Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting New Orleans, an amazing city near the gulf coast of Louisiana. With its unique Creole culture, Cajun cuisine, world-famous festivals, and laissez-faire attitudes, New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind destination. For first-time visitors, there are some things you should know before planning a trip to New Orleans.
Getting to New Orleans
If you fly to New Orleans, you’ll arrive at the Louis Armstrong International Airport, which is code MSY. New Orleans is also a big convention city, so nearly all airlines fly to New Orleans. It’s a relatively small airport, so I don’t always arrive super early like I would in another big city. Unless you’re traveling during Mardi Gras; then you do want to allow extra time.
Once you land in New Orleans, you can grab Uber, Lyft, or a taxi to get into the city. There’s a taxi stand right outside, which is probably the easiest way to get to your New Orleans destination. It’s a set rate from the airport to downtown, so you don’t have to worry about any taxi scams, and the price is about the same as Lyft or Uber for one or two people. For more than two people, there’s a surcharge, so then it’s more affordable to take a rideshare.
You can also take Amtrak to New Orleans; there are several routes that come through.
Getting Around New Orleans
It’s pretty easy to get around New Orleans once you are here. Each district is very walkable.
The New Orleans streetcars have three main lines that go to a lot of the tourist spots in New Orleans. Make sure you get the RTA app so you can purchase tickets and plan your route! Without the app, you’ll need exact change to use the streetcars.
- The St. Charles line goes out to the Garden District and Audubon Park
- The Canal line goes out to the cemeteries and City Park
- The Riverfront line follows the river from Jackson Square
At night, it’s best to stick with Lyft and Uber. This is the safest and easiest way to get around New Orleans at night.
Driving in New Orleans can be a pain; I don’t recommend it. If you do drive to New Orleans, make sure your hotel has parking and plan to pay a hefty parking fee each night. If you fly to New Orleans, there’s really no need to rent a car for exploring the city.
Best Places to Stay in New Orleans
New Orleans has a lot of interesting districts to explore and stay in:
- The Warehouse District near the convention center has a lot of chain hotels that cater to business travelers for conventions. If there’s no convention in town, you can often get a good deal here.
- The French Quarter is where most first-time visitors stay in New Orleans. It’s mostly small boutique hotels, but you can also find some chain hotels and luxury hotels just outside the French Quarter along Canal Street. Staying in the French Quarter is very loud, so if you’re not out partying all night, you might not want to stay right in the French Quarter.
New Orleans hotels are typically slightly above “average” during regular times of the year. However, there is a huge surge in hotel prices around major events, especially Mardi Gras. Not only will you pay a premium, but you also need to make your hotel reservations far in advance.
Is New Orleans Safe?
A lot of people wonder if New Orleans is safe. There are definitely some safety issues to consider when you visit New Orleans. It’s not as bad as people think, but you do need to be aware of your surroundings and use common street smarts. Don’t leave valuables in your car, don’t go into unfamiliar areas, etc. The biggest safety risk in New Orleans, especially for men, is getting involved in drunken fights. If you see a fight brewing, just cross the street.
Things to See in New Orleans
New Orleans is so much more than the French Quarter and Bourbon Street. There are a ton of cool things to see in New Orleans. New Orleans is actually great for families, couples, and all kinds of travelers. Some of our favorite tourist attractions in New Orleans include:
- The Garden District
- City Park
- Swamp Tours
- The Audubon Zoo
- Audubon Aquarium of the Americas
- New Orleans Children’s Museum
- The National WWII Museum
- Mardi Gras Museums
- Take a New Orleans Architecture Tour
- St. Louis Cathedral
- The Pharmacy Museum
- Jackson Square
- Tour the New Orleans Cemeteries
- Voodoo Tours
- Take a day trip to Baton Rouge
The Official New Orleans Tourism Website has lots of great itineraries you can plan! If you plan to sign up for any tours, I recommend doing that through your hotel as they’ll know the best tour operators.
Worst Time to Visit New Orleans
If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit New Orleans, there are three times I recommend NOT visiting New Orleans. July and August are probably the worst times to visit New Orleans; the heat and humidity are nearly unbearable. And don’t come during Mardi Gras unless you’re specifically visiting for the Mardi Gras parties; it’s crazy crowded and expensive. You may not find a hotel or even a dinner reservation if you visit New Orleans during Mardi Gras.
Visiting New Orleans with Kids
New Orleans is a great place to visit with kids if you take a few precautions. The French Quarter is family-friendly during the daytime until about 4 pm. This is when the museums start to close and the drinking and rowdiness begin. We call it the “4 o’clock switch.”
Even Mardi Gras can be family-friendly, as each district has its own festivities and they’re not all like the French Quarter / Bourbon Street parades. There are some great neighborhood parades and parties that are great for families if you know where to look!
Bring Cash to New Orleans
While most places will accept credit cards in New Orleans, I always feel safer paying in cash when I’m out at a bar in New Orleans. This will eliminate any risk of credit card fraud. There are plenty of ATMs in New Orleans, just be sure you are paying attention to your surroundings when withdrawing cash.
Shocks to Expect in New Orleans
As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare our readers for new destinations by preparing you for some shocks in store. So, for your first visit to New Orleans, here are some shocks to be ready for:
- The New Orleans smell. There are some shocking smells when you visit the French Quarter. You’ll likely smell a lot of marijuana, but you’ll also smell a lot of urine. Unfortunately, with so much drinking, people tend to use the streets as toilets and it smells.
- New Orleans Police presence. There are a lot of cops around the French Quarter at night. It can get rowdy, so they’re there to keep the peace. They’re actually super friendly and helpful, so don’t be afraid to ask them for help or directions.
- The food in New Orleans is shockingly amazing! New Orleans is definitely a foodie city, but not necessarily a pretentious foodie city. We have a whole post on what to eat in New Orleans. The portions are huge, too!
- The pace of New Orleans can be a shock as it’s quite relaxed and slow. The signature phrase of New Orleans is “laissez les bon temps rouler” which means “let the good times roll.” Things just move slowly, so bring your patience!
- Mardi Gras parades are NOT in the French Quarter! The streets of the French Quarter are packed with people during Mardi Gras, but that’s not where the parades are. The big parade with the famous floats is on Saint Charles Avenue.
- The people in New Orleans (and all over Louisiana) are shockingly friendly. We’re from the Midwest and it still shocks us how friendly everyone is.
- That said, you will also encounter a lot of homeless people and beggars in the streets. They’re not generally aggressive, but it can be shocking the first time you visit.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
The people in New Orleans are so friendly and welcoming; it’s a great place to visit and the locals will gladly point you in the right direction, whether you’re looking for the best po-boy or the most unique tours to take. Remember, they call it “the Big Easy” because everything is a bit more laid-back. So enjoy your time in New Orleans, just bring your patience! We love New Orleans and have visited it many times. Check out these other New Orleans blog posts: