Louisiana

Travel Guide

French Quarter which includes a house and heritage architecture
Bourbon Street which includes street scenes, nightlife and a city
New Orleans Jazz Museum showing art and interior views
French Quarter which includes heritage architecture, night scenes and a city
Baton Rouge showing signage

Experience the blend of cultures in this state that comes alive with the intoxicating combination of jazz, Creole cuisine and carnivals.

Louisiana is a state that lives up to its popular image of parties, mouthwatering food and the constant strains of lively music playing from welcoming bars. Experience a part of America that revels in the good life and invites all of its visitors to join them in it. Outside of its infectiously vibrant cities, discover atmospheric landscapes of wildlife-rich bayous and acres of rolling farmland.

Encounter a range of different cultural influences in the melting pot of Louisiana. French and Spanish settlers colonized here before it became a part of the U.S. with the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Learn about the Creole people, a racially diverse group with their origins in the state’s international history.

Start your exploration of Louisiana in the pulsing, energetic city of New Orleans. Investigate the streets of the French Quarter on foot, soaking up a mixture of cultures and stopping at bars to enjoy live jazz music. Preservation Hall is one of the most popular and storied venues in the city for music and it hosts popular nightly performances.

Explore the state capital, Baton Rouge, which is packed with intriguing cultural museums that cover different facets of the state’s history. Visit River Road African American Museum, the Old State Capitol and the Louisiana Art and Science Museum for a complete picture of Louisiana.

Other cities such as Shreveport and Alexandria maintain Louisiana’s restless energy and unique culture. Head to Lafayette for total immersion in Creole and Cajun culture.

Escape the cities and travel to the serene and strange swamp known as the bayou, which carves up the landscape in southern Louisiana. The more than 20 state parks throughout Louisiana offer fishing, hiking, cycling and wildlife watching.

Most major cities in Louisiana have airports for quick access to the state, with Shreveport as a hub in the north and New Orleans in the south. Winter and spring are the best times to visit the state. Come between February and May to join throngs of visitors traveling to take part in the state’s world-famous festival season.

Where to stay in Louisiana

French Quarter which includes street scenes, a city and heritage architecture

French Quarter

4.5/5(9,221 area reviews)

Historic buildings and lively atmosphere entice tourists and locals alike, offering live music, street performances, and vibrant nightlife. Must-see spots include Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and Café du Monde.

French Quarter
Canal Street showing a city and street scenes

New Orleans Central Business District

4.5/5(8,219 area reviews)

Dynamic and mixed-use, this neighborhood boasts professional offices, historic buildings, and numerous restaurants and clubs. Explore museums like the National WWII Museum and Ogden Museum of Southern Art, or visit Harrah's Casino and Piazza d'Italia.

New Orleans Central Business District
National World War II Museum which includes a city, street scenes and a bridge

Arts/Warehouse District

4/5(890 area reviews)

Known for its ample dining options and fascinating museums, there's plenty to explore in Arts/Warehouse District. You can visit top attractions like National World War II Museum and The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, and jump on the metro at St. Charles at Julia Stop or Saint Charles at Saint Joseph Stop to see more of the city.

Arts/Warehouse District
Garden District which includes flowers, a garden and a house

Garden District

5/5(40 area reviews)

Well-preserved historic mansions and striking architecture define this area. Explore Colonel Short's Villa, George Washington Cable House, and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, or shop at The Rink, with easy streetcar access on St. Charles Avenue.

Garden District
Mardi Gras World showing art and interior views as well as an individual femail

Lower Garden District

4/5(482 area reviews)

Lower Garden District is highly notable for its beautiful gardens, and you might want to visit top sights like Port of New Orleans and National World War II Museum. See more of New Orleans by jumping on the metro at St. Charles at St. Andrew Stop or St. Charles at Josephine Stop.

Lower Garden District
St Louis Cemetery featuring heritage elements

Mid-City District

While you're in Mid-City District, take in top sights like Fair Grounds Race Course or Mahalia Jackson Theater, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Canal at White Stop or Canal at Salcedo Stop.

Mid-City District
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
4 out of 5
717 Orleans St., New Orleans, LA
$112 nightly
The price is $132 total per night from Jul 29 to Jul 30
$132 total
Jul 29 - Jul 30
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this historic hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (3,891 reviews)
"Lovely staff. Elegant lobby. Gorgeous rooms. Perfect FQ location."

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

Bourbon Orleans Hotel
L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
4 out of 5
777 Avenue L'Auberge, Lake Charles, LA
$113 nightly
The price is $131 total per night from Aug 3 to Aug 4
$131 total
Aug 3 - Aug 4
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star spa resort in Lake Charles. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 6 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,406 reviews)
"We we had a wonderful overnight stay"

Reviewed on Jul 13, 2025

L'Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
4 out of 5
124 Royal St, New Orleans, LA
$112 nightly
The price is $133 total per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
$133 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (4,235 reviews)
"Close proximity to everything!"

Reviewed on Jul 12, 2025

Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Memoir Warehouse District
Memoir Warehouse District
4 out of 5
808 Constance Street, New Orleans, LA
Stay at this 4-star hotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 bars/lounges, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions National World War II Museum and Caesars ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (147 reviews)
Maybe more training
"Comfortable bed, great shower, soft robe, great bar, nice view, great location. Staff walked in on me without knocking & announcing themselves. I got locked out because the concierge did not activate both of my key cards, the staff at the Common House was not kind, staff left food from a previous ..."

Reviewed on Jul 6, 2025

Memoir Warehouse District
Roami at St. Helene
Roami at St. Helene
3 out of 5
508 Chartres St, New Orleans, LA
Stay at this 3-star apartment in New Orleans. Enjoy free WiFi, an in-room coffeemaker, and air conditioning. Popular attractions Bourbon Street and Canal Street ...
7/10 Good! (56 reviews)
"The parking is so expensive"

Reviewed on Jun 8, 2025

Roami at St. Helene
Seabrook Villa
Seabrook Villa
3.5 out of 5
6001 France Rd, New Orleans, LA
Stay at this 3.5-star golf aparthotel in New Orleans. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the ...
8/10 Very Good! (527 reviews)
"This was my second stay at Seabrook. All staff were very friendly and accomodating. The grounds had been freshly mowed Onsite restaurant makes it a good spot for a solo getaway or family trip. Slightly outside city traffic, but close enough to NOLA attractions/amenities."

Reviewed on Jul 8, 2025

Seabrook Villa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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