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French Quarter Festival NOLA

A Walking Guide to the French Quarter Fest

french-quarter-fest
Bonerama by David Fary

You could — and probably should — spend $105 or more for a one-day ticket to Jazz Fest this spring (we’re quoting the latest at-the-gate price). But you should also consider coming to New Orleans a few weeks earlier, from Thursday, April 11, through Sunday, April 14, 2024, for the largest free music festival in the south that celebrates its 41st anniversary this year.

During French Quarter Festival, the weather is better (read: less hot); there are plenty of restaurants where you can escape the crowds and relax over a meal — and, did we mention the festival is entirely free?

These are just a few reasons why over 875,000 music fans (the 2023 number) get their groove on at French Quarter Fest, and there are 300 more reasons for you to come this year. That’s how many performances will be held on 22 stages scattered throughout the French Quarter, playing traditional jazz, zydeco, and every Louisiana music genre in between.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of four days of music spread across multiple stages, that’s totally understandable. Here’s your walking guide to the French Quarter Festival — so you can plan your day for minimum trekking and maximum music enjoyment.

2-minute walk from Hotel Place d’Armes: Jackson Square

Don’t be surprised if you can hear the St. Louis Cathedral bells ringing from the hotel lobby — that’s because you’re literally steps away from Jackson Square, which hosts the outdoor stage. Jackson Square’s palm-tree-lined park offers a shady place to dance the day away, and don’t forget to swing by the Pirates Alley Cafe while you’re at it. Pirates Alley was one of William Faulkner’s favorite hangouts — he used to live and write there.

Jackson Square is also the spot for the festival’s opening ceremony. The festival kicks off on Thursday, April 11, 2024, with a parade starting at 10 a.m. in the 200 block of Bourbon Street and making its way to Jackson Square for an opening ceremony.

3-minute walk: Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street is bustling, it’s bawdy, and no trip to New Orleans would be complete without a visit. Fortunately, several stages in the 300-700 blocks provide ample excuses to indulge in this booze-soaked thoroughfare.

5-minute walk: Royal Street

On any given day, sections of Royal Street are closed to traffic. Buskers, bands and other performers fill the streets while pedestrians browse antique shops, galleries and boutiques. But French Quarter Fest pushes Royal Street’s everyday ambiance to a new level. You’ll find several music stages nestled in the 400-700 blocks of Royal Street.

10-minute walk: Woldenburg Park

This narrow, grassy strip overlooking the Mississippi River is where you’ll find the lion’s share of the action, with musicians on four main stages pumping out the jams.

The outlier is a stage at Spanish Plaza, which is located at the southernmost end of Woldenberg Park, by The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk. It’s about a 15-minute walk to this stage, so while you’re out there, you can scoop up some bargains at retailers including Neiman Marcus Last Call and Nordstrom Rack.

12-minute walk: Old U.S. Mint

Functioning as a branch mint of the United States Mint from 1838 to 1861, this historic building now hosts a Jazz Museum. During the French Quarter Fest, you’ll find two stages there. A first-aid station, restrooms, ATM, merch shop, bike parking, and food tents round out the offerings at this oh-so-essential stop.

It’s also situated near the Decatur Street stages and is right on the edge of the French Quarter, where the funky, music-club-lined Frenchmen Street begins. After dark, head this way to keep the party going at legendary venues like The Spotted Cat, Blue Nile, and d.b.a.

What else you need to know and what’s new for 2024

New stages

Considering the ever-growing popularity of the festival, this year the festival organizers are providing two new stages, the DJ Stage and the Culinary Stage.

Music lineup

The who-is-who of the local music scene is returning or joining this year. Expect beyond excellence when it comes to the French Quarter Fest music lineup. That includes Irma Thomas, Ivan Neville, Little Freddie King, George Porter Jr., Charmaine Neville, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Rockin’ Dopsie Jr., Kermit Ruffins, The Soul Rebels, Big Freedia, and many more who will be performing on stages stretching from Canal Street to Esplanade Avenue. Check out the full music schedule on the fest’s website.

