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New Orleans
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New Orleans blends jazz, Creole cuisine, historic architecture and Mississippi River culture, from the French Quarter to Garden District streets and local life.

French and Spanish Foundations

New Orleans occupies a distinctive bend of the Mississippi River in south-eastern Louisiana, where wetlands, waterways and the Gulf Coast have shaped both its history and its daily rhythms. Founded by the French in 1718 and later governed by Spain, the city developed through a blend of European, African, Caribbean and Native influences. That layered past remains visible in the wrought-iron balconies of the French Quarter, the courtyards behind its shutters and the cooking traditions carried through generations.
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Neighbourhoods with Distinctive Character

The French Quarter is the historic centre, but New Orleans extends far beyond Bourbon Street. Tremé is closely associated with African American cultural history and the development of jazz, while the Marigny combines pastel Creole cottages, music venues and local bars. The Garden District presents grand nineteenth-century residences beneath live oaks, and the Central Business District and Warehouse District bring museums, galleries, theatres and contemporary restaurants into former commercial buildings. Magazine Street links several neighbourhoods with independent shops, cafés and galleries.

Music, Food and the Mississippi

Music is woven into the city’s public life, from traditional jazz and brass bands to contemporary styles heard in clubs, festivals and second-line parades. Creole and Cajun influences meet in dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya and crawfish preparations, while po-boys, red beans and rice, muffulettas and beignets belong to the city’s everyday culinary vocabulary. Along the river, the Moon Walk, Woldenberg Riverfront Park and the Port of New Orleans offer changing views of passing vessels, while broad parks and historic cemeteries reveal the city’s distinctive relationship with water, climate and memory.

When is the best time to visit New Orleans?

Best: March, October–November · 22–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January18122
February20112
March (best)24120
April28112
May32128
June34170
July34175
August34180
September33146
October (best)2895
November (best)22109
December18120

Getting to and around New Orleans

How to get there

Most air travellers arrive at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, located in Kenner, west of the city, with road and public-transport links into New Orleans. Amtrak trains serve the New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal with connections including Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, though journeys can be long and schedules should be checked before departure. Intercity coaches also use the terminal area. Interstate highways connect the city with Baton Rouge, the Gulf Coast and other parts of the American South. Cruise ships and river vessels call at the Port of New Orleans, although these services are not a substitute for regular urban transport.

Transportation

The French Quarter, Marigny and parts of the Central Business District are well suited to walking, although heat, humidity, uneven pavements and heavy rain can affect comfort. The Regional Transit Authority operates buses and streetcars, including the scenic St Charles line and routes along Canal Street and the riverfront; service frequency varies. Ferries cross the Mississippi between the French Quarter area and Algiers Point. Taxis and app-based car services are widely used, particularly for journeys between dispersed neighbourhoods. Driving can be inconvenient in the historic core because of one-way streets, limited parking and large event crowds.

Best attractions in New Orleans

New Orleans offers sightseeing that moves between architecture, music, food and the river. The French Quarter remains the essential starting point, with the wrought-iron balconies of Royal and Chartres streets, Jackson Square and the courtyards of historic buildings. The National WWII Museum presents an extensive account of the American experience during the Second World War, while the New Orleans Museum of Art anchors City Park with collections spanning centuries and cultures. The Garden District is best explored on foot for its grand residences and live-oak avenues, and the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint connects the city’s musical traditions with its social history. Tremé introduces visitors to African American heritage and neighbourhood life, while the Moon Walk and Woldenberg Riverfront Park provide open views towards the Mississippi and passing ships.

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Best landmarks in New Orleans

New Orleans’ landmarks reveal the successive French, Spanish, American and Creole influences that shaped the city. St Louis Cathedral dominates Jackson Square beside the Cabildo, the former Spanish colonial city hall that now houses historical exhibits, while the Presbytère completes the square’s formal architectural ensemble. The Pontalba Buildings frame Jackson Square with their long cast-iron galleries and remain among the defining structures of the French Quarter. The Old U.S. Mint, once part of the city’s commercial infrastructure, now houses the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Beyond the Quarter, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 illustrates the city’s historic above-ground burial tradition, and the Garden District’s mansions express the wealth generated during the nineteenth-century cotton and shipping era. The Crescent City Connection and the riverfront levee are more functional landmarks, but they also emphasise New Orleans’ enduring relationship with the Mississippi.

