The best areas to stay in New Orleans for first-time travelers are the neighborhoods of French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Downtown, Marigny and Bywater, Lakeview and Mid-City, Uptown, Garden District and Faubourg Treme. The historic Monteleone Hotel in the French Quarter of New Orleans. New Orleans cityscape at dusk with the French Quarter on the right and the Central Business District on the left. Woldenberg Park is in the foreground along with the Mississippi River pier.
Bourbon Street, in the French Quarter, is full of people during Mardi Gras, even though this is not the main route of the parade. This is for die-hard partiers only. For a good night's sleep, stay anywhere else in town for the two weeks leading up to your vacation. Most New Orleanians speak English, but they often use the strange “yat” dialect, which sounds like New York; only a few speak Cajun or Creole.
In this travel guide, I'll talk about the 5 best neighborhoods to stay with the area's highlights and give hotel recommendations, from luxury to budget hotels, as well as Airbnbs in each neighborhood. This is also the best place to stay in New Orleans for party lovers who want to be close to the action of Bourbon Street and for anyone who simply wants to be on the quieter streets of the old colonial buildings in the center of the French Quarter. Finally, here are the 2 best hotels to stay in New Orleans, where I would definitely recommend that you choose. If you're visiting New Orleans for the first time, the best area to stay is the French District, as you'll be within walking distance of major attractions, such as Jackson Square and Bourbon Street.
You'll feel like you've stepped back in time staying in one of the iconic mansions that make New Orleans so unique and special. You should stay a minimum of 2 days in New Orleans to discover the main sights, music venues and museums. The French Quarter, also known as Vieux Carré, is the oldest neighborhood in NOLA and the perfect place to stay in New Orleans if you want to be in the center of all the action. You can enjoy modern rooms with a nice bathtub, and the historic sites of New Orleans are just a short walk from the hotel.
Even if you don't stay close to the street, Bourbon Street is a must-see area on a trip to New Orleans. This is where to stay in New Orleans if you want to feel like an old-school millionaire and stay connected to the rest of the city easily. This 1,300-acre public park is home to centuries-old oak trees, the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, the Louisiana Children's Museum, a Café du Monde, and a variety of sports ranging from 18-hole golf to miniature golf. New Orleans, or NOLA for short, is an incredibly beautiful city, full of history, art, a true melting pot of cultures and food that makes you want to plan your next trip after your first bite of delicious New Orleans food.