Food vendors

As in the previous year, expect a mouthwatering melting pot of traditional New Orleans dishes such as fried shrimp or catfish, stuffed crabs, locally brewed beers, meat pies, crawfish macaroni and cheese, and hot sausage po-boys. Beyond that, there will be plenty of global flavors.

The food and beverage vendors are set up in several locations throughout the French Quarter: Jackson Square, the Jazz Museum at the Mint, JAX Brewery, and Woldenberg Riverfront Park.

Our favorite vendors that are returning include Jacques-Imo’s Cafe, Tujague’s Restaurant, Plum Street Snoballs, 14 Parishes Jamaican Restaurant, Pat O-Brien’s, Miss Linda the Yakamein Lady, Desire Oyster Bar, Couvant, Morrow’s, Loretta’s Authentic Pralines, Addis NOLA, Cochon King BBQ, and many more.

This year, Bao Mi and Paco’s Tacos will have their culinary debut at the festival along with Miss River and Fritai Nola.

Also, if you see an orange “Eat Fit” sticker next to the food item, it means that it’s part of a special menu that focuses on lighter fare like lean proteins, vegetables, plant-based fats, and whole grains, with no white carbs and minimal added sugar. Fourteen vendors are participating in this program this year. Examples include crab, artichoke and citrus salad from Jacques-Imo’s Cafe, and sugar-free raspberry and sugar-free pink lemonade from Plum Street Snoballs.

Special events

Don’t miss the special events at the Fest! Besides the parade and the opening ceremony, those include free dance lessons, Children’s STEM Zone, French Quarter Fest After Dark programming from 9 p.m. till midnight at various local venues, a choir concert at St. Louis Cathedral, the 2024 French Quarter Fest Official Poster signing, interviews, and more. Here’s a full list of special events.

Street closures and getting around

In addition to increased traffic, some streets will be closed for the duration of the festival beginning at approximately noon until 8:30 p.m. (Those who live in the area will need to get access passes from the NOPD Eighth District Station.)

The streets that will be closing are Iberville, N. Rampart, Dumaine, and Decatur. We suggest that instead of driving, you use RTA buses, streetcars, rideshare services bikes, cabs, or the ferry to get to the festival.

The poster

You can buy the official 2024 poster at one of the four merch booths at the festival, and then online starting on April 22.

The navigation app

To streamline your music experience and navigation, you can download an app on the fest’s website (either for IOS or Android).

And, finally…

  • The live-music hours every day of the festival are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • No coolers and ice chests, please. Help keep the festival free by purchasing food and beverages at the festival.
  • And yes, we’ll say it again: The fest is free unless you opt to buy a pass for a VIP experience.

Planning a trip to New Orleans to attend the French Quarter Festival?

Check availability for your travel dates and book your stay online. Also, make sure to take advantage of our low weekday rates and special offers. If you find lower rates on your Place d’Armes room at the time of booking, we will match the rate! See you at the French Quarter Fest!

History of the Place d’Armes Hotel

The Place d’Armes Hotel in the New Orleans French Quarter takes its name from the period when New Orleans was a French Crown Colony in 1722, during which the area now known as Jackson Square was called the Place d’Armes – military parade ground.  This distinguished hotel holds a unique position as the only hotel at Jackson Square – the very Center of the Vieux Carre Historic District (French Quarter).

New Orleans itself was founded in 1718 by Sieur LeMoyne de Bienville, who chose a strategically elevated spot near the sharp crescent bend of the Mississippi River—the only dry land for miles. French military architect Leblond de la Tour and his assistant Adrian de Pauger designed the layout for the new French Crown Colony, and at its center was the Place d’Armes, a parade ground designated for military drills and ceremonies.

As the years passed, most of the land surrounding the square was granted to employees and investors of the Compagnie des Indes, a trading company sanctioned by the King of France, and led by Scotsman John Law. Numerous early residents built their homes on these land grants, and records trace the ownership history. The Place d’Armes Hotel, however, is comprised of several parcels of land on Chartres Street and St. Ann Street, and none of the buildings that now compose the hotel pre-date 1794, as two major fires swept through the city in 1788 and 1794, destroying most structures.

