I’ve had a saved folder of Airbnbs in New Orleans on my phone ever since Robin and I flew down for a long weekend a few years back, on our way to visit my sister in Pensacola, Florida. One night we sat with a local beer listening to a brass band play in the street below our hotel, and I remember thinking I needed to come back and do this city properly instead of in three days. I’ve been low-key obsessed since, and the saved folder has only gotten longer.
The stuff I still think about: Magazine Street and its antique shops, the aboveground tombs at Lafayette Cemetery, walking past Commander’s Palace and not eating there (a regret I’m still carrying). If you want the full version of what we did, I wrote up a 3 day New Orleans itinerary from that trip, plus a guide to where to eat in New Orleans that I’d read before you book anything.
A vacation rental beats a hotel here for reasons that are pretty specific to this city. A fully equipped kitchen means you’re not eating out four times a day in a place where eating out is expensive and the lines are long. Being within walking distance of Bourbon Street or Frenchmen Street means you can catch a show, walk home, and go to bed without ordering a rideshare at 1am. And New Orleans has tighter short-term rental laws than almost any city in the country, which means the legal, well-run rentals get booked out fast. I’ve got a whole section on that further down because it will change how far ahead you book.
I haven’t slept in every one of these myself. A friend of mine stayed at one of them and wouldn’t shut up about it, and the rest I’ve been picking apart review by review for my own next trip.
Here are the coolest Airbnbs in New Orleans, from Garden District mansions and Lower Garden District Victorians to a Warehouse District studio with a rooftop pool, whether you’re going for Mardi Gras or your first trip to The Big Easy.
My Top 3 New Orleans Airbnb Favorites
If you only have time to compare three of the best New Orleans Airbnbs on this list, start here.
- The Bouligny: Luxe Victorian with Pool (Touro Bouligny), best for couples or families who want a private pool and Victorian bones one block from Magazine Street.
- Victorian Apartment on Race Street (Lower Garden District), best for a couple or solo trip that wants real historic detail within walking distance of Magazine Street.
- Designer Home One Block from Magazine Street (Lower Garden District), best for a bachelorette or group trip that wants a private pool day built into the stay.
12 Coolest Airbnbs in New Orleans
I judged every property on this list by location and by amenities that actually matter over a long weekend: a private pool, an in-unit washer, enough bathrooms that nobody’s waiting, and a kitchen you’d want to cook breakfast in. If a listing could have been anywhere, it didn’t make the cut.
1. Victorian Apartment on Race Street
- Location: Lower Garden District, on Race Street, two doors from Magazine Street
- Best For: Couples, solo travelers, short trips
- Why Stay Here: Victorian era architecture, antique furniture, high ceilings, huge windows, front balcony, Casper mattress
This Victorian apartment on Race Street is the listing I keep reopening, which is my own personal tell that I’m about to book something. The natural light is doing the heavy lifting. Huge windows, high ceilings, and antique furniture that looks collected instead of thrifted in a hurry.
The primary bedroom has a queen bed with a Casper mattress, and the kitchen comes stocked with a gas cooktop, a french press, and an electric kettle, so you can have a real breakfast instead of paying $9 for a coffee you’re going to drink while walking. Owen has been Superhosting for nine years and guests keep bringing up how fast he answers.
The front balcony looks out over Race Street, two doors down from Magazine Street and MoJo Coffee, which is exactly where I’d be standing at 8am before a full day of Magazine Street boutiques and antique shops. It’s about a 20 minute walk to the Warehouse District galleries and a short streetcar ride to the French Quarter.
It’s set up for two guests and there’s one flight of stairs to climb, so this isn’t the pick for a group or for anyone who needs ground floor access. Worth it if you want Victorian character in one of the most walkable pockets of the Lower Garden District. Not the move if there are more than two of you.
