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:
Hotels & Hospitality: New Orleans’ hotel scene continues to evolve. The Fairmont New Orleans is scheduled to open in November 2026, bringing luxury accommodations, dining, a rooftop bar and pool, and event spaces to a historic downtown building. The city’s hospitality offerings continue to expand alongside its growing reputation as an international culinary destination.
Cruises: New Orleans will offer a full schedule of ocean and river cruises throughout 2027. Carnival Dream returns to Port NOLA in May 2027, joining Carnival Liberty with year-round departures. Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, American Cruise Lines, and Viking River Cruises also offer opportunities to explore the Caribbean and the Mississippi River.
Rail & Air Travel: Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service connects New Orleans with the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Mobile, Alabama, offering an affordable option for car-free regional getaways. Expanded air service in late 2026 and 2027 will provide additional connections to New Orleans, including new and increased nonstop routes.
Arts, Music & Events: New Orleans’ 2027 calendar features major milestones, including the Saenger Theatre’s 100th anniversary and Tipitina’s 50th anniversary. Mardi Gras falls on February 9, 2027, followed by signature events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Tales of the Cocktail. Visitors can enjoy year-round live music, cultural celebrations, and the Creole and Cajun cuisine that define the city.
For more travel inspiration, visit NewOrleans.com
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
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 61303
Step into New Orleans history at this distinctive Warehouse District hotel. Perfect for travelers who appreciate boutique character, local flavor, and a stay that feels authentically New Orleans.
Hilton New Orleans Riverside
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 13234
Enjoy a prime downtown location along the Mississippi River with plenty to see and do nearby. Perfect for travelers looking for spacious accommodations, resort-style amenities, and easy access to the French Quarter.
Wyndham New Orleans
French Quarter
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 3542
Stay in the heart of the French Quarter and put New Orleans’ best attractions right outside your door. Perfect for travelers looking for convenience, comfortable accommodations, and an unbeatable location for exploring the city.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
New Orleans
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 3017
Stay in the heart of New Orleans with easy access to the city’s vibrant attractions. Perfect for travelers looking for comfortable accommodations, convenient amenities, and a great home base for exploring the Big Easy.
Fairmont New Orleans
4 Stars | Hotel ID: 61884
Experience the elegance of a brand-new Fairmont in the heart of New Orleans. Perfect for travelers seeking a refined stay, exceptional service, and a fresh take on the city’s timeless charm.
Just One More Drive
3 Hours → Jackson, MS
Discover Mississippi's capital, where Civil Rights history, vibrant arts, and authentic Southern flavors come together in one unforgettable destination.