Things to do nearFrench Quarter
The French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana, is the city's oldest neighborhood, celebrated for its live jazz, ornate ironwork balconies, and vibrant street life.
The French Quarter, known locally as the Vieux Carré, was established by French colonists in 1718 and later shaped by Spanish rule, which explains the wrought-iron lacework that defines so many of its facades. The neighborhood survived fires, floods, and centuries of change while retaining a streetscape unlike anywhere else in North America.
Jackson Square anchors the neighborhood's heart, where St. Louis Cathedral presides over portrait artists, fortune tellers, and street performers. The surrounding Pontalba Buildings, among the oldest apartment buildings in the country, frame the square with red-brick grandeur.
Food is central to any visit. The French Quarter is home to some of Louisiana's most storied restaurants, serving dishes rooted in Creole tradition, from rich gumbo to delicate trout meunière. Smaller lunch counters and po-boy shops offer equally satisfying, unpretentious meals.
By evening the Quarter shifts tone, with live brass bands spilling onto sidewalks and the air thick with music. Few places in the world concentrate so much history, flavor, and sound into so compact a space, making the French Quarter genuinely irreplaceable.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting French Quarter
Visit during the early morning hours when the streets are quiet and the architecture is easiest to appreciate without the crowds.
Try a cup of café au lait and a fresh beignet at Café Du Monde, a French Quarter institution open around the clock.
Bring comfortable, closed-toe shoes since the historic cobblestones and uneven sidewalks can be hard on your feet.
Catch live jazz on Frenchmen Street rather than Bourbon Street for a more authentic, local music experience.
Explore the side streets off Jackson Square, such as Pirates Alley and Exchange Alley, for hidden galleries and quiet corners.
Top tours & experiences near French Quarter
Explore New Orleans by Bus on a 2-Hour City & Cemetery Tour
See top New Orleans neighborhoods plus St. Louis Cemetery #3 in an air-conditioned bus
New Orleans Hands-On Roux Cooking Class
Master gumbo, étouffée, and Bananas Foster in a fun, hands-on kitchen
Explore French Quarter Craft Cocktail Walking Tour
Sip 3 classic cocktails on a small French Quarter walking tour
French Quarter Ghosts & True Crime Tour in New Orleans
Walk the French Quarter at night for ghost stories and true crime
New Orleans Cooking Class & Cocktail Tour
Sample Creole classics, then stroll the French Quarter’s historic cocktail bars
Explore the French Quarter on a Guided Tour in New Orleans
Walk the French Quarter with a guide and pick up local tips in 2 hours
French Quarter & Cemetery Guided Bike Tour in New Orleans
Bike the French Quarter with a licensed guide and find hidden local spots
Bayou St. John & City Park Bike Tour in New Orleans
Cycle from the French Quarter to City Park and Bayou St. John with a small group
Private Bachelorette & Bachelor Yacht Sail in New Orleans
Celebrate on Lake Pontchartrain with bubbly, music, and your private yacht party
2-Hour Guided Bayou Tour in St. Bernard Parish
Discover bayou life with a captain who knows St. Bernard Parish
Witches of the French Quarter Walking Tour
Hear ancestral witchcraft stories from descendants on a guided French Quarter walk
New Orleans French Quarter & City Park Tour
Explore historic neighborhoods, live oaks, and New Orleans stories by car and on foot
Explore Oak Alley Plantation & New Orleans City Tour
Tour Oak Alley Plantation, then ride a mini-bus through New Orleans highlights and cemeteries
Explore French Quarter History on a 2-Hour Walking Tour
Walk the French Quarter with a storyteller and dig into New Orleans history
Bayou Party Barge & Alligator Cruise in New Orleans
Mix a boat party with bayou wildlife watching aboard the operator's biggest boat
Marie Laveau Voodoo Walking Tour in New Orleans
French Quarter walking tour focused on Marie Laveau and New Orleans voodoo history
New Orleans Cooking Class & Storyville Museum Tour
Explore New Orleans history through stories, hands-on cooking, and a dinner you help create
Self-Guided 3-Hour Kayak Rental in New Orleans
Paddle Bayou Bienvenue at your own pace, minutes from the French Quarter
Explore the French Quarter History Walk With Beignets
Walk the French Quarter and finish with Café Du Monde beignets
3-Hour Guided Bike Tour of New Orleans
Bike through New Orleans’ historic neighborhoods with a small group guide
Family-Friendly New Orleans City Tour
See New Orleans highlights by air-conditioned vehicle with a licensed guide
Explore LGBTQ History on a New Orleans Walking Tour
Walk the French Quarter and trace New Orleans LGBTQ history
Storyville Guided Tour in New Orleans
Follow Storyville’s history through a live, guided museum narrative
3-Hour New Orleans Citywide Driving Tour
See New Orleans neighborhoods in air-conditioned comfort