Canal Street Tours and Activities

Canal Street
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Start your exploration of New Orleans with the many attractions on this buzzing pedestrianized street, which is located right in the heart of the downtown area.

Come to Canal Street on the first day of your visit to New Orleans to get a great sense of what the city has to offer. Rich with history and full of interesting stores, theaters, museums and other attractions, this street offers enough to keep you busy for hours. And when you are ready to see another part of the city, Canal Street’s central location means you will be able to walk to many of the other highlights of the French Quarter and beyond.

Canal Street is named after a planned canal that was never built. Visit it today and try to imagine what it was like in the 19th century, when it was one of the most fashionable destinations in New Orleans. Wealthy residents flocked to the street to dine and shop. At that time, the street was slightly unusual in being popular with French and Creole residents as well as Americans with other heritages. Streetcars brought people here from all over the city.

Browse the shops along Canal Street nowadays and see how this remains a very stylish part of the city. Those with a taste for upscale brands will be spoilt for choice here. Head to The Shops at Canal Place to visit high-end favorites such as Saks Fifth Avenue. Look for luxury hotels, such as the Ritz Carlton and the Astor Crowne Plaza, that are sprinkled along the street, further enhancing the area’s upmarket credentials.

The Audubon Insectarium, which bills itself as the world’s largest museum of insects, is a must-see sight whether or not you have kids with you. Be sure to take photos of the grand white marble building that houses the museum, which is a marvel in itself. Walk for about 10 minutes up the street, away from the river, and see what is on at the Saenger Theatre and the Joy Theater, two beautiful historic theaters that today host big-name shows and performers.

Come to Canal Street during Mardi Gras, held in February, to see the place come alive with music, color and celebration. This lively street is the hub of New Orleans’ most famous festival.

Plan a trip to see Canal Street

NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans
Hyatt Centric French Quarter
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of Canal Street

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
209
" "5 - Excellent 36.41114982578397%
4 - Good
292
" "4 - Good 50.87108013937282%
3 - Okay
68
" "3 - Okay 11.846689895470384%
2 - Disappointing
5
" "2 - Disappointing 0.8710801393728222%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Jan. 26, 2020

The Prince Conti is very close to Canal Street. There is a CVS and a Walgreens right there. And we caught the railcar and Hop On Hop Off from Canal street.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
Mar. 16, 2019

Take the streetcar to avoid the disappointment of very run down Canal Street.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
Feb. 7, 2019

Beautiful open street with palms trees lining the sides. We enjoyed a streetcar ride on it. Get used to not being able to cross the street on one light- changes quite quickly but the crossing is designed to allow you to wait easily in between.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Jan. 19, 2019

Close by. Walking distace

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Jan. 12, 2019

$3 for all day pass for all trolley rides

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
Dec. 20, 2018

Easy walk to French Quarter, and close to hop on hop off stop

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Canal Street

Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor
Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor
4.5 out of 5
739 Canal Street at Bourbon, New Orleans, LA
Crowne Plaza New Orleans French Qtr - Astor
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
4 out of 5
717 Orleans St., New Orleans, LA
Bourbon Orleans Hotel
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
4 out of 5
124 Royal St, New Orleans, LA
Wyndham New Orleans - French Quarter
Le Pavillon New Orleans
Le Pavillon New Orleans
4 out of 5
833 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA
Le Pavillon New Orleans
Holiday Inn FRENCH QUARTER-CHATEAU LEMOYNE, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn FRENCH QUARTER-CHATEAU LEMOYNE, an IHG Hotel
3.5 out of 5
301 Dauphine St, New Orleans, LA
Holiday Inn FRENCH QUARTER-CHATEAU LEMOYNE, an IHG Hotel
Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans
Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans
4 out of 5
214 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA
Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans
Dauphine Orleans Hotel
Dauphine Orleans Hotel
3.5 out of 5
415 Dauphine St., New Orleans, LA
Dauphine Orleans Hotel
NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans
NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans
4.5 out of 5
317 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA
NOPSI Hotel, New Orleans
Maison Dupuy Hotel
Maison Dupuy Hotel
3.5 out of 5
1001 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA
Maison Dupuy Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.