Where
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
When
April. New Orleans means one thing to most people – Mardi Gras. The Mardi Gras season is January-May. The atmosphere is electric and the sun is at its best with an average temp of 21°C. You’ll also catch the French Quarter Festival, which runs from April 6-9.
Why
In 2018, New Orleans (or ‘New OAR-linz’ to the locals) is celebrating its Tricentennial, the 300th anniversary of the city’s founding by French settlers in 1718. Everything that represents the culture and vibrant diversity of the Big Easy will be amped up in anticipation of this momentous occasion. Whether you’re enjoying a craft beer at an outdoor crayfish boil, dancing at an authentic jazz bar until the wee hours or exploring the ancient mystic voodoo that surrounds the city,you’ll soon be head over heels for New Orleans.
Pre-travel thoughts
Great for:
Singles, groups, or couples looking to let their hair down and dabble in NOLA’s vibrant nightlife, but who also have a penchant for hidden gems, cultural oddities, and immersive historical storytelling.
Not the best for:
Wellness Tourists, Honeymooners, Nature Lovers, people who want a short trip.
A “typical” Saturday:
Breakfast at Camellia Grill, a 1920s institution serving classic American diner fare. Wandering around St. Louis Cemetery #1 (note: you now have to be accompanied by a tour guide) before hailing a cab to Magazine Street for some shopping. Head to foodie hipster hotspot, Freret Street and have one of the best deep-dish pizzas you’ll ever try at Midway Pizza before going for a nightcap n Frenchmen Street where you can dip in and out of the iconic jazz clubs that dot the infamous street.
Price:
€€
Finding food and booze for cheap is easy in New Orleans if you know where to look. Take advantage of diners, delis, and places off the beaten track rather than settling for tourist trap prices. However, due to the popularity of the city, accommodation can be pricey in the city centre.
Currency:
Dollars
How to get to the city from the airport:
Louis Armstrong International Airport is the most popular entry point for visitors to New Orleans and is located about 11 miles west of the city. The best way to reach the center of town is by taxi (which costs around $35) or by using the Jefferson Transit Airport Express bus (which costs only $2 and takes 45 minutes). To find the bus stop, look for door number 7 on the second floor of the terminal, near the Delta counter.
Booking Advice
The cheapest flight from London to New Orleans Louis Armstrong was found, on average, 43 days before departure. Book at least 4 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. Morning departures are around 3% more expensive than evening flights, on average*. A flight from London to New Orleans will take between 10-16 hours, so make sure you have some time to rest when you land.
*Average of the lowest prices shown in KAYAK’s search results for departures within the next 30 days. More info on the methodology here.
Product Checklist
New Orleans has a tropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers that can be wet.The dress code is casual in most places with most people sporting light, cool clothing, but NOLA is also accepting of the less traditional, more eccentric fashion tastes. Think chic and simple, but with a twist.
Pack outfits that will easily go from day to night. If you don’t want to faff about getting back to your accommodation, consider versatile looks that will work for sightseeing, but also a night out. If you’re after more budget eats, most clothing is accepted, however a few upmarket restaurants might prefer jackets or dresses.
There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t look good in a pair of Wayfarer Ray-Bans – a must amongst the jazz crowd as well.
With average temps of 24°C in the summer, walking around can be tiring, dehydrating work. Don’t throw away money by buying water at convenience stores. Instead, pack a refillable water bottle that’ll keep your drinks cool all day long.
In the Mood
New Orleans looks like a movie set, and with its diverse architecture you’d be forgiven if you thought you’d wandered into a period drama or a romantic thriller, depending on which streets you wander down. Hollywood agrees and NOLA has been the set of some iconic classics that can give you a taste of its flavour before you experience the real thing.
- Interview with a Vampire (1994)
- King Creole (1958)
- A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
- Live and Let Die (1973)
- Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
- Tremé (2010-13)
- Girls Trip (2017)
- American Horror Story: Coven (2013)
- When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts (2006)
- The Big Easy (1986)
And once you arrive, here’s a playlist of quintessential New Orleans tunes for a long walk around the city, or for getting ready to go out >>> KAYAK’s New Orleans Playlist
On the Ground
Note: Check out this map to see the places we mention.
