Description

Planning a trip to New Orleans? Book your French Quarter hotel today!

Located on the highest ground in the city in the crescent of the Mississippi River, the French Quarter is a cultural and historical icon. Aside from being the main tourist draw, the streets of this New Orleans neighborhood document the growth and transformation of one of the most important cities in America. New Orleans' oldest neighborhood has long been a magnet for artists, writers and the city's theatre troops who perform in the many theatres and show stages that exist within the confines of the French Quarter. John James Audubon, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, and Tennessee Williams (there is a festival named for him every spring in the Quarter) all fell under the magical spell of this unique neighborhood. To this day, the Quarter still attracts some of the world's most creative people who live in its historic confines.

Galleries / Art and Museums:

Royal Street plays host to some of the most exquisite galleries in the country. Galleries and antique shops line the sidewalks of Royal Street starting in the 300 block and ending near the 800 block. Mixed into these galleries are shops highlighting the work of local artisans. Jewelers, glassmakers, and sculptors keep shops open well into the evening to catch the dinner crowds, while shop openings are delayed a little in the morning giving visitors time to sleep in after a night on Bourbon Street. 

Check out the Museé Conti, The Wax Museum, at 917 Conti St. for wax figures depicting the history and turmoil that created New Orleans. The figures are life size and some are animated for effect. The hours are random and vary depending on the season. The Louisiana State Museum, the Cabildo, is located in Jackson Square and is the museum to see if you want to know the history of this amazing neighborhood. This Jackson Square fixture has two hundred years of Louisiana history in one place.

Restaurants and Eateries: 

Some of the most famous chefs and restaurateurs in the world call the French Quarter home, so it should come as no surprise that some of the best restaurants in New Orleans are found along this neighborhood's streets.

Muriel's, located at  801 Chartres Street next to Jackson Square, is the epitome of fine dining in a relaxed, truly New Orleans atmosphere. Reservations are needed and arriving early will have you sitting in a fantastic bar space that resembles the rustic elegance of the French Quarter. From the corner of St. Phillip and Chartres, the air is filled with the smells of Italian cooking coming from the kitchen of Irene's Restaurant, a favorite among locals; this French Quarter establishment offers a fresh Italian approach to food in an atmosphere that is as homey as your living room. You can also stop by Bayona on Dauphine and savor celebrity Chef Susan Spicer's wonderful flavors as you sit outside in the courtyard.  The choices are many; including some historically significant venues like Galatoire's, Brennan's, Arnaud's, Antoine's and Tujagues.

Festivals and Parties:

The French Quarter plays host to a number of festival throughout the year. The Tennessee Williams festival in early spring celebrates the writer and one time French Quarter regular. The Satchmo SummerFest was created to honor a musical legend, while the ever-growing French Quarter Fest, each spring, is rivaling the Jazz Festival for attendance and musical stars.

Hotels and Accommodations:

No place compares to the French Quarter when it come to hotels in one location per square mile. The number of hotels rooms is endless and the number of tourist flocking to them is amazing. Reserve your hotel on or near Bourbon Street and stay for the party. Since most trips to the French Quarter take longer than a day to complete, the hotels in this neighborhood stay booked, providing an amazing boost to the tourist industry of the city. With grand palaces and small boutique hotels located in the heart of the Quarter, the hotel business is competitive, providing visitors with some of the most impressive amenities and customer service found in the industry. Aside from that, each hotel has a history and a part in the making of the French Quarter; visitors are almost always provided with information about the history of their hotel going back to when New Orleans was a young city. 

Parties, art, music and fun, the French Quarter is more than a destination, it is a home away from home in a city that loves nothing better than to entertain its guests. The French Quarter is more than its party reputation; it is a historical neighborhood, a landmark and home to many New Orleans residents.