Seven historic buildings form the Place d’Armes Hotel – five are believed to have been constructed between 1820 and 1880 two of the buildings were added in the 1960s. The row of three 3-story brick buildings at 809, 811, and 815 Chartres Street was built in the 1840s to 1850s and was purchased by Louis Bonnemar in 1844. These structures exemplify the simple Greek Revival architecture, characterized by post and lintel construction, and were initially owned by notable figures such as Jean Baptiste D’Estrehan, the French Colonial Treasurer of the Navy, and later by Francois Broutin, son of the renowned French Colonial architect Ignace Francois Broutin.

The building at 817 Chartres Street, now a 3-story brick structure, is believed to have been erected in 1835 for Dr. Felix Formento. Over time, cast iron galleries were added to the second and third floors, enhancing the building’s appearance. The site was also once home to the Union Hotel and Coffee House from July 1832 to March 1833, offering a range of amenities from ice cream and coffee to cockfighting on the premises.

The property at 617-619 St. Ann Street houses the modern 5-story hotel, constructed in 1964. This development involved the demolition of a warehouse dating back to around 1910, which was possibly used for wine storage. However, the site’s early history is quite significant. It was granted to Sieur Richaume in 1722 but later passed through various owners, including the Capuchin School founded by Father Raphael in 1725. The property changed hands multiple times before being developed into the hotel we know today.

The core property (lobby location) at 623-625 St. Ann was owned by Angelo Glorioso, a Sicilian immigrant (1903) who used the space as a residence and grocery warehouse.  Mr. Glorioso died in 1951 and willed the property to his only daughter, Mary Ann Glorioso Valentino, the Matriarch of the Valentino family who owns and operates the hotel today.  The Place d’Armes Hotel is a masterful restoration of seven, very historic, contiguous, structures that all surround a lush center courtyard (one of the most beautiful in all the French Quarter) in arguably the most coveted visitor location in all New Orleans – Jackson Square at the Mississippi River!

The hotel has welcomed visitors for over 60 years (since 1963) and boasts of its legions of guests who regularly call the Place d’Armes their home in New Orleans whenever they visit.  The Place d’Armes Hotel stands as a testament to the city’s resilience and timeless allure, offering guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in the lively spirit of the French Quarter while being connected to its storied past.

Top 5 French Quarter Historic Places

New Orleans is a city full of rich culture and history. The French Quarter in particular has a great deal of historical significance, with several important attractions located within its boundaries.

If you are visiting New Orleans, you will not want to miss out on visiting some of the city’s most famous historical landmarks. Here is a list of the top five historic spots in the French Quarter we recommend checking out.

1. Old Ursuline Convent Museum

Regardless of whether you are a history buff or looking to expand your knowledge of New Orleans history, you will enjoy a tour of one of the greatest historic spots in the French Quarter.

The Old Ursuline Convent is the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley, built on Chartres Street back in 1752. This building has worn many hats over the centuries and was once a convent, orphanage, and even a makeshift hospital.

Now, you can tour the inside of this beautiful building, where you will see oil paintings featuring past archbishops, bronze busts, a hand-crafted cypress staircase, and many religious statues.

Ursaline Convent in New Orleans

2. St. Louis Cathedral

Often found in the front and center of many photographs and logos for New Orleans, the iconic St. Louis Cathedral is one of the city’s most notable landmarks. Situated between the Cabildo and the Presbytere, it overlooks Jackson Square, towering over its neighbors with its famous triple steeples. Also, did you know? The St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in the United States.

St. Louis Cathedral French Quarter

3. The Cabildo

The Cabildo is a magnificent Spanish colonial building that neighbors the St. Louis Cathedral and is home to many rare artifacts of America’s rich history. Among these artifacts is the famous Napoleon’s death mask, one of just four remaining in existence.

You will also find an 1839 self-portrait by Julien Hudson on display at the Cabildo. Hudson was a free man of color and was one of many during the Antebellum period who worked as a professional artist in New Orleans.

The Cabildo was also the site of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, which finalized the United States’ acquisition of the Louisiana territory and doubled the size of the nation.