If you’re used to travelling to European cities for a holiday, then New Orleans could seem a tad overwhelming in terms of its size. There are 17 wards in the city. While wards have names (e.g. Treme), locals may also refer to them by their ward number (e.g. 6th Ward). Since New Orleans is blessed with a classical American block system, walking from one area to the next may look simple on a map. However, a street like the historic Canal Street, which separates the Uptown and Downriver areas of New Orleans, is close to four miles long and it would take over an hour if you wanted to walk the length of it. Transport is plentiful in the city but can be slow or disorganised, so either invest in some sturdy trainers or check out our transport advice for discovering the city by tram, bus or taxi.
French Quarter
The French Quarter is the most popular and famous area in New Orleans. Here you’ll find world-famous fine dining and casual but overpriced restaurants side by side, along with bars offering outrageous drink specials and stumbling tourists in awe of the atmosphere that the French Quarter exudes. While definitely worth a stop for a few drinks (Pat O’ Brien’s signature Hurricane is a must try) and to see some amazing 18th-century buildings, you won’t often find ‘local’ NOLA residents here, but the bars that aren’t tourist traps are genuinely fun.
Tremé
Pronounced tre-MAY, Tremé is one of the New Orleans’s oldest districts. Here you’ll find Créole food aplenty and brass bands pumping jazzy tunes out of every cafe and bar. If you’re in search of a more authentic and less raucous jazz club experience, you’ll find it on Bourbon or Frenchmen streets. Check out the infamous Candlelight Lounge on a Wednesday for a taste of brass band – but be prepared to dance.
Jackson Square
In the heart of the French Quarter is Jackson Square, a gorgeous park surrounded on all sides by museums and historic landmarks. The best way to experience this area is with a walking tour provided by the Louisiana State Museum. Standard tours are available every day from 10 a.m. beginning at 1850 House, with ghost tours available on Saturdays and Sundays. Don’t miss the red brick Pontalba Buildings on the corner of St. Ann and St. Peter streets reportedly the oldest continuously-rented apartments in the United States.
Decatur Street
Historically, Decatur Street was where sailors headed when they visited the port in New Orleans. In the years after, it was filled with jazz clubs, food institutions and a thriving underground punk and goth scene. Try the famous beignets (a square type of doughnut) at Café Du Monde, a renowned open-air coffee shop (head at off times to avoid the queue that builds up at breakfast). Take a peek around the French Market to pick up some flea market treasures and finish off at the Central Grocery and Deli for one of their world-famous Muffuletta sandwiches.
Downriver
Around the corner from the French District are the neighbourhoods of Faubourg Marigny (pronounced FOH-burg MARR-in-ee; sometimes called The Marigny) and Bywater. Known as part of the ‘sliver by the river’ areas that were mostly unaffected by Hurricane Katrina, these areas have become known for their bohemian atmosphere and as the place to be at Mardi Gras if you want to escape the crowds. Expect to find lively pubs, bars, jazz clubs, restaurants and edgy found-object art scattered throughout the neighbourhood.
Frenchmen Street
Many houses on Frenchmen Street are more than 100 years old and are still bursting with some of the most inventive and versatile jazz, funk and voodoo you’ll ever hear. This three-block section of the Marigny neighbourhood is home to some of the most infamous clubs in New Orleans and it’s here that you’ll find younger NOLA residents spending their weekends. Make sure you visit Snug Harbor and the Maison.
Jack Dempsey’s
Looking for a taste of authentic Southern cuisine? Jack Dempsey’s is a family-owned and locally beloved institution on Poland Avenue in the Bywater area. Expect fried everything on a platter next to po-boys, catfish, oysters, lobster, rib-eye, mac and cheese — all classic soul food, prepared with love.
The Country Club
Tucked behind an unassumingly elegant Southern-style mansion in Bywater is The Country Club. A historic neighbourhood establishment for over 40 years, this is the place to escape the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter and find respite from the scorching heat in the outdoor pool. This spot is a bit pricier than the typical NOLA diner, but you can take advantage of the Sunday brunch accompanied by bottomless mimosas.
Uptown
A frequent setting for movies, Uptown is a complex district with smatterings of lively streets mixed with residential areas full of historic and beautiful architecture. This is where you’ll find fewer tourists and an authentic community feeling infused into every bar, restaurant and local business.