2. The Library at Parks-Bowman Mansion
- Location: Garden District, close to Magazine Street and the St. Charles Avenue streetcar line
- Best For: Couples, book lovers, a quieter Garden District stay
- Why Stay Here: Antique cypress bed, private marble bath, private second floor porch, stained glass windows, carved staircases, 35 years of the hosts’ art collection
I saved the Library room at Parks-Bowman Mansion about four seconds after it loaded. It’s giving spooky old world library, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment. Queen antique cypress bed piled with pillows, its own marble bath, and a private second floor porch.
The house itself is the draw as much as the room. Carved staircases, stained glass, and an art collection the hosts have been building for 35 years. Adrienne has hosted here for 14 years and reviewers keep describing it like visiting an old friend, dogs included.
You’re a five minute walk from Magazine Street and close enough to Commander’s Palace that you could actually get a reservation and walk to it, which I did not do and still think about. Lafayette Cemetery is a short walk for a self-guided look at the aboveground tombs, so go before it closes at 3pm. The St. Charles streetcar gets you to the French Quarter without a car.
The thing to know: this is a room inside a shared house. You get your own bedroom and bath, but common spaces are shared with the hosts and other guests, and there’s no kitchen to cook in. Works best if you want local history handed to you over coffee. Not ideal if you need total privacy or a full kitchen.
3. Opulent Art Deco Villa with Pool and Hot Tub
- Location: Lower Garden District, near the St. Charles streetcar line and Magazine Street
- Best For: Large groups, bachelorette parties, family reunions, Mardi Gras trips
- Why Stay Here: 1920s art deco interiors, restored mid-1800s architecture, 56 historic windows, wrap around balcony, heated saltwater pool, hot tub
This villa looks like a 1920s vampire’s primary residence, and I’ve had it bookmarked since the first time it came across my feed. Five bedrooms, six and a half bathrooms, 56 historic windows, and a wrap around balcony that makes the house read like a set piece.
The chef’s kitchen has an espresso machine and a Vitamix, and the brick courtyard out back has a heated saltwater pool and a hot tub. Michael, the host, restores historic homes around the city for a living, and it shows in how the mid-1800s bones were handled.
You’re steps from the St. Charles streetcar, which runs up toward the Garden District mansions and Lafayette Cemetery in one direction and down through the Warehouse District toward the French Quarter in the other. Magazine Street shops and restaurants are an easy walk.
One reviewer pointed out that the immediate blocks aren’t the most walkable, and you’ll want to grab an Uber for anything near Bourbon Street. Skip it if walking everywhere is the whole point of your trip. Worth it if you want a dramatic group house with a pool to come back to after a long day.
4. Pink Room in the Lower Garden District
- Location: Lower Garden District, steps from MoJo Coffee House
- Best For: Couples, solo travelers, a quiet home base close to everything
- Why Stay Here: Circa 1875 Victorian architecture, original plaster medallions, floor-to-ceiling windows, original clawfoot tub, king bed, fully equipped kitchen
I researched this first floor unit pretty hard before deciding it was a real only-in-New-Orleans find. It’s an 1875 Victorian apartment with original plaster medallions on the ceiling, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a mix of new and vintage furniture.
The bedroom has a king bed and the bath has an original clawfoot tub, which might be my favorite single detail on this entire list. The kitchen is fully equipped, so a longer stay here doesn’t mean eating out for every meal.
Location is the real argument. You can walk to the Convention Center, into the Warehouse District art galleries along Julia Street, and on to the French Quarter, and you’re in the same pocket that puts MoJo Coffee and a handful of good bars within a couple of minutes.
There’s no TV in the unit at all, so if you’re the type to fall asleep to something, bring an iPad. Worth it if you want serious historic detail without giving up modern comfort. Not the move if you need a TV or you’re traveling with more than two people.
