Explore the French Quarter

A national treasure of history, cuisine, music and nightlife
Noteworthy for: It's all about beautiful buildings, balconies, beads, and Bourbon Street.

Tipple of choice: A Hurricane from Pat O'Brien's will be sure to set you off on the right note - but don't indulge in more than two.
The center of the city's insatiable appetite for food and drink, music and nightlife, the Quarter fizzes with its unique charm and energy day and night.

Stroll down Bourbon Street to say you did, but the Quarter's charms lie elsewhere. Walk around Jackson Square, look at the art pinned to the railings and duck into the impressive St. Louis Cathedral; then wander Royal Street and admire the beautiful art, antiques, and the many balconies' fine filigree ironwork and tumbling vines. Stroll up Esplanade at the Quarter's edge for the most impressive villas on this side of town, or feel the eerie vibe at St. Louis Cemetery.

Soak it all up on your own, or join a walking tour to learn more: try Free Tours by Foot (booking required), the Friends of the Cabildo (10am and 1.30pm Tue-Sun, from 523 St. Ann Street, USD 15), or the well-informed Historic New Orleans Tours (10.30am daily, from Cafe Beignet, 311 Bourbon Street, USD 20).