New Orleans hosts the Super Bowl like no other city, packing the French Quarter, the Superdome, and every bar with fans. The city welcomes roughly 18 million visitors a year and knows how to throw a party. Bayou Swamp Tours runs 90-minute bayou trips about 30 minutes from downtown for a break from the game-week crowds.
When Is the Best Time to Plan Your New Orleans Trip?
New Orleans welcomed roughly 18 million visitors in a recent year, according to New Orleans & Company. July highs average about 92 degrees while January highs average about 62 degrees, and the city sees about 62 inches of rain a year, per the National Weather Service. The French Quarter, founded in 1718, covers about 78 square blocks of walkable history. Explore more things to do in New Orleans.
How Can You Add a Swamp Tour to Your Itinerary?
Bayou Swamp Tours runs 1-hour-45-minute trips departing about 30 minutes from downtown, with French Quarter hotel pickup available. Small airboats hold 6 to 10 passengers and large airboats hold 15 to 27, and you may spot some of Louisiana's roughly 2 million wild alligators, per the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Book an airboat tour or read our latest bayou guides.
Where to Stay
Finding the right place to stay in New Orleans during the Super Bowl is all about location. The French Quarter is where the party never stops—if you want to be in the thick of the action, book a hotel here. Bourbon Street will be packed, so expect noise, crowds, and an unforgettable atmosphere.
For a more balanced stay, the Central Business District (CBD) or the Warehouse District offer easy access to both the stadium and nightlife without the non-stop madness of the Quarter. High-end options like The Roosevelt and The Ritz-Carlton provide a luxury escape, while boutique hotels like Hotel Monteleone and Ace Hotel bring style and comfort.
If you’re traveling in a group, Airbnbs and vacation rentals can be a smart option, but they book up quickly, and prices surge as game day approaches. Plan ahead to lock in the best spots.
What to Eat
New Orleans is a food city, and skipping the classics would be a crime. Start your day with beignets and café au lait from Café du Monde—the powdered sugar will get everywhere, but that’s part of the experience.
For lunch or dinner, a reservation at Commander’s Palace is worth the effort. Their turtle soup, pecan-crusted fish, and 25-cent martinis (yes, really) make it a legendary spot. If you’re craving something more casual, Cochon serves some of the best Cajun food in town—order the wood-fired oysters and the boudin.
When hunger hits late at night, Verti Marte is the go-to. It’s a tiny corner store with a takeout counter that serves enormous, overstuffed sandwiches. If you’re stumbling through the French Quarter, grab a Lucky Dog from one of the iconic street vendors—it’s the ultimate New Orleans drunk food.
Must-See Attractions
Even with the Super Bowl madness, make time to explore the city. Jackson Square is the heart of the French Quarter, with street performers, tarot readers, and the towering St. Louis Cathedral as a backdrop. Just a short walk away, Frenchmen Street is the place for live music—skip Bourbon Street for a night and dive into the jazz clubs here instead.
For history buffs, The National WWII Museum is a world-class experience, packed with immersive exhibits and real-life artifacts. If you want something more laid-back, take a stroll through the Garden District, where historic mansions sit beneath sprawling oak trees.
Take a Swamp Tour
If you want to experience Louisiana’s wild side, a swamp tour is a must. Just outside the city, the bayous stretch for miles, home to alligators, wild boars, and rare birds. Different tours offer different experiences, from high-speed airboat rides to peaceful, slow-moving boat trips through the cypress trees.
Bayou Swamp Tours is the best option for spotting gators up close, as they mix history with wildlife encounters—guides might even let you hold a baby alligator and they offer a variety of tours.
Regardless of which tour you choose, seeing the Louisiana bayous firsthand is an unforgettable experience—a perfect way to escape the city’s noise for a few hours before diving back into the Super Bowl chaos.
The Best Bars and Nightlife
New Orleans knows how to drink. Whether you’re looking for cocktail bars, dive bars, or live music, there’s something for everyone.
Pat O’Brien’s is a must-visit, home of the legendary Hurricane cocktail and a massive courtyard perfect for groups. The Carousel Bar, inside Hotel Monteleone, is an experience on its own—it literally rotates while you drink.
For history and atmosphere, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is one of the oldest bars in the country, lit only by candlelight. If you’re after live music, The Spotted Cat on Frenchmen Street delivers the best intimate jazz sets in town.
And don’t forget—you can drink on the go. New Orleans allows open containers, so grab a to-go cup and keep the party moving.
Frequently Asked Questions
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