Hotels in New Orleans

The French Quarter anchors most short stays — walkable to Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, and the riverfront — while the Garden District suits travelers wanting quieter streets and antebellum architecture. Marigny and Bywater draw a younger, arts-forward crowd. Most visitors stay three to four nights; Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is roughly 25 minutes from downtown by taxi or ride-share.

Where to Stay

The French Quarter (Vieux Carré) puts guests within steps of St. Louis Cathedral, the French Market, and live jazz on Frenchmen Street. Hotel density here is highest and rates reflect it. The Garden District, along Magazine Street, offers shotgun-house guesthouses and boutique hotels away from Bourbon Street noise. Marigny, immediately downriver from the Quarter, is the go-to neighborhood for music venues and local restaurants on a more modest budget. Uptown, near Tulane and Loyola universities, suits longer stays with a residential feel.

Getting Around

The St. Charles streetcar runs 24 hours between Canal Street and Carrollton Avenue — a 5-mile corridor through the Garden District and Uptown for a flat $1.25 fare. The Canal Street line connects downtown to City Park. Taxis and ride-shares are readily available in the Quarter; cycling is practical in flat terrain.

Practical Tips

• Best months: February (Mardi Gras) and April–May for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival; summers are humid with heat indexes above 100°F.
• Currency: USD accepted everywhere; ATMs are common in the Quarter.
• Airport transfer: Louis Armstrong Airport opened its new terminal in 2019; no direct rail link — budget 25–35 minutes by car.
• Safety: Stay on well-lit streets in the Quarter at night; carry minimal cash on Bourbon Street.