Hotels in New Orleans

Best time to visit New Orleans

Visit New Orleans in the spring months from February – May to make the most of local events and celebrations, and enjoy cool temperatures of 70 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Since this is also the peak tourist season, try to book your accommodation in advance to avoid non-availability and high prices. Once summer sets in from June – August, tourists tend to stay away from high humidity and warm temperatures of 85 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit. This is also the rainiest period, so bring an umbrella if you are visiting during this time. September – November offers a little reprieve from the heat, but you may experience hurricanes that may affect your sightseeing plans. To avoid the large crowds and enjoy better weather, plan your visit between December – January.

Getting around New Orleans

Sights and attractions within the compact neighborhoods of New Orleans are easy to explore on foot. Just carry a pair of comfortable walking shoes and stay hydrated at all times, especially in summer. For getting around between neighborhoods, hop on to the colorful streetcars or buses operated by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA). One-way fares cost $1.25 USD while a 1-Day Jazzy Pass costs $3.00 USD and allows unlimited rides for 24 hours. If you are exploring the city at night, it’s best to take a taxi. Some of the well-established taxi companies include United Cabs, Nawlins Cab, and New Orleans Carriage Cab. Driving in New Orleans may not be easy as narrow streets and several one-way routes can be confusing. It’s better to use public transport and taxis to get around in the city.

Best places to stay in New Orleans

As a tourist, your New Orleans experience is an unending loop of stroll, shop, dine, dance, bar-hop, enjoy different genres of music, celebrate local festivals and relax. Of this, whatever interests you more, can help you to decide where to stay. While some neighborhoods boast 24-hour parties and merry-making, others offer vast parks and beautiful architecture. Here are a few options to choose from.

French Quarter

The oldest and most historic area of New Orleans, the French Quarter offers plenty of traditional restaurants, lively bars, museums, and antique shops. It’s also home to Bourbon Street, one of the greatest nightlife streets in the world. Check out 1870 Banana Courtyard, a historic French Quarter B&B that offers a tropical courtyard, beautiful rooms with balconies and an excellent location, just 3 blocks from the world-famous Bourbon Street. The colorful New Orleans streetcars run along the streets outside this B&B. At the corner of Bourbon Street and Toulouse Street, you have the Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter Hotel. The hotel is within walking distance of all the major area attractions, and offers well-appointed rooms with balconies that overlook the vibrant streets.

Garden District

If you’re looking for a tranquil setting away from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter, stay in the Garden District. This area is home to lush green gardens and several stately mansions in the style of Greek Revival architecture. Vintage streetcars chug up and down the famous, oak-lined St. Charles Avenue. Stay in the award-winning Grand Victorian Bed & Breakfast, a restored 1893-built house that offers charming rooms with period furnishings and modern conveniences. In the heart of the Garden District, you have the Henry Howard Hotel, a double gallery 1867-dated Greek Revival townhouse. This is a luxury boutique hotel that blends rich tradition with modern day design and amenities.

Faubourg Marigny

This is a hip and young neighborhood full of Creole-style cottages, budget-friendly B&Bs, and funky coffee houses. The famous Frenchmen Street features vibrant eateries, bars and plenty of live music venues where you’ll hear jazz and blues until the early hours of the morning. Enjoy individually decorated rooms, a courtyard with a pool and hot tub, and a sky-deck at The Frenchmen Hotel, a groovy boutique hotel in the heart of Frenchmen Street’s live music corridor. Check out the traditional rooms with antique décor in an 1850s-dated historic guesthouse, Creole Inn, just a short walk from Frenchmen Street as well as Bourbon Street.

Cheap hotels in New Orleans

Cheap accommodation in New Orleans will mean you are further away from the French Quarter which is the central point for all the attractions and action in the city. However, the neighborhoods surrounding the French Quarter are only a short walk from the lively Bourbon Street, where you are likely to spend most of your time, and your travel dollars. Consider the Historic Streetcar Inn, a family-run guest house set in two 1897-dated Victorian townhouses, a 10-minute streetcar ride to the French Quarter. In the Faubourg Treme neighborhood, check out the Jazz Quarters Hotel, an upscale jazz-themed B&B, set in elegant Creole-style cottages linked by tree-lined courtyards. In the Central Business District, just half a block from the Mardi Gras parade routes, you have the Best Western Plus St. Christopher Hotel. On St. Charles Avenue in the Lower Garden District, enjoy comfortable and stylish accommodation in The Quisby hostel.

A trend-setter in culinary delights, multi-genre music, and carnival-like events and celebrations, New Orleans promises to enthrall you with its rich and unique culture of merry-making. Apart from a year-round party atmosphere, the city also offers interesting architecture, museums, parks and gardens. Here are some suggestions for a well-rounded itinerary and a complete New Orleans experience.

• Wander around the Garden District to spot historic residences and mansions, and enjoy a leisurely stroll in picturesque landscaped gardens.
• Discover Louisiana’s history at The Cabildo Louisiana State Museum.
• Visit New Orleans’ most recognizable landmark, the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral.
• Soak in the typical, vibrant New Orleans atmosphere as you stroll in the French Quarter. Don’t miss the fascinating heritage architecture in this neighborhood.
• Spend your nights at Bourbon Street, the city’s party hub, filled with vibrant bars and clubs, fascinating street performers and incredibly talented musicians.
• Check out the finest collection of Southern art at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. Browse through a large collection of art at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA).
• Admire an eclectic collection of costumes, photographs, and artifacts related to African-American culture at the Backstreet Cultural Museum.
• Enjoy live music, bars, restaurants and art galleries as you stroll along Frenchmen Street. Shop for original artwork, handcrafted jewelry and unique souvenirs at the Frenchmen Art Market.
• Attend the annual Mardi Gras festival, a grand and colorful carnival that is unique to New Orleans.
• If you are not in town during the Mardi Gras festival, head to the Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World for a sneak peek at the renowned celebrations.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch or stroll in the 12-acre New Orleans Botanical Garden.
• Learn about ecology, wildlife and swamp life, as you go on a guided swamp tour in airboats or flatboats around one of the Louisiana bayous.
• If you are fascinated by morbid and eerie attractions, book a guided cemetery tour. You will be impressed with the ornate Spanish and French architecture too.
• Ride a streetcar at St. Charles Avenue and enjoy a relaxed, scenic trip past the grand mansions and leafy streets of New Orleans.