The Cabildo in New Orleans

4. Old Absinthe House

For nearly 200 years, the Old Absinthe House bar has been a staple for New Orleanians. Here you will find antique chandeliers, along with jerseys and helmets of football legends.

Authentic marble fountains with brass faucets that were once used to drop water over sugar cubes into glasses of absinthe align the bar that seats patrons along the rail. You will have the chance to sample a wide variety of fine malt scotches, house specialties, and, of course, absinthe at this eccentric and historically significant bar.

Old Absinthe House in New Orleans

5. Place d’Armes

We may be biased, but our hotel is truly a piece of French Quarter history and is a registered historic landmark.

In 1725, Father Raphael De Luxembourg Capuchin opened the first school in French colonial Louisiana, teaching students of all ages where the Place d’Armes now stands.

Some of the best things to do in New Orleans are just minutes away from our beautiful hotel. The Place d’Armes hotel itself is an experience, with its restored 18th and 19th-century buildings that surround tropical courtyards, fountains, and an inviting swimming pool.

Be sure to book your room at the Place d’Armes Hotel, a beautiful French Quarter hotel conveniently located close to many historical destinations and attractions. Some of the best things to do in New Orleans are waiting just outside the front door!

Place d'Armes Hotel in New Orleans

The French Quarter on $20

French Quarter Under $20 Beignets by Matt Forcey
Beignets by Matt Forcey

The Crescent City is surprisingly affordable all year round, and the bulk of its fun, free activities are concentrated in the French Quarter near Place d’Armes Hotel. In fact, it’s entirely possible to spend a day exploring, eating and sightseeing in the Vieux Carre without spending more than $20. Here’s your itinerary — laissez le bon temps roulez!

Cafe du Monde

800 Decatur St.

Cost: $6.79 (beignets and cafe au lait)

Cafe du Monde is an institution and for good reason: the Vieux Carre coffee stand has been slinging beignets since 1862. There are no reservations at the 24/7 joint — just find a table and take a seat. Order a cup of hot cafe au lait and a steaming plate of beignets (fried French donuts topped with a small mountain of confectioner’s sugar).

Dig in while listening to jazz music drifting over from Jackson Square and feeling the breeze off the nearby Mississippi River. It’s a priceless experience, but it will only set you back about $7 (be sure to bring cash and don’t forget to leave a few bucks on the table for a tip).

Central Grocery & Deli

923 Decatur St.

Cost: $13.95 (half of the muffuletta)

Layered with Italian deli meats, provolone cheese and olive salad and served on a seeded bun, a muffuletta sandwich is an original New Orleans creation, and Central Grocery invented it. Line up at the historic grocer and deli to try one. Word to the wise: a whole muffuletta is enough to feed two people, so opt for a half-sandwich. Bring it to the Moonwalk for a riverside picnic that won’t set you back much cash and that will keep you happily full for hours.

M.S. Rau

622 Royal St.

Cost: Free

Every item at the auction house looks like it costs at least a quarter of a million dollars, but a visit is free. If you walk through the spacious back area, you’ll find a room filled with priceless antiques and oddities, including 18th-century French mantels, statuary, and elaborate player pianos.

The Algiers Ferry

2 Canal St.

Cost: $2.00 ($4.00 round trip)

Admiring the passing riverboats on the Mississippi, but short on cash? There’s a way you can cruise the Mississippi for a fraction of the cost of admission to a paddlewheeler. It’s called the Algiers Ferry, and it’s your portal to the West Bank.

Pay $2.00 cash to board the double-decker ferry, which docks at the foot of Canal Street, near the Aquarium of the Americas. Lean against the railing as the ferry pulls away, and enjoy sweeping views of downtown. The St. Louis Cathedral’s spires never look as beautiful as when viewed from the river.

After the five-minute ride to the West Bank concludes, you can walk around Algiers Point, New Orleans’ second-oldest neighborhood, and stroll the Jazz Walk of Fame on the Mississippi River levee.

The Historic New Orleans Collection

419 Decatur St.

Cost: Free

Want to soak up some Crescent City history? Visit the Historic New Orleans Collection’s free exhibits for an up-close, visual history of the city.

