StayAreasIs CBD a good place to stay in New Orleans?
Yes, especially if you want value. The French Quarter is a short walk across Canal Street and the streetcars start here, though some blocks feel empty at night.
Stay here if
- First-time visitors on a budget
- Business travellers
- Sports fans and concert-goers
Look elsewhere if
- You want historic streets outside your door
- You want a neighbourhood feel
- You'd rather avoid quiet office blocks at night
Hotels in CBD
All CBD hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in CBD
The CBD is a practical base for New Orleans, especially if you want a big, good-value hotel near the French Quarter. Canal Street is the dividing line, so Bourbon Street and Jackson Square are a short walk away, and the Canal and St. Charles streetcars start here. The Airport Express bus also stops downtown.
The area is the city's downtown, a mix of office towers and handsome old buildings turned into hotels along Baronne and Carondelet streets. The Roosevelt Hotel's Sazerac Bar is a classic place for a cocktail, the Saenger and Orpheum theatres host shows and concerts, and the Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center are at the far end of Poydras Street. Towards the river, Harrah's casino keeps things busy late.
The downside is that the CBD lacks the charm of the French Quarter or the Garden District. Some blocks feel empty and a little uneasy once the offices close, and on Saints game days and big concerts the area fills with crowds and hotel prices jump.
What makes the CBD worth considering is value and convenience together. You can be in the French Quarter in five or ten minutes on foot, ride the oldest streetcar line in the world from your door, and still pay noticeably less than inside the Quarter. For a first trip on a budget, it's one of the smartest choices.
Getting around
- The National WWII Museum16walk
- Bourbon Street17walk
- Preservation Hall17walk
- Audubon Aquarium18walk
- St. Louis Cemetery No. 118walk
- Caesars Superdome19walk
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)40
Other options in New Orleans
Compare all 5 areas →CBD questions
Is CBD a good area to stay in New Orleans?
Yes, especially if you want value. The French Quarter is a short walk across Canal Street and the streetcars start here, though some blocks feel empty at night. It suits first-time visitors on a budget, business travellers and sports fans and concert-goers.
How much does a hotel in CBD cost?
A typical double is around $105 a night at a budget hotel, $135 mid-range and $440 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to CBD?
About 40 minutes door to door: Airport Express bus 202 direct to downtown; a taxi takes about 25 minutes.
How far is CBD from the main sights?
Door to door from CBD: The National WWII Museum 16 minutes on foot, Bourbon Street 17 minutes on foot, Preservation Hall 17 minutes on foot and Audubon Aquarium 18 minutes on foot.