Bed and Breakfast New Orleans
Bed and Breakfast New Orleans
There are a variety of bed and breakfast options in New Orleans--ranging from historic, Victorian mansions to quaint cottage-style homes in quieter urban neighborhoods. These locations make for perfect romantic getaways and fun nights on the town alike, offering proximity to New Orelans’ attractions.
Explore New Orleans Bed and Breakfasts
“Haunted” bed and breakfasts are popular choices for guests hoping to explore the history of the city in a unique way.No matter which part of the city you choose to stay in, you can expect to find amenities, including four-poster beds, WiFi and freshly cooked meals, in the many different New Orleans bed and breakfasts.New Orleans is a vibrant city for a weekend trip. Multiple bed and breakfast options are located near each of the city’s main cultural attractions. These include the French Quarter, an area named for its French architecture and heritage, and has the famed Bourbon Street at its heart--a thirteen-block strip known for its bars and clubs. Another popular tourist destination is the Garden District, a charming tree-lined neighborhood that offers peaceful and beautiful sightseeing.Between these areas, NOLA is packed with museums and art galleries; on the outskirts of the city lie luscious bayous and countryside.
The city of New Orleans played a central role in the historical development of Louisiana and the American South. Much of its fascinating history lies before the city formed part of America, however. The area of present-day New Orleans was home to Native Americans for millennia. The city is located near some of the oldest known burial mounds in North America.New Orleans was colonized by the Spanish and the French in the seventeenth century, prior to the Louisiana Purchase in the early years of the United States’ existence. Many cultures and languages mixed at the port city, including Haitian, Native American, and African cultures that left an enormous impact on New Orleans’ present-day music, architecture and food. Expect to see Creole cuisine abound in New Orleans--a cooking practice created by the Creole, or the descendants of inhabitants of colonial Louisiana during French and Spanish rule.As part of the United States, New Orleans was an important city for trade and particularly for the slave trade--museums in New Orleans today delve into this dark history and its legacy on the region. In the twentieth century, New Orleans became a central location for the Civil Rights movement. It continues to play a crucial role in the economic development of Louisiana and the South. The city was greatly affected by the 2005 Hurricane Katrina, in which eighty percent of the city flooded. Rebuilding efforts are still underway in New Orleans.
One of New Orleans’ most famous activities is its vibrant and bustling nightlife. The French Quarter and the crowded Bourbon Street are both key locations to sample NOLA’s distinctive music, food, and drink. The city is also well-known for its Mardi Gras celebrations. A parade winds through the city to celebrate this holiday; carnival attire and revelry are common.For sports fans, the Morial Convention Center hosts a range of games and events throughout the year, and the Superdome, home of the New Orleans Saints. History buffs can check out the Lafayette Cemetery, a nineteenth-century graveyard that holds the tomb of John Howard Ferguson--the defendant in the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson case, which upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation in public facilities.New Orleans also has a packed theater scene, where guests can catch a variety of plays and musicals. The city is sometimes known as “Hollywood South” due to its role in producing movies and music; guests can see the filming sites of many movies, or watch one themselves in theaters. One popular option is the Prytania Theater--a historic single-screen movie theater preserved to look as it did around 1914. Shopping and dining venues abound throughout the city, most famously on Royal Street, which stretches through the French Quarter.
New Orleans is located near the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River. These bodies of water shape its coastal atmosphere; the city is surrounded by bayous. These green spaces are home to rare plants as well as a variety of maritime wildlife, including herons and egrets, alligators, catfish, and crawdads. The heat and jungle-like atmosphere of New Orleans plays an important role in the city’s popular culture; much of its music makes reference to this distinctive milieu. Boat tours of the swamps and bayous are available for those hoping to explore the natural beauty, and several national parks are located near the city as well.
New Orleans is sometimes called “Big Easy” because of its nightlife--so one of the most popular things to do while staying is to grab a drink, check out live music in a bar, or simply wander down Bourbon Street and the surrounding busy and noisy areas.Visitors can explore New Orleans’ history at a variety of downtown museums. They can take a stroll through Jackson Square--a historic park in the French Quarter, and the site where Louisiana was made a U.S. territory after the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. Other historic attractions include the St. Louis Cathedral, which is the oldest cathedral in continual use in the area of present-day United States, and is currently the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans.Sight-seeing destinations include the Marigny district, a neighborhood packed with bohemian bars, jazz clubs, and restaurants serving Cajun options. Sidewalk musicians and craft stalls make this section of the city a perfect place to go for a walk and experience New Orleans culture. Winding through the neighborhood is the famed Frenchmen Street, home to popular live music shows. Guests can also visit Washington Square--full of oak-shaded lawns--or catch a show at the Marigny Opera House.Other key streets to visit in the city include St. Charles Avenue, which features nineteenth- and twentieth-century mansions built by the industry magnates who developed modern-day New Orleans economy. The oldest continuously running streetcar route winds through this Avenue, connecting the French Quarter to the Garden District. Magazine Street--named after a colonial ammunition magazine--is home to eclectic cafes, shops, and restaurants.