5. Designer Home One Block from Magazine Street
- Location: Lower Garden District, one block off Magazine Street
- Best For: Bachelorette parties, big groups, milestone birthdays
- Why Stay Here: Chef’s kitchen, Matouk linens, heated pool, hot tub, outdoor shower, rooftop deck, five bedrooms plus two bonus spaces
A friend of mine stayed at this designer home for a bachelorette and could not shut up about the pool day. She described it as the part of the trip nobody wanted to leave for dinner.
It sleeps up to 10 across five bedrooms plus two flexible bonus spaces, so nobody’s sharing a bed unless they want to. Out back there’s a heated pool, a hot tub, and an outdoor shower, plus a rooftop deck for dinner. The beds are hotel-quality with Matouk linens, which is not a detail most group houses bother with.
One block off Magazine Street puts you on the stretch known for the best antique and thrift shopping in the city, along with mom and pop restaurants and live jazz within walking distance. Anne Rice’s old house is nearby if that’s your thing. The National WWII Museum is a five minute walk, and Lafayette Cemetery and Commander’s Palace are close too.
A few reviewers flagged that the off-street parking spot is narrow, and one said the pool lights weren’t working during their stay. If evening pool time is the point of your trip, ask the host about that before you book. Worth it if you want a design-forward group house with a pool day built in. Skip it if you need everything flawless on arrival.
6. Greek Revival Luxury Estate with Private Pool and Spa
- Location: Uptown, steps from St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street
- Best For: Big groups, milestone trips, Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest visits
- Why Stay Here: New 2026 build, five bedrooms with full ensuite baths, tall ceilings, heated courtyard pool, hot tub
I have this estate bookmarked for the next time somebody in my group chat says the words “girls trip.” It’s a brand new 2026 build designed as a modern take on a classic Greek Revival gallery home.
It sleeps up to 10 across five bedrooms, and every single bedroom has its own full ensuite bath, which is the amenity that quietly saves a group trip. The courtyard has a heated pool and a hot tub.
St. Charles Avenue is a couple of blocks away, and that’s the exact route the biggest Mardi Gras parades roll down, so you can walk out your front door to the route instead of fighting for a spot. It’s roughly 15 minutes to the Jazz Fest fairgrounds, and Magazine Street restaurants and shops are walkable. I’d check the Mardi Gras parade schedule before you lock in dates, since routes and times shift year to year.
Because the listing is so new, the review history is short compared to the older properties here, even though what’s there so far is strong. Works best if you want a brand new group house with real privacy and an unbeatable parade location. Not ideal if you’d rather book something with years of reviews behind it.
7. Historic Warehouse District Studio with Rooftop Pool
- Location: Warehouse District, near Julia Street and the WWII Museum
- Best For: Couples, solo travelers, hotel-style perks without a hotel
- Why Stay Here: Restored 19th-century warehouse, 16 foot ceilings, exposed brick, arched windows, rooftop pool, Nespresso machine
A piece of 19th-century New Orleans architecture with a rooftop pool attached is a combination I didn’t know I wanted until this studio showed up in my saves.
You get exposed brick, arched windows, and 16 foot ceilings, but the interior itself is current, with a fully equipped kitchen and a Nespresso machine. Guests consistently mention how quiet it is for a building this central.
The Warehouse District is my favorite part of the city to just wander, all old brick buildings turned into galleries and studios. Julia Street runs through the middle of it and is basically gallery row. It’s a five minute walk to the National WWII Museum, and the French Quarter and Bourbon Street are about 20 minutes on foot if you want to catch a show and walk back.
There’s a mandatory daily resort fee on top of the nightly rate that covers pool and fitness access, so budget for it. A couple of reviewers also had TV issues, though the front desk sorted them out fast. Worth it if you want hotel amenities inside a historic building. Not the move if you want one flat nightly rate with no add-ons.
