New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 2027: things to do nearby between sets

29 April to 9 May 2027 · ExpectedNew Orleans, United StatesTwo weekends of music and food

At New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival the music runs from the afternoon, so mornings and the day after are free. This guide covers the town around the site: boat trips, a real meal, a shower and a day out from New Orleans.

Tours in New Orleans Hotels for these dates

Airport to Fair Grounds Race Course

Louis Armstrong (MSY) is 25 minutes from the French Quarter; flat taxi fare to the CBD.

Shuttles from downtown; the Canal Street streetcar to City Park.

Public transport directions to Fair Grounds Race Course

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Mid-City	Streetcar to the Quarter.
Mid-range	Warehouse District and CBD	Walk to the Quarter.
Splurge	French Quarter	Historic hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: The Quisby
Mid-range: Ace Hotel New Orleans
Splurge: Hotel Monteleone

Links search the nights from 28 April to 10 May. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual festival weekend schedule for 29 April to 9 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Before the gates open

Thursday 29 April

Music runs from the afternoon. Mornings are free: get out on the water or into town.

Easy outingFrench Quarter food tour Half day · Food
Gumbo, beignets and po-boys.
FreeCity Park.

A day off-site

Friday 30 April

Skip the early acts and take a day trip. Be back for the headliners.

Half-dayCooking class Half day · Food · Indoor
Creole dishes.
EatCommander's Palace Creole jazz brunch

Campers: shower, food and a break

Day passes for pools and spas, and a real meal in town.

Rain or heat backupNew Orleans Museum of Art.
EatCochon Cajun

Recovery day

Monday 10 May

Slow outings only.

Easy outingJazz cruise on the Steamboat Natchez Evening · Low walking · Nightlife · Food
Mississippi sunset.
EatParkway Bakery Po-boys

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Swamp boat tour

Alligators and bayous.

See times and prices

Audubon Aquarium.
Audubon Zoo.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Low walking · Nightlife · Food

Jazz cruise on the Steamboat Natchez

Mississippi sunset.

See times and prices

Evening · Nightlife

Ghost and voodoo tour

French Quarter stories.

See times and prices

Full day

Plantation tour

Whitney or Oak Alley.

See times and prices

After dark

Frenchmen Street.

6 tours worth booking for New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival

Tour	Length	Good for
French Quarter food tour	Half day	Food lovers
Plantation tour	Full day	Everyone
Cooking class	Half day	Food lovers, Bad weather
Swamp boat tour	Half day	Families
Jazz cruise on the Steamboat Natchez	Evening	Tired legs, Night owls, Food lovers
Ghost and voodoo tour	Evening	Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Café du Monde Beignets
Commander's Palace Creole jazz brunch
Cochon Cajun
Parkway Bakery Po-boys

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Food · Indoor

Cooking class

Creole dishes.

See times and prices

National WWII Museum.
New Orleans Museum of Art.

Getting around on event days

Streetcars and the RTA app; parade days close most of Uptown and the CBD.

Day trips from New Orleans

Swamps: 45 minutes
Baton Rouge: 1.5 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 2027?

The next edition is 29 April to 9 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Fair Grounds Race Course?

Louis Armstrong (MSY) is 25 minutes from the French Quarter; flat taxi fare to the CBD. Shuttles from downtown; the Canal Street streetcar to City Park.

Where should I stay for New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival?

For most visitors the best base is Warehouse District and CBD: Walk to the Quarter.

What else can we do around New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival?

Good short outings in New Orleans include Swamp boat tour, French Quarter food tour, Cooking class. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival?

Family-friendly picks: Swamp boat tour. Audubon Aquarium.

How far is Fair Grounds Race Course from New Orleans centre?

About 4 km in a straight line. Shuttles from downtown; the Canal Street streetcar to City Park.

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