Deciding where to park in the French Quarter of New Orleans is one of those things no one warns you about until you are already circling the block, wondering YouTube and locals make it look easy.
The neighborhood was never built for cars, which means finding a spot takes a little strategy (and patience).
My guide walks you through everything you need to know before you go.
Here’s how and where to park in the French Quarter:
Why I’m the One You Should Trust on Parking in the French Quarter
I learned how to park in the French Quarter the hard way.
I was 21, and it was my very first trip to New Orleans.
5 friends and I scraped together enough cash for a Motel 6 in Metairie, crammed into one car, and drove from DFW with nothing but excitement and a playlist that got old somewhere before Baton Rouge.
Bourbon Street was magic. I had never seen anything like it.
We swore we remembered exactly where we left the car. Absolutely positive. So positive that we kept looping the same few blocks, because it had to be right there.
It was not.
After hours, our feet throbbed, and we finally admitted: The car was not missing. The car had been taken.
When we finally tracked it down, the bill was $250, which might as well have been $2,500 for a group of kids living on gas station snacks.
I have returned to New Orleans dozens of times, but I have never forgotten how it feels to walk the Quarter in circles, searching for a towed car.
I’m qualified to write this guide because I have lived (and learned from) the mistakes.
Is it hard to park in the French Quarter?
Yes, it is hard to park in the French Quarter (IMO).
These streets were built long before anyone was thinking about parallel parking, and the layout still reflects that old-world allure: narrow roads, tight corners, and blocks that feel like a maze.
You’re often trying not to run over people who are walking on all sides of your car, half wondering where the distant parade music is coming from, and parallel parking all at the same time.
Read: The Streets of New Orleans
Is parking free in the French Quarter?
With so many people and so little space, free parking becomes more of a fantasy than an actual option.
Streets are narrow, spots are limited, and most of the free parking is gone before breakfast.
The few spots that do exist tend to vanish faster than a plate of beignets.
If you’re staying in the Quarter, just plan for paid parking; it’ll save you a lot of circling and a little bit of sanity.
Read: The Bourbon Street Bucket list
Tips for Parking in the French Quarter of New Orleans
Figuring out where to park in the French Quarter can feel like its own adventure, especially if it is your first time.
Here are a few helpful tips to make parking in the Quarter easier:
Use Your Hotel
If you’re not used to struggling for parking while traveling, you might forget this tip altogether.
Most hotels (but not all) will have either on-street or off-street parking, usually for an extra charge.
In most cases, using your hotel’s parking is the easiest, least stressful option, the one that saves you from looping the same tight streets looking for a miracle space.
Know that Rates Constantly Change
Parking rates in the Quarter change based on demand, time of day, and events. The price you paid to park yesterday won’t be the same price as today.
Before turning into a lot, take a quick look at the posted rates or scan the QR code on the sign.
A two-minute check can save you from paying way more than you expected.
The Downriver Spots are the Easiest to Get
The downriver end of the Quarter, near the French Market, usually has more available spaces.
Lots along North Peters, Decatur, or Elysian Fields fill up slower and are easier to get in and out of.
You will still be close to everything, but without the tight turns and constant traffic of the upper Quarter.
Cash Won’t Cut It
Most parking lots along North Peters, plus the French Market lots at St. Peter and Elysian Fields, accept cards at the pay stations or apps.
Some may take cash, but they are not cash-only.
Read: 11 Reasons I Love New Orleans
Parking Lots and Garages in the French Quarter
If your hotel didn’t come through, that’s fine!
There are still plenty of places you can pay to park in the French Quarter.
Where to park in the French Quarter:
- Canal Place Parking Garage: At the Canal Street edge of the French Quarter, you can park in the covered Canal Place Garage. The entrance is easy to find at the end of Iberville.
- North Peters: Along North Peters, you will find several large, well-lit parking lots at Iberville, Conti, and Toulouse. From the street, they look small, but you’ll see they stretch all the way back toward the levee wall and the streetcar tracks.
- St. Peter and Decatur: Find the entrance to the French Market parking lot. It sits between the Market and the Moonwalk and stretches all the way to Barracks Street and the Old U.S. Mint.
- Right at the downriver edge of the French Quarter: Another French Market lot located at Decatur and Elysian Fields. Quick access to the Market, the riverfront, and the quieter end of the Quarter.
- Park-N-Shop Lots: Some downtown shops will give you free or discounted parking when you shop. It’s a nice little perk if you plan to shop anyway.
Note: Most of the parking lots near the French Quarter area are managed by the same company, Premium Parking.
Best Parking Spots for Popular Activities
Use this to help you pick the best parking based on what you plan to do in the Quarter:
- For Bourbon Street: Park near Canal Place or the lots at Iberville and North Peters.
- For the Jackson Square area: The French Market lots along Decatur and North Peters give you the easiest walk and the most straightforward access.
- For Frenchmen Street: Look for parking near Elysian Fields or the downriver French Market lot. These spots keep you out of the nightlife gridlock while still putting you a short walk from it.
- For the Riverfront: Any of the large, well-lit lots along North Peters are ideal. They stretch farther back than they appear and offer the quickest access to the Moonwalk and riverfront paths.
Handicapped Parking
Those with legal handicap credentials can park in metered spaces for free for up to three hours.
For info, call 504-658-8200.
Park-N-Ride
Two Central Business District lots have Park-N-Ride shuttles that will drop you off.
You’ll need to call for rates and info (sorry! I know you probably hate making phone calls as much as I do), as they don’t have websites.
Fulton Street Garage: (504) 891-2897)
Park-N-Ride: (504) 307-5726
Read: The Truth About the French Quarter of New Orleans
How to Park in the French Quarter Safely
Staying safe while parking in the French Quarter is mostly about choosing the right spot and trusting your instincts.
The areas near the riverfront, especially the well-lit lots along North Peters, feel the safest at night because they are open, visible, and busy.
If you are exploring solo, the blocks around Jackson Square often feel more comfortable thanks to the constant crowds, even later in the night.
When walking back to your car at night, stay on wider streets like Decatur or Chartres, where there are more people around.
Always trust your instincts. If a block feels off, choose a different route.
Read: The Guide to Jackson Square
Helpful Phone Numbers
General Parking Questions: (504) 658-8200
Administrative Hearing Center: (504) 658-8250
Booting: (504) 565-7451
Towing Info: (504) 658-8284
Parking Enforcement: (504) 658-8200
May the need for these numbers never find you.
Read: What to Wear in New Orleans
Common Questions
Is it safe to walk to my car at night in the French Quarter?
As a girl, this is my top concern.
It is generally safe in well-lit, busy areas like Decatur and the riverfront, but sticking to main streets and avoiding quiet side blocks is always a smart call.
Can you drive through the French Quarter?
The answer is yes, you can drive through most of the French Quarter, but certain blocks are restricted during special events, parades, or peak times on Bourbon Street.
Traffic is slow, streets are narrow, and pedestrians have the right of way everywhere.
What time is free parking in New Orleans?
You can score free parking in New Orleans; it’s just rare, and you have to know where to look.
A handful of downtown spots will validate your parking or knock the price way down if you buy something, which feels like a little local secret tucked inside your receipt.
And if you’re visiting on a holiday, even better.
The city turns off its meters on select days throughout the year, giving you one less thing to worry about while you walk the Quarter.
These are the holidays when metered parking is completely free:
- New Year’s Day
- Independence Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Labor Day
- Mardi Gras Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Memorial Day
- Christmas Day
Read: Road Trip from Dallas to New Orleans (Itinerary)
Check in
Got any tips on where to park in the French Quarter that I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments below!
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