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Explore New Orleans on the map

Plan your New Orleans trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Neighbourhoods in New Orleans

Best restaurants in New Orleans

New Orleans cooking reflects French, Spanish, African, Caribbean and Gulf Coast influences, with Creole traditions shaped by the city and Cajun cooking rooted more broadly in south Louisiana. Gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée, red beans and rice, po-boys and the muffuletta are among the familiar local dishes, while oysters, crawfish and Gulf seafood appear widely when in season. Beignets and chicory coffee belong to the city’s café culture, particularly around the French Quarter. Restaurants range from old-line dining rooms and neighbourhood cafés to seafood counters, bakeries and contemporary kitchens. The French Quarter, Tremé, Uptown and the Warehouse District all offer varied dining, while the French Market and other food stalls provide informal ways to sample local flavours. Menus and preparation styles differ, so Creole dishes should not be treated as a single uniform cuisine.

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Best bars in New Orleans

New Orleans remains strongly associated with live music after dark, although its evening life extends well beyond large clubs. Bourbon Street is known for crowded bars and late-night entertainment, while Frenchmen Street has long been associated with jazz, funk, blues and smaller music venues. Preservation Hall represents the city’s traditional jazz heritage, and established clubs across the French Quarter and Marigny present musicians in intimate settings. The Saenger Theatre and other performance spaces offer concerts, theatre and touring productions, while neighbourhood bars in Uptown and the Garden District tend to provide a quieter local atmosphere. Bebop, brass bands and contemporary sounds coexist with cocktail lounges and wine bars. Visitors should be mindful of residential streets, event crowds and local rules concerning public drinking, and should arrange transport carefully when moving between districts late at night.

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Best nightclubs in New Orleans

New Orleans remains strongly associated with live music after dark, although its evening life extends well beyond large clubs. Bourbon Street is known for crowded bars and late-night entertainment, while Frenchmen Street has long been associated with jazz, funk, blues and smaller music venues. Preservation Hall represents the city’s traditional jazz heritage, and established clubs across the French Quarter and Marigny present musicians in intimate settings. The Saenger Theatre and other performance spaces offer concerts, theatre and touring productions, while neighbourhood bars in Uptown and the Garden District tend to provide a quieter local atmosphere. Bebop, brass bands and contemporary sounds coexist with cocktail lounges and wine bars. Visitors should be mindful of residential streets, event crowds and local rules concerning public drinking, and should arrange transport carefully when moving between districts late at night.

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Best shops in New Orleans

Shopping in New Orleans combines historic market culture with independent retail along streets that cross several neighbourhoods. The French Market, beside the Mississippi near the French Quarter, includes food stalls, crafts and souvenir-oriented shops, while Royal and Chartres streets are known for antiques, art, jewellery and decorative objects. Magazine Street stretches through the Lower Garden District, Garden District and Uptown, linking boutiques, bookshops, galleries, homeware stores and cafés. Local purchases may include Louisiana food products, hot sauces, pralines, ceramics, prints, textiles and handmade jewellery, although provenance varies and mass-produced souvenirs are common. The Warehouse District offers galleries and design-led retailers, while smaller shops in the Marigny reflect the area’s music and arts culture. Seasonal markets and festivals can expand the choice of regional crafts, but opening patterns and individual traders vary.