St Charles Avenue
Known as “The Jewel of America’s Grand Avenues” St Charles Avenue is a major thoroughfare that runs through the heart of New Orleans. However, it’s in Uptown where you’ll want to hop onto the St Charles Streetcar Line, built in 1835, to witness the oak tree lined street dotted with historic and prestigious mansions. A bargain slice of history at only $1.25 per person for a ride.
Magazine Street
The mammoth Magazine Street is a popular day-trip for tourists looking to buy some local flavour, but at six miles long, you may want to hail a cab back to the start. There are simply too many recommendations but our favourites are quirky bookshop Octavia Books, Sucre bakery, hipster stationery store Box Paper Scissors, craft beer pub The Bulldog and Defend New Orleans, a local clothing store which gives all its proceeds to Hurricane Katrina services.
Garden District
Shutterbugs and history buffs will be entranced by the Garden District, the main thoroughfare is Prytania Street which hold some excellent examples of the opulence and beautiful landscape of the district. You’ll find shopping, cafes and the historic Lafayette Cemetery # 1, an alternative to the often crowded St Louis Cemetery #1 and arguably more beautiful. Make sure you stop for lunch at the award-winning Commander’s Palace built in 1893 and try one of their 25c martinis. Be warned though smart attire is expected so that’s jackets, trousers and no trainers.
Freret
Pronounced Fa-ret, the redevelopment of Freret has been a point of pride for NOLA over the past five years, the revitalized street is now bustling with restaurants, bars and it’s own unique personality popular amongst New Orlean’s hipster crowd. Try out The Company Burger or Dat Dog for some perfected comfort food. For a nightcap visit Cure, a cocktail bar that jump-started the areas cocktail obsession — try a Cure Punch at Happy Hour (5-7pm every night) for a perfect start to the evening.
Warehouse District
Originally built as an industrial area in the 19th century, the Warehouse (or Art) District can thank its revitalization to the awesome Contemporary Arts Centre, a 10,000-square-foot-complex brimming with edgy-artwork, theatre and dance performances. Today the area is home to multiple galleries with the majority of them located on Julia Street, which hosts a gallery-hopping evening on the first Saturday of the month. For food try the infamous Mother’s which boasts ‘the world’s best baked ham’ and is wallet-friendly, although be prepared to queue.
Good to know
- New Orleans Streetcars run throughout the city centre but buses to further out can be few and far between. Use the RTA (Regional Transport Authority) app to find routes and buy tickets.
- You can drink on the street and most bars offer to-go cups.
- If someone shouts the local phrase ‘Who Dat?’ at you, reply ‘Who Dat?’ back.
- Uber and Lyft are better options than attempting to find a cab on the street.
- Saying ‘Nawlins’ or ‘The Big Easy’ or bringing up Hurricane Katrina will put you at odds with the locals very quickly, don’t be cliche and be respectful.
Top 10 most Instagrammable places in New Orleans
- St Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square
- The St Charles Streetcar
- Joseph Carroll House in the Garden District
- Gasa Gasa Mural on Freret Street
- City Park Stone Bridge over the Lagoon
- Armstrong Park entrance sign at night.
- Marie Laveau’s tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
- Paddlewheelers on the Mississippi River
- Carriage Rides around the French Quarter
- The famous Carousel Bar & Lounge in Hotel Monteleone
Local lingo
-
- Cold drink – soda, fizzy drinks, pop, etc.
- Mudbugs – crawfish
- Dressed – ‘the po-boy is dressed’ i.e. it comes with everything, tomato, lettuce, mayo.
- Cher – a term of endearment
- ‘Throw Me Somethin!’ – beads, plastic cups or doubloons, a Mardi Gras spectator’s success will be measured by the amount of ‘throws’ they have by the end of the parade.
- Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler – means let the good times roll.
- Lagniappe (LAN-yap) – a little something extra, if you get extra fries with your po-boy that’s a lagniappe.
Note: These rates are based on the most recent data pulled from KAYAK.co.uk, the cheapest prices are always displayed first, regardless of specific dates mentioned. The prices are quoted in GBP. Flight prices are based on results for a return economy flight search. Hotel prices are for double occupancy, are per night and include taxes and fees. Prices are subject to change, may vary, or no longer be available
