There is no other city quite like New Orleans, Louisiana. The most popular area of the city is the French Quarter, often referred to as ‘The Jewel of New Orleans’. It is steeped in history and rich with character.
If you’re planning to visit New Orleans, continue reading to discover 12 of the best things to do in the French Quarter!
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12 Things to do in the French Quarter
Table of Contents
- 1. Walk down Bourbon Street
- 2. Visit the St. Louis Cathedral
- 3. Hang out at Jackson Square
- 4. Visit Faulkner House Books in Pirate Alley
- 5. Tour St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
- 6. Pick up souvenirs at the French Market
- 7. Get a drink at an iconic bar
- 8. Explore the streets of the French Quarter
- 9. Eat a beignet
- 10. Join a parade
- 11. Take a ghost tour
- 12. Enjoy a Jazz Cruise on the Mississippi River
- FAQ:
1. Walk down Bourbon Street
If Savannah and the Las Vegas strip were to have a baby, it would be Bourbon Street.
This infamous street is equal parts historical and eccentric with a whole lot of partying.
Bourbon Street is essentially the beating heart of the French Quarter with throngs of crowds milling about all day, and all night, all year round.
While walking along Bourbon Street you may be reminded of the phrase, “eat, drink, and be merry”.
The street is filled with restaurants, bars, and live music so that tourists can do just that.
There is a palpable energy in the air with music spilling out of open bars and street musicians playing under the glow of electric lights.
While Bourbon Street may not be everyone’s cup of tea, or bottle of bourbon, it is definitely someplace you need to visit at least once!
2. Visit the St. Louis Cathedral
The St. Louis Cathedral is the most iconic structure in the French Quarter.
Not only is it the tallest and most imposing structure, but it is also the most recognizable as it has been featured in hundreds of television shows and movies.
The St. Louis Cathedral also happens to be the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic Cathedral in the United States.
The original structure was built in 1727 but was burned during the great fire of 1794. Reconstruction of the current cathedral was completed in the 1850s.
Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral in 1987 and changed the title from a cathedral to a basilica. This is a great honor bestowed upon select distinguished church buildings.
A cemetery lies below the St. Louis Cathedral floor and holds the remains of twelve bishops and archbishops, as well as early colonists.
Today, visitors are welcome to tour the cathedral and admire the intricate architecture and artistic details.
The Cathedral is open daily from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Daily Mass is held at 12:05 pm with evening Mass held on select days.
If you are interested, a self-guided tour booklet is available for purchase at the entrance for $1. Docents are also on hand to give guided tours and answer any questions.
Be sure to step into St. Anthony’s Garden behind the cathedral to see the impressive statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
The Old Ursuline Convent is located nearby and is also open for self-guided tours. This is the oldest building in the Mississippi Valley.
3. Hang out at Jackson Square
Jackson Square is a pedestrian plaza found directly in front of the St Louis Cathedral. It is the main gathering hub in the French Quarter.
You’ll find street performers, palm readers, artists, and vendors, as well as locals and tourists hanging out on the benches just taking it all in.
A statue of Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the United States, is positioned in the gardens directly in front of the cathedral.
If you walk across Decatur Street, you’ll find a set of stairs leading up to the Washington Artillery Park where you can capture the best view of the St Louis Cathedral, the statue, and Jackson Square.
The Louisiana State Museum, known as the Cabildo, is also located in Jackson Square right next door to the St. Louis Cathedral.
This 18th-century building served as the center of the New Orleans government and was the site of the Louisans Purchase transfer.
The Cabildo later became the headquarters of the Louisiana State Supreme Court. It is here that the Plessy v Ferguson landmark decision was made.
Today, visitors can tour the three-story historic museum that houses artifacts and exhibits chronicling Louisana’s history
4. Visit Faulkner House Books in Pirate Alley
Pirate Alley is a one-block long passageway sandwiched between the St Louis Cathedral and the Cabildo.
