Hotels near The French Quarter

The French Quarter, or Vieux Carre, covers 78 square blocks between Canal Street and Esplanade Avenue and is where New Orleans began in 1718. Most of what stands today is Spanish rather than French. Fires in 1788 and 1794 destroyed the original timber buildings, and the rebuild under Spanish rule produced the wrought-iron galleries, brick courtyards and stucco facades that define the district now.

Royal Street is the one to walk for antique dealers, galleries and street musicians. Bourbon Street handles the noise and the frozen daiquiri bars, and works better as a 20-minute detour than a destination. Chartres, Dumaine and Governor Nicholls hold the quieter residential blocks where people actually live. The whole Quarter is a National Historic Landmark and small enough to cross on foot in under half an hour.

Pro Tip: Walk Royal Street between 11am and 4pm on a weekday, when the city closes several blocks to traffic for street performers. The same route after dark is a completely different place - gas-lit, quiet, and mostly residents walking dogs.