New Orleans Downtown Travel Guide

New Orleans during crawfish season is absolute vacation goals! Wander through the French Quarter, and you’ll constantly hear traditional jazz drifting out of corner bistros—or get drawn in by street musicians playing impromptu jazz sets. And let’s not forget the food: mouthwatering Cajun dishes everywhere, especially crawfish and grilled oysters 🦞🦪! ⚠️ Note: This guide focuses only on downtown New Orleans and does not include Oak Alley Plantation. 💡 Pre-Trip Tips Weather Prep: We visited March 17th for a 3-day, 2-night trip. Short sleeves are a must, but mornings and evenings get a little cool—pack a thin long-sleeve shirt for layering ☀️. Time Zone: During Daylight Saving Time, New Orleans is 1 hour behind Eastern Time. Not sure about the time difference in Standard Time—double-check before your trip! Rain Gear: This season is windy and rainy—bring an umbrella! If you plan to take photos, a raincoat is more convenient (no fumbling with an umbrella while holding your camera 📸). Transportation: We didn’t rent a car—we used Uber or Lyft the whole time. We stayed near Downtown French Quarter: Rides around downtown cost ~$18–$26 per trip. Rides from downtown to the airport cost ~$35–$40. 📍 Must-Visit Spots in Downtown 1️⃣ Lafayette Square (Lafayette Square Park) Near The National WWII Museum, this is New Orleans’ second-oldest park (after Jackson Square). It has several presidential statues, and on sunny days, it’s perfect for a leisurely stroll. The cluster of oak trees nearby is ideal for photos—super photogenic with dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves 🌳! 2️⃣ The National WWII Museum This museum is huge—unlike most memorial halls that fit in one building, it has 3–4 separate buildings with different exhibits. It houses tons of precious historical materials, covering everything from post-WWI to WWII: detailed histories, politics, and artifacts from countries around the world (check out photos 6–12 for a sneak peek)! 💡 Pro Tips: As soon as you enter, ask staff for a map and advice on the best visiting route—this helps avoid missing key exhibits. You can buy tickets on-site (no need to book in advance). ⚠️ Hours & Tickets: Open 7 days a week, 9 AM–5 PM (no closures). Ticket prices: $35 for adults, $25 for students. ⚠️ Parking Fees: 1 hour or less: $8 1–3 hours: $15 3–7 hours: $20 7–12 hours: $25 12–24 hours: $50 💡 Recommended Visit Time: At least 4 hours (give yourself enough time to explore thoroughly)! 3️⃣ Mississippi River Heritage Park This park is on the smaller side, but it’s still a nice spot for photos. However, it’s a bit far from downtown—if you’re short on time, you can skip it. ⚠️ Hours: 8:15 AM–5:45 PM #Travel #USA Travel #NewOrleans #StudyAbroadLife #NewOrleansTravel #NOLA