New Orleans holidays

What to do in New Orleans

New Orleans makes for a genuinely compelling holiday. Whether you want to party all night, learn about the USA’s complicated history, or simply eat your way around a new, exciting city, the Big Easy is a spectacular place to do it.

The French Quarter

The intricate cast-iron balconies and colourful buildings of the French Quarter are an icon of New Orleans. It’s in this neighbourhood that visitors spend most of their time, be it shopping, eating, drinking or simply soaking up the bohemian charms. Don’t miss the gothic St Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square, the area’s historic homes – many of which date back to the 1700s – and Bourbon Street, which is perhaps the most famous section of the French Quarter. It’s well known as the place for late night jazz and blues gigs in historic bars serving heady cocktails.

The Mississippi River

The second longest river on the North American continent runs right through the centre of New Orleans, with bars and restaurants lining its shores and steamboats chuntering along the waterway. The best way to experience the Mississippi is aboard one of those vintage-looking vessels with a large paddle on the back. Dinner cruises or Sunday brunch boats leave from the pier that sits a few streets away from Jackson Square, and on board you can expect live music, cocktails and great Southern fare.

Mardi Gras

For two weeks around Shrove Tuesday each year (usually in February), the entire city of New Orleans transforms for a spectacular street party called Mardi Gras. Since 1856, the Big Easy has celebrated the beginning of the Christian fasting period with fervour. Today, you can expect flamboyant costumes, daily parades, marching bands and all manner of parties and events across the city. Come nightfall, bars and jazz clubs come alive, and fireworks explode over the Mississippi.

New Orleans Museum of Art

Beyond the murals that brighten up New Orleans’ streets, incredible artworks are not hard to come by. At the oldest fine arts institution in the city, the NOMA – New Orleans Museum of Art – there are over 40,000 pieces to see, ranging from paintings and photography to sculpture and glass.

With works by Americans, Africans, the French and even pieces by Japanese artists, the museum offers a truly global perspective on creativity. Don’t miss a stroll around the 12-acre Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden.

Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve

Nature meets history in Jean Lafitte National Park, which has its headquarters in the city centre, and another outpost just a 30-minute drive south. Right in the heart of the Mississippi River Delta region, the Barataria Preserve section of the park has trails across its swamps and bayous where you can see turtles, alligators and over 200 species of birds.

Where to stay in New Orleans

For families

Taking the kids to New Orleans will be a family holiday not to forget. There’s ample opportunity for education and entertainment, and a real family vibe at many of its attractions. In the Uptown or Garden District, you’ll find a family-friendly atmosphere year-round, but especially during Mardi Gras. The parades come through Charles Street here, so stay nearby to enjoy easy access to the spectacle. There are parks for lazy afternoon picnics, and lovely cafes and po-boy shops aplenty.

For travellers on a budget

For cheap New Orleans holidays, the Garden District is a good option. Affordable hotels and guesthouses can be found among the leafy residential streets and boulevards here, and things get even cheaper if you head out to Faubourg Lafayette. In the Garden District, you’ve got easy access to the French Quarter from the street cars along St Charles Avenue.

Elsewhere, Central City is another great spot for a cheap trip to New Orleans. Book into a hostel or guesthouse here, then hit up the coolest new spot for dinner or drinks – there’s always something new and exciting opening in this up-and-coming neighbourhood.

For food and drink

If food is your priority, the French Quarter is the top spot to stay. This neighbourhood has all the city’s hottest food and drink spots, from jazz bars to world-renowned restaurants – including Café du Monde, the original place for beignets (fried dough) and coffee.

East of the French Quarter, Bywater is another great spot for foodies. Stay here for easy, daily access to St Roch Market – an old Victorian food hall where you can feast on everything from fresh oysters to Mexican-inspired dishes.

For nightlife

The wildest nights out in New Orleans are always had in the French Quarter. This historic neighbourhood has got all the bars and clubs you could want, serving up zingy cocktails in laidback settings. Expect live jazz and blues throughout the night, and during Mardi Gras, you’ll be spoilt for choice for after-party venues.

If you prefer to have nights out with the locals, head out to Bywater where the hipsters sip craft beers and cocktails in the bars along Frenchmen Street.

For culture

There’s culture in droves in New Orleans, so wherever you stay you’ll have something brilliant to see or do. The French Quarter is the epicentre of the city’s cultural scene, with its old French architecture and historic buildings. There you’ll find the St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, plus family-friendly activities like the aquarium and a handful of museums.

The Central Business District might not be the most obvious choice for culture vultures, but this area is slowly becoming a great place for food, drink and arts, with the Warehouse District now inhabited by arts galleries and museums.