French Quarter
The historic heart of New Orleans - iron-lace balconies, Creole townhouses, jazz spilling from doorways and the raucous length of Bourbon Street.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
The French Quarter is the historic soul of New Orleans, the oldest neighbourhood, laid out by the French and built up under the Spanish into a warren of pastel Creole townhouses hung with iron-lace balconies. Jazz drifts from its bars, Creole cooking fills its restaurants, and the raucous length of Bourbon Street parties late into the night.
What you actually see
- Jackson Square - the historic heart with St Louis Cathedral and artists.
- The iron-lace balconies - the Creole townhouses of Royal Street.
- Bourbon Street - the raucous strip of bars and music.
- Live jazz - the clubs of Frenchmen Street just beyond the Quarter.
When to go
The cooler months from autumn to spring for comfortable walking; February for Mardi Gras and its parades, though crowded and wild. Summer is hot, humid and hurricane season.
Honest expectations
Bourbon Street is loud, boozy and touristy, so the Quarter's real charm is on the quieter streets and, for music, Frenchmen Street beyond it. Summer heat and humidity are intense. Mardi Gras is a spectacle but overwhelming and booked out.
Nearby
The Garden District, the streetcar lines and the Mississippi riverfront are around; the bayous lie beyond the city.
What to pack for French Quarter
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