8. Alley Cat: Historic Guesthouse
- Location: Faubourg Lafayette, two blocks from the St. Charles streetcar line, near the Lower Garden District
- Best For: Small groups, families, pet owners
- Why Stay Here: 150-year-old structure, lush courtyard, restored clawfoot tub, in-unit washer and dryer, private exterior deck, dog friendly
The Alley Cat caught my eye because it’s a fully separate guesthouse tucked behind a historic double shotgun home, which is a layout you basically only get in this city. You reach it down a narrow side alley.
Inside there’s a restored clawfoot tub, an in-unit washer and dryer, and a private exterior deck off the courtyard. Adrienne, the host, is an architect, and the renovation kept the old bones intact instead of gutting them. She’s known for going well past the minimum, including decorating for one guest’s birthday, so ask her where to go and she’ll actually tell you. Avenue Pub and the rooftop at Hot Tin both come up a lot.
It’s not in Mid City and it’s nowhere near City Park, so plan on a ride if those are on your list. Two blocks from the streetcar line does mean you’re minutes from St. Charles Avenue and an easy ride to the French Quarter.
The stairs inside are steep with low head clearance, because a 150-year-old building is a 150-year-old building. Works best if you want historic character with modern comfort and a host who knows her neighborhood cold. Not ideal if steep, narrow stairs are a problem for anyone in your group.
9. Lower Garden District Charmer
- Location: Lower Garden District, one block from Magazine Street, four blocks to the St. Charles streetcar
- Best For: Couples, solo travelers, a quiet home base close to the parade route
- Why Stay Here: Hardwood floors, front porch, full kitchen with gas stove and dishwasher, in-unit washer and dryer, smart TV
This Lower Garden District charmer is on my list for a quieter trip, mostly because of the front porch. Morning coffee out there before you head into the day is the entire pitch and I’m sold on it.
Inside you get hardwood floors, a full kitchen with a gas stove and a dishwasher, an in-unit washer and dryer, and a smart TV for the nights you’d rather not go out. Lance has been Superhosting for seven years and reviewers bring up his fast, proactive communication over and over.
You’re one block off Magazine Street and a short walk from Gris Gris and Down the Hatch, which are places locals eat and not just tourist traps. It’s four blocks to the St. Charles streetcar for the French Quarter and for Mardi Gras parades.
There’s a full flight of stairs up from the street and the unit isn’t ADA accessible, plus it’s built for two people. Worth it if you want a walkable, quiet base a block from Magazine Street. Skip it if stairs are an issue or you’re bringing a group.
10. The Rhum Runner
- Location: Garden District, between St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street
- Best For: Couples, groups of four, anyone who wants the decor to be part of the trip
- Why Stay Here: Emerald tones, curated theme rooms, king four post bed, mural room, queen canopy room with private balcony, antiques throughout
I saved The Rhum Runner immediately because it commits. Emerald tones and old world decor that reads more like a film set than a rental, and every single room is themed.
There’s a dark, moody mural room with a king four post bed, and a lighter queen canopy room with its own balcony for a sunset cocktail. Lisa, the host, is a writer and an antique hunter, and reviewers keep saying the decor rewards a slow look because there’s always another detail you missed the first time.
The house sits between St. Charles and Magazine Street, so you’ve got walkable dining in every direction and a five minute walk to the streetcar for the French Quarter. It’s a very easy base for a long weekend without a car.
Two things to know. There are stairs up to the bedrooms and no refunds are given on that basis, since it’s stated clearly upfront. And the house sits inside the Mardi Gras parade box, which is a coveted spot to watch from but a hard spot to drive out of during parade times. Works best if you want a fully immersive stay in a walkable pocket. Not ideal if stairs are a dealbreaker or you need to drive in and out during Carnival.
11. Riverview Balcony Apartment by Convention Center
- Location: Near the Convention Center and Mardi Gras World, on Race Street
- Best For: Couples, conference travelers, anyone wanting a quieter address near downtown
- Why Stay Here: Restored 1834 building, refinished red pine floors, cypress beams, new kitchen and bath fixtures, private balcony
An 1834 building that went through a real two year renovation is not a thing you find often, which is why this riverview balcony apartment has been sitting in my saved folder for a while.
