Louisiana, United States
French Quarter & Riverfront
Two nights of Creole dinners, brass bands and midnight fireworks over the Mississippi. Below: 2 sights, 1 activity and 3 places to eat, plus how French Quarter & Riverfront fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 9
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Dec 30 – Jan 1
- Warmest month
- August
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- August
2 See · 1 Do · 3 Eat · 2 Drink · 1 Stay
New Orleans New Year's Eve
from our route notes
31°C / 87°F avg high
16°C / 60°F avg high
about 190 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for New Orleans, the nearest city we track.
Things to do in French Quarter & Riverfront
9 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
2 sights worth building a day around across French Quarter and Algiers Point.
Photo: Clark Mills · Public domainSeeJackson Square
The Quarter's old parade ground, facing St. Louis Cathedral, a short walk from the riverfront viewing areas.
Tip Cross to the Moonwalk on the levee behind it for a clear view of the fireworks.
Photo: Infrogmation of New Orleans · CC BY-SA 4.0SeeAlgiers Point
Quiet neighborhood across the river with a levee path that looks straight back at the Quarter and the skyline.
Tip Take the ferry from Canal Street and check its late-night schedule before you rely on it to get back.
Do
1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look in French Quarter.
Photo: Jesse James · CC BY 2.0DoWoldenberg Park
Riverfront park at the foot of the Quarter, home of the free New Orleans Eve concert and countdown in 2025.
Tip Enter from the Canal Street end, where the bag-check lines are usually shorter.
Eat
Where we would book a table in French Quarter & Riverfront in French Quarter.
Photo: Cory Doctorow · CC BY-SA 2.0EatAntoine's
Creole dining rooms open since 1840, where oysters Rockefeller were first served.
Tip Ask to see the back dining rooms full of old Mardi Gras photos.
Photo: Carnaval.com Studios · CC BY 2.0EatGalatoire's
Bourbon Street dining room open since 1905, known for long holiday lunches, shrimp remoulade and souffle potatoes.
Tip Jackets are required for men at dinner.
Photo: Carlos Pacheco · CC BY 2.0EatArnaud's
Creole restaurant from 1918 with shrimp Arnaud, a jazz bistro, and the French 75 bar off the lobby.
Tip Have a French 75 at the bar before dinner.
Drink
Our picks for a drink in French Quarter & Riverfront across French Quarter and Marigny.
Photo: Carnaval.com Studios · CC BY 2.0DrinkCarousel Bar & Lounge
Slowly revolving circular bar inside the Hotel Monteleone, known for the Vieux Carre cocktail.
Tip Seats turn over quickly; stand nearby and wait for one to open.
Photo: Jeremy Thompson · CC BY 4.0DrinkFrenchmen Street
Few blocks of small clubs past the Quarter, such as the Spotted Cat, with live jazz and brass bands late.
Tip Most clubs have a small cover or a one-drink minimum; bring cash.
Stay
1 place to stay we would book in French Quarter.
Photo: Carnaval.com Studios · CC BY 2.0StayHotel Monteleone
Family-run Royal Street hotel open since 1886, a block from Canal Street and a short walk to the river.
Tip Book early; Sugar Bowl fans fill the Quarter.
How to fit French Quarter & Riverfront into a trip
French Quarter & Riverfront is stop 1 of 2 on our New Orleans New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift French Quarter & Riverfront into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 2
New Orleans New Year's Eve
River fireworks, Creole dinners, Sugar Bowl
- Trip length
- 3 days
- Best season
- Dec 30 – Jan 1
- Pace
- easy
- Next: Garden District & Uptown
Weather by month, based on New Orleans
Our climate figures for French Quarter & Riverfront come from New Orleans, about 1 km (1 mi) away. Average daily highs run from 16°C / 60°F in January to 31°C / 87°F in August. August is the wettest month, with about 190 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan16° / 60°F average high in New Orleans, in our recommended season
- Feb18° / 64°F average high in New Orleans
- Mar21° / 69°F average high in New Orleans
- Apr24° / 76°F average high in New Orleans
- May28° / 82°F average high in New Orleans
- Jun30° / 87°F average high in New Orleans
- Jul31° / 87°F average high in New Orleans
- Aug31° / 87°F average high in New Orleans
- Sep29° / 85°F average high in New Orleans
- Oct26° / 78°F average high in New Orleans
- Nov21° / 69°F average high in New Orleans
- Dec17° / 62°F average high in New Orleans, in our recommended season
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for New Orleans. New Orleans weather (covers French Quarter & Riverfront) →
Near French Quarter & Riverfront
4 other destinations from our guides within about 250 km (155 mi), measured in a straight line.
French Quarter & Riverfront questions, answered
How many days do you need in French Quarter & Riverfront?
Our route notes suggest 2 nights in French Quarter & Riverfront. On our New Orleans New Year's Eve route it is stop 1 of 2 in a 3-day trip. The listed visit times for our 9 places add up to roughly 14 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is French Quarter & Riverfront best known for?
Two nights of Creole dinners, brass bands and midnight fireworks over the Mississippi. Standouts on our list: Jackson Square (The Quarter's old parade ground, facing St. Louis Cathedral, a short walk from the riverfront viewing areas); Algiers Point (Quiet neighborhood across the river with a levee path that looks straight back at the Quarter and the skyline); Woldenberg Park (Riverfront park at the foot of the Quarter, home of the free New Orleans Eve concert and countdown in 2025).
When is the best time to visit French Quarter & Riverfront?
Our New Orleans New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for nearby New Orleans put the warmest highs in August (31°C / 87°F), the coolest in January (16°C / 60°F) and the most rain in August (about 190 mm).
What are the best things to do in French Quarter & Riverfront?
Start with Woldenberg Park, Jackson Square and Algiers Point. Our guide lists 9 places in all, from 2 sights, 1 activity, 3 places to eat, 2 bars & cafés and 1 place to stay.
Where should a group eat in French Quarter & Riverfront?
Our picks: Antoine's (French Quarter); Galatoire's (French Quarter); Arnaud's (French Quarter). Ask to see the back dining rooms full of old Mardi Gras photos (Antoine's).
What is near French Quarter & Riverfront?
The closest destinations in our guides are New Orleans (about 1 km / 1 mi), Garden District & Uptown (about 4 km / 2 mi) and Mobile (about 211 km / 131 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan French Quarter & Riverfront with your crew
Open the New Orleans New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 9 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.
Plan around French Quarter & Riverfront
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