Houston, Texas Besides sightseeing, I needed internet to track Hurricane Ike, since I'm heading to New Orleans =/ I found a library, a really decent one; I spent two hours with proper internet and even took a photo of it =) I liked downtown too—the skyscrapers look like they were rendered in a 3D editor, all blue and surreal. The trams are cool, straight out of the future, push-pull style =) But the Houstonians have a problem with fountains and other water-based entertainment; they built some weird stuff on the tracks, and the central park smells like chlorine and is covered in foam. Everything is fine with the hurricane; they expect it to hit the Houston/New Orleans area in four days, but by then I'll be in Florida, where the danger will have passed. I like everything so far, I'm taking a 3-day bus pass (the 12:20 is sold out) to New Orleans. It's surprising that there are only 4 people on it =) The ride is incredibly pleasant; I've sprawled out across four seats in my sleeping bag.. =) So nice =D Falling asleep periodically along the way, I notice the swamps starting; they look like our regular mixed forests, only here, as they say, with crocodiles =) In a sketchy little village where we stopped before sunset, a local cop said a 14-foot alligator lives under the bridge =) I took a photo of the bridge, but the alligator only comes home at night... PS Before leaving, people scared me saying that psychos and criminals are always riding the buses. Well, today at one stop, a guy got on who spent the whole trip laughing under his seat, and a kid in a white jumpsuit with beacons on his wrists and ankles. They got on at one stop and got off at the next. First time I've seen that. And the last.
New Orleans: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026
Residents who settle near the French Quarter quickly abandon driving for the historic streetcars, trading easy parking on flood-prone streets for a daily routine conducted on foot.
- 1 day
- French Quarter, Jackson Square, French Market
- 3 days
- + St. Charles Avenue, City Park, Magazine Street
- 7 days
- + Tremé, Algiers Point, Barataria Preserve
New Orleans operates as a major maritime hub where colonial Creole architecture and historic streetcar routes define daily neighborhood life.
Surviving architecture in the Vieux Carré stems primarily from the Spanish colonial administration, anchored by the older Ursuline Convent. The St. Charles streetcar line remains the oldest continuously operating rail line in the country, connecting uptown residential districts to the commercial core. Soil settlement causes severe potholes across older avenues, while street flooding regularly strands private vehicles after rainstorms.
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Creole cooking relies on a base of green bell peppers, onions, and celery, blending West African, French, and Native American practices. Local food centers on regional Gulf seafood, including boiled crawfish and fresh oysters served on crusty bread at neighborhood counters. Unlike most American municipalities, local law permits open alcoholic beverages on public sidewalks as long as drinks remain in plastic containers.
Maritime commerce and petroleum refining anchor the regional economy alongside major research universities. High water tables dictate above-ground tombs in historic burial grounds like Saint Louis Cemetery. Long-term residents face seasonal disruptions from tropical storms and hurricanes, requiring contingency plans and coastal evacuation preparations when severe weather threatens the Gulf shore.
- Streetcars
- Creole Cuisine
- Go Cups
- Hurricane Season
- Road Conditions
- The St. Charles streetcar line is the oldest continuously operating streetcar route in the United States.
- Surviving colonial architecture across the French Quarter largely dates to the Spanish administration rather than French rule.
- City cemeteries utilize above-ground tombs due to high water tables in the local soil.
- Municipal ordinances allow pedestrians to carry open alcoholic beverages on public streets provided the drinks are in plastic containers.
Getting there and staying
Flight, airport, hosts and rent
No free-housing hosts here yet.
- 01Connect your mobile device to local cellular networks or the airport wireless service.
- 02Withdraw paper currency from an automated teller machine to cover cash-only establishments and street transit.
- 03Exit through baggage claim to board the municipal express bus or take a licensed airport taxi to your lodging.
2 sources · As of September 19, 2026
Visa and practicalities
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Set your passport — processing time, fee and documents differ between passports.
Internships, au pair and study programmes have a different visa category and a different set of documents. Applications go through CMO International Programmes.
