LOUISIANA BAYOU & NEW ORLEANS
Louisiana’s soul is a blend of French, African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences, creating a unique and vibrant culture unlike anywhere else. This region is a mesmerizing mix of swampy, natural beauty and the electrifying, historical city of New Orleans.
It is the home of jazz, Cajun and Creole cuisine, and Mardi Gras, offering a world of music, flavor, and festive energy. Experience the deep history of the plantations and the quiet mystery of the moss-draped bayous.
Most Popular Attractions
New Orleans City Core & Culture
French Quarter (Vieux Carré): The historic heart of the city, famous for its iron lace balconies, vibrant nightlife, and historic preservation.
Bourbon Street: The world-famous street known for its bars, live music venues, and nonstop party atmosphere, especially during Mardi Gras.
Jackson Square: A historic park facing the Mississippi River, surrounded by the St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the Presbytère.
St. Louis Cathedral: The oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States, an iconic landmark in Jackson Square.
The Cabildo: A historic Spanish colonial building where the Louisiana Purchase was signed, now a museum of Louisiana history.
Café Du Monde: The iconic, open-air coffee stand famous for its $beignets$ (French-style doughnuts) and café $au lait$.
Preservation Hall: A revered, intimate venue dedicated to protecting, preserving, and perpetuating traditional New Orleans Jazz.
Royal Street: A quieter, more upscale alternative to Bourbon Street, known for its antique shops, art galleries, and fine dining.
Frenchman Street: The local alternative to Bourbon, known for its concentration of authentic New Orleans music clubs and jazz.
Congo Square: A historic area in Louis Armstrong Park, crucial in the development of jazz, where enslaved Africans gathered to practice music and dance.
New Orleans Neighborhoods & Parks
Garden District: Known for its stunning, well-preserved antebellum mansions, grand oak trees, and historic above-ground cemeteries.
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1: A famous, historic city of the dead in the Garden District, known for its unique family tombs and cinematic history.
Magazine Street: A six-mile stretch of unique boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, and diverse dining options.
Audubon Park: A large, beautiful urban park featuring walking paths, lagoons, and the iconic Tree of Life live oak.
New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA): The city’s oldest fine arts institution, located in City Park, with a comprehensive collection.
City Park: One of the oldest urban parks in the country, home to the world’s largest collection of mature live oak trees.
Streetcars: Historic streetcars (especially the St. Charles Avenue Line) offer a charming and inexpensive way to see the city’s historic districts.
Louisiana Bayou, Swamp, & River Attractions
Swamp & Bayou Tours: Numerous operators offer boat tours deep into the bayous (like Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve) to see alligators and local wildlife.
Plantation Homes: Historic plantation tours along River Road, such as Oak Alley Plantation, Laura Plantation, and Whitney Plantation (focused on the history of slavery).
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve: Protects and interprets the natural and cultural history of the Mississippi River Delta region.
Honey Island Swamp: One of the most pristine and untouched swamps in the U.S., offering deeper wilderness boat tours.
Cajun Country (Lafayette/Acadiana): A cultural region west of New Orleans, known for its distinct Cajun French dialect, food, and music (Zydeco and Cajun).
Atchafalaya Basin: The largest wetland and swamp in the United States, a massive delta and essential ecosystem.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway: At almost 24 miles, one of the longest continuous bridges over water in the world.
Activities & Experiences
Take a Preservation Hall Jazz Performance: Experience an authentic, traditional New Orleans jazz concert in the legendary, intimate setting of Preservation Hall in the French Quarter.
Go on a Swamp and Bayou Tour: Take an airboat or flat-bottom boat tour into the cypress swamps and bayous to spot alligators, local wildlife, and learn about Cajun culture from a local guide.
Explore the French Quarter Architecture: Wander through the French Quarter, admiring the Spanish colonial architecture, wrought-iron balconies, and hidden courtyards.
Visit the National WWII Museum: Spend a day at this world-class museum, which offers a powerful, comprehensive look at the history of World War II.
Take a Cooking Class for Creole & Cajun Cuisine: Learn to prepare iconic Louisiana dishes like Gumbo, Jambalaya, or Étouffée from a local chef in a fun, hands-on environment.
Kayak or Paddleboard in City Park: Rent a boat to explore the beautiful waterways and lagoons of New Orleans City Park, home to the world’s largest grove of mature live oaks.
Tour a Historic Plantation: Drive upriver along the Great River Road to visit historic sugar plantations, such as Oak Alley or Laura, to learn about the complex history of the region.
