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
Oak Alley Plantation & Airboat Swamp Tour From New Orleans
Tour Oak Alley Plantation, then ride a 9-passenger airboat swamp tour
3-Hour Guided Bike Tour of New Orleans Landmarks
Bike the French Quarter, City Park, and Bayou St. John with a local guide
Full-Day Whitney Plantation & New Orleans Black History Tour
Visit Whitney Plantation and trace Black history from plantation grounds to city streets
Explore New Orleans on a 2.5-Hour City Bus Tour
See New Orleans neighborhoods beyond the French Quarter in 2.5 hours
Explore French Quarter Witchcraft & Voodoo Ghost Tour
Walk the French Quarter and explore Voodoo, witchcraft, and haunted history
Ride a Private Carriage Tour in New Orleans
Private French Quarter carriage tour from Jackson Square, for 2–4 passengers
French Quarter Food Walking Tour & Cooking Class
Taste New Orleans favorites, then join a hands-on cooking class
Take a Vampire VIP Tour & Speakeasy Visit in New Orleans
French Quarter Vampire VIP walking tour with speakeasy access
Private Shrimp Boil Dinner & Live Music in New Orleans
Book a private French Quarter shrimp boil with live music for your group
Guided Creole History Bike Tour in New Orleans
Pedal through New Orleans history across five distinct neighborhoods
Explore New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl Ghost Tour
Haunted French Quarter pub crawl with drinks and local ghost stories
Explore French Quarter Ghost & Voodoo Walking Tour
French Quarter walking tour covering ghosts, voodoo, vampires, witches, and mysteries
Night Cemetery Bus Tour in New Orleans
Ride a night bus tour to New Orleans “Cities of the Dead”
New Orleans 3-Hour Guided E-Bike Tour
Ride an electric cruiser from the French Quarter to City Park and Congo Square
Explore the French Quarter on a 3-Hour Food Tour
Walk to 5 French Quarter tastings with a guide
Off-the-Beaten-Path New Orleans & Small-Town Tour
Customize a private Louisiana day of neighborhoods, small towns, folklore, and local flavor
Take a French Quarter Breakfast Tour in New Orleans
Start your morning with breakfast and a guided French Quarter walk
French Quarter Kitchen: Cook 3 Cajun Dishes
Prepare iconic Jambalaya, barbecue shrimp, and dessert in a hands-on French Quarter kitchen.
Private French Quarter Cruiser Bike Tour in New Orleans
Cruise New Orleans with scenic stops and music that fits your group
French Quarter Haunted Ghost Tour with AR
Explore haunted French Quarter streets and experience augmented reality encounters on a two-hour guided evening walk.
2-Hour Guided City Tour of New Orleans
See key New Orleans neighborhoods by air-conditioned minibus
New Orleans E-Bike Tour of French Quarter & City Park
Pedal through New Orleans history on an electric bike
New Orleans City Bus Tour with Cemeteries & Garden District
Discover the Big Easy’s historic highlights with a guide
2-Hour New Orleans Ghost & Cemetery Bus Tour
Ride a ghost bus to haunted sites and cemeteries with a licensed guide