Refinished red pine floors and cypress beams stayed, and everything else got replaced, including all new kitchen and bathroom fixtures and a Mitsubishi mini split for climate control. Neil and Nancy have hosted for 11 years and reviewers call them out by name for their warmth and their local tips.
It’s a five minute walk to Mardi Gras World and about 15 minutes to the National WWII Museum, so it works well for a conference trip or anyone who wants to be near the Convention Center without being inside the French Quarter noise.
Be honest with yourself about sound before you book this one. Daytime brings port trucks, train whistles, and ship horns, and the block shares space with a wedding venue that plays music until 10:30pm on weekends. Nights and weekends settle down into crickets and frogs. There’s also a flight of stairs up to the second floor unit. Worth it if you want 1834 architecture with modern updates and you don’t mind a working city outside your window. Skip it if you need silence or an early bedtime.
12. The Bouligny: Luxe Victorian with Pool
- Location: Touro Bouligny, one block from Magazine Street, seven minutes from the St. Charles streetcar
- Best For: Couples, families, small groups who want privacy and a real pool
- Why Stay Here: Late 1800s Victorian, plaster medallions, stained glass, 12-foot ceilings, gas range kitchen, heated pool
Of everything on this list, this Victorian home in Touro Bouligny is the one I’d book tomorrow. It sits one block from Magazine Street on a quiet residential street lined with Victorian and Greek Revival homes.
It was fully renovated by local design firm Logan Killen Interiors, so the plaster medallions, stained glass, and 12-foot ceilings are all intact, but the kitchen has a proper gas range and the backyard has a heated pool. Reviewers keep using the word spotless, and they keep mentioning how fast the host responds.
It’s a seven minute walk to the St. Charles streetcar and close to the Uptown parade routes, which makes it a strong Mardi Gras pick as well as a regular long weekend one. Magazine Street shopping and food is a one block walk.
This is a private residence and not a party house. Gatherings aren’t allowed here, though the host has other properties set up for that if you’re planning something bigger. Worth it if you want an upscale Victorian with a private pool steps from Magazine Street. Not the move if your group is planning to host anything.
Where to Stay in New Orleans by Neighborhood
I promised at the top that these neighborhoods are different experiences, so here’s what that actually means when you’re picking between them.
Lower Garden District
My pick for a first trip. You’re walkable to Magazine Street shopping and food, four to six blocks from the St. Charles streetcar, and about a 20 minute walk or a short ride from the French Quarter. Quiet enough to sleep, close enough to everything. Most of the rentals here are Victorian doubles and shotgun conversions, usually one or two bedrooms with one bath.
Garden District
Grander and quieter than the Lower Garden District, with the mansions, Lafayette Cemetery, and Commander’s Palace. Slightly further from downtown, and you’ll lean on the streetcar more. Good for couples and for anyone who wants the architecture to be the point.
Warehouse District
Old brick warehouses converted into galleries, studios, and lofts, with Julia Street running through the center of it. The most walkable option to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, and a five minute walk to the National WWII Museum. Expect lofts and studios rather than houses.
Uptown
Residential and spread out, with bigger houses and more bedrooms per rental. The St. Charles parade routes run right through it, so it’s the strongest Mardi Gras pick on this list. You’ll ride the streetcar or grab an Uber for anything downtown.
Mid City and City Park
Worth knowing about even though nothing on this list is out there. Mid City is where you’ll find City Park, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, and the New Orleans Museum of Art, and it’s much more residential and much cheaper. If you’re staying more than a week or you want to be around neighbors instead of visitors, look here. Just plan on the Canal streetcar or a car.
French Quarter
You’ll notice nothing on this list is a French Quarter rental. That’s not an oversight, and I explain exactly why a couple of sections down.