Ride a Historic Streetcar: Hop on the St. Charles Avenue streetcar—the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world—to see the grand mansions of the Garden District.
Go on a Cemetery Tour: Take a guided tour through one of the city’s unique “Cities of the Dead,” such as St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, known for its above-ground tombs.
Attend a Festival or Parade: Check the local calendar for events like Mardi Gras (Feb/Mar), the Jazz & Heritage Festival (Apr/May), or neighborhood parades that happen year-round.
Experience a Haunted or Voodoo Tour: Delve into the city’s mysterious past with a late-night tour covering tales of voodoo, vampires, and historical ghost sightings.
Local Tips & Transport
French Quarter and Downtown: Walking is Best: The French Quarter and central business district are compact and best explored on foot. This allows you to fully soak in the atmosphere and architecture.
Streetcars for Scenic Routes: New Orleans has three historic streetcar lines (St. Charles, Canal, and Riverfront). They are an excellent, affordable, and scenic way to travel between the French Quarter, Garden District, and Uptown. You must have exact change for the fare or use a Jazzy Pass.
Bus System: The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) operates an extensive bus system. For multi-day visitors, consider purchasing a Jazzy Pass (available for 1, 3, or 31 days) for unlimited rides on all RTA buses and streetcars.
Rideshare and Taxis: Rideshare apps are readily available in the city, especially near major hotels and entertainment areas. Taxis are also plentiful, particularly in the French Quarter.
Getting to the Bayou: A rental car is necessary if you plan to explore the deeper Bayou, visit plantations along the River Road, or venture outside the immediate New Orleans metro area for swamp tours.
Dining Times: Meals are generally eaten at standard American times (lunch around 12-1 PM, dinner around 6-8 PM). However, late-night dining is common, and many restaurants and bars in the French Quarter serve food until late.
Food Culture: Know the Difference:
- Creole cuisine (urban, cosmopolitan) is heavily influenced by French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean flavors and often uses tomatoes.
- Cajun cuisine (rustic, country) is the hearty, French-Acadian cooking of the bayou, focusing on simpler, more robust flavors without tomatoes in many dishes. Both are phenomenal!
The Go-Cup Tradition: New Orleans is one of the few places in the U.S. where you can legally walk around with an open alcoholic beverage (though not in glass containers). Always ask your bartender to pour your drink into a plastic “go-cup” before leaving the venue.
Lagniappe: This is a local Louisiana term meaning “a little something extra,” often a small gift or bonus given to a customer. Embrace this spirit of generosity and enjoy the pleasant surprises.
Hidden Gems:
- Congo Square: Located in Louis Armstrong Park, this is the historic gathering place where enslaved people were allowed to gather on Sundays, a crucial birthplace of American music and culture.
- Faubourg Marigny & Bywater: These neighborhoods, located downriver from the French Quarter, offer a more bohemian, local vibe with funky bars, colorful houses, and great music venues like Frenchmen Street.
- New Orleans Pharmacy Museum: A fascinating, slightly macabre museum detailing the history of 19th-century medicine and pharmacy.
- The Carousel Bar & Lounge: Located inside the Hotel Monteleone, this is a unique bar with a beautiful, antique carousel that slowly rotates as you enjoy your drink.
Language: While English is spoken, you will hear a unique local dialect and possibly some French/Cajun French in the Bayou region. Knowing a few French phrases is not necessary but can be a fun way to connect with the heritage.
Top Restaurants
Dooky Chase Restaurant [$20-$35] – A legendary, historic Creole restaurant in Tremé, famed for its buffet-style lunch, fried chicken, gumbo, and being a gathering place for civil rights leaders.
Li’l Dizzy’s Cafe [$15-$25] – A no-frills, family-run Tremé spot serving soul-satisfying Creole cuisine like Trout Baquet and outstanding gumbo in a relaxed atmosphere.
Parkway Bakery & Tavern [$15-$25] – A historic, family-owned neighborhood joint in Bayou St. John and a top choice for classic, overstuffed po-boys like the famous roast beef ‘debris’ po-boy.
Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar [$15-$25] – A quintessential, old-school New Orleans po-boy shop in the Uptown area, beloved by locals for its consistently fresh seafood and shrimp po-boys.
Crescent City Steak House [$40-$65] – Locally owned since 1934, this classic, old-school steakhouse is famous for aged steaks sizzling with butter and a true New Orleans institution feel.