New Orleans’ weather is typically warm, with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. The region’s “wet season” extends from April to September, with higher rainfall than usual during these months, though a warm, wet climate is present year-round as well. The weather is often humid in New Orleans due to its proximity to coastal waters. For the same reason, the city is affected by hurricanes and tropical storms during the summer months and the early fall.
New Orleans is home to two must-try cuisine styles: Cajun and Creole. Cajun is a French-speaking Canadian culture, and its style of cooking incorporates West African, French, and Spanish techniques. The food is typically served in three different pots, one for the main dish, the second for steamed rice or seafood, and the third for vegetables, especially the “trinity” of aromatic ingredients: green pepper, onion, and celery. In New Orleans, Cajun cuisine often includes crawfish, shrimp, sausage, and seafood, and is frequently prepared fresh with local ingredients.Creole cuisine is also common in Louisiana, and similarly blends West African, French, Spanish, and Amerindian cooking elements. (Differences between the two cuisine types include the use of tomato sauce in Creole food, typically absent from Cajun meals.) Signature Creole dishes include jambalaya, which contains meat or seafood and vegetables mixed with rice.Classic French bread sandwiches, called Po-Boys, are common in the French Quarter: the best places include Bears Poboy’s, Radosta’s, Guys’ and Domilise’s. Popular restaurants to try Gumbo--a soup that is the official state cuisine--are Antoine’s, Acme Oyster House, Gumbo Shop and Galatoire’s.
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Bed and Breakfast New Orleans FAQ
A bed and breakfast provides the perfect home base to access a genuine New Orleans experience. Staying at the heart of a New Orleans neighborhood provides a more authentic and exciting way to get the pulse of the city. Bed and breakfasts in New Orleans occupy some of the city’s gorgeous and historic homes, frequently in restored Victorian houses or funky local cottages.Guests can expect hotel amenities in a more comfortable and social setting. Expect to find free WiFi and free parking, generous check-in times and other pluses like private baths, continental breakfasts and hot tubs. Friendly hosts are eager to provide recommendations so you can get an insider’s experience of the city.
New Orleans B&Bs offer a range of amenities to enhance guests’ visits. These include practical comforts like free WiFi and air-conditioning, making your trip stress-free and offering a cool place to relax after a day in New Orleans sun.Guest rooms often feature private bathrooms, romantic beds and Gulf of Mexico ocean views, making them perfect options for honeymoons or secluded romantic getaways in the heart of the city.Whether you’re staying in a boutique style cottage or a grand Victorian home, you can also expect innkeepers who are welcoming, provide recommendations and prepare fresh food. Breakfast in bed is often provided to guests for a more relaxing luxurious start to a day in New Orleans.
Many New Orleans bed and breakfasts are centrally located near the French Quarter, the Garden District and local esplanades. These convenient locations are within walking distance of a variety of shopping and dining options.Bike rentals and car rentals are also easily accessible in the city for guests who prefer to rent transportation. The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport sees arrivals from all around the world, making it the key choice for guests flying into the city.
There are bed and breakfasts spread throughout the city, from Uptown to Mid-City and in between. Popular choices include bed and breakfasts near the French Quarter, where music, dining, and nightlife are located within walking distance of the home. If visitors are hoping for a truly immersive New Orleans experience, bed and breakfasts in New Orleans Bourbon Street.Among bed and breakfasts in New Orleans Uptown, visitors can select a range of cottages, for a quieter and more relaxing option--this area of the city is known for its shade, laid-back atmosphere, indie bookstores and art shops, and live music. Similarly, bed and breakfasts in the lower garden district are quieter and are located near neoclassical mansions, antique shops and home-style pubs. New Orleans in Mid-City are perfect for families. It’s near the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and the New Orleans Museum of Art.
The best bed and breakfasts in New Orleans include historic mansions and colorful cottages.La Belle Esplanade--ranked the #2 bed and breakfast in the country and the best bed and breakfast in Louisiana--is a quirky and colorful mansion on a historic street in New Orleans. The home is located close to the major city must-sees while also providing access to a quaint and quiet neighborhood rich with city culture.The Green House Inn Bed and Breakfast Is located on Magazine Street, near its array of antique shops, art galleries, boutiques and restaurants, and is a pet-friendly bed and breakfast. The Fairchild House Inn is in an option in the Lower Garden District, surrounded by picturesque oaks. Bed and breakfasts on Bourbon Street include La Maison Marigny, which provides access to the French Quarter, the jazz of Frenchmen Street and the Faubourg Marigny. Historic home bed and breakfasts are also popular, including Sully Mansion, the O’Malley House, and the Creole Gardens guesthouse, a key spot for weddings, weekend getaways and upbeat vacations.Other popular New Orleans bed and breakfasts include the Canal Street Inn, the Parisian Courtyard Inn, and the Degas House. The Maison Dubois bed and breakfast is a great option for a New Orleans bed and breakfast with a pool!
For guests hoping to make New Orleans part of a larger trip, other Louisiana destinations feature bed and breakfast options beloved by visitors to the south. Possible cities include Lafayette and Baton Rouge. For a more rural and charming option, the Maison D’Memoire bed and breakfast in Rayne, Louisiana offers Cajun food and a relaxed atmosphere on twenty acres of private land.