This New Orleans travel guide covers everything you need to plan a great trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. New Orleans is unlike any other American city: jazz drifting from doorways, Creole and Cajun cooking, historic architecture and festivals almost every week of the year.
This guide is written for American travellers: it covers how to get there, when to go, where to stay, what it costs in US dollars and the experiences worth your time.
New Orleans travel guide: quick facts
| New Orleans at a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Louisiana |
| Nearest airport | Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) |
| Getting there | About 1.5 hours from Baton Rouge |
| Best time to visit | February to May and October to November |
| Time needed | 3 days |
| Best for | Music lovers, foodies, couples and groups |
Why visit New Orleans
New Orleans is ideal for music lovers, foodies, couples and groups. Its headline experiences include French Quarter, Frenchmen Street, Garden District and St. Charles streetcar, and it pairs well with Nashville. Few places combine so much variety in such a short trip.
How to get to New Orleans
- By air: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY).
- By road: About 1.5 hours from Baton Rouge.
- Rental cars: available at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY); book early for summer and holiday weekends.
Getting around New Orleans
A car is useful for day trips, but the central districts are walkable and well served by rideshare. Rideshare apps work everywhere, and many downtown hotels charge high nightly parking fees, so think twice before keeping a car for city days.
Top things to do in New Orleans
French Quarter
Iron balconies, Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral.
Frenchmen Street
Live jazz clubs, more local than Bourbon Street. Allow at least an hour or two here.
Garden District
Antebellum mansions and Lafayette Cemetery.
St. Charles streetcar
The oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world. Go early to beat the crowds.
National WWII Museum
One of the best museums in the country.
Café du Monde
Beignets and café au lait. Book ahead in peak season.
Swamp tours
See alligators in the bayous outside the city.
Preservation Hall
Intimate traditional jazz shows. It is a highlight for most visitors.
Other favourite experiences include live jazz, food tours, cemetery and ghost tours, swamp tours and festivals. See our full list of things to do in New Orleans.
Travel gear we trust
- Travel backpacks for weekend trips BuyrSkip
A 30–40 litre backpack handles a long weekend and fits under most airline seats. - Best phones and wearables for travel Buyzello
Phones with great cameras and wearables that track your hikes. - Top-rated wireless earbuds VerdictFox
Compact earbuds for flights, trains and long drives.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Best time to visit New Orleans
The best time to visit New Orleans is February to May and October to November. Here is how the seasons compare:
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March–May | Warm and pleasant, 60–80°F; the best season for most visitors. |
| Summer | June–August | Hot and humid, often 90°F+, with afternoon storms. |
| Fall | September–November | Warm early, comfortable by October; hurricane risk on the coast until November. |
| Winter | December–February | Mild, 40–60°F, with occasional cold snaps. |
Shoulder seasons usually offer the best mix of weather, prices and crowds.
Where to stay in New Orleans
- French Quarter: Historic and lively.
- Marigny: Near Frenchmen Street.
- Garden District: Quieter, leafy.
- Warehouse District: Museums and modern hotels.
Typical nightly rates:
| Style | Typical price per night | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $110–170 | Motels, hostels, simple inns and campground cabins |
| Mid-range | $180–300 | Comfortable hotels and B&Bs, often with breakfast |
| Luxury | $350–700 | Resorts, historic hotels and boutique properties |
Book early for summer weekends and holidays, and compare total prices, including taxes and any resort or parking fees.
What to eat in New Orleans
Don’t leave without trying gumbo, po’boys, jambalaya, beignets and crawfish (spring). Reserve popular restaurants ahead on weekends.
Suggested 3 days in New Orleans
- Day 1: French Quarter and Frenchmen Street.
- Day 2: Garden District and St. Charles streetcar.
- Day 3: National WWII Museum, Café du Monde, Swamp tours and Preservation Hall.
For a detailed day-by-day plan, see our New Orleans 3-Day Itinerary for Food and Music Lovers.