There is speculation as to how the nickname “Pirate Alley” came about.
There are unsubstantiated rumors that pirates used to hang out in this passageway. It is quite possible considering its proximity to the water.
However, it could also very well be just a tale of legend and lore.
You’ll soon learn that New Orleans is filled with legends and half truths, as well as unfathomable stories that really are true!
Despite the rumors, one thing that is true is that Pirate Alley was once home to William Faulkner, the famed author and Nobel laureate.
He just so happed to live in Pirate Alley when he wrote his first novel.
His former home has since been fittingly turned into ‘Faulkner House Books’ where you can purchase classic books written by the author himself.
5. Tour St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
There are several cemeteries found in New Orleans. However, if you only have time to tour one then make sure it’s St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
This “city of the dead” was built in 1789 and is the oldest above-ground cemetery in New Orleans.
It is also the cemetery where you can find the final resting place for Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans.
It was interesting to learn more about Marie Laveau. She is often villanized, but in reality she was very kind and always trying to help the underprivileged.
As an interesting side note, there are 83 other people entombed in her crypt and only 63 are actually related to her.
You’ll also notice 3 x’s marked on her tomb. Legend has it that if you mark 3 x’s on her grave and knock then she will grant you a wish.
Unfortunately, it is vandalism like this that has closed the cemetery to the general public without a tour guide.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 is also home to the curious pyramid tomb that was installed by Nicolas Cage.
There are several theories as to why he chose a pyramid and what he plans to do with it, but for the time being it is sitting there vacant for tourists to gawk at.
The cemeteries in New Orleans are unique in that all of the graves are above ground.
This is due to the city’s high water table. If a coffin were to be buried underground, it would just float back up to the top!
This is also still an active graveyard and plots can be purchased for a mere $40,000! The cemetery is not open to the public and can only be accessed with an official tour.
On the tour, you’ll learn so many interesting facts about the history of New Orleans and its colorful cast of characters. It is definitely one of the best things to do in the French Quarter!
6. Pick up souvenirs at the French Market
The French Market is an open-air market that stretches over five city blocks.
Goods have been sold and traded at this location since 1791 making this the oldest market in the US.
This is the best place to go for handmade gifts, local artisan treasures, and kitschy souvenirs.
You’ll also find vendors selling trademark Louisanna eats like alligator bites, po’boys, oysters, pralines, and crawfish pie.
7. Get a drink at an iconic bar
You’ll find bars on almost every corner in the French Quarter. However, there are a few notable bars that stand out above the rest.
Keep in mind that even if you don’t drink, you can still enjoy the atmosphere by ordering non-alcoholic drinks or appetizers.
Old Absinthe House
The Old Absinthe House dates back to 1807 and has served drinks to the likes of Andrew Jackson, Oscar Wilde, and Franklin Roosevelt to name a few.
During the Prohibition Era, the bar was moved to a hidden speakeasy where they served bootleg liquor.
A similar speakeasy called Belle Epoque can be found just through the bar’s courtyard. It is currently closed but check the website for its reopening date.
The Carousel Bar
The Carousel Bar can be found inside the luxe Monteleone Hotel.
True to its name, the bar consists of 25 seats on this carnival-inspired carousel that has been slowly revolving for the past 65 years!
The Carousel Bar was even named one of the top 20 bars in the world by Vogue Living magazine.
It can be difficult to get a seat at the bar, but there is plenty of space in the adjacent piano lounge to grab a drink and unwind.
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is rumored to be the oldest bar in America. This technically isn’t true, in fact, it isn’t even the oldest bar in New Orleans.
However, the building was constructed in 1722 and is the oldest structure to be used as a bar.
From 1772 to 1791 Jean Lafitte ran a blacksmith shop out of this building, but really it was a front for the illegal smuggling operation he ran with his brother, Pierre.
Jean Lafitte was a French pirate that is rumored to be the inspiration for the character of Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Carribean.
