Best Road Trip Route From Charleston To New Orleans
There is plenty to recommend both the Inland and Coastal routes, so whichever you choose, you are guaranteed a road trip to remember.
Which of the routes you opt for will ultimately depend on the time you have for your trip and on whether you want to enjoy any time at the beach during your travels.
The Inland Route does not feature any beaches along the way, while the Coastal Route traces the stunning Gulf of Mexico and is dominated by a coastal landscape.
Of course, having two equally appealing options is the perfect excuse to come back another time and take the other route, so you can experience all this awesome road trip has to offer!
Before You Leave The United States
Make sure to plan ahead:
- You tested positive for COVID-19.
- Do not travel until a full 10 days after your symptoms started or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms.
If you had close contact with a person with COVID-19 but are NOT recommended to quarantine…
For The Chance To Hang With The Cool Kids: Cambria Hotel New Orleans Downtown Warehouse District
Since opening in 2017, this classy boutique hotel with an on-site art gallery has been helping to lead the downtown hotel revival and is one of the top-rated properties in the city. With chic industrial design and close proximity to downtowns burgeoning Warehouse District scene, theres plenty to like here.
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The Four Points Hotel
The Four Points Hotel is part of a hotel chain with locations all over the world, and their New Orleans location has a great added local feel to it complimented with thematic vintage decor.
What makes this one of the best New Orleans hotels for families is their focus on special programs for kids and more than enough things to do for adults while the kids are kept busy.
Enjoy some of the on-site restaurants or take a walk around the Four Points to take in some of the scenery.
Hotels On St Charles Ave
A St. Charles Avenue address says something about a person even if you are only going to live here for a few days. Known for its canopy of live oaks trees, breathtaking mansions and the iconic green streetcar, a St. Charles Avenue hotel is the perfect choice for visitors looking for a real New Orleans experience outside, but not out of reach of, the French Quarter.
Along with grand architecture, St. Charles Avenue has a number of fine restaurants. Its also home to Audubon Park, just across the streetcar tracks from Tulane and Loyola universities. If youre a runner, youll see tons of locals out jogging along the streetcar tracks every day. Why not join them and work off that bread pudding you had for dinner last night? Whats more, St. Charles runs parallel to Magazine Street six miles of one-of-kind dining and shopping opportunities. The locals love it. You will, too.
The St. Charles Streetcar travels the entire length of the avenue and is a convenient and rather charming way to get where youre going without having to worry about parking. It travels from Uptown, to the Garden District, to the Arts District to the Central Business District and Canal Street, just steps from the French Quarter.
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Best For A Classically Luxurious French Quarter Stay: Bienville House Hotel
A historic boutique hotel in the French Quarter, Bienville House is the epitome of Southern hospitality. And, with typical wrought-iron balconies, a lush flagstone courtyard with pool, and classically elegant decor throughout, it couldnt be more quintessentially New Orleans.
Rooms boast four-poster mahogany beds and Carrara marble bathrooms, and the adjoining Latitude 29 tiki bar & restaurant celebrates Polynesian culture with delicious tropical drinks and playful island cuisines.
Best Airbnb In Central Business District: Sonder Jung Residences
Sleeping up to four guests, this one-bedroom apartment is ideal for couples or groups visiting New Orleans on a budget. Its bright and modern throughout and offers great value for money, situated within walking distance from top places of interest. The unit features everything youll need for a comfortable stay, including a full kitchen, spacious lounge area, and wifi.
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The Cbd & Warehouse District
TripSavvy / Christopher Larson
These two centrally-located neighborhoods are often grouped together and both lie between the French Quarter and the Lower Garden District. If you book a hotel in New Orleans, its likely youll find yourself in the CBD, home to many big businesses, hotels, and government buildings in New Orleans, as well as the Mercedes Benz Superdome. Next door, the Warehouse District houses many of the citys high-end art galleries.
While not the most picturesque or exciting New Orleans neighborhoods, youll find some of the most prominent museums in the city here, the largest being The National WWII Museum. The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Louisiana Childrens Museum, and the Confederate Hall Memorial Museum are all within walking distance of each other , as are several popular restaurants like Cochon, Peche, and Compere Lapin.
The Pitot House, a preserved home and museum, is a good example of the Creole country estates that once lined the Bayou. Elsewhere in the neighborhood, youll find cute restaurants, coffee shops, and neighborhood bars. Just beyond Bayou St. John is the Fair Grounds, the oldest racetrack in the country and yearly host to The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.
