Why visit
New Orleans is jazz, Cajun and Creole food, French Quarter courtyards, the Garden District's mansions, and second-lines still happening most weekends.
New Orleans at a glance
City population
380k
Metro: 1.3 million
Elevation
2 m
7 ft
Time zone
UTC-6 (UTC-5 DST)
America/Chicago
Airport
MSY
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International
Founded
1718
Getting around
Streetcars (St. Charles line is oldest continuously operating, since 1835) + buses
Signature dish
Gumbo, jambalaya, po'boy, beignets, muffuletta, crawfish étouffée
Neighborhoods for travelers
French QuarterMarignyBywaterGarden DistrictTreme
United States at a glance
Country center
38.0°, -97.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
9,372,610 km²
3,618,783 mi²
Country population
334.9 million
36/km²
Subregion
North America
Currency
United States dollar ($)
USD
Dial
+1201
Language
English
Demonym
American
Internet
.us
UN
Member state
ISO code
US / USA
Where in the world
38.0° · -97.0°
United States
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Did you know
- New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz: Louis Armstrong was born in the city in 1901.
- The French Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in the city and has survived multiple hurricanes largely intact since the 18th century.
- Most of the city sits below sea level: the average elevation is 1-2 feet below sea level.
- The US has no official national language: English is de facto but not de jure.
- Alaska was bought from Russia in 1867 for $7.2 million (~2 cents per acre at the time).
Bordering United States
Traveler notes
- Café du Monde beignets + chicory coffee
- Frenchmen Street for live jazz
- Mardi Gras (pre-Lent) books a year ahead
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Frequently asked about New Orleans
What currency is used in New Orleans?
New Orleans uses the United States dollar ($), ISO code USD.
What languages are spoken in United States?
The primary language is English.
What is the international calling code for United States?
The calling code is +1201.
What airport serves New Orleans?
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (IATA: MSY).
Other North America destinations
San Francisco
San Francisco is the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, Mission murals, Ferry Building, Chinatown, and a short drive to Muir Woods redwoods or Napa wine country.
Chicago
Chicago is deep-dish pizza, the Art Institute, Millennium Park's Bean, Wrigley Field, and Lake Michigan beaches + Chicago Architecture Foundation river cruises.
Miami
Miami is South Beach Art Deco, Little Havana, Wynwood Walls, and Everglades airboats 45 minutes out.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the Strip's theme-park casinos, Red Rock Canyon climbing nearby, and access to Grand Canyon, Zion, and Death Valley on short flights or drives.
Seattle
Seattle is Pike Place Market, Space Needle, Chihuly glass garden, ferry rides, and Mount Rainier + Olympic National Park 2 hours out.
Honolulu
Honolulu (Oahu) is Waikiki beach, Diamond Head crater, Pearl Harbor, North Shore surf, and a food culture that invented poke.