IEC international programmes- Drinking alcohol on public streets is permitted only from plastic containers rather than glass bottles or cans.
- Bars and liquor retailers operate without mandatory closing restrictions.
- City streets flood rapidly during rainfall because of poor drainage systems.
Can visitors drink alcohol on the street in New Orleans?
Drinking in public is permitted throughout the city as long as beverages are kept in plastic containers. Bars supply plastic cups at exits to keep glass off sidewalks. Glass bottles and metal cans are prohibited in public spaces.
Source: WikivoyageIs a personal car necessary for visiting New Orleans?
A vehicle is unnecessary for staying in central districts like the French Quarter and the Central Business District. Historic streets are narrow, frequently single-direction, and subject to street flooding during heavy rain. Streetcars, regional buses, and walking sufficiently cover primary urban corridors.
Source: WikivoyageWhat precautions should travelers take regarding hurricanes in New Orleans?
Tropical storms pose seasonal hazards along the Gulf Coast during late summer and autumn. Travelers should track official meteorological advisories before arrival and throughout their visit. When severe weather threatens the coast, leaving early provides better safety than delaying departure.
Source: WikivoyageWhat defines traditional New Orleans Creole food?
Creole dishes draw heritage from French, Spanish, West African, and Native American foodways. Cooking typically begins with a roux combined with a seasoning base of celery, onions, and green bell peppers. Signature items across local dining rooms include boiled crawfish, gulf oysters, po-boy sandwiches, and muffalettas.
Source: WikivoyageHow does ferry transit operate across the Mississippi River in New Orleans?
The Canal Street Ferry crosses the Mississippi River to connect downtown New Orleans with Algiers Point. This service carries foot passengers, cyclists, and motor vehicles between opposite riverbanks. A separate crossing links the same downtown terminal to Gretna for pedestrians and cyclists.
Source: WikipediaWhich streetcar lines operate in New Orleans?
The Regional Transit Authority runs the St. Charles, Riverfront, Canal Street, and Rampart-Loyola streetcar routes. The St. Charles line travels between downtown and uptown residential avenues. Other lines skirt the Mississippi riverfront, the French Quarter boundary, and major museum corridors.
Source: WikipediaWhat scams and safety hazards should visitors anticipate in the French Quarter?
Pickpockets target distracted pedestrians in nightlife areas like Bourbon Street. Street hustlers frequently attempt bets regarding where a person acquired their shoes or offer unrequested services for cash. Keeping personal belongings secured in front pockets and ignoring street wagers avoids common disputes.
Source: WikivoyageHow do travelers reach downtown New Orleans from the main airport?
Express bus routes run by regional transit agencies connect the airport terminal directly to downtown New Orleans. Flat-rate taxicabs and car services operate from designated zones outside the passenger terminal. Shared hotel shuttles also transport visitors from the airport to lodging districts.
Source: Wikivoyage2 sources
Safety and health
Official travel advice and the medical minimum
Getting here
Airports, distances and public transport
When to go and itineraries
When to come and what fits into a day, three days and a week
- 09:00Jackson SquareThe central plaza faces St. Louis Cathedral in the historic street grid.
- 10:30French MarketA public market trading area situated along Decatur Street near the riverfront.
- 12:30The Historic New Orleans CollectionA museum and research center preserving regional history and artifacts.
- 15:00Preservation HallA landmark venue dedicated to traditional New Orleans jazz performances.
- 10:00St. Charles Streetcar LineHistoric streetcars depart Canal Street and run along St. Charles Avenue.
- 11:30Magazine StreetA thoroughfare lined with independent boutiques and antique shops.
- 14:00Audubon ParkAn urban green space featuring walking paths and coastal oak trees.
People who have been here
Stay longer on a programme
Work and Travel, internships, au pair and volunteering in United States: visa, invitation and on-site support are handled by CMO International Programmes.
Cities of United States
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Frequent questions about New Orleans
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