Today, the bar remains true to its historic roots and not much has changed over the past 300 years.
You’ll even notice that they never installed overhead electric lights. Instead, the room is dimly lit by candles and the natural light streaming through the old windows.
8. Explore the streets of the French Quarter
When visiting a city, my favorite thing to do is just wander the streets with no real agenda and just see what you can discover.
And trust me, there is so much to discover in the French Quarter!
The French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. It is where the French first settled in 1718.
The 18th-century buildings are an eclectic mix of French Colonial and Spanish architecture, with vibrant pops of Caribbean-inspired colors.
In 1788 and 1794, two devastating fires ravaged the city during the Spanish occupation.
Many of the original French buildings were then rebuilt using the traditional Spanish style. This is evident in the intricate ironwork that can be seen in buildings all around the French Quarter.
You’ll also find so many charming historical homes with burning gas lamps, garden courtyards tucked behind iron gates, and wrap around porches with the ceilings painted haint blue.
Saint Ann Street is particularly known for its storied homes with colorful doors and shutters.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie even loved the French Quarter so much that they bought a three-story 7,400 square foot home at 521 Governor Nicholls Street.
They lived here with their six kids while filming “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “12 Years a Slave.”
If you want to see more historic mansions and celebrity homes, check out our guide to 18 Famous Places in New Orleans’ Garden District!
There are also countless art galleries and antique shops. Our favorite is The French Antique Shop on Royal Street.
This high-end antique shop will make you feel as if you stepped into the Palace of Versailles! See if you can spot the $95,000 chandelier or the $90,000 marble sink.
*Related post: If you’re planning to visit Mobile, check out our guide 11 Things to do in Mobile, Alabama!
9. Eat a beignet
You can’t come to New Orleans, and not eat a beignet.
A beignet (pronounced ben-yay) is a french pastry that was brought to New Orelans by the early French colonists.
While there are several places around the city to get a beignet, the best ones can be found at the world famous Cafe du Monde.
Cafe Du Monde is the original creators of the New Orleans beignet.
Locals will even tell you that the recipe for Cafe du Monde’s beignet’s is the same recipe that was brought over from France by the Ursuline nuns.
Although this has never been confirmed, there is just a little extra something that makes Cafe du Monde’s beignets the best.
However, if you want to eat here then expect to wait in a line that wraps around the building.
If you are short on time, Cafe Beignet on Royal Street is as cute as a button and the line is not nearly as long!
If you’re looking for more restaurant recommendations, check out our guide 8 of the Best Places to Eat in New Orleans!
10. Join a parade
Did you know that in New Orleans anyone can throw their own parade? All you need to do is pick a day, time, and route, then apply for a permit.
The cost is about $600 and includes a police escort. You’ll also want to hire your own band.
This is such a fun way to celebrate a wedding, birthday, or special event!
These particular parades are called “second line parades”, because anyone off the street is welcome to jump in to form a second line behind the first line of the parade.
At any given time you’ll hear a parade rumbling down the street, so feel free to hop in and join the celebration. Then go home and tell your friends that you were in a New Orleans parade!
And if you’re planning to spend a weekend in New Orleans, check out this 3-day New Orleans itinerary!
11. Take a ghost tour
When the sun goes down, the ghosts of New Orleans come out!
New Orleans has a rich but often dark history. Taking a ghost tour of the French Quarter is one of the best ways to learn about that side of the city.
On the tour, you’ll learn about the witch’s workshop that sold bat hearts and mummified heads.
You’ll also visit the haunted Hotel Villa Convento. This Creole townhouse was built on property owned by the Ursuline nuns and ironically it eventually became a brothel.
It is this very brothel that was the inspiration behind the song House of the Rising Sun by The Animals.
It later became the Old Town Villa where it catered to guests such as Jimmy Buffett. There is even a room named after him.
