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 in a Private Electric Golf Cart
Glide through New Orleans’ 4 oldest neighborhoods by private electric cart
Private French Quarter Ghost & Legends Tour in New Orleans
Walk the French Quarter with your own guide on a private haunted history tour
French Quarter Walking Food Tour in New Orleans
Taste local classics on a 3-hour French Quarter walking food tour
New Orleans Swamp Monsters Tour
Trace Louisiana cryptid legends on a private, customizable evening outing
Hands-On 3-Hour Creole Cooking Class in New Orleans
Cook Creole classics with a chef in the French Quarter
Cook New Orleans-Style Brunch in the French Quarter
Make shrimp and grits, eggs Benedict, and praline bacon in a hands-on brunch class
Cajun Swamp Tour: Gators, Cypress & Culture
Discover Cajun culture and spot wildlife on a guided pontoon cruise through Louisiana's cypress swamps
Explore the French Quarter on a 45-Minute Walk
See French Quarter highlights fast, starting at Jackson Square
Whitney Plantation & Airboat Swamp Tour From New Orleans
Tour Whitney Plantation, then ride a narrated small airboat swamp tour
Electric Golf Cart Rental in New Orleans' French Quarter
Rent a quiet 4-person e-cart and cruise the French Quarter in comfort
Garden District Mansions Guided Walking Tour in New Orleans
See Garden District mansions and peek into Lafayette Cemetery #1 gates in 45 minutes
Vegetarian Cajun & Creole Cooking Class in New Orleans
Cook vegetarian Cajun and Creole favorites in a hands-on French Quarter class
Explore Storyville on a 2-Hour Adult-Only Walking Tour
Adult-only French Quarter walking tour focused on Storyville after dark
Guided Bayou Alligator Hunt in Chalmette Near New Orleans
Hunt Louisiana's bayous with hands-on guidance and a choice of hunting methods
Taste Cajun & Creole Food on a 3-Hour French Quarter Tour
Eat your way through the French Quarter and learn the stories behind Cajun and Creole cuisine
24-Hour Cruiser Bike Rental in the French Quarter
Explore at your pace with 24/7 return, secure storage, helmet and ABUS lock included
Half & Full Day Cruiser Bike Rental
Enjoy flexible cruiser rentals with 24/7 return, plus lock, helmet, and handlebar bag
2-Hour Warehouse District Architecture Walking Tour
Walk New Orleans’ Warehouse District and learn its architecture with an expert guide