New Orleans French Quarter Audio Tour: Iconic Sites & Hidden Gems

The Quarter’s most famous street is alive with neon lights, music pours from every doorway, and there’s a constant sense of celebration. It’s the best place to experience the energy of New Orleans’ nightlife up close.

This legendary café has been serving beignets and café au lait since 1862. A stop here is a true New Orleans tradition.

America’s oldest public market is a lively mix of food stalls, local crafts, and history. It’s where New Orleans’ trading spirit still thrives today.

Once the heart of colonial New Orleans, the historic Jackson Square is now lined with artists, street performers, and iconic landmarks. It’s the perfect spot to feel the pulse of the city.

Set in an 18th-century Creole cottage, this candlelit bar claims ties to the pirate Jean Lafitte. The Blacksmith Shop Bar is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the Quarter.

This small but fascinating museum offers a direct look into voodoo’s history and influence in New Orleans. Artifacts and altars connect folklore with living tradition.

Housed in a former 19th-century apothecary, the Pharmacy Museum reveals the city’s medical past. Strange remedies and old tools make it one of the Quarter’s quirkiest stops.

Built in 1752, this is the oldest surviving building in the Mississippi Valley. Its simple elegance reflects the deep Catholic roots of the city.

Pirate's Alley is a narrow passage lined with stories of duels, outlaws, and writers. It’s a hidden corner that feels straight out of another time.

These matching red-brick townhouses flank Jackson Square with elegant iron balconies. They’re the oldest apartment buildings still in use in the U.S.

Known for its art galleries, antiques, and street music, Royal Street is the Quarter at its most refined. It’s perfect for a quieter stroll away from Bourbon’s chaos.

The towering white spires of St. Louis Cathedral dominate Jackson Square. As the oldest continuously active Catholic cathedral in the U.S., it’s a New Orleans icon.

Once the seat of Spanish colonial government, this landmark now tells Louisiana’s history. It’s where the Louisiana Purchase transfer was signed in 1803.

Built to mirror the Cabildo, the Presbytère now houses exhibits on Mardi Gras and Hurricane Katrina. It’s history and resilience under one roof.

This museum and archive preserve the stories, art, and culture of the city. It’s a must for anyone wanting to dive deeper into New Orleans’ past.

Located in the Old U.S. Mint, this museum celebrates the city’s greatest export: jazz. Instruments, recordings, and exhibits trace their roots and legends.

This Royal Street gallery is filled with rare art, antiques, and jewelry. Even if you’re not shopping, browsing here feels like exploring a private museum.

William Faulkner once lived and wrote here—today it’s a cozy bookstore tucked into Pirate’s Alley. It’s a literary gem in the heart of the Quarter.

The famed playwright lived and wrote here during his years in New Orleans. It’s a quiet reminder of the Quarter’s artistic legacy.

Known as the Haunted House of the French Quarter, the Gardette-LePretre Mansion is wrapped in legend and mystery. Its Greek Revival design adds to its imposing presence.

These elegant 19th-century homes reflect the wealth and style of Creole New Orleans. They’re architectural treasures hidden in plain sight.

This gleaming golden statue honors France’s beloved heroine and New Orleans’ namesake— Joan of Arc. It’s a striking landmark just steps from the French Market.

The Preservation Hall is an unassuming building that has kept traditional New Orleans jazz alive since 1961. Nightly shows here are a raw, unforgettable experience.

This historic restaurant is famous for its jazz brunch in a lush courtyard. Dining in the Court of Two Sisters is as much about atmosphere as it is about food.