Today, the ghost of one of the brothel’s former madams roams the halls of Hotel Villa Convento and flirts with the male guests.
On the tour, you’ll also learn about the resident ghost at Muriel’s Jackson Square Bistro.
Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan purchased the home that is now Muriel’s. He lovingly restored the home after it was damaged during the great fire of 1788.
It became his pride and joy, but he made the grave mistake of wagering his family’s grand home in a game of craps and lost.
He was completely devastated and instead of vacating the home, he committed suicide in the upstairs room that is now the Seance Lounge.
Even after death, his spirit refuses to leave his beloved home. In order to apease the ghost of Mr. Jourdan, they set a table for him each night with bread and a fancy French wine.
For an extra $50, patrons are welcome to pull up a chair and dine with the ghost of Muriel’s!
However, the most disturbing haunted house is the LaLaurie Mansion. This name may sound familiar if you’ve watched season 3 of American Horror Story.
It is the largest single family home in New Orleans and by far the most haunted.
In the attic of the home, Delphine LaLaurie set up a torture chamber for enslaved people. The gruesome discovery was found by firefighters when the house caught on fire.
It is unfathomable what took place in that home and it is no wonder that the spirits still haunt the dwelling today.
It is also unfathomable why Nicolas Cage wanted to purchase this home for his own private residence. He only lived here for two years before he foreclosed.
Here is a link to the French Quarter Ghost Tour that we took. It was the perfect balance of history and entertainment with an element of creepiness!
We did a similar ghost tour in Savannah, Georgia and loved it! And if you’re interested in the best things to do in Savannah, check out our guide to a Girl’s Weekend in Savannah!
12. Enjoy a Jazz Cruise on the Mississippi River
New Orleans is nicknamed ‘The Crescent City’ because it is located on a crescent shaped piece of land cut by the Mississippi River.
And you’re hard pressed to find a more authentic way to experience the New Orleans culture than while listening to jazz and eating sausage gumbo on a riverboat cruise along the Mississippi River!
The New Orleans Steamboat parent company is the longest operational steamboat company in the world.
The first steamboat arrived in New Orleans in 1812 and five years later the company was formed.
The Natchez Steamboat is the prized boat among the fleet as it is the last authentic steamboat to run on the Mississippi River.
There are a few different river cruise options including a Jazz Cruise with Lunch, a Sunset Jazz Cruise or a Harbor Cruise aboard the Natchez.
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FAQ:
- What area is considered the French Quarter in New Orleans? The French Quarter comprises 78 square blocks in the city of New Orleans. It runs along the banks of the Mississippi River between Esplanade Avenue and Canal Street and is bordered by Rampart Street.
- Is the French Quarter safe? The French Quarter is one of the safer areas of New Orleans. There are always plenty of tourists out and about. There are incidents of petty theft, like pickpocketing, but violent crimes against tourists are rare. Just use caution and common sense and avoid walking the streets after 10 pm. This article also has great tips for staying safe in New Orleans.
- Is the French Quarter and Bourbon Street the same thing? Bourbon Street is the most popular street within the French Quarter and runs for 13 city blocks. While there is more to the French Quarter than just Bourbon Street, it is definitely the beating heart of the district.
- Why is it called the French Quarter? The French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans. It is called the French Quarter because this is the area on the banks of the Mississippi that the French colonists first settled in 1718. It is also referred to as the Vieux Carré, or ‘Old Square’ in French.
- When is the best time to visit New Orleans? The best time to visit New Orleans is in the spring between March and May. The weather is pleasant and it is after the Mardi Gras crowds and before the influx of summer tourists. Hurricane season is from June 1 to November 30 but is at its peak in August and September. If you want to avoid the crowds and hotel price hikes, January will be your best bet.
I hope this guide has helped you discover the best things to do in the French Quarter of New Orleans!
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[…] *Related post: If you’re looking for other recommendations in the French Quarter, check out our guide 12 Unique Things to do in the French Quarter! […]