Where to Stay In New Orleans by Neighborhood

New Orleans Street Car

A Neighborhood Guide for where to stay in New Orleans and picks for best places to stay in New Orleans. Visiting New Orleans should be a bucket list for everyone in the world, and especially people living in the U.S.

New Orleans, or NOLA for short, is an incredibly beautiful city, chock-full of history, art, a true melting pot of culture, and food that make you want to plan your next trip after your first bite of the mouthwatering food in New Orleans.

Get ready to dig in because we put together the ultimate neighborhood guide for where to stay in New Orleans as well as our picks for the best places to stay in New Orleans to make the most of your trip and a great starting off point for exploring all the best things to do in New Orleans.

We loved this city so much it’s actually one of our dream destinations to live in for at least a year. 

Planning a trip anytime soon? Be sure to check out our helpful guide for how to spend the perfect 3 days in New Orleans.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. 

Table of Contents
    1. French Quarter
    2. Garden District
    3. Arts District or Warehouse District
    4. Faubourg Marigny & Bywater
    5. Central Business District
    6. Transportation in New Orleans
    7. New Orleans Travel Tips

French Quarter

French Quarter New Orleans

The French Quarter is undoubtedly the best place to stay in New Orleans thanks to its convenient location to all the best things to do and explore in the city including the famous and iconic Bourbon Street. Be sure to check out some of the most iconic drinks to try in New Orleans based in this area as well.

The Scene

The French Quarter, AKA Vieux Carré is the oldest neighborhood in NOLA and the perfect place for where to stay in New Orleans if you want to be in the center of all the action. With its roots dating back to 1718.

It’s also the number one pick and best place to stay in New Orleans we recommend staying because it’s beauty, the location, and how walkable the city is from this starting point.

These colonial-style homes are such incredible eye candy that you will daydream of owning them all. Even though you have the rowdy Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, you can easily avoid or be right in the center of the party.

Who’s it for

This is where to stay in New Orleans for anyone who is here on a short trip and wants to stay right in the heart of what visitors love about the city. This is also the best place to stay in New Orleans for the party-goers who want to be close to the Bourbon Street action and anyone who just wants to be in the more quiet streets of the old colonial buildings in the center of the French Quarter.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include Preservation Hall, Jackson Square, Royal Street, the infamous Bourbon Street, Café Du Monde, St. Louis Cathedral, walking distance to Canal Street, Laffites Blacksmith, and the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Plus you’re just walking distance to Frenchman Street where all the best live jazz music in the city performs every night! This is also where you can find many of the awesome tours in New Orleans to try.

Hotels in the French Quarter

Bourbon Orleans Hotel Lobby

Bourbon Orleans Hotel

When researching where to stay in New Orleans we recommend Bourbon Orleans Hotel. This is where we stayed and we loved its central location, live jazz music performances, and one of our favorite places to get a drink in the whole city (which is saying a lot).

The hotel also a gorgeous pool in the courtyard. Besides having a great, quiet location right along Bourbon Street, this hotel is also very historical and has a cool backstory and some even say that it’s haunted! That is New Orleans all summed up in one hotel!

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W New Orleans French Quarter

Another top pick for places to stay in New Orleans in the French Quarter is the W. Located on Chartres Street you have one of the most prime locations in the French Quarter in this swanky hotel. This is an awesome spot if you’re looking to be in the French Quarter but not right on Bourbon Street where you can enjoy everything awesome about this area without the noise.

There’s a gorgeous pool on the property to cool off on those hot and humid Louisiana days, river views, stylish rooms, and a beautiful courtyard.

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Garden District

Garden District New Orleans

Another one of our picks for best places to stay in New Orleans is the dreamy Garden District. This is where you can find the gorgeous historic antebellum mansions, lush scenery, and some more great dining and attractions.

Be sure to also check out some of the best New Orleans tours in this area as well.

The Scene

The Garden District boasts some of the most beautiful mansions in the world let alone in the city and is where to stay in New Orleans if you’re looking for a more quiet neighborhood surrounded by some gorgeous architecture. This neighborhood is pretty much just tons of mansions from the colonial era with amazing architecture and beautiful tree-lined roads making it seem like you’re in a movie, which is accurate since the Garden District is considered the Hollywood of the South! What we love about the scene here besides just the aesthetics would be how quiet this neighborhood is.

Who’s it for

This is where to stay in New Orleans if you want to feel like an old school millionaire and still be connected to the rest of the city easily. We recommend the Garden District for anyone looking for a more peaceful spot in the city.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include a few famous mansions including the Buckner Mansion used in a season of American Horror Story Coven, the famous Commanders Place, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, National WWII Museum, and Magazine Street which is full of shops, restaurants, cafes, and more photo opportunities. Don’t miss old school streetcars here either.