Clancy’s Restaurant [$40-$60] – Tucked away on a quiet residential corner in Uptown, this long-time local favorite is known for classic Creole dishes and a cozy, convivial atmosphere.
Galatoire’s [$50-$80] – Perhaps the most traditional and exclusive French Quarter stalwart, offering old-world Creole fine dining where jacket-and-tie is the norm for dinner.
Antoine’s Restaurant [$50-$80] – The oldest family-run restaurant in the country, this iconic French Quarter establishment offers a classic, deeply rooted Creole dining experience.
Dufrene’s Steak & Seafood [$30-$50] – A local favorite in Cut Off, LA (Bayou area) serving traditional Cajun seafood platters, steaks, and plate lunches in a casual, family setting.
Bourgeois Meat Market [$10-$20] – Located in Thibodaux, LA, in the Bayou region, this classic butcher shop and deli is the place for house-made boudin, cracklins, and local specialty meats.
Spahr’s Seafood Restaurant [$20-$35] – A popular Bayou restaurant with multiple locations (like in Thibodaux or Des Allemands) known for fresh-off-the-boat Gulf seafood and classic “Catfish Chips.”
Cher Amie’s Seafood Restaurant [$20-$35] – A family-run eatery in Cut Off, LA, that serves authentic Cajun specialties, boiled seafood, and a taste of the traditional bayou cooking.
Mulate’s [$20-$40] – Often considered the original Cajun dance hall and restaurant in the Bayou area (Breaux Bridge), offering live Cajun music and traditional food like crawfish étouffée.
Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar [$25-$45] – Known as a classic spot for oysters (raw and charbroiled) and traditional seafood po-boys, with a much-loved French Quarter and Metairie location.
Gumbo Shop [$15-$30] – Located in the French Quarter, this spot is recommended for its commitment to the classic New Orleans dish, offering a seafood gumbo that is very highly regarded.
Cochon [$35-$60] – Chef Donald Link’s flagship restaurant in the Warehouse District, reconnecting with culinary roots by serving traditional Cajun Southern dishes using locally sourced pork, produce, and seafood.
Herbsaint Restaurant [$40-$65] – Chef Donald Link’s flagship in the CBD, serving upscale, refined French-Southern fare with dishes like house-made pasta and a duck confit that receives consistent praise.
Compère Lapin [$45-$75] – Chef Nina Compton’s celebrated spot that blends the chef’s Caribbean heritage with New Orleans ingredients, offering a modern, innovative take on Southern and international flavors.
La Petite Grocery [$40-$65] – A century-old Uptown building now houses a James Beard Award-winning restaurant, serving contemporary Southern cuisine with French influences, like the signature Blue Crab Beignets.
Pêche Seafood Grill [$35-$60] – A stylish Warehouse District restaurant focusing on Gulf Coast seafood, cooking whole fish over an open fire and presenting simple, yet expertly prepared dishes.
Atchafalaya Restaurant [$30-$50] – A contemporary Creole bistro in a converted shotgun house in the Irish Channel, known for its creative brunch, live music, and unique takes on local classics.
Bywater American Bistro (BABs) [$35-$60] – Chef Nina Compton’s casual sister spot in the Bywater, serving approachable American and Creole cuisine with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients and a lively atmosphere.
N7 [$35-$60] – A hidden gem in the Bywater offering a unique, intimate French-meets-Cajun dining experience in a beautiful courtyard, known for its modern take on French classics and an impressive wine list.
Coquette [$45-$75] – Located on Magazine Street, this spot keeps things delightfully simple with a menu that offers contemporary Southern cuisine focused on Gulf seafood and seasonal ingredients.
Jewel of the South [$40-$70] – A sparkling French Quarter treasure in a historic cottage, blending traditional New Orleans style with innovative cocktails and a refined, modern menu.
Arnaud’s French 75 Bar [$15-$30] – Located adjacent to the main Arnaud’s dining room, this bar offers a great small plates menu and expertly crafted classic cocktails in a stunning, refined setting.
Piece of Meat [$30-$55] – A butcher-shop-meets-restaurant in Mid-City focusing on high-quality, whole-animal butchery and inventive meat-centric dishes, including excellent smoked meats.
Gris-Gris [$30-$50] – A celebrated Lower Garden District spot serving “New Orleans food with a soul,” known for its creative, modern take on Creole classics in a sophisticated yet fun setting.
