A complete, honest guide to New Orleans, USA — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. Jazz, Creole cuisine & America's most distinctive city..
New Orleans is a highlight of North America, and New Orleans is America's most singular city — Creole architecture, jazz on every corner and a love of food and festivity. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in New Orleans
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in New Orleans
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — French Quarter and Bourbon & Frenchmen Streets. Break for lunch and try gumbo, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of French Quarter.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Garden District and St Louis Cemetery, then explore Marigny & Bywater at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Oak Alley Plantation (a live-oak avenue on the river) is the easy favourite, or swap in Bayou swamp tours (alligators and cypress).
Ready to book? Turn your New Orleans shortlist into reality
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and day trips for the sights you've saved — booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We may earn a commission.
Book New Orleans experiences →New Orleans on a budget — costs & money tips
New Orleans is on the pricier side by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in New Orleans
- Accommodation£35–£120 / night
- Food£20–£55 / day
- Local transport£6–£16 / day
- Typical attraction£12–£35 / entry
See how New Orleans compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in New Orleans
- Stay slightly outside the centre near a fast transit line — nightly rates drop quickly a stop or two out.
- Free museum evenings/days and city passes can offset the high cost of paid attractions.
- Self-cater breakfast and lunch; this is where a comfortable budget is most easily trimmed.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — New Orleans at a glance
A quick orientation for New Orleans. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in New Orleans
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around New Orleans specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in New Orleans
New Orleans is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
French Quarter
The historic, lively core.
Marigny & Bywater
Music and creative energy.
Garden District
Grand homes and the streetcar.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in New Orleans further down the page.
Food & drink in New Orleans
Creole and Cajun cooking is the heart of it — gumbo, jambalaya, po'boys and beignets.
Build your New Orleans food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around New Orleans
The historic streetcars and walking cover the core; ride-hailing for further out.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around New Orleans. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of New Orleans is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into New Orleans that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit New Orleans
February–May (including Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest); summers are hot and humid. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting New Orleans.
Day trips from New Orleans
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Oak Alley Plantation — a live-oak avenue on the river
- Bayou swamp tours — alligators and cypress
Practical tips for New Orleans
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, French Quarter is a smart base — the historic, lively core. If that’s not your style, Marigny & Bywater works well too (music and creative energy).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave New Orleans without trying gumbo, jambalaya, po'boy or beignets. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for French Quarter and Bourbon & Frenchmen Streets. With a spare day, Oak Alley Plantation (a live-oak avenue on the river) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in New Orleans, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across New Orleans — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in New Orleans, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in New Orleans?
Three to four days is enough for New Orleans’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander French Quarter — with an extra day for a trip to Oak Alley Plantation if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit New Orleans?
February–May (including Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest); summers are hot and humid.
What food is New Orleans known for?
Creole and Cajun cooking is the heart of it — gumbo, jambalaya, po'boys and beignets.
Where should I stay in New Orleans?
French Quarter is a great first-time base (the historic, lively core). Marigny & Bywater is another good option for music and creative energy.
What are the best day trips from New Orleans?
Two rewarding day trips are Oak Alley Plantation (a live-oak avenue on the river) and Bayou swamp tours (alligators and cypress).
How do you get around New Orleans?
The historic streetcars and walking cover the core; ride-hailing for further out.
