Bourbon Street

Spending a little time on Bourbon Street is a must-do for most visitors to New Orleans, but the experience can be vastly different by day and night. For a spot of culture, walking tours of the French Quarter typically stop along the famous street, as do voodoo, literary, music, and heritage tours. Meanwhile, those who’d like to see the street at its debaucherous best can opt for an evening pub crawl to some of the city’s most legendary party venues.

• Bourbon Street is a must-see for first-time visitors and partiers.

• Daytime walking tours show off a much different vibe than nighttime pub crawls.

• It’s legal to consume alcohol while walking on Bourbon Street.

• Visit by day and by night to get the full experience.

• Even by day, Bourbon Street can be R-rated, so it may not be appropriate for children.

It’s easy to walk to Bourbon Street from just about any place in the historic French Quarter. Visitors coming from Uptown can ride the historic St. Charles streetcar to Canal Street and walk a few blocks to reach Rue Bourbon.

While it’s possible to catch beads from Bourbon Street’s famous balconies throughout the year, peak season lasts from February to May, when mild weather and festivals like Mardi Gras and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival pull in visitors from far and wide. Another popular time to visit is over Labor Day Weekend, when the street hosts the Southern Decadence festival, the biggest LGBTQ+ event in the city.

Many visitors come to Bourbon Street to drink, and there are certainly plenty of options. Well-known watering holes include Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (one of the oldest buildings in the French Quarter), the Old Absinthe House (don't miss the Absinthe House frappe), Café Lafitte In Exile (the oldest gay bar in the country), and Pat O’Brien’s, home of the Hurricane cocktail.

Bourbon Street is New Orleans’ most famous street. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, it features historic architecture, bars, restaurants, and is a major destination during Mardi Gras. For many visitors, Bourbon Street epitomizes Nola’s Laissez les bons temps rouler (Let the good times roll) attitude, and is the place to go for late-night revelry.

Bourbon Street is thought to be one of the oldest streets in the country, dating back to 1718 when New Orleans was founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville. The French Quarter was designed by engineer Adrien de Pauger, and Bourbon Street was named in honor of France’s Bourbon royal family.

That depends on what you’re after. Plan to visit in the daytime if you want to see the street’s historic architecture without crowds, or if you’re traveling with children. Swing by in the evening, or visit during Mardi Gras, if you want a taste of Bourbon Street’s notorious party-hard ambiance.

While you’re safe to walk down Bourbon Street with kids during the day, the street has limited activities specifically for children. However, much of the French Quarter is great for families: Kids can try sugar-dusted beignets, visit the Louisiana State Museum, or go on a carriage ride.

Yes, you can drink alcohol in public on Bourbon Street and in the French Quarter. In fact, it’s common to walk down the street with a drink in hand. Be aware that you must be at least 21 years old to drink, and open glass containers are not permitted.

Yes, you’re pretty much guaranteed to encounter live music on Bourbon Street and elsewhere across the French Quarter. Dropping into venues to catch live acts is a way of life in New Orleans, and one of Bourbon Street’s top musical destinations is the Jazz Playhouse.