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New Orleans essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar, written as USD or $100, and cash is still useful for small purchases, tips, market stalls and some casual food outlets. Credit and debit cards are commonly accepted in hotels, restaurants, museums and larger shops, with contactless payment increasingly available but not universal. ATMs are found throughout central districts, although independent operators may charge additional fees. International visitors should notify their bank if required, check exchange and foreign-transaction charges, and keep a small amount of cash separate from cards. Restaurant, bar and service tips are normally added to the bill or paid directly.
Safety
New Orleans requires the same urban awareness as any large American city. Keep phones, wallets and bags secure in crowded streets, on public transport and around nightlife areas, and avoid displaying expensive equipment unnecessarily. Visitors should remain attentive when walking late at night, particularly on quieter streets away from established entertainment areas, and use licensed taxis or reputable ride services when appropriate. Heat, intense sun, heavy rain and hurricanes can present practical risks at different times of year. Follow local weather and emergency announcements, stay hydrated, and take care around poorly lit streets, traffic and uneven pavements.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 for police, fire or urgent medical assistance anywhere in New Orleans and throughout the United States. Give the operator the exact address or a clear landmark, explain the nature of the emergency, and remain on the line until told to disconnect. For non-urgent police matters, local authorities provide separate contact arrangements that may change, so hotel staff or the city’s official services can provide current guidance. International visitors should carry travel-insurance and medication details, while anyone visiting during hurricane season should monitor official forecasts and evacuation or shelter instructions.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress lightly for the climate, but use respectful clothing in churches, cemeteries and formal establishments. Ask before photographing performers, residents, funerals or private celebrations, and do not touch above-ground tombs or enter restricted cemetery areas. In bars and restaurants, tipping service staff is customary, while musicians and street performers appreciate payment for performances rather than unsolicited handling of instruments. Keep noise and behaviour considerate in residential streets, particularly around the French Quarter and Marigny. Drinking alcohol in public is subject to local rules, and glass containers should not be taken into streets or public spaces.
Local Tips
The French Quarter is easiest to understand when combined with nearby Tremé, the Marigny and the riverfront, rather than treated as the whole city. Magazine Street, the Garden District and Uptown reward slower exploration, while the St Charles streetcar offers a useful link between several historic areas. Plan demanding walks for mornings or cooler parts of the day, and allow time for galleries, cafés and live music instead of trying to cover every district quickly. Local calendars are useful for identifying parades, festivals and cultural events, but large celebrations can alter traffic, accommodation demand and public transport.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloBonjour[bon-zhoor]
GoodbyeAdieu[ah-dyoo]
YesOui[wee]
NoNon[nawn]
Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît/De rien[see voo pleh/dee ryen]
Thank youMerci[mehr-see]
Excuse me/SorryPardon/Je suis désolé[pahr-dohn/zhe swee day-zoh-lay]
How are you?Comment ça va?[koh-mawn sah vah]
Fine. And you?Bien. Et toi?[byen/eh twah]
Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?[par-lay voo ahn-glay]
I don't understandJe ne comprends pas[zhe nuh kohm-prawn pah]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plaît[zhe voo-dray vwahr luh menu, see voo pleh]
I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande[zhe nuh mahnj pah duh vyand]
Cheers!Santé![sahn-tay]
I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît[zhe voo-dray pay-yay, see voo pleh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Au secours![oh seh-koor]
Go away!Allez-vous en![ah-lay vooz ahn]
Call the Police!Appelez la police![ah-peh-lay lah poh-lees]
Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin![ah-peh-lay ahn mayd-sahn]
I'm lostJe suis perdu[zhe swee pair-doo]
I'm illJe suis malade[zhe swee mah-lahd]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...[zhe voo-dray zah-shey...]
I'm just lookingJe regarde juste[zhe ruh-gard zhewst]
How much is it?Combien ça coûte?[kohm-byen sah koot]
That's too expensiveC'est trop cher[say troh shay]
Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?[poo-vay voo bay-say luh pree]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?[kehl uhr eh-teel]
It's one o'clockIl est une heure[eel eh oon uhr]
Half past (10)Dix heures et demie[dees uhr eh duh-mee]
MorningMatin[mah-tahn]
AfternoonAprès-midi[ah-preh-mee-dee]
EveningSoir[swah]
YesterdayHier[yehr]
TodayAujourd'hui[oh-zhoor-dwee]
TomorrowDemain[duh-man]
1Un[uhn]
2Deux[duh]
3Trois[twah]
4Quatre[kat]
5Cinq[sank]
6Six[sees]
7Sept[sept]
8Huit[wheet]
9Neuf[nuff]
10Dix[dees]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Où est le/la...?[oo eh luh/lah]
What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?[kehl eh la-dress]
Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?[poo-vay voo muh mohn-tray (sur lah kart)]
When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?[kahnd eh luh proh-shahn (bus)]
A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ....)[uhn bee-yay (poor)]

History of New Orleans

Indigenous Lands and French Foundation

The lower Mississippi region was inhabited by Indigenous peoples long before European colonisation, including communities connected to the broader cultural world of the Mississippi Valley and nearby Gulf Coast. French-Canadian explorer Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, established New Orleans in 1718 for the Compagnie des Indes, naming it La Nouvelle-Orléans after Philippe II, Duke of Orléans. The settlement occupied strategically important ground beside the river, although flooding, disease and difficult relations with Indigenous nations challenged its early growth. Its location nevertheless offered control of a vital waterway linking the interior of North America with the Gulf of Mexico.

French Quarter under French and Spanish Rule

The settlement developed around what is now the French Quarter, whose street plan still reflects the colonial town. France ceded Louisiana to Spain in 1762, and Spanish administration became decisive in shaping the city’s built environment and legal institutions. Fires in 1788 and 1794 destroyed much of the early wooden town, leading to stricter building regulations and the construction of masonry buildings with courtyards, galleries and ironwork. The Cabildo and St Louis Cathedral belong to this Spanish colonial period, while migration from France, Spain, the Caribbean and Africa contributed to the complex Creole society that distinguished New Orleans from other cities in British North America.

