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New Orleans

Jazz, Creole food and the French Quarter

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Best time to visit: Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
Currency: USD
Time zone: UTC-5
Country: United States

Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 3.0

New Orleans is a port city on the Mississippi known for jazz, Creole and Cajun cooking, Creole architecture and a year-round calendar of festivals led by Mardi Gras. Visitors come for the French Quarter, live music clubs, streetcars and nearby swamps and plantations.

Largest cities

New York
Los Angeles
Chicago
Houston
San Francisco
Miami

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: United States
Capital: Washington, D.C.
City population: 383,997
Population of United States: 340M
Country area: 9,833,520 km²
Official language: English
Currency: US Dollar (USD) · 1 USD ≈ 1 USD
Time zone: UTC-5
Calling code: +1
Drives on the: Right
Elevation: 3 m
Plugs: A / B · 120V
Emergency numbers: 911
Best time to visit: Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	16°	19°	23°	25°	29°	31°	31°	32°	30°	26°	22°	19°
Low	9°	11°	15°	18°	22°	25°	26°	26°	24°	19°	15°	12°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$73
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$180
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$465

Plan a trip to New Orleans

Top things to do

Free
French Quarter walk
Wander the French and Spanish Creole streets around Jackson Square and Bourbon Street; go early to avoid the heat and crowds.
- Half day
- French Quarter
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
Free
Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral
See street performers, artists and the cathedral facade; the square is free and best in the morning light.
- Half day
- French Quarter
- Good for kids
≈ $25
Garden District and St. Charles streetcar
Ride the historic streetcar past antebellum mansions and oak-lined streets; a day pass keeps it cheap.
- Half day
- Garden District
- Good for kids
≈ $30
National WWII Museum
Large, well-designed exhibits on the war in Europe and the Pacific; allow several hours and book tickets ahead.
- Half day
- Central Business District
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $10
Frenchmen Street live music
Hear local jazz and brass bands in small clubs; most venues have a small cover charge and fill up late.
- Half day
- Faubourg Marigny
- Indoors
- Good in the evening
≈ $12
City Park and New Orleans Museum of Art sculpture garden
Walk or rent a boat in the park and see the free sculpture garden; a good break from the busy Quarter.
- Half day
- Mid-City
- Good for kids
≈ $60
Swamp and bayou tour
Half-day boat trip through cypress swamps to see alligators and birds; bring sun protection and water.
- Full day
- Mid-City
- Good for kids
≈ $75
River Road plantation day trip
Visit preserved antebellum homes and grounds along the Mississippi; tours usually include transport and take most of a day.
- Full day
- Central Business District
- Good for kids
- Indoors

Before you go

Entry and visas

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, including the UK, most of the EU and Qatar, need an approved ESTA, which costs $40 since 30 September 2025; apply at least 72 hours before travel on the official CBP site. Others, including Indian, Saudi and Emirati citizens, need a visitor visa, and appointment waits can be long.

Official website

From the airport

Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) sits in the suburb of Kenner, about 20-30 minutes from the centre by taxi, with a flat fare of around $36 for one or two people to the French Quarter or Central Business District. Cheaper buses and shared shuttles also run into town.

Getting around

Streetcars, buses and walking cover the French Quarter, Garden District and riverfront, with taxis and rideshares for longer hops.

Local tips

Summer is hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms; sightsee in the morning and stay indoors in the afternoon.
The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, most active in September; check forecasts before booking.
Casual dress is fine, but bars and restaurants often expect smart-casual in the evening; carry some cash for tips.
Stay aware of your surroundings at night, keep to busy streets and avoid walking alone in quiet areas.