Planning a trip to New Orleans? Check availability for your travel dates and book your stay online. Also, make sure to take advantage of our low weekday rates and special offers. If you find lower rates on your Place d’Armes room at the time of booking, we will match the rate! And you can get exclusive deals and discounts at our New Orleans hotel by signing up for our email list.

5 Spots for Breakfast and Brunch Near Place d’Armes Hotel in the French Quarter

5 Spots for Breakfast and Brunch Near Place d'Armes Hotel in the French Quarter

There’s something special about exploring the streets of New Orleans and wandering into a restaurant for breakfast or lunch. Whether you’re looking for traditional American fare or Creole and Cajun-inspired recipes the city’s dining scene provides endless options, particularly in the French Quarter. These five spots cater to every taste, from bacon and eggs to elegant French pastries.

Croissant D’Or Patisserie

617 Ursuline Avenue, French Quarter

This quiet, French-inspired bakery and café is perfect for early risers, opening at 7 a.m. Guests enjoy a quaint interior and courtyard as they sample fresh pastries, quiches, cakes, and sandwiches. During the Carnival season, one of the cafe’s most popular items is a French king cake – flaky layers of puff pastry separated by almond paste. The delicate and butterfly flavor is the opposite of the cinnamon-forward, sugar-coated version typically served in celebration of Mardi Gras (though both are delicious). Decadent lunch/brunch options include quiches, sandwiches, and savory crepes.

Horn’s Eatery

2440 Chartres Street, Marigny

Horn’s offers a perfect mix of quirky, local flavor with traditional breakfast and lunch options. This brunch spot in the Marigny has minimal outdoor seating – three or four tables on the sidewalk, along with a cozy interior dining room with modern decor.

The menu is an extensive list of basic breakfast options like eggs, waffles and pancakes to more decadent, complicated concoctions with New Orleans flare, like waffles cochon or grilled veggies and grits.

Stanley

547 St. Ann Street, French Quarter

Stanley serves New Orleans-style breakfast and brunch all day, from a location abutting Jackson Square with views of the Cathedral and the hustle and bustle along the Riverfront. Menu options reflect the influence of Creole and Cajun cuisine on otherwise standard American fare. The eggs Benedict comes in the form of a po-boy, and the French toast comes with bananas Foster. Stanley also offers house-made ice creams and Italian sodas.

The Ruby Slipper

204 Decatur Street, French Quarter; 2001 Burgundy Street, Marigny

Husband and wife owners Jennifer and Erich Weishaupt started the restaurant in 2008 in Mid-City, and now there are six locations around the city alone (with more in Baton Rouge and out of state). Affordable, everyday options like eggs, pancakes, and French toast dominate the menu, but there’s an attention to detail and New Orleans-inspired flare that makes it different from breakfast restaurants outside the city.

The mix-and-match benedicts are wildly popular, with options including eggs cochon – with slow-cooked pork, eggs, and hollandaise on a biscuit, as well as the Chicken St. Charles – fried chicken, eggs, and a tasso cream sauce. Lines here tend to be long, but the breakfast-focused cocktail menu keeps the crowd patient.

Toast

1035 Decatur Street, French Quarter

From the owners of Tartine, this is one of the two locations (the other one is in Gentilly near the racetrack). You can linger with an omelet sipping a cafe au lait or grab a latte and a pastry to go — either way, expect excellent French-leaning food. All breads, jams, custards, and curds are made in-house daily.

Fittingly, there are three French toast options on the menu, including the king cake version filled with cinnamon cream cheese, with Mardi Gras sprinkles on top. Another standout is Toast’s signature aebleskiver, a puffy Danish-style pancake ball, served with lemon curd, jam, maple syrup, and caramel (or other sauces) for dipping.

Planning a trip to New Orleans? Check availability for your travel dates and book your stay online. Also, make sure to take advantage of our low weekday rates and special offers. If you find lower rates on your Place d’Armes room at the time of booking, we will match the rate! And you can get exclusive deals and discounts at our New Orleans hotel by signing up for our email list.

