New Orleans Travel Guide
Contents
- New Orleans — Music, Memory & the Crescent City
- New Orleans and Its Antipode
- The City
- Events & Festivals
- Top Things to Do in New Orleans
- Do and See
- Excursions
- Dining in New Orleans
- Cafés in New Orleans
- Bars & Nightlife
- Shopping
- Tourist Information
New Orleans — Music, Memory & the Crescent City
New Orleans is one of the most culturally distinctive cities in the United States. Set along a bend of the Mississippi River, the city has been shaped by French and Spanish colonial history, African and Caribbean influences, and generations of migration that created a singular blend of music, food, language, and ritual.
Often called “The Big Easy,” New Orleans contrasts the pace of larger American cities with a rhythm defined by neighbourhood life, live music, and celebration. Jazz, second lines, parades, and festivals are not occasional events here — they are embedded in daily life.
New Orleans and Its Antipode
Every place on Earth has an antipode — the point directly opposite it on the globe, connected by a straight line passing through the Earth’s core.
New Orleans’ antipode lies in the Indian Ocean, far from any major landmass. This land-to-ocean antipode places the city firmly within the Northern Hemisphere and underscores its continental position rather than oceanic isolation.
The contrast highlights New Orleans’ inward-facing geography: a city defined by river, delta, and land-based culture, even as water and wetlands shape its edges.
The City
History permeates New Orleans’ streets, buildings, and neighbourhoods. The French Quarter remains the city’s most recognisable district, with wrought-iron balconies, courtyards, and narrow streets reflecting European influence.
Canal Street once served as a “neutral ground” between American and Creole communities, a term that still describes the city’s medians today. Parks, bayous, and waterways surround the city, offering natural escape alongside urban life.
Events & Festivals
New Orleans hosts more than 400 festivals each year celebrating music, food, and culture.
- Mardi Gras (January–February)
- New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (April–May)
- French Quarter Festival (April)
- New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (May)
- COOLinary New Orleans Restaurant Month (August)
- Satchmo SummerFest (August)
- Louisiana Seafood Festival (September)
- VooDoo Music + Arts Experience (October)
- Christmas New Orleans Style (December)
Top Things to Do in New Orleans
The French Quarter
The historic heart of the city, known for Bourbon Street, music venues, dining, and nightlife.
St. Louis Cathedral
A landmark overlooking Jackson Square, notable for its architecture, stained glass, and history.
Jackson Square
A central public square surrounded by historic buildings, artists, and street performers.
New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA)
A major art museum with extensive collections and an outdoor sculpture garden set among live oaks.
City Park
A vast green space featuring lakes, museums, walking paths, and one of the world’s largest collections of oak trees.
New Orleans Streetcars
Historic streetcar lines dating from the 1920s that remain a beloved form of transport.
The National WWII Museum
America’s National WWII Museum, featuring immersive exhibitions and memorial spaces.
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
A park preserving Cajun culture, wetlands, and historic battle sites.
Mercedes-Benz Superdome
A major sports and entertainment venue home to the New Orleans Saints.
Audubon Zoo & Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
Wildlife and marine attractions showcasing global species and conservation efforts.
Do and See
Mardi Gras Carnival
Weeks of parades, balls, and celebrations leading up to Fat Tuesday.
Garden District
A neighbourhood known for grand historic homes, oak-lined streets, and quiet charm.
Canal Street
The city’s traditional “main street,” linking the French Quarter with Uptown.
Ogden Museum of Southern Art
A museum dedicated to art from the American South.
Backstreet Cultural Museum
A museum celebrating Mardi Gras Indian culture and street traditions.
Excursions
- Bayou Lafourche
- Lafayette
- New Orleans Northshore
- Lake Charles
- Baton Rouge
- Houma
Dining in New Orleans
New Orleans cuisine is central to the city’s identity, blending Creole, Cajun, French, and Southern traditions.
- Commander’s Palace
- Antoine’s Restaurant
- GW Fins
- Boucherie
- Acme Oyster House
- Restaurant August
- Clancy’s Restaurant
- Cochon
- Bayona
- Bourbon House
- Broussard’s
Cafés in New Orleans
- Café du Monde
- Napoleon House
- Jacques-Imo’s Café
- Café Amelie
- Ernst Café
- Avenue Café
- Elizabeth’s
- Mammoth Espresso
- Tout de Suite Café
Bars & Nightlife
Jazz is the lifeblood of New Orleans nightlife, heard throughout bars and music clubs across the city.
- Preservation Hall
- The Spotted Cat Music Club
- Fritzel’s European Jazz Club
- The Sazerac Bar
- Carousel Bar & Lounge
- d.b.a.
- Maple Leaf
- Cure
- Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits
Shopping
- Royal Street
- Jackson Square
- The Shops at Canal Place
- The Shops at Jax Brewery
- Lakeside Mall
- Louisiana Music Factory
- Aidan Gill for Men
- Fifi Mahony’s
- Vieux Carré Wine & Spirits
Tourist Information
New Orleans is served by Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, located west of the city centre.
Public transport includes buses and historic streetcar lines operated by the Regional Transit Authority.
The best time to visit New Orleans is from February through May, when festivals are frequent and temperatures are moderate.
Electricity in the United States is 110–115 volts using flat two-pin or three-pin plugs.
