City guide: New Orleans | Private jet charter

Thanks to its extraordinary cultural and historic legacy, New Orleans is one of the most popular destinations in the U.S.  Renowned for its Cajun cuisine, historic French and Spanish colonial architecture, the warm welcome from its people and its Mardi Gras festival, the Crescent City stays in the mind and heart long after your visit. Take a walk down Bourbon Street in the French Quarter, enjoy live jazz over authentic gumbo and cocktails, kick back on a steam paddle cruise around the Mississippi harbor, and experience the enigmatic bayous and swamps on a longboat. There’s a hop-on, hop-off bus that will take you to the main sights, as well as the iconic street cars, but New Orleans is equally fun to explore on foot. Here are 5 New Orleans attractions to visit during your stay. Please remember to check the event or attraction site for updated opening and closing hours. 

French Quarter

For many visitors to New Orleans, the vibrant French Quarter epitomizes the fun-loving, party side to this extraordinary city. Known as the Vieux Carré, this historic neighborhood on the bend of the mighty Mississippi is an intriguing mix of modern and vintage. Bordered by Rampart Street, Esplanade Avenue and Canal Street, the French-influenced architecture here is the main attraction, much of it dating back 300 years: imagine wrought-iron balconies, arcades and courtyards, festooned with flowers and plants. These historic buildings are now home to boutiques, restaurants and bars, as well as the ubiquitous jazz joints. Head to famous Bourbon Street for entertainment. Nearby Royal street has some classier restaurants – check out the Court of Two Sisters – shops and galleries, while Frenchmen Street is widely acknowledged as the best area for live jazz from more experienced musicians.  

New Orleans Harbor Steamboat Cruise

For a relaxing view of the city, take a New Orleans Harbor Steamboat Cruise on one of the few remaining original paddlewheel steamers. Choose from a dinner jazz or daytime cruise aboard the vintage Steamboat Natchez and allow yourself to be taken back in time to a gentler age. This historic paddle steamer has been restored to provide modern-day comforts while maintaining her vintage décor and ambience. Take a seat outside or in the cabin and admire the Crescent City’s unique skyline as you glide by. There’s running commentary on the sights you’ll pass such as the Chalmette Battlefield while enjoying authentic Louisiana cuisine. 

National WW2 Museum 

With skillful use of interactive exhibits, written records and film archives, visitors to the National WWII Museum are led on a detailed and often moving story of the experience of thousands of American servicemen and women who fought in Europe and the Pacific during the Second World War. The museum is divided into three separate areas: the Pacific front, the war in Europe and a collection of WWII aircraft in the third. The movie, “Beyond All Boundaries” is on show in the 4D Theatre giving viewers a full sensory experience replete with rumbling chairs. As you enter, you’ll be given the identity of a former soldier as you progress through the exhibition. Don’t miss the Stage Door Canteen with its Forties entertainment at matinees and there’s also a dinner show. 

St Louis Cathedral

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis King of France is located on Jackson Square, overlooking the bronze statue of Andrew Jackson, in the heart of the French Quarter. It’s the oldest continually active Catholic Cathedral in the United States. The original cathedral was destroyed by fire in 1788, replaced by the current structure, which was opened in the 1850s, it’s towering spires dwarfing its closest neighbors, the historic Cabildo and the Presbytere. Illuminated at night, St Louis Cathedral is open during the day for tours and is renowned for is priceless works of art and stained glass windows. The public square in front is a popular meeting place for artists, and ideal for people watching from the cafes and restaurants. Riverboat docks, the Moon Walk promenade and the Millhouse are all within easy reach. 

City Park and Botanical Gardens

Comprising 1,300 acres of recreational space in the heart of New Orleans, City Park contains many attractions among its parks and garden areas. The Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, Storyland and City Splash water park are a magnet for families – especially well known for its tasty pizza restaurant. Golfers will be keen to tee-off at the 18-hole course, while tennis fans will enjoy the many courts. The New Orleans 10-acre Botanical Gardens also has its home in City Park: an extraordinary collection of more than 2,000 plants from around the world. Also located in the Park is the New Orleans Museum of Art with its fine French and American art collection and NOMA cafe, alongside the Sydney And Walda Besthof Sculpture Garden. Take a walk among the 80 sculptures, sensitively positioned among the trails, lagoons and centenary oaks inside the garden.

Best Time to Visit New Orleans

New Orleans can get very humid and sticky in the height of summer, so the best time to visit the Crescent City is between February and May. The weather tends to be warm but comfortable during it’s festival season including Mardi Gras (Feb/March), the New Orleans Jazz Festival (April/May) and the French Quarter Festival to name a few. Like many popular destinations in the world, it’s best to leave your valuables at home. Between June and August, the temperatures rise and the number of tourists decreases. If you don’t mind the humidity, join the New Orleans Pride Festival (June), the Red Dress Run (August) or the Satchmo Summerfest (July/August). Autumn temperatures (mid-80s) are milder and it’s the season for the New Orleans Film Festival and the Louisiana Seafood Festival. Winter is much quieter in New Orleans, with temperatures in the 60s and the city looks enchantingly festive over Christmas.  Check festival sites for updated timing.

Why Visit New Orleans

There are so many reasons to make a visit to New Orleans number one on your bucket list. Widely acknowledged as the birthplace of Jazz, the city’s live music venues are world class, as is the quality of its street musicians. The French and Spanish influences are not only evident in New Orleans’ historic architecture, but also in its delicious cuisine. As a former major port, its connections with Europe, South America and the Caribbean have created a cultural legacy that makes it one of North America’s most original cities. High end luxury hotels such as the iconic French Quarter Hotel Monteleone, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton and the Omni Royal Orleans are renowned for their service, and well placed to join one of the hop-on, hop-off double decker bus tours, or a steamship paddle down the mighty Mississippi. 

If you are looking at booking a private jet charter to and from New Orleans contact us today.