
• 🌍 Royal Sonesta New Orleans, 300 Bourbon St (at Bienville St), ☏ +1 504 586-0300, fax: +1 504 586-0335. 
• 🌍 Hotel Mazarin, 730 Bienville St (between Bourbon and Royal Sts), ☏ +1 800-935-8740. Luxurious furnishings, with a beautiful courtyard. 
• 🌍 Hotel St. Pierre, 911 Burgundy St (between Dumaine and St Philip Sts), ☏ +1 504 524-4401, toll-free: +1-800-225-4040. Embodies the architecture and ambiance of the 18th-century French Quarter. 
• 🌍 Ursuline Guest House, 708 Ursuline Ave (between Bourbon and Royal Sts), ☏ +1 504 525-8509, toll-free: +1-800-654-2351. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. 13 guest rooms, each with private bath, ceiling fan, air conditioning/heating, cable television and wireless Internet access. $69-$235. 
• 🌍 Maison Dupuy, 1001 Toulouse St (at Burgundy St), ☏ +1 504 586-8000, toll-free: +1-800-535-9177, fax: +1 504 525-5334. This hotel has a beautiful courtyard with a real New Orleans atmosphere; renovated historic homes surround what is now the courtyard with a fountain and pool. 
• 🌍 Hotel Royal, 1006 Royal St (at St Philip St), ☏ +1 504 524-3900, toll-free: +1-888-776-3901, fax: +1 504 558-0566. On the finest shopping street in the French Quarter, this hotel has a European feeling complemented by authentic laced iron balconies, high ceilings with fans, and enclosed courtyards with fountains. 
• 🌍 French Quarter Landmark Hotel (Best Western), 920 N Rampart St (between Dumaine and St Philip Sts), ☏ +1 504 524-3333, fax: +1 504 523-5431. Within walking distance of the hotel, explore the historic, artistic and eclectic charms around you. 
• 🌍 Hotel Le Marais, 717 Conti St (between Bourbon and Royal Sts), ☏ +1 504 525-2300, toll-free: +1-800-935-8740. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A heated saltwater courtyard pool and breakfast area. 
• 🌍 Place D'Armes, 625 St Anne St, toll-free: +1-800-366-2743. Beautiful historic hotel in the quarter. They have interior rooms (no windows) that are a great bargain to stay in an incredible space. 
• 🌍 Hotel Maison de Ville, 727 Rue Toulouse (Between Bourbon and Royal Streets), ☏ +1 504-324-4888. One of the most historic hotels in the Quarter, everyone from Tennessee Williams to Audobon has spent time there. 
• 🌍 W New Orleans French Quarter, 316 Chartres St, ☏ +1 504 581-1200. Boutique hotel. (updated Aug 2017)

• Cafes including CC's and Envie (listed above at eat) have free wi-fi for customers

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.