Palace Cafe [$35-$60] – Located on Canal Street, this upscale French Quarter spot puts a modern, slightly lighter twist on classic Creole dishes, famous for its White Chocolate Bread Pudding.
Commander’s Palace [$60-$90] – A legendary Garden District institution since 1880, known for its elegant, refined Creole cuisine, impeccable service, and the famous tableside Bananas Foster.
Restaurant August [$80-$130] – Located in a historic 19th-century French-Creole building, this spot offers a truly luxurious fine dining experience with a modern, Southern-inspired menu and rich interiors.
Brennan’s [$70-$120] – This elegant French Quarter stalwart is an old-world fine dining experience with classic Creole fare, perhaps most famous for its elegant breakfast and courtyard dining.
Restaurant R’evolution [$80-$130] – An upscale French Quarter restaurant that blends classic and contemporary techniques to offer an innovative, multi-course dining experience steeped in the history of Creole and Cajun cuisine.
GW Fins [$70-$110] – A French Quarter favorite for classic, high-end fine dining that is undeniably New Orleans, specializing in seasonally fresh, high-quality Gulf seafood with a menu that changes daily.
Brigtsen’s Restaurant [$50-$80] – A James Beard Award-winner in a cozy Riverbend shotgun house, serving deeply satisfying, traditional, yet refined contemporary Louisiana cuisine.
Emeril’s [$70-$120] – The flagship restaurant of Emeril Lagasse, offering modern Creole cuisine with an emphasis on local ingredients and bold, signature flavors in the Warehouse District.
Shaya [$50-$80] – A James Beard Award-winning restaurant in the Garden District that offers modern Israeli cuisine, a unique and highly-regarded fine dining option in NOLA.
Addis Nola [$20-$35] – A cherished Treme dining spot offering top-notch Ethiopian cuisine, embracing cultural traditions like the coffee ceremony in a beautiful, historic setting.
Fritai [$15-$30] – Located on Bayou Road, this vividly decorated, welcoming spot serves Haitian specialties and is known for its flavorful tropical cuisine.
Kin [$15-$30] – An Uptown favorite for authentic and creative Vietnamese cuisine, a nod to New Orleans’ rich Asian-American culinary influence.
Maïs Arepas [$15-$25] – A contemporary Colombian restaurant in the Central Business District (CBD) specializing in arepas and other traditional fare from South America.
Blue Bayou Restaurant & Oyster Bar [$30-$50] – Located on Canal Street, this spot offers fresh seafood, Southern classics, and a bustling oyster bar, with an interior that transports guests to a charming bayou ambiance.
Killer PoBoys [$10-$20] – Located in the back of the Erin Rose bar, this spot offers inventive, gourmet takes on the traditional po-boy like the “Dark & Stormy” (roast pork belly) or a sweet potato po-boy.
Dong Phuong Bakery [$5-$15] – An essential stop in New Orleans East, famous for its light, perfectly crisp Vietnamese-style French bread, bánh mì, and its legendary seasonal King Cakes.
Mr. Bubbles Sandwich House [$10-$15] – A popular spot for Vietnamese po’boys (bánh mì), offering a delicious cross-cultural experience in a casual setting.
T-Noon’s Seafood [$25-$45] – A great Bayou area spot in Berwick, LA, specializing in hot boiled seafood, crawfish, and crabs with all the fixin’s, perfect for an authentic local seafood boil experience.
Claudia’s Soul Food [$10-$20] – Located in Patterson, LA, this spot serves up comforting plate lunches filled with traditional Southern and Cajun favorites like red beans and rice or smothered okra with shrimp.
Bywater Bakery [$5-$15] – A colorful, beloved neighborhood bakery known for its excellent breakfast sandwiches, pastries, and a huge variety of seasonal King Cakes.
Gattuso’s Neighborhood Restaurant [$15-$30] – A popular, casual, local spot in Gretna (on the West Bank) known for its generous portions of New Orleans classics and a lively bar atmosphere.
Sam’s Southern Eatery [$10-$20] – A regional chain that started local in Shreveport, with a Morgan City location offering southern favorites like fried green tomatoes, po’boys, and seafood platters.
Top Cocktail Bars and Clubs
The Sazerac Bar: Located inside The Roosevelt Hotel on Baronne Street in the Central Business District (CBD), this elegant bar is where the famous Sazerac cocktail was officially crowned New Orleans’ official drink. It features an African walnut bar and stunning Paul Ninas murals.
