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 £103 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
£103
4 Aug - 5 Aug
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. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,893 reviews)
"I love the Bourbon Orleans! It’s my favorite place to stay in the French Quarter. Can’t wait to go back!"

Reviewed on 5 Jul 2025

Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
4 out of 5
124 Royal St, New Orleans, LA
The price is £96 per night from 8 Jul to 9 Jul
£96
8 Jul - 9 Jul
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 ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (4,178 reviews)
"Right in the middle of everything."

Reviewed on 4 Jul 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 £138 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£138
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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! (1,643 reviews)
10 out of 10!
"One of my favorite hotels! Great staff, valet, and in room dining!"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

New Orleans Marriott
Hyatt Centric French Quarter
Hyatt Centric French Quarter
4 out of 5
800 Iberville Street, New Orleans, LA
The price is £114 per night from 8 Jul to 9 Jul
£114
8 Jul - 9 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,628 reviews)
"This is my second time staying here and what a great hotel from the room to the staff and the bartenders. We had a walk out room to the pool and it was fabulous! Convenient to get anywhere from here!"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

Hyatt Centric French Quarter
The Westin New Orleans
The Westin New Orleans
4.5 out of 5
100 Rue Iberville, New Orleans, LA
The price is £120 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
£120
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,874 reviews)
"Beautiful place to with family, very clean and good staff. Kudos!!"

Reviewed on 3 Jul 2025

The Westin New Orleans
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans
The Royal Sonesta New Orleans
4.5 out of 5
300 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA
The price is £119 per night from 4 Aug to 5 Aug
£119
4 Aug - 5 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,819 reviews)
"Loved the stay here. Easy and enjoyable all the way through."

Reviewed on 2 Jul 2025

The Royal Sonesta 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 Louisiana Museum of African American 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 St Patricks Church 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

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