French Quarter

New Orleans

French Quarter featuring heritage architecture, a city and street scenes
French Quarter
French Quarter
French Quarter
French Quarter

This historic neighbourhood encapsulates the soul of New Orleans and has become one of the city’s most iconic attractions.

The focal point of New Orleans’ fabled music scene is the French Quarter, a collection of historic and ramshackle streets in the heart of the city, which is the spiritual home of authentic New Orleans jazz.

This life-affirming music was brought here by the slaves who moved into the ancient settlement between Canal Street and the Mississippi. Freed from working in the sugar and cotton plantations, the families gravitated towards the city and began to establish their own community. Over the years, as immigration brought new cultural influences, the raw sounds of the cotton fields evolved into something more refined and unique. Jazz, as it was called, became synonymous with the city and the authentic New Orleans sound is still recognised and performed the world over.

The French Quarter pulsates with life all year round, but if you can, time your visit to coincide with one of the jazz parades that regularly transform the narrow streets into one huge, noisy, colourful party. However, there’s also a darker side to the area, as you will learn on a visit to the LaLaurie House on Royal Street. said to be haunted by the ghosts of tortured slaves. The St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is also part of the city’s spookier side and it contains the bones of the queen of Voodoo, Marie Laveau. Many superstitious people visit her grave to leave a gift and make a wish, hoping her restless spirit will bring them luck.

A romantic way to appreciate the area’s colonial architecture and historic landmarks is by taking a ride in a traditional horse-drawn carriage, which can be hired from Decatur Street, followed by a candle-lit dinner at one of the stylish French restaurants that have sprung up in some of the city’s oldest and most atmospheric buildings. Alternatively, catch a taxi, bus or tram to explore this compact quarter on foot, making sure you leave time to enjoy a spicy Creole snack or catch a live band pumping out red-hot jazz in one of the teeming bars – a time-honoured way to experience the authentic flavour of old New Orleans.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in French Quarter

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

4 out of 5
717 Orleans St., New Orleans, LA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$179 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
S$179
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this historic hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,890 reviews)
"From the valet to the check in staff, everyone is great!"

Reviewed on 13 Jul, 2025

Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter

Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter

4 out of 5
124 Royal St, New Orleans, LA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is S$170 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
S$170
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,244 reviews)
"Perfect location. Great price"

Reviewed on 14 Jul, 2025

Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
Hyatt Centric French Quarter

Hyatt Centric French Quarter

4 out of 5
800 Iberville Street, New Orleans, LA
The price is S$182 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
S$182
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,663 reviews)
"Everything"

Reviewed on 15 Jul, 2025

Hyatt Centric French Quarter
Four Points By Sheraton French Quarter

Four Points By Sheraton French Quarter

3.5 out of 5
541 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA
The price is S$166 per night from 28 Jul to 29 Jul
S$166
28 Jul - 29 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star golf hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,177 reviews)
"It was really nice"

Reviewed on 13 Jul, 2025

Four Points By Sheraton French Quarter
The Westin New Orleans

The Westin New Orleans

4.5 out of 5
100 Rue Iberville, New Orleans, LA
The price is S$210 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
S$210
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,891 reviews)
"Wonderful staff. Close to all the fun stuff"

Reviewed on 13 Jul, 2025

The Westin New Orleans
Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor by IHG

Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor by IHG

4.5 out of 5
739 Canal Street at Bourbon, New Orleans, LA
The price is S$168 per night from 21 Jul to 22 Jul
S$168
21 Jul - 22 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
7.4/10 Good! (4,755 reviews)
"The hotel is stepping feet from Bourban Street. The dislike is the pool is small and literally for standing not swimming."

Reviewed on 12 Jul, 2025

Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around French Quarter

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Tremé

4.5/5(3 area reviews)

Tremé is noteworthy for its live music, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Mahalia Jackson Theater and Louisiana Museum of African American History.

Tremé
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Faubourg Marigny

4.5/5(8 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and great live music, there's plenty to explore in Faubourg Marigny. You can visit top attractions like Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street Jazz Clubs, and jump on the metro at Saint Claude at Elysian Fields Stop or Saint Claude at Pauger Stop to see more of the city.

Faubourg Marigny
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New Orleans Central Business District

4/5(98 area reviews)

Known for its fantastic nightlife and great live music, there's plenty to explore in New Orleans Central Business District. Check out top attractions like Canal Street and Caesars Superdome, and jump on the metro at Carondelet at Poydras Stop or Poydras Street Stop to see more of the city.

New Orleans Central Business District
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Arts/Warehouse District

4/5(6 area reviews)

Known for its abundant dining options and interesting museums, there's plenty to explore in Arts/Warehouse District. Top attractions like National World War II Museum and The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk are major draws, and you can catch the metro at St. Charles at Julia Stop or Saint Charles at Saint Joseph Stop to see more of the city.

Arts/Warehouse District
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Bywater

Live music, bars and historical sites are some highlights of Bywater. Make a stop by Decatur Street or Mississippi River while you're exploring.

Bywater
St Louis Cemetery which includes heritage elements

Mid-City District

If you're spending time in Mid-City District, check out sights like Fair Grounds Race Course or Mahalia Jackson Theater and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Canal at White Stop or Canal at Salcedo Stop.

Mid-City District


French Quarter