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Travel

OFFICIAL HOST HOTEL

The Omni Royal Orleans, in the heart of the French Quarter, is the official host hotel of French Quarter Fest.

Other great options include the Royal Sonesta New Orleans, Westin New Orleans, and Windsor Court.

Parking Tips:
Parking can be tricky, so arrive early. Recommended lots:

Please note, there are also additional paid parking lots within walking distance. 

Public Transportation:

  • Streetcar Routes: #11 Magazine, #12 St. Charles, #47 Canal/Cemeteries, #48 Canal/City Park, #49 Riverfront/UPT, and more provide easy access to the French Quarter. The Riverfront/UPT line has stops near parking lots and the festival.
  • Ferry: A passenger-only ferry boat runs from Algiers Point to the RTA Ferry Terminal at the foot of Canal St., directly next to a Festival entrance.
  • Service Alerts: Visit norta.com/servicealerts, use the Le Pass app, or call the Rideline at (504) 248-3900. Follow updates on X (formerly Twitter) at @neworleansrta.

Alternative Options:

  • Biking: Blue Bikes, the local nonprofit bikeshare program, is a great way to get to and from the festival. To avoid congestion in the French Quarter, we encourage riders to drop off their Blue Bikes at stations surrounding the Quarter, including Canal Place, Louis Armstrong Park, and the New Orleans Jazz Museum at the Old U.S. Mint.

  • Cabs/Ride Shares: New Orleans has many cab companies and ride-share options.

NOLA BOUND: TRAVEL TO AND FROM NEW ORLEANS

FQF via MSY:

  • The newly renovated New Orleans International Airport, or MSY, is now open at 1 Terminal Drive in Kenner, LA. If you visited the Crescent City prior to November 2019, be prepared for some changes, including the new MSY’s vastly expanded restaurant options and a dedicated pickup spot for ride app users (Level 1 outside Baggage Claim between doors 9 and 11).
  • United Cabs and other major taxis are also available on Level 1 outside Baggage Claim. Airport Shuttle tickets can be purchased at the booth in Level 1 Baggage Claim between doors 3 and 4
  • Car rentals are also available at MSY. But if you’re staying at a  hotel, you may find it’s easier to skip the traffic and walk, Lyft, taxi cab, Blue Bike or pedicab it to most destinations within the city.
  • For more airport information, visit https://www.msy-airport.com/ and watch Twitter for MSY updates at https://twitter.com/flyneworleans
  • FQF via BUS or TRAIN: New Orleans’ Union Passenger Terminal at 1001 Loyola Ave. offers Amtrak, Greyhound and Megabus service to and from cities across the country.

FQF via CAR:

Driving to New Orleans? Downtown traffic can sometimes be a challenge. We highly recommend using a maps app that features real-time traffic updates and road alerts like Waze.com

FESTIVAL ACCESS: PICK YOUR EXPERIENCE

French Quarter Fest is free and FQF offers three tiers of access:

 

  • FQF is free and open to the public. To keep it that way, please leave outside beverages, glass containers, fur babies and weapons at home — we do reserve the right to check bags at all stage entrances. Find more info on what you can and cannot bring to the fest here. https://frenchquarterfest.org/faqs/
  • Feelin’ VIP? Snag  Premium VIP Passes for perks like elevated viewing stands, private bars and hospitality lounges, air-conditioned restrooms, and exclusive programming, all while helping to keep our nonprofit community organization in tip-top financial shape!
  • Feelin’ helpful? We always need volunteers! Register here to donate a few hours of your time in exchange for a nifty FQF shirt, free drink tickets, complimentary Blue Bike access and lots of extra love from the FQF staff and artists. https://frenchquarterfest.org/volunteers/

    Feelin’ overwhelmed? We suggest heading over to the Benny’s Sensory Activation Vehicle powered by Beignet Festival Foundation. The “SAV” vehicle is a safe space that is available to any festival attendees experiencing sensory overload , located on Aquarium Plaza.The SAV vehicle makes events more inclusive for individuals with sensory processing disorders often associated with autism and other conditions. The fully equipped, tow-along trailer provides a safe space of respite and decompression for those who may become overwhelmed from the sights, sounds and crowds at many of the city’s beloved, local events.

Get Around

We highly recommend coming prepared to walk — a lot! — at FQF. However, you have plenty of transportation options, including Blue Bike rentals, pedicabs, regular cabs, Lyfts and more.

FQF FEST-IQUETTE:

Check out our top local tips for your best festing practices, from tipping (do it!) to sunblock (use it!) to hats (wear ‘em!) to footwear (comfy is cool!):

  • Showing Support: Tips at official FQFI beverage and merch booths make this festival possible, helping to support thousands of local musicians. Tip Dat! Check out the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans’ handy guide to being an awesome visitor in our town: https://maccno.com/good-visitor-guide-to-new-orleans
  • Protect Your Skin: Apply sunscreen with a minimum SPF 30. Forgot yours at home? Complimentary sunscreen stations provided by LCMC Health will be available throughout the festival grounds for your convenience. Be sure to stop by, apply (and reapply!), and stay protected so you can safely soak up the sun!
  • Magnet for bugs? We advise you bring bug spray with you, especially during evening headliners’ sets.
  • Protect the Environment: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! French Quarter Festivals is Geauxing Green! Look for the multi-stream waste receptacles throughout the grounds, where we’re collecting recycling and compost in addition to landfill waste. Purchased food from an official vendor? Your bowl and utensils are COMPOSTABLE! Look for crew members in green ‘Green Team’ t-shirts if you have any questions. Find out more about our sustainability initiatives HERE. (link to Geauxing Green main page) 
  • Fashion: Pack for warm days and cool evenings and don’t forget that poncho. Sneakers and hats with sun-blocking brims are your pals. Our official merch booths have you covered if there’s anything you forgot!

CHECK OUT OUT NIGHTLIFE:

Did you take all our advice about sunscreen, water, rest and that whole marathon-not-a-sprint vibe? Great! Because you’re in the birthplace of jazz — and we stay up late.

Check music listings on the WWOZ Livewire (find it here online or announced at the top of each odd hour on 90.7 FM) or in Offbeat Magazine and plan your night.

*PRO TIP: If you find yourself catching a late-night show at Tipitina’s, ask about earplugs at the door by the Tip’s merch. They’re just $1 — and your ear drums will thank you.

    Safety & city resources

    We love our visitors just as much as we love our city — and we want everyone to stay safe. Take a buddy when you go out for a stroll, hire a car when you go out for the night, and leave valuables at home — they’ll only weigh you down when you’re dancin’ anyway!

    For citywide emergency alerts about weather and more, visit https://ready.nola.gov/stay-connected/emergency-alerts/