Hotels in the Garden District

The Pontchartrain Hotel

The Pontchartrain Hotel is our pick for where to stay in New Orleans Garden District. Adjacent to its charming streetcar route, this is a one-of-a-kind full-service luxury New Orleans hotel. This historic circa-1927, 14-story architectural gem, provides modern luxurious amenities and the rooms are decked out in absolutely to die for chic decor and antiques as well as being conveniently located very close the to the National WWII Museum. Besides having amazing rooms, the hotel also has two swanky restaurants on-site as well as an amazing rooftop bar overlooking the city.

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The Henry Howard Hotel

Another one of the best places to stay in New Orleans if you’re looking to stay in a historic home is the gorgeous mansion now hotel the Henry Howard Hotel. Located in the heart of the Garden District you can stay in a 1867 mansion with Corinthian columns located near the World War II Museum and just a few steps away from an old fashioned streetcar stop.

You’ll feel as though you’ve gone back in time staying in one of the iconic mansions that make New Orleans so unique and special.

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Arts District or Warehouse District

New Orleans Street

Our next neighborhood and pick for best places to stay in New Orleans is the Arts District or also known as the Warehouse District. This is one of the greatest unassuming locations near both the French Quarter and the Garden District in the city and a great launching point to explore from.

The Scene

What was once the industrial center of NOLA, the Arts District or the Warehouse District is becoming a bustling hub of activities revolving around art, museums, and food. Most visitors are aware of the French Quarter, the Garden District and Faubourg Marigny before they come but the Arts District has undergone a facelift and has been completely revamped with amazing art galleries, restaurants that are to die for and some museums to show off its diverse history.

The Arts District is giving the other neighborhoods a run for their money and giving tourists another reason to come back to the city and is where to stay in New Orleans if you’re looking for a great middle of everything location.

Who’s it for

As the name implies, this is where to stay in New Orleans for art aficionados and lovers of culture. Of course, you don’t need to be an art snob to come here, just someone who enjoys beautiful buildings, art, great food, and overall nice location.

Nearby Attractions

Julia Street hosts over 25 galleries, for museums there are National World War II Museum, Lousiana’s Civil War Museum, Ogden Museum of Southern Art, and for nightlife, you may wanna stop over at the Howlin’ Wolf, and Republic for Music.

Hotels in the Arts District

The Ace Hotel

The Ace Hotel is our pick for where to stay in the New Orleans Art District. Located next to incredible art galleries that are happening all the time, the room and interior itself is a work of art. Whether you want to enjoy its bar straight out of a Wes Anderson movie or enjoy the Ace’s luxurious amenities you will feel right at home here at this hip boutique hotel.

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Maison de la Luz

Another awesome place to stay in New Orleans Arts District is this gorgeous 4.5 start hotel. Maison de la Luz is located next to the Ace Hotel in the Arts District and is one of the most incredible New Orleans hotels if you’re seeking a luxury experience just a short walk to the French Quarter.

Located right on the St. Charles historic streetcar line, this beautiful property offers luxury rooms with an emphasis on design. Each room is unique and looks like a set from a Wes Anderson movie. There’s close attention to detail and the best place to stay in New Orleans for design lovers. Don’t miss the eclectic bar onsite either.

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Faubourg Marigny & Bywater

Shotgun Home in Marigny

Another one of the best places to stay in New Orleans as of more recently is the neighborhood of Faubourg Marigny and Bywater. This area is famous for its shotgun-style homes and is one of the best up and coming neighborhoods for all things entertainment in the city.

The Scene

The best way to describe this neighborhood is the locals’ version of French Quarter, without the price. Faubourg Marigny & Bywater has a wonderful blend of beautiful creole and classic revival cottages that were abandoned in the ’50s and scooped up and restored to their current glory by incredible bakers, artists, musicians, and banks.

Minutes south of the French Quarter Faubourg Marigny & Bywater is teeming with locals and artists from all over the world who call these beautiful shotgun houses their homes. Bywater is overflowing with charm and character while Faubourg offers a glimmer of what Bourbon Street used to be like. The worlds best music, played every night in a charming neighborhood and great restaurants that won’t break the bank like some in the French Quarter.