Best Places To Stay In New Orleans For Nightlife
Omni Royal Orleans Hotel
The Omni Royal Orleans Hotel is the perfect mix of tradition and modern living. Located on the corner of St. Louis at Royal you will be right in the middle of Bourbon Street. The Omni Royal is a 4-star hotel with all the amenities you could ever want. They have a beautiful outdoor swimming pool that you will love during the hot Louisana summer months.
There are tons of different room types so when booking is sure to ask for a room with a terrace you are going to love the city view. The interior is decorated beautifully and traditionally with luxury touches throughout. They do have a restaurant on site and your furry friends are welcome to join you making it top on the list of where to stay in NOLA.
Check rates here: Booking.com
Factors Row I Sextant
Factors Row I Sextant is one of the best places to stay in New Orleans. Here you will walk out the front door and be in the heart of Bourbon Street, steps away from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, and the WWII museum. Every room has a fully equipped kitchen with all the amenities you could ever need.
There are plenty of rooms and the biggest ones can fit up to nine people so you can bring the whole family. There is a lovely sun terrace that overlooks the whole city where you can enjoy a nightcap or your morning coffee. You are going to love staying at one of the best hotels in New Orleans.
Check rates here: Booking.com
Hotel St. Pierre French Quarter
Check rates here: Booking.com
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Safe Placesand Places To Avoidin New Orleans
Is New Orleans safe? Before you visit, learn about the dangerous parts of New Orleans, as well as the safer neighborhoods to visit.
In terms of New Orleans neighborhoods to avoid, gang violence has increased in the 6th District, which includes Central City, the Garden District, Hoffman Triangle, Irish Channel, Touro, and Zion City, where there have been shootings and homicides.
With regard to Central City specifically, it was once a thriving immigrant stronghold, then fell into disrepairexcept for the recent revival of Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard, which is certainly worth visiting. But after dark, dont stray past that boulevard into other parts of Central City, which are areas to avoid in New Orleans.
Neighborhoods that have a particularly bad reputation because they cause significant spikes in New Orleans crime rate include Desire and Floridaparts of these two areas have crime statistics worse than almost anywhere else in the United Statesas well as Viavant-Venetian Isles, Fischer Dev, Tulane-Gravier, West Lake Forest, Dixon, Pines Village, the Lower 9th Ward, and Treme Lafitte.
St. Claude, for its part, has substantially more assaults, robberies, burglaries, and thefts than the national average, and so should be considered an area of New Orleans to either avoid or take precautions when visiting. Much the same is true for Tulane-Gravier, St. Roch, , and Pines Village.
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French Quarter Where To Stay In New Orleans For The First Time
The French Quarter is the historic area and the most famous part of New Orleans. Here you will discover an amazing food scene, vibrant nightlife, all the main landmarks as well as great museums and art galleries. Thats why my pick for first-timers is definitely the French Quarter!
Bourbon Street is the home of Mardi Gras and where you will find strips of bars and clubs with crazy parties all year long. Whilst New Orleans is known for its great jazz music scene, in Bourbon Street, you will find places pumping out all genres.
FUN FACT: Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams lived in French Quarter for more than 40 years and wrote 2 of his major plays A Streetcar Named Desire and Vieux Carré here. There is also the Tennessee Williams/New Orleans Literary Festival dedicated to him.
Besides music, there is a tonne of things to see on Royal Street, enjoy Spanish Creole architecture, and countless amazing galleries and shops. Dont forget to make a stop to have a great meal in one of the old creole restaurants!
In French Quarter there are many accommodation options for all budgets. Since it is the most popular area in New Orleans, I highly recommend you to make a booking in advance. If youre already as excited as I am, lets check out the best hotels in French Quarter.
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Top Things To Do In The French Quarter:
- Soak up the atmosphere over a coffee in historic Jackson Square
- Shop for souvenirs along the six blocks of the French Market
- Go on a ghost tour New Orleans is the most haunted city in the United States after all!
- Visit the statues of Benito Juarez and Joan of Arc, Maid of Orleans
- Tour Gallier House for a glimpse into the affluent family life of this 1857 residence
- Go people-watching in one of the cajun themed coffee shops
- Enjoy river views from Woldenberg Park
- Explore quirky museums including the Historic Voodoo Museum, Museum of Death, New Orleans Jazz Museum and Historic New Orleans Collection
- Go on a steamboat cruise along the Mississippi River
- Visit Lalaurie Mansion a beautiful 1800s house hiding a dark history
- See the oldest cathedral in the United States St. Louis Cathedral
- Walk the 182m length of Pirates Alley where youll find boutiques, bookshops and cafes
Love to tan? Check out the 15 best beaches in New Orleans!
