A city guide to New Orleans, America’s cocktail capital

Four insider tips to exploring New Orleans

1. The locals love their sugar-dusted beignets (square doughnuts). Head to Café du Monde, on Decatur Street, for the perfect example — ideally served with chicory coffee — to start your morning with. 

2. Leave at least two to three hours for The National WWII Museum. It’s particularly strong on the D-Day landings and the final push to Berlin.

3. Few drinking establishments in the French Quarter open early, but Erin Rose, a cosy Irish bar on Conti Street, serves its famous bloody mary and moreish frozen Irish coffee from 10am, whether you’re recovering from the night before or starting early on the night ahead.

4. New Orleans is famed for its po’ boy sandwiches; an alternative Creole lunch is a hot muffuletta, a cross between a multilayered sandwich and a pizza slice. Enjoy one in all of its delicious, gooey glory at the Napoleon House in the French Quarter. 

Getting there & around

British Airways is the only airline flying direct between London and New Orleans, with six flights a week during peak season.

Average flight time: 9.5h. It’s easy to cover the French Quarter on foot, but if you’re planning to visit the city’s other neighbourhoods, it’s wise to use an Uber or Lyft account (especially if you’re drinking cocktails).

Alternatively, anyone can ride the public streetcar with an exact fare of $1.25 (90p) each way, or you can buy an official Jazzy Pass, which allows unlimited rides for one, three or five days. These can be bought at local convenience stores or via the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority’s app. 

When to go

February-May is the best time to visit New Orleans — coinciding with many of its biggest festivals (including Mardi Gras) and before the heavy humidity of summer. Alternatively, September and November are excellent bets — you’ll still get the heat but none of the heaviness. Whenever you visit, always pack an umbrella; only the foolhardy bet against southern Louisiana showers.

Where to stay

Doubles at The Chloe from $247 (£178), room only. thechloenola.com Doubles at The Roosevelt New Orleans from $155 (£112), room only. therooseveltneworleans.com

More info

neworleans.com
drinkandlearn.com
talesofthecocktail.org
Wildsam Field Guides: New Orleans. RRP: £14.49

How to do it

Abercrombie & Kent offers a seven-night trip to New Orleans from £2,999 per person based on two people sharing. Includes flights, transfer and accommodation at the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans, B&B, plus guiding, and is covered by Abercrombie & Kent’s flexible booking policy. 

Published in the September 2021 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK)

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