New Orleans, Louisiana
Everywhere you go in New Orleans you will find enthusiasm for food, music, and life itself. Uniquely American, New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and the American cocktail, as well as Cajun and Creole cooking. Our Spanish, French, African and Caribbean influences create a cultural gumbo of distinctive architecture, cool jazz and celebrated cuisine that only New Orleans knows how to dish out.
What’s New in New Orleans:
In 2026, Audubon Nature Institute’s Riverfront for All project will debut, transforming working wharfs into a public park and recreational facility. It will link Crescent Park to the Moonwalk, creating 2.25 miles of contiguous park space along the Mississippi River for the first time in generations.
Cruises: Carnival continues to be the only cruise line with two ships homeported year-round in New Orleans and is moving the larger Carnival Dream back to Port NOLA in May 2027, joining Carnival Liberty. Carnival Dream can accommodate more than 4,600 guests and offers a wide variety of signature Carnival experiences. In the fall, Norwegian Cruise Line debuted a new 5,000-passenger vessel out of the Port of New Orleans. In 2026, Royal Caribbean will be replacing its current ship with one that is 50% larger.
Railroad: In August, Amtrak launched the Mardi Gras Service, a new line connecting New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama via a series of stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, providing an exciting opportunity for easy getaways, quick day trips, and car-free "road trips" at a super affordable price point. The Amtrak station, Union Passenger Terminal, is in a convenient location as it's a short walk to the Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center on game days and for concerts, a quick taxi or rideshare to the French Quarter, or travelers can hop aboard the streetcar, which picks up right across from the entrance.
For more, visit www.neworleans.com/amtrakdeals2025. In August, Amtrak launched the Mardi Gras Service, a new route connecting New Orleans to Mobile with stops along the Mississippi Gulf Coast - perfect for quick, affordable, car-free getaways. Learn More at www.neworleans.com/amtrakdeals2025.
HIGHLIGHTS:
The streetcars in New Orleans are one of America’s only mobile national monuments.
St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest operating cathedral in the United States.
Take a cemetery tour and learn about the above-ground tombs and the traditions behind them.
If you’re not in town during Mardi Gras, make sure to visit the Mardi Gras museums to get a taste of the festivities!
New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz and the cocktail. You can enjoy both 24 hours a day and 7 days a week in the French Quarter.
In New Orleans, it’s legal to take your drink, put it in a plastic “to-go” cup and walk down the street with it.
New Orleans has impromptu parades called second lines and anyone is welcome to join!
Order your po-boy “dressed” if you want it piled high with lettuce, tomato and pickles.
New Orleans is nicknamed the “Crescent City” because the city is built in the crescent curve of the Mississippi River.
Visit the French Market to be able to see local New Orleans vendors and artists put their work on display for others to enjoy and purchase. It is the perfect place to walk away with an authentic New Orleans souvenir.
Discover what New Orleans has to offer:
Let a Streetcar Take You for a Trip Around the City
Streetcars are a charming and convenient way to experience the many areas of New Orleans. Four distinct lines, each originating Downtown, will take you through the French Quarter and beyond to places you might not otherwise get to see.
Learn About the History of the Dead on a Cemetery Tour
Burying the dead in a place built below sea level was a problem that faced the earliest residents of the French settlement that became New Orleans. The solution agreed upon, to entomb the departed in elaborate marble chambers above ground, created one of the city’s most lingering attractions: cemeteries that are both historic and hauntingly beautiful.
Sign Yourself Up for a Swamp Tour
If you’re visiting Louisiana, there’s no doubt you’ve heard about the region’s mossy swamplands. Just a short drive outside of the heart of New Orleans, tour companies offer swamp and airboat tours on boats, where you can see – and even feed – gators and other wildlife.
Visit One or More of the Many Music Clubs
A music lover’s paradise, home to jazz, zydeco, R&B and soul, the city has produced its share of musical giants, from greats like Louis Armstrong to contemporary acts like Trombone Shorty. Follow the locals beyond the French Quarter to Frenchmen Street in the Marigny, an original Creole neighborhood housing a mecca of nightclubs, bars and restaurants.
Make Authentic Cajun and Creole Dishes
Cooking schools in New Orleans offer hands-on learning, allowing you to master your skills and gain an appreciation for our culture and traditions. If you’re looking to make authentic Cajun and Creole dishes, our chefs will walk you through the process with tips on flavoring dishes with versatile ingredients and spices.
Float Down the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the life force that has shaped New Orleans history forever, defining and literally shaping the city into its famous Crescent outline. Take in beautiful views of the city aboard a relaxing boat ride on daily and nightly riverboat tours.
Celebrate Carnival Year-Round
To get the feeling of Mardi Gras year-round, visit Mardi Gras World, the largest float designing and building facility in the world. Here more than 80 percent of the floats that journey down New Orleans' streets during the Carnival season are designed and built. If you take a tour, you’ll get to taste some king cake as a bonus!
Sip your way around the Crescent City
Indulging in a drink is serious fun in the city that was the inspiration for iconic drinks including the Vieux Carre, Sazerac, and Ramos Gin Fizz. Experience neighborhoods with the neighbors at their local hang outs or take in some of the more famous New Orleans bars on a cocktail-themed tour.
Experience Rich History and Culture at a Museum
New Orleans museums are dedicated to the simmering gumbo of history and diversity that has inspired cultural creatives for centuries.
Travel Back in Time on a Plantation Tour
The Antebellum south comes to life at the many plantations that line the Mississippi River, a throwback to the city’s agrarian past. Located as close as an hour outside of New Orleans, you can tour these stately mansions and hear stories from the families that lived there.
Check out our Featured Hotels in New Orleans!
Old No. 77 Hotel Chandlery
3 Stars | Hotel ID: 61303
Set just three blocks from the French Quarter in the heart of the Warehouse Arts District, Old No. 77 blends historic character with creative soul. The 19th-century former coffee warehouse has been lovingly reimagined with exposed brick, polished concrete, and rotating artwork from local makers.
Cambria New Orleans
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 7989
Tucked just a few blocks from the French Quarter in the city’s creative Warehouse District, Cambria Hotel New Orleans pairs industrial-chic design with an easygoing, modern stay.
The Troubadour Hotel New Orleans
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 5545
Nestled in the heart of downtown, The Troubadour Hotel offers a boutique stay with a modern, music-inspired vibe.
Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 1566
Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Royal Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans is more than a place to meet or stay, Elegant guest rooms and suites, authentic hospitality, a Food is Art philosophy, wrought-iron balconies, and a lush courtyard create a unique atmosphere of timeless refinement.
Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 3542
Mixing the historic charm of the French Quarter with the modern services and amenities guests need for the perfect Big Easy getaway, Wyndham New Orleans French Quarter pairs a heart-of-everything location steps from Bourbon Street.
Holiday Inn Downtown Superdome
3 Stars | Hotel ID:
Located steps from the iconic Mercedes-Benz Superdome, this Holiday Inn puts you in the center of downtown New Orleans’ action.
The Roosevelt Hotel New Orleans
5 Stars | Hotel ID: 1453
Step into timeless luxury at The Roosevelt, located just minutes from the French Quarter. This iconic hotel blends historic elegance with modern comforts, from beautifully appointed rooms to renowned dining and a rooftop pool with sweeping city views.