The Louisiana Purchase and American Expansion

The United States acquired Louisiana from France in 1803, and New Orleans became an American port while retaining its French and Spanish legal, architectural and social inheritances. The city expanded commercially through cotton, sugar, shipping and the movement of goods along the Mississippi. Its population included free people of colour, enslaved Africans and their descendants, European immigrants and Caribbean arrivals, producing a multilingual and culturally diverse urban society. The Battle of New Orleans, fought in January 1815 after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed but before news reached the combatants, strengthened the city’s place in the national imagination and celebrated Andrew Jackson’s forces.

Port, Immigration and Urban Growth

During the nineteenth century New Orleans became one of the United States’ major ports and a centre for river commerce, finance and the processing of cotton and sugar. Immigrants from Ireland, Germany and Italy joined established French, Spanish, African American and Caribbean communities, while neighbourhoods developed their own institutions, churches and traditions. The city’s cemeteries, markets and elaborate residences reflect this period of growth. Street railways and drainage works enabled expansion beyond the original riverside settlement, although the low-lying landscape remained vulnerable to disease, hurricanes and flooding. Social divisions were severe, yet cultural exchange across communities helped shape the food, language, festivals and music now associated with New Orleans.

Civil War, Reconstruction and Jim Crow

Union forces captured New Orleans in 1862 during the American Civil War, and the city remained under Union occupation for much of the conflict. Emancipation transformed its labour system and public life, while Reconstruction brought fierce political contests over citizenship, education and racial power. African American communities sustained churches, mutual-aid organisations and artistic traditions despite the restrictions that hardened under Jim Crow segregation. The city’s brass-band culture and social-aid societies formed important foundations for the later development of jazz. Tremé, in particular, became a significant centre of Black civic and musical life, linking nineteenth-century community institutions with the city’s modern cultural identity.

Jazz, Modernisation and Cultural Recognition

In the early twentieth century, musicians including Louis Armstrong helped carry New Orleans jazz from local dance halls and neighbourhood gatherings to audiences around the world. The city modernised through expanded transport, port infrastructure and new commercial districts, while Mardi Gras organisations, brass bands and social clubs preserved distinctive forms of public celebration. After the Second World War, suburbs grew and some historic neighbourhoods declined, prompting later preservation campaigns. The 1960s Civil Rights era also brought major struggles over segregation and political representation. Preservation of the French Quarter, the Garden District and other historic areas helped retain the city’s architectural character as New Orleans became increasingly recognised for its cultural heritage.

Hurricane Katrina and Continuing Renewal

Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005, and failures in the federal flood-protection system caused catastrophic flooding across much of New Orleans. Thousands of residents were displaced, neighbourhoods suffered extensive damage and the city faced a long, uneven recovery. Rebuilding exposed continuing inequalities in housing, infrastructure and access to public services, while residents, musicians, cooks and community organisations worked to restore cultural life. New Orleans has since seen renewed investment in parts of its historic core and wider debates about coastal erosion, climate adaptation and resilience. The city’s identity today reflects both its long history and the determination of communities rebuilding after disaster.

New Orleans in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to New Orleans

Discover New Orleans with Evendo - a 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more with detailed insights and local tips.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities
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Plan your perfect trip to New Orleans with Evendo, your all-in-one travel guide. Discover attractions, book hotels and tours, and explore like a local with no additional costs.

  • History of New Orleans and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • User-friendly navigation
  • 'Near me' feature to discover nearby attractions
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to New Orleans, the vibrant heart of Louisiana, known for its rich history, music, food, and culture. With Evendo, your travel experience in New Orleans will be nothing short of extraordinary. This 100% free app-based travel guide offers detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities New Orleans has to offer.

Imagine wandering through the historic French Quarter, visiting iconic landmarks like Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral, or immersing yourself in the sounds of jazz at Preservation Hall. Evendo provides you with rich descriptions, beautiful images, and local tips for each location, making it easy to plan and organize your trip. Discover the culinary delights of New Orleans by exploring renowned restaurants such as Commander's Palace and Café du Monde, and experience the city's nightlife at famous bars like Pat O'Brien's.

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Whether you're interested in the history of New Orleans, seeking travel essentials, or looking for curated local advice, Evendo has you covered. The app's global coverage means you can use it for over 7,000 destinations worldwide, making it a must-have for any traveler. Download Evendo today and make the most of your New Orleans adventure!

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