The French Quarter, jazz and Mardi Gras
New Orleans
New Orleans · Jazz, Creole flavors and the French Quarter
A steamy, music-soaked port on the Mississippi, New Orleans blends French, Spanish, African and Caribbean roots into wrought-iron balconies, brass-band jazz and unmistakable Creole cooking. The French Quarter and Mardi Gras are its beating heart.
Top sightsSights
French Quarter
The historic core of balconies, courtyards and bars.
Bourbon Street
The rowdy nightlife strip of music and revelry.
Jackson Square
A landmark square before St. Louis Cathedral.
Garden District
Leafy streets of grand antebellum mansions.
Steamboat on the Mississippi
A paddle-wheeler cruise along the river.
What to eatFood
Gumbo
A rich Creole stew over rice.
Beignets
Sugar-dusted fried dough, best with chicory coffee.
Po’boy
A stuffed baguette sandwich, often fried shrimp.
Good to know
- Catch live jazz on Frenchmen Street away from the crowds.
- Summers are hot and humid; spring festival season is prime time.
- The historic streetcars are a scenic way to reach the Garden District.
Getting there
Louis Armstrong International (MSY) is about 30 minutes from the French Quarter.
Next city
Honolulu