Best Time to Book a New Orleans Airbnb
Season matters more here than in most US cities, and it changes both what you pay and what kind of rental you should be looking for.
Spring and fall are the sweet spot
February through May and October through early December give you the weather everyone pictures when they think about New Orleans. Highs in the 70s, courtyards you can actually sit in at night, and porches worth booking for. The catch is that Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, and French Quarter Fest all land in this window, and rentals near the parade routes go months ahead. For Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest, book six months to a year out. For a normal spring weekend, three to four months.
August heat is real, and a pool changes everything about that trip
I’m going to be honest with you about August. Highs sit in the low to mid 90s, the humidity pushes the heat index past 100 most afternoons, and the walking-everywhere plan that works beautifully in March turns into a swamp march by 11am. That’s exactly why summer is the cheapest time to book, and why a private pool stops being a luxury and starts being the entire point.
If you’re going in July or August, prioritize a rental with a pool over one with a great porch. The Bouligny, the Designer Home one block from Magazine Street, the Greek Revival Luxury Estate, and the Opulent Art Deco Villa all have private pools, and the Warehouse District studio has a rooftop one. Plan your walking for mornings, do museums and long lunches in the afternoon, and come back out after 6pm when the city cools off and gets good again.
Hurricane season runs June through November
Atlantic hurricane season officially runs June 1 through November 30, with the most active stretch falling from August into October. Most trips in that window are completely fine, and locals don’t reorganize their lives around it. But you should book like someone who read the forecast.
- Check the cancellation policy before you book, not after. Policies vary a lot by host, and a strict policy on a hurricane-season stay is a real risk. Filter for flexible or moderate if you’re booking August through October.
- Consider travel insurance for that window. A named-storm clause is worth reading closely, since many policies only pay out under specific conditions like a mandatory evacuation order.
- Watch the forecast at the 5 to 7 day mark. That’s when you’ll know enough to move a trip instead of losing it.
- Pro-tip: rental rates drop noticeably in late summer, so if you’re flexible and willing to carry a little risk, this is when you can afford the house with the pool.
How to Get Around New Orleans
You don’t need a car here, and in most of these neighborhoods a car is an active liability during Carnival season when parade routes shut down whole streets for hours.
The St. Charles streetcar is the workhorse. It runs from Uptown down through the Garden District and into the Central Business District, and nearly every property on this list is within a two to seven minute walk of a stop. A single ride is a couple of dollars, and day passes are available through the transit app. The Canal streetcar runs the other direction toward Mid City and City Park.
Ubers are plentiful and cheap for short hops, which is how you’ll get to Bourbon Street from the Garden District, or out to the Jazz Fest fairgrounds. Walking is the best option inside the Warehouse District and the French Quarter, where parking is miserable and the streets are narrow.
If your trip lands during Mardi Gras, check whether your rental sits inside the parade box before you book. Being inside it means you walk out your door to the route, but it also means you may not be able to drive out for several hours at a stretch.
New Orleans Airbnb FAQ
What are some New Orleans Airbnbs with private pool access?
The Bouligny, the Opulent Art Deco Villa, the Designer Home one block from Magazine Street, and the Greek Revival Luxury Estate all include a private pool with the stay. The Historic Warehouse District Studio has a rooftop pool, though it’s shared with the building and comes with a daily resort fee.
A few properties, the Bouligny included, charge extra to heat the pool in cooler months, so ask before you book if you’re traveling between November and March.
Which New Orleans Airbnbs with pool options work best for groups?
The Greek Revival Luxury Estate and the Designer Home one block from Magazine Street both sleep up to 10 with a private pool and a hot tub, and both have enough bedrooms that nobody has to share a bed. The Greek Revival has the edge for larger groups because every bedroom has its own full bath. The Opulent Art Deco Villa is the third pick, with five bedrooms, six and a half baths, and a heated saltwater pool.
Is there an Airbnb in New Orleans near Bourbon Street on this list?