Chill In Jackson Square
Jackson Square is a historic park in the centre of New Orleans. Back in the day it provided an important setting for the agreement of the Louisiana Purchase that made it a US state. Today, its a perfectly manicured garden for the public to sit and relax.
When I was there part of the French Quarter Festival was set in there, allowing the public to enjoy the music for free.
Another wonderful spot in New Orleans to watch the locals, enjoy a picnic and take some pics.
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Tl dr Where To Stay In New Orleans
- Hotel Monteleone 4-star hotel with great location and wonderful amenities
- Andrew Jackson Hotel a 3-star hotel in the French Quarter. Unbeatable location and haunted stories.
- Aloft New Orleans Downtown a 3-star hotel with fun amenities, like billiards, on-site bar, and a fitness center. Location is great and it is pet-friendly!
- Hotel Provincial a gorgeous 4-star hotel with old-world charm and affordable price tag. Also, excellent location and top amenities!
Best Hotel In Faubourg Marigny: Lamothe House Hotel
The Lamothe House Hotel is a bright, colourful, and exquisitely charming property located near Faubourg Marigny. It has a sun-soaked terrace, a stylish lounge bar, and an awesome outdoor swimming pool.
This hotel is also a short walk to Bourbon Street, the French Market, and many of New Orleans most famous attractions.
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Continue Reading To Find Out More About
As there is so much to the city beyond just the tourism-focused French Quarter, were here to present you with a comprehensive breakdown of the coolest neighbourhoods alongside our picks for some of the best hotels in each area. And in a one-of-kind city as offbeat as New Orleans, you can bet the accommodations are just as eccentric with options ranging from historic mansions and renovated church buildings to a former firehouse and chandelier factory.
New Orleans Travel Tips
The best time to visit New Orleans is between the months of February to May are when its considered the most comfortable. New Orleans gets very humid and hot, so these are considered the best months for comfortable and cooler weather considering where you are.
If you had to pick a time that would be the least desirable time to visit it would be from June through November because of hurricane season. July through September are considered the worst months if youre trying to avoid heavy storms. While its not impossible to visit during this season, we recommend keeping an eye on the weather and taking all the precautions necessary.
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French Quarter Where To Stay In New Orleans For Your First Visit
The oldest and most famous neighbourhood in New Orleans, theres no better place to stay on your first visit than the French Quarter.
At the heart of the city, the French Quarter is where you can find great food, incredible music, and lively nightlife. Here you can enjoy good times, a laid-back attitude, and colourful surroundings.
The French District is a haven for foodies, packed with amazing restaurants offering dishes and delicacies from around the world. Whether you favour sweet or savoury, salty or sour, youll find endless options in this awesome district.
For A Hotel In The Heart Of It All: Hotel Monteleone
This 570-room historic landmark, built in 1886, is one of the most spectacular hotels in the South. It has hosted a number of big-name American authors over the years including Ernest Hemingway and Tennessee Williams. Take a dip in the swanky rooftop pool before heading down for a drink at the hotels legendary Carousel Piano Bar & Lounge, where the bar stools revolve under carousel hoardings as you drink.
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Best Place To Stay In New Orleans For Nightlife: The French Quarter & faubourg Marigny
If youre one of the many traveling to New Orleans to let your hair down, then you already know youll be staying near Bourbon Street.
Home to Mardi Gras, vibrant buildings, and endless action, day and night the entire French Quarter is a veritable hive of excitement. While the famous street features 13 blocks teeming with every kind of bar and club under the sun.
But for something different, Marigny delivers in spades. Its here you find nightly musical revelry on Frenchmen Street. Further into the neighborhood is the St. Claude corridor, renowned for its alt-rock, reggae, and metal music with divey bars and plenty of locals.
Bourbon Street Where To Stay In New Orleans For Nightlife
Home to Mardi Gras, big brass bands, and plenty of colourful buildings, Bourbon Street is without a doubt the liveliest and craziest part of the city. Bourbon street is lined with amazing hotels, so you can stay right in the centre of the action.
Located at the heart of the French Quarter, Bourbon Street is its own little world. Extending 13 blocks from Canal to Esplanade Avenue, this bustling thoroughfare is lined with bars, clubs, pubs, and restaurants. Here you can eat, drink, dance and party the night away.
Tucked within a city renowned for its music, Bourbon Street is also where you can see live acts from almost any genre. Whether you want to enjoy a night of smooth jazz, rowdy rockabilly, or techno trance, theres something for everyone on Bourbon Street.
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