Gay New Orleans, Louisiana

Travelers to New Orleans—“the most unique city in America”—are never disappointed.   Whether you are interested in jazz and arts, historic architecture, colorful cuisine, the madness of Mardi Gras, or simply seeing the sites in the multicultural, historic, and dynamic “city that care forgot,” plan for a full itinerary. Most famously known for incredible jazz music, the festivity of Mardi Gras, and piquant Cajun food, the city of New Orleans has proven resilient despite the fury and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which left the French Quarter largely spared from significant damage.   

No matter your agenda, New Orleans is a place where you can expand your horizons: try alligator tail in your gumbo soup; have chicory coffee with beignets at Café du Monde; enjoy some jambalaya or crawfish for lunch; and dig into a sumptuous Po’boy for dinner. Open your ears to the birthplace of jazz by listening to musicians at Preservation Hall or along Bourbon Street and appreciating the melting pot dialect spoken by New Orleans’s locals.

While Mardi Gras gets the most press and tourist attention, New Orleans is home to many festivals throughout the year including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, the Essence Music Festival, and the Voodoo Music Experience. Most importantly, both Southern Decadence, a week long party culminating in a drag parade over Labor Day weekend, and Gay Mardi Gras, held mid-February, are celebrated annually in the French Quarter. And don’t forget about Halloween in New Orleans and the Gay Easter Parade! But you don’t need to wait for a holiday to make your trip to New Orleans—the nightlife of the French Quarter is an attraction in itself and available all year long.

New Orleans’s largest gay nightclub, The Bourbon Pub and Parade, is renowned not only as “New Orleans’s Best Dance Club” but also as the hub of Gay New Orleans. In addition to The Bourbon Pub, New Orleans boasts of a long list of gay bars, restaurants and gay-owned/gay-friendly accommodations.

See you in New Orleans!