New Orleans is a port city on the Mississippi River, known for its music, Creole cuisine, distinctive dialects and annual celebrations, most notably Mardi Gras. The historic heart of the city is the French Quarter, recognised for its French and Spanish Creole architecture and the nightlife of Bourbon Street.
For a visitor, the city divides into a compact core and a ring of more residential neighbourhoods. The French Quarter and the Central Business District sit at the centre and are the most convenient bases for seeing the sights, while Uptown along St. Charles Avenue and the smaller neighbourhoods of Marigny and Mid-City offer quieter stays away from the largest crowds. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, what each is like and who each suits.
Best areas to stay in New Orleans
1. French Quarter
The French Quarter is the historic heart of the city, with French and Spanish Creole architecture and vibrant nightlife along Bourbon Street. Staying here puts you within walking distance of the Quarter's streets, restaurants and music venues, and it is the most central option for most tourists.
It suits first-time visitors who want the main sights on their doorstep and those who value easy access to nightlife. Expect a large concentration of hotels. Be aware that the liveliest streets stay noisy late into the night, so choose your exact position within the area with that in mind.
2. Central Business District
The Central Business District adjoins the French Quarter and, together with it, holds the city's most centrally located hotels. It is a practical base for visitors who want to be close to the centre while staying in a district with a different character from the Quarter.
It suits tourists who want a central location and travellers in town for conventions or business. The area offers numerous hotels, and its position means the sights of the French Quarter remain within easy reach.
3. Uptown
Uptown is a more residential part of the city, and hotels on or near the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line are popular with many visitors. The streetcar line is the practical point here: it connects this area to the rest of the city.
It suits visitors who prefer a quieter base and are happy to rely on the streetcar to reach the centre. Accommodation here is largely hotels, and the area rewards those who want to settle into a neighbourhood rather than stay among the main tourist crowds.
4. Marigny
Marigny offers smaller hotels and guest houses and can provide an immersion in New Orleans away from the larger masses of tourists. It is one of the neighbourhoods recommended for visitors who want a different experience from the central districts.
It suits travellers who want to be near the centre but not in the middle of it, and those who prefer smaller places to stay. Expect smaller properties rather than large hotels.
5. Mid-City
Mid-City, like Marigny, has smaller hotels and guest houses and offers an immersion in New Orleans away from the larger masses of tourists. It is a good option for visitors who want to base themselves in a neighbourhood rather than in the tourist core.
It suits travellers looking for a quieter stay and those who do not mind being outside the most central districts. Accommodation tends to be on a smaller scale.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: smaller guest houses and modest hotels, particularly in neighbourhoods such as Marigny and Mid-City, where accommodation is on a smaller scale.
- Mid-range: the numerous hotels of the French Quarter and Central Business District, which are the most centrally located for most tourists.
- Splurge: hotels in the French Quarter and Central Business District, and hotels on or near the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line in Uptown, where you trade centrality for a more residential setting.
Best area for a first visit
The French Quarter is the best area for a first visit. It is the historic heart of the city and the most central base for most tourists, with the architecture and nightlife the city is known for right there. Staying in the French Quarter or the adjoining Central Business District keeps you closest to the sights.
Frequently asked questions
Which areas are most central for tourists?
The numerous hotels in the French Quarter and Central Business District are most centrally located for most tourists.
Where can I stay away from the largest crowds?
The smaller hotels and guest houses in neighbourhoods like Marigny and Mid-City can provide an immersion in New Orleans away from the larger masses of tourists.
Which area is popular for hotels near the streetcar?
Hotels on or near the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line in Uptown are popular with many visitors.
Are there good places to stay outside the centre?
Yes. While the French Quarter and Central Business District are the most central, there are good accommodations in many other parts of town as well.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.