The Carousel Bar & Lounge: A true French Quarter institution, found inside the Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street. This whimsical circular bar slowly revolves, offering a unique, dizzying experience while you sip on a classic Vieux Carré.
Arnaud’s French 75 Bar: An intimate and sophisticated space within Arnaud’s Restaurant in the French Quarter. Known for its impeccable service and as a classic place to enjoy its namesake, the French 75 cocktail.
Cure: Situated in the lively Uptown neighborhood on Freret Street, this establishment helped pioneer the city’s modern craft cocktail movement with a rotating menu of inventive and meticulously prepared drinks.
Jewel of the South: Tucked away in a historic Creole cottage on St. Louis Street near the French Quarter edge, this James Beard Award-winning bar offers both classic cocktails and historical revivals in a charming setting.
Hot Tin: This chic rooftop bar at the top of the Ponchartrain Hotel in the Garden District offers some of the best panoramic views of the New Orleans skyline and the Mississippi River.
Bar Marilou: A beautifully designed and moody lounge on Carondelet Street in the CBD, housed in a former library annex. It features a playful, French-inspired ambiance and a globally-inspired cocktail menu.
Cane & Table: Found on Decatur Street in the French Quarter, this bar embraces a “proto-tiki” aesthetic with a focus on rum and Caribbean-inspired cocktails and small plates in a rustic, inviting space with a courtyard.
Napoleon House: A historical landmark on Chartres Street in the French Quarter, originally intended as a refuge for Napoleon Bonaparte. It’s famed for its classic, refreshing Pimm’s Cup cocktail and atmospheric, aged European ambiance.
Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29: A beloved French Quarter spot on North Peters Street that is a mecca for tiki enthusiasts. Owned by a famous tiki historian, it serves up expertly researched “lost” exotic drinks.
Bayou Bar: Located in the Pontchartrain Hotel on St. Charles Avenue (Uptown), this tavern-style bar has a warm, wood-paneled ambiance and was once a favorite spot for literary legends and the place where the New Orleans Saints franchise was named.
Manolito: A small, Havana-inspired bar on Dumaine Street in the French Quarter, specializing in Cuban classics like the daiquiri and the El Presidente cocktail, complete with Cuban-style throwing of drinks.
Bar Tonique: An acclaimed, unpretentious craft cocktail bar on North Rampart Street, near Louis Armstrong Park. It is known for its excellent bartenders, extensive menu of classics, and being a locals’ favorite for consistently great drinks.
Loa: An elegant, esoteric hotel bar inside the International House Hotel in the CBD. Its beverage program often incorporates global and Vodou-inspired elements, with inventive tinctures and syrups.
Old Absinthe House: Located on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, this historical bar has been serving drinks for over 200 years. As its name suggests, it is a key place to try the infamous absinthe in a classic preparation.
Republic NOLA: A large warehouse-turned-nightclub in the Warehouse District that hosts a variety of events, from national DJ acts and electronic music to themed dance parties, featuring a large dance floor and mezzanine VIP areas.
The Metropolitan: Considered one of New Orleans’ premier dance clubs, located in Generations Hall in the Warehouse District. It’s a two-story venue with multiple rooms and DJs, focusing on house and commercial dance music.
House of Blues: Situated in the French Quarter, this national chain offers a diverse mix of live music acts, from rock and pop to local blues and gospel, and transforms into a high-energy club atmosphere during late-night DJ sets.
The Rabbit Hole: A popular venue in the Central City neighborhood, known for hosting everything from EDM raves to weekly performances by the Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band, making it a diverse live music and dance destination.
Blue Nile: A staple on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny neighborhood. While primarily a live music club showcasing jazz, funk, and brass bands, it features a lively dance floor and a balcony overlooking the street.
Preservation Hall: An iconic, no-frills venue in the French Quarter dedicated exclusively to preserving and showcasing traditional New Orleans Jazz. While not a typical dance club, it is the city’s essential nocturnal cultural experience.
Tipitina’s: A legendary Uptown music club, named after a famous Professor Longhair song. It hosts a wide range of local and national acts and offers a large dance floor, embodying the spirit of New Orleans’ live music scene.
The Spotted Cat Music Club: The quintessential, intimate, cash-only jazz club on Frenchmen Street in the Marigny. It’s perpetually packed with people dancing and listening to authentic New Orleans traditional jazz.
Razzoo Bar & Patio: A classic, lively Bourbon Street spot in the French Quarter known for its large patio, energetic atmosphere, and a mix of live music and DJ sets, making it a popular destination for tourists.