What to pack for New Orleans
- Breathable clothing and a sun hat
- High-SPF reef-safe sunscreen
- A reusable water bottle
- Sandals and comfortable walking shoes
- A light rain jacket for afternoon storms
- Insect repellent
For a complete checklist, see our road trip packing list.
Sample 3-day budget for two
| Item | Mid-range estimate |
|---|---|
| Hotel (3 nights) | $540–$900 |
| Food and drink | $540–$864 |
| Activities and entry fees | $140–$280 |
| Local transport or car | $180–$270 |
| Total | $1,400–$2,314 |
Estimates exclude flights and assume a mid-range hotel; travelling in shoulder season can cut accommodation costs by a third or more.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to cover every neighbourhood in a day: cluster sights by area instead.
- Renting a car you will barely use and paying high overnight parking fees.
- Eating only in the main tourist zone, where prices are higher and quality lower.
- Skipping reservations for popular restaurants, tours and observation decks on weekends.
- Underestimating walking distances: bring comfortable shoes.
Accessibility and family travel
Most major attractions, museums and transit systems are wheelchair accessible, though older buildings and historic districts can have steps and uneven sidewalks. Families will find plenty of stroller-friendly parks and child-friendly museums, and many attractions offer discounted tickets for children and seniors.
Practical tips
- Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest push prices up sharply.
- Summer is hot and humid; hurricane season runs June to November.
- Take a cab or rideshare late at night rather than walking through quiet streets.
- Tipping 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require a REAL ID-compliant licence or another accepted ID such as a passport. See our guide to REAL ID and TSA rules.
- Money: Sales tax is added at the register and varies by state and city; tipping 18–20% at sit-down restaurants is expected.
- Insurance: Your health plan may have limited out-of-network cover in another state, and trip-cancellation cover is worth having for expensive bookings, especially in hurricane season.
- Driving: Most visitors drive; rental cars are widely available, and a US licence is all you need. Gas prices vary widely by state; California and Hawaii are usually the most expensive.
- Saving money: our budget vacation and cheapest places to travel guides have dozens of practical ideas.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $120–$180 | motel or hostel, casual meals, self-drive or transit |
| Mid-range | $250–$400 | good hotel, sit-down meals, some tours |
| Luxury | $600–$1,200 | resort or boutique hotel, fine dining, private tours |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Travelling responsibly
Follow Leave No Trace principles: stay on marked trails, pack out everything you bring in, and never feed wildlife. Support locally owned restaurants, guides and shops, and visit popular places early or late to spread out the crowds. In busy parks, use shuttles where they exist to cut traffic and parking pressure.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Our road trip gear picks
- Best dash cams for road trips VerdictFox
Record scenic drives and protect yourself if something happens on the highway. - 12V car fridges for road trips VerdictFox
Keep drinks and picnic food cold on long road trips without buying ice every day. - Power stations for camping and road trips VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Nearby places to add to your trip
- Nashville: Nashville, Music City, is the home of country music, with honky-tonks on Broadway, legendary venues like the Ryman Auditorium and a booming food scene.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in New Orleans?
Plan 3 days to see the highlights without rushing, and add a day for day trips or hikes.
What is the best time to visit New Orleans?
The best time is February to May and October to November.
How do you get to New Orleans?
Fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY). By road, it is about 1.5 hours from Baton Rouge.
How much does a trip to New Orleans cost?
Hotels typically cost $180–300 a night for mid-range rooms, and most travellers spend $250–$400 per person per day.
Is New Orleans good for families?
Yes. It suits music lovers, foodies, couples and groups, and families do best with a central base, early starts and a mix of sightseeing and downtime.
Final thoughts on New Orleans travel guide
New Orleans rewards travellers who plan the essentials and leave room for surprises. Book key stays and timed-entry or tour reservations early, travel in the shoulder seasons if you can, and give yourself time to enjoy the places that charm you most.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Best Things to Do in New Orleans: Top Experiences and Local Tips
- New Orleans 3-Day Itinerary for Food and Music Lovers
- Nashville Travel Guide: Music, Food and Where to Stay
- How to Plan a Budget Vacation in the USA: 25 Money-Saving Tips