Nothing on this list sits directly on Bourbon Street, and that’s deliberate. Short-term rentals are heavily restricted in the French Quarter, and the blocks around Bourbon Street are loud until very late.
The Historic Warehouse District Studio is the closest walkable option at roughly 20 minutes on foot. The Opulent Art Deco Villa is a quick, cheap Uber ride to Bourbon Street and the rest of the Quarter without putting you inside the noise.
What’s the best neighborhood to stay in for a first trip to New Orleans?
The Lower Garden District, with the Garden District a close second. You’re walkable to Magazine Street, a few blocks from the St. Charles streetcar for an easy ride into the French Quarter, and far enough from Bourbon Street to actually sleep. For a second or third trip, the Warehouse District is the more interesting pick.
Is there a New Orleans vacation rental with a fully equipped kitchen for a longer stay?
Several. The Victorian Apartment on Race Street, the Pink Room in the Lower Garden District, the Lower Garden District Charmer, and the Historic Warehouse District Studio all have a fully equipped kitchen. The Charmer and the Alley Cat also have an in-unit washer and dryer, which is what actually makes a stay longer than five days workable.
Is August a bad time to visit New Orleans?
It’s the hottest and cheapest month, and whether it works depends entirely on how you book. Highs run in the low to mid 90s with a heat index that regularly clears 100, so a rental with a private pool and good air conditioning turns a rough trip into a great one. Shift your walking to the morning, use the afternoon for museums and long lunches, and head back out in the evening.
Should I book a New Orleans Airbnb during hurricane season?
Plenty of people do and have a perfectly normal trip. Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30 and peaks from August into October, so if you’re booking in that window, choose a flexible or moderate cancellation policy, look at travel insurance with a named-storm clause, and keep an eye on the forecast about a week out. The upside is that rates in late summer are the lowest you’ll see all year.
How far in advance should I book a New Orleans Airbnb for Mardi Gras?
Six months to a year for Mardi Gras or Jazz Fest, and three to four months for a regular weekend. New Orleans permit caps keep the number of legal rentals low, so the supply is smaller than the city’s size would suggest. Properties on or near the St. Charles parade route, like the Greek Revival Luxury Estate and the Rhum Runner, go first.
Are Airbnbs legal in New Orleans?
Yes, with permits. The city requires short-term rental permits for any stay under 30 days, and legal listings display a permit number. Residential-zone rentals are capped at three guest bedrooms and six guests with an operator living on site, while larger whole-home rentals run on a commercial permit that the city stopped issuing to new applicants in 2023. Check for a permit number on any listing before you book.
Is there an Airbnb near City Park or in Mid City?
Not on this list, though Mid City is a solid choice if you want a longer, quieter, cheaper stay near City Park, the sculpture garden, and the art museum. The tradeoff is that you’re a Canal streetcar ride or an Uber from the French Quarter and Magazine Street, so it’s better for a repeat visit than a first trip.
So Which New Orleans Airbnb Should You Book?
If it’s a bachelorette or a big group trip, book the Designer Home one block from Magazine Street for the pool day, or the Greek Revival Luxury Estate if you want everyone to have their own bath. If it’s you and one other person and you want the architecture to be the whole experience, the Victorian Apartment on Race Street or the Pink Room.
If you want a private pool without a party house, the Bouligny, which is the one I’d book for myself and Robin. If you’re going in the heat of summer, let the pool make the decision for you. If you’re planning around Mardi Gras, go Uptown or take the Rhum Runner for the parade box. And if you want to be able to walk to the French Quarter and a show on Frenchmen Street, the Historic Warehouse District Studio.
Putting this list together was dangerous for my own wish list. I’ve got four of these saved for the next time Robin and I get back down there, mostly because of the pools and how short the walk is to live music.
Did I miss your favorite? Drop a comment below and let me know, I’m always adding to this list. And if you have questions about where to stay, you know where to find me: @thewhimsysoul on Instagram.