Who it’s for

We believe this is where to stay in New Orleans for any traveler. This is also a great place to spend a day but it really comes alive at night. It’s Frenchmen Street where famous Jazz musicians from yesterday and today still play and have some of the best live music in NOLA or anywhere really. We feel this is where to stay in New Orleans if you’re looking to be a part of the local scene, stray from the tourist epicenter, connect with the local artists in their neighborhood, and still be conveniently located within the city.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby Attractions include Frenchmen Street, which cannot be missed in the evenings, St. Roch Market, Fry & Pie, Bacchanal Wine & Spirits, and colorful shotgun homes. Plus you’re just walking distance from the French Quarter.

Hotels in Faubourg Marigny & Bywater

Frenchmens Orleans at 519

Our pick for where to stay in New Orleans Faubourg Marigny & Bywater is Frenchmens Orleans at 519. What’s better than having a night on Frenchmen Street and then being able to walk back to your own private condo? That’s exactly what you get in this historical and locals only vibe part of town. Also a short walk to the French Quarter and the heart of the city.

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Hotel Peter & Paul

This gorgeous 4 star hotel is the perfect place to stay in New Orlean’s hip scene in Marigny. Located in a former church and school dating back to 1860, this hip hotel is a great place and starting off point to explore the city. I personally love the vintage details that goes into each of these upscale rooms. This is more than a bed to sleep in at night, this hotel is an experience. 

This hotel is the first of its kind and has a cafe, bar, a small bookstore, and 71 rooms on site. 

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Central Business District

Another pick for where to stay in New Orleans close to the city center is the Central Business District. This are is most famous for being the location of the Mercedes Benz Superdome as well as being close to the central part of the city and close enough to all the best tourist attractions the city has to offer.

The Scene

The CBD is where to stay in New Orleans if you’re here for business. This area dies down a bit after work hours but since Lafayette Square has free concerts, people come to soak up the atmosphere and eat at some amazing restaurants nearby. Definitely more of a local business scene, as there aren’t many attractions in the area just restaurants catering to business folks.

Who it’s for

This is where to stay in New Orleans for mostly business travelers. Nearby Attractions

Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include the Aquarium of the Americas, Harrah’s Casino, and great shopping at Canal Place, and that’s about it!

Hotels in the Central Business District

The Hyatt Regency New Orleans

The Hyatt Regency New Orleans is our pick for where to stay in the Business District. This hotel is fully equipped with something for every traveler. Located in the CBD, which is great for business travelers. This hotel also comes with three different restaurants, a rooftop swimming pool, a couple of bars, and a 24-hour fitness facility. Making it the perfect home office and more for business and family travelers.

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Hyatt House New Orleans Downtown

Another best place to stay in New Orleans if you’re looking to stay in the Central Business District is the Hyatt House New Orleans Downtown. Located right by the Superdome this contemporary hotel offers classic rooms with a modern touch and some features include a pool with a bar, rooms with kitchenettes, complimentary breakfast, and a fitness facility.

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Transportation in New Orleans

Getting around the during your New Orleans stay couldn’t be easier. While the city center isn’t huge and many of the places you might visit in New Orleans is walking distance apart, some places do require a ride or use of public transportation.

When picking for places to stay in New Orleans keep in mind what you plan on doing. We did our best to provide where to stay in New Orleans by neighborhood with the given attractions so you can be walking distance to most of your activities you might enjoy. 

However, if you need to use public transportation during your stay here are the most common methods.

Taxis or rideshare apps like Uber & Lyft are common throughout the city and the easiest way to get around. You can enjoy the unique streetcars in the city especially if you find yourself wanting to get from the French Quarter to the Garden District or vice versa. 

Streetcar fares are $1.25 per person and must be paid in exact change when you board the car. Be sure to come prepared. You can also get Jazzy Passes for multiple-day transportation passes during your stay.

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New Orleans Travel Tips

The best time to visit New Orleans is between the months of February to May are when it’s considered the most comfortable. New Orleans gets very humid and hot, so these are considered the best months for comfortable and cooler weather considering where you are.

Mardi Gras is celebrated in February and is by far the busiest and most popular time to visit the city for the famous Bourbon Street celebrations. If you are hoping to come during Mardi Gras you’ll want to be sure to plan your New Orleans itinerary and trip well in advance and secure accommodation. 

December and January are considered a quieter and relaxing time to visit New Orleans and requires less planning time in advance to secure where to stay in New Orleans.

If you had to pick a time that would be the least desirable time to visit it would be from June through November because of hurricane season. July through September are considered the worst months if you’re trying to avoid heavy storms. While it’s not impossible to visit during this season, we recommend keeping an eye on the weather and taking all the precautions necessary.

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Where to stay in New Orleans guide