French Quarter

The historic French Quarter—also called the Vieux Carré, or "old square"—is centered on Jackson Square, which is overlooked by St. Louis Cathedral. The busy area is best navigated on foot, and while you can of course wander around on your own, guided French Quarter walking tours are the best way to experience the quarter.

Learn about New Orleans' culinary and cocktail history on a food tour; take a haunted tour in the evening; or combine a visit to this area with a visit to another part of the city (such as the Garden District) or a cruise on the Steamboat Natchez in the French Quarter; ticket options include brunch, lunch, or dinner.

• The area is very pedestrian-friendly, so wear comfortable walking shoes.

• New Orleans loves parades, which occur on many holidays throughout the year and often march through the French Quarter.

• Hard-partying Bourbon Street is infamous, but it's not indicative of the whole French Quarter—and it's easy to avoid if it's not your scene.

• Much of the French Quarter is wheelchair accessible, although some historic buildings and attractions may not be. Just watch out for cracked or narrow sidewalks.

The French Quarter runs from the Mississippi River northwest to Rampart Street and from Canal Street northeast to Esplanade Avenue. It's incredibly compact, and parking can be extremely difficult, so it's best to walk there if you can. Streetcars run along the riverfront, Canal Street, and Rampart Street. Most city tours pass through the French Quarter as well.

New Orleans is exceptionally busy during major festivals such as Mardi Gras and the Jazz & Heritage Festival (usually in February and May, respectively). Like much of southern Louisiana, the weather is typically hot and humid throughout the summer months. The winter months are cool and comfortable, though there may be periodic downpours; hurricane season runs roughly from June to November.

It's easy to think New Orleans is just a party town, but it has a rich history as well. The Pontalba Buildings are the oldest apartment buildings in the United States, while the French Market is the country's oldest public market; the quirky Pharmacy Museum is a treasure trove of medicinal history; and Tennessee Williams used a French Quarter house as the setting for A Streetcar Named Desire. Meanwhile, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is one of the oldest buildings in the city—and likely the oldest bar in the US.

The French Quarter is small, so while you could walk from one end to the other in 15 minutes, it’s better to give yourself an hour or so to stroll, or even longer if you want to stop for a coffee or dip into local boutiques for a bit of shopping.

Yes, the French Quarter is worth visiting. It’s considered the most atmospheric part of New Orleans (though the Garden District is a close second if you're an architecture fan). Not only is the French Quarter full of lovely old buildings, but it also has loads of great bars and restaurants.

Yes, you can walk around the French Quarter; the neighborhood is best visited on foot. Bourbon Street is closed to traffic in the evenings, and there are often traffic restrictions during major events that restrict vehicular traffic to residents, employees, delivery vehicles, and taxis or rideshare vehicles.

There are so many different French Quarter tours available. Walking tours are popular, and many have themes ranging from history to ghosts, vampires, and voodoo. The French Quarter is also a fantastic neighborhood for foodies, and food tours are a great way to do a bit of sightseeing while sampling tasty treats.

If you're going on a tour of the French Quarter, you should wear comfortable shoes that can be easily worn on cobblestones. Remember that New Orleans's weather is hot and humid throughout the year, making lightweight and breathable clothing a good idea.

If you're a fan of parties and don't mind paying a premium for accommodations, then a visit to the French Quarter during Mardi Gras may be for you. For everyone else, the best time to visit is in the spring, before the heat and crowds of the summer vacation period.