A lively street in New Orleans highlighting its unique culture and architecture.
New Orleans has been ranked the second-best travel destination in the United States, according to Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards. This honor reflects the city’s rich cultural experiences, culinary offerings, and historical significance. The ranking emphasizes pedestrian-friendly streets and notable sites such as the French Quarter and Jackson Square, making New Orleans a key destination for travelers. The city is also home to top-rated hotels recognized for their exceptional service and amenities, enhancing the overall travel experience.
New Orleans, Louisiana, has been ranked the second-best city for travel destinations in the United States according to Travel + Leisure‘s 2025 World’s Best Awards. This prestigious ranking is determined by the preferences and insights of readers who participate in an annual survey, highlighting the city’s unique travel experiences.
The ranking reflects a variety of attributes that readers value, including pedestrian-friendly streets, a vibrant arts and culture scene, historical significance, distinctive architectural identity, and a renowned food scene. The food landscape, especially the city’s renowned Cajun and Creole cuisine, takes center stage as a major contributing factor to New Orleans’ appeal. Readers specifically emphasized popular local dishes such as gumbo, shrimp Creole, red beans and rice, crawfish étouffée, jambalaya, and seafood boils that represent the rich culinary heritage of the city.
New Orleans offers a wealth of history and culture that is easily accessible through its many museums and historic sites. The French Quarter stands out as a centerpiece of the city’s heritage, alongside notable locations such as Jackson Square—recognized as a National Historic Landmark—St. Louis Cathedral, and the Garden District. These areas often feature local residents who share captivating stories, bringing the city’s past to life for visitors.
This year’s survey gathered a remarkable nearly 180,000 responses, resulting in over 657,000 votes cast across more than 8,700 properties, which included various cities, hotels, islands, and cruise ships. The breadth of participation underscores the popularity of the survey and highlights the importance of reader opinions in determining the best travel experiences.
In addition to the city’s ranking, several hotels in New Orleans were recognized for their exceptional offerings. The top-rated hotels and their scores are as follows:
The Windsor Court is particularly recognized for its exemplary service and comprehensive amenities, including a notable art collection and a 65-foot pool, making it a standout choice among travelers.
The Elysian Bar, located within the Hotel Peter and Paul, has garnered acclaim as the best hotel bar in the United States by a leading publication. Its sophisticated atmosphere and innovative cocktail menu, featuring popular concoctions, have contributed to its nationwide recognition.
A new tourism campaign, titled “Your Town, Deep Down,” developed by Brand Society for New Orleans & Company, has made waves in the industry. The campaign has received seven awards at the 2025 American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) and is a continuation of the successful 2024 initiative that earned recognition at the Louisiana Travel Association’s Louey Awards.
This recognition as the second-best city for travel underscores New Orleans’ commitment to offering unparalleled experiences that blend history, culture, and cuisine, solidifying its position as a prime destination for travelers seeking adventure and authenticity.