Psychics, Astrologers, and Voodoo Shops Near Place d’Armes Hotel

Psychics, Astrologers, and Voodoo Shops Near Place d'Armes Hotel

The paranormal is a divisive topic. Some people dismiss psychics, astrologers and voodoo practitioners as a bunch of scammers. Others remain open-minded and consider spiritual crafts a useful tool when it comes to self-reflection.

Whether your goal is to gain inner knowledge or simply be entertained, you can’t go wrong by getting a reading in what’s arguably the most metaphysically active city in the United States. Here are a few places with solid reputations — all just a hop, skip and a jump from the Place d’Armes.

Bottom of the Cup

327 Chartres Street

Open since 1929, this historic tea shop hosts psychics who will read your palm, tarot cards, or (of course) your tea leaves, which come with a free cuppa. You’ll sit in a curtained booth while your psychic tells you everything you want to know — and you’ll leave with a recording of the session so you don’t have to worry about writing down notes or relying on your memory alone. Afterward, shop the metaphysical gifts and souvenirs, including more than 100 varieties of tea, crystals, jewelry, tarot cards, and more.

Cari Roy

935 Gravier Street

Cari Roy is a native New Orleanian and a third-generation medium. Her abilities have landed her celebrity clients and guest spots on national news programs and television shows, including on The Discovery Channel and Travel Channel. But she’s also the most down to earth, sweet and approachable lady you will ever meet — one who has a knack for perceiving inner truths.

Interestingly, she does not use tarot cards or other forms of divination, preferring instead to read each individual’s unique psychic energy. Whether you need a dream interpretation, a past life reading, or a spell for a lost pet, she’s the one to call.

Jackson Square

French Quarter

Tarot cards, bone readings, palm readings, astrologers — you’ll find almost every metaphysical practice under the sun at this historic site in the shadow of St. Louis Cathedral. It’s a little looser and more free-form than a place like Bottom of the Cup. Practitioners set up their tables and tents in the early mornings and stay until the wee hours, so you don’t need to make an appointment.

Just find an individual and a style of reading that strikes your fancy and discuss prices. (Make sure you have cash, as many don’t accept credit cards.) If you’re not sure what you’re in the mood for, you can’t go wrong with following your intuition. Head to a person who appeals to you and see what the universe has in store — your gut will never lead you astray.

New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum

724 Dumaine Street

This small, dim and winding museum is packed with relics, candles, sculptures, gris-gris bags, and more. While there are no readings offered on-site, employees can connect you to voodoo practitioners offering their services. It also has long assisted academics and researchers who wish to learn about the religion. Ultimately, this museum is a great jumping-off point for anyone who wants to learn more about voodoo, New Orleans history, and themselves.

Voodoo Authentica

612 Dumaine Street

More than a store, Voodoo Authentica is also a community place where you can receive spiritual guidance. It’s owned by practitioners and features locally made dolls, candles, gris-gris bags, plus arts and crafts from Haiti and Africa. Those include an incredible collection of traditional embroidered flags made by Haitian artists. Additionally, Voodoo Authentica offers rituals, readings, spiritual work, and consultations — all are performed in-house.

Planning a trip to New Orleans? Check availability for your travel dates and book your stay online. Also, make sure to take advantage of our low weekday rates and special offers. If you find lower rates on your Place d’Armes room at the time of booking, we will match the rate! And you can get exclusive deals and discounts at our New Orleans hotel by signing up for our email list.

French Quarter Transportation Options for Place d’Armes Hotel Guests


Photo by Cheryl Gerber

There’s plenty to see on foot in the Quarter, and clip-clopping through its streets in a mule-drawn carriage is très romantique. But there’s so much more to New Orleans than the 78 square blocks that comprise the city’s historic heart.

Make the most of your trip to New Orleans by sightseeing on City Sightseeing’s Hop-On Hop-Off buses, riding one of its legendary streetcars, or hiring a human-powered pedicab that can get you to that dinner reservation much faster than you could hoof it.

Blue Bikes Nola

This is a bikeshare option, when you rent a bike, unlock and pick it up at of the designated Blue Bike racks throughout the city, and return it to the rack anywhere when done. You can either pay a prorated fee as you go or get a monthly pass.

City Sightseeing’s Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

With multiple stops all over town and great combo packages with walking tours and harbor cruises, Hop-on Hop-Off bus tours from City Sightseeing New Orleans give you the most bang for your buck and lets you explore New Orleans at your own pace.

City sightseeing tours start at $46 for a one-day pass, but the best deal is the three-day pass ($59), which includes two free walking tours in the Quarter and the Garden District. Sit on the upper deck for the best views, and listen to savvy guides explain exactly what you’re seeing. You can even venture beyond New Orleans’ boundaries by booking tours that visit Louisiana’s swamps and bayous, or Oak Alley Plantation.

Need a Ride New Orleans Pedicabs

1025 Bienville St., Suite 3

Pedicabs are a clean, green way to get around town. NOLA Pedicabs’ motto is “we pedal to please,” and they can take you wherever you want to go, whether it’s the Fairgrounds during Jazz Fest or a Saints game at the Dome. Need a Ride serves the Quarter, CBD, the Arts District, and Faubourg Marigny. Both companies employ savvy seasoned bicyclists who know their way around town.

Royal Carriages

700 Decatur St.

The king of mule-drawn carriage tours, Royal Carriages was named Louisiana’s #1 attraction a few years ago by the Louisiana Travel Association. Enjoy an impromptu 30-minute ride by hiring one of the carriages parked in Jackson Square, or book a one-hour tour online ($60/person).

Streetcars

A streetcar named Desire hasn’t rattled through the streets of New Orleans since 1948, when many of the old neighborhood lines were replaced by diesel buses. But the historic St. Charles line never stopped rolling, and several new lines have been added that make streetcars the most charming, and most economical, way to explore the city.

Quarter visitors can hop the St. Charles line at the corner of Canal and Carondelet, go through the CBD and Garden District, and continue uptown past the stately St. Charles mansions. The Riverfront line is a fun way to see the Mississippi and connects to the Canal St. line, which runs all the way to City Park. The fully air-conditioned Rampart/St. Claude streetcar, the network’s newest addition, runs along the rear of the Quarter on Rampart St. to Elysian Fields and St. Claude, near several lively Marigny music spots.

Streetcars run 24/7, and cost just $1.25 per ride, plus $.25 per transfer. (Exact change only, please.) Visitors can also buy a variety of Jazzy streetcar passes good for designated periods of time. Check the RTA online store for details and to buy.

Taxis

Everyone knows about Uber and Lyft, which function the same way in New Orleans as they do in any city. You can also go old school and hire a taxi, still the preferred form of motorized transportation for many New Orleanians. There are a number of local cab companies, but the biggest and most reliable is United Cabs. All New Orleans cabs take credit cards and have the same set fee schedules.

Planning a trip to New Orleans? Check availability for your travel dates and book your stay online. Also, make sure to take advantage of our low weekday rates and special offers. If you find lower rates on your Place d’Armes room at the time of booking, we will match the rate! And you can get exclusive deals and discounts at our New Orleans hotel by signing up for our email list.

Pizza in the French Quarter — Place d’Armes Hotel

Image courtesy of Paladar 511 on Facebook

Although New Orleans isn’t a pizza destination like Chicago or New York, it does boast a wide range of pie styles and eateries. They range from artisanal, wood-fired pies served in glossy restaurants to pizza-by-the-slice slung from a hole in the wall. You really can’t go wrong with any of these nearby pizza joints.

Crescent City Pizza Works

407 Bourbon St., French Quarter

Massive New York-style pizzas loaded with toppings ranging from cheeseburger to barbecue pork are served til 2 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at this casual, late-night pizza joint. A slice runs around $9.

Louisiana Pizza Kitchen

95 French Quarter Pl., French Quarter

Fried oysters, crabmeat, shrimp, and Louisiana eggplant are just a few toppings you’ll find at this unfussy pizza spot, which serves wood-fired pies with a local twist.

Vieux Carre Pizza

733 St. Louis St., French Quarter

Sometimes you just need food at 3 a.m. (4:30 a.m. on Saturdays). For those times, there’s Vieux Carre Pizza, a late-night joint where pies are available for delivery or by the slice. Marinara sauce is made in-house, and there are also things like wings and po-boys on the menu.

Domenica

123 Baronne St., CBD

This sleek restaurant has fantastic Napolitano-style pizzas and the best happy hour special in town: from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. daily, all pizzas, along with beer, wine and well drinks, are half-price.

Paladar 511

511 Marigny St., Marigny

Venture to the Marigny for California-style pizzas served in an industrial-chic warehouse. There is also a full menu of small plates, entrees, cocktails, plus brunch.

Pizza Delicious

617 Piety St., Bywater

Traditional, New York-style pizza with big, foldable slices and toppings ranging from pepperoni to vegan cheese is on the menu at this casual counter-serve. Pair yours with a salad and a side order of garlic knots.

Planning a trip to New Orleans? Take advantage of Place d’Armes specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans famous French Quarter cuisine and enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!

Charming Coffee and Tea Shops Near Place d’Armes Hotel


Photo by Selena N. B. H. on Flickr

New Orleans is known worldwide for its rich roasted coffee, and tourists flock in droves to Cafe du Monde (800 Decatur St.) for their signature cafe au lait and beignets. Looking for a quieter spot to sip a cup of java or share a pot of tea with a friend? You’ll find several smaller charming cafes tucked away in the Quarter near Place D’Armes.

Bottom of the Cup Tea Room

327 Chartres St.

“Step Back in History” in this fabled tea room, where sipping a cup of fine fresh-brewed tea is just the beginning of your journey. Get your future divined from the tea leaves at the titular bottom of the cup, or have your tarot cards read by some of the city’s most talented psychics. Crystal balls, wands and other tools of divination are also available for sale.

Cafe Beignet

334 Royal St.

There’s plenty of ridiculous debate over who serves the better beignet, Cafe du Monde or Cafe Beignet (just have both and decide for yourself), but when it comes to the venue, it’s hard not to make the case for the Royal St. location of Cafe Beignet. It’s shady and relatively quiet, and you can get some excellent people-watching in.

Envie Espresso Bar & Cafe

1214 Decatur St.

Long a French Quarter institution, Envie’s outpost near the French Market is a popular spot with potent brews, a full bar, and an extensive menu of breakfast items and lunch sandwiches.

French Truck Coffee

217 Chartres St.

Known for its sustainably sourced coffee, bought directly from growers in Kenya and Peru, French Truck unveils the alchemy behind its potent java brews. Visitors can watch every delicious drop drip into glass decanters set up on the coffee bar.

Remember, you can walk to all these places from your hotel! Take advantage of Place d’Armes specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans famous French Quarter cuisine and enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!

Nearby Nightlife

The French Quarter never closes! You can stay up all night enjoying the cocktails and delicious food, dance till dawn, listen to live music, or simply roam the 300-year-old streets.

For some free live music (most often a very decent brass band) plus street performances of every kind hit Jackson Square, only two blocks away from the hotel. From there, the hustle and the bustle of the neon-lit Bourbon Street is an easy walk away (grab a hurricane to go at Pat O’Brien’s while you’re at it).

If you want a historic setting along with your drink, walk down Bourbon toward Esplanade Avenue till you hit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. If you’re heading the other way, toward Canal Street, don’t miss the beautifully appointed Bombay Club. It has live music and the largest selection of martinis in the city.

For some never-ending indoor fun, Harrah’s Casino New Orleans is full of late-night action, and we don’t just mean gambling but all of its restaurants, bars, and so on. To drink where the locals drink, try Molly’s at the Market on Decatur Street or Black Penny on N. Rampart Street.

A lot of restaurants are open past midnight in the French Quarter, but if you want to grab some food way later, Killer Poboys inside Erin Rose doles out some of the best po-boys in the city from a tiny takeout window in the back. Then you can hit the 24/7 Cafe du Monde for some beignets, or dance till dawn at Santos.

Remember, you can walk to all these places from your hotel! Take advantage of Place d’Armes specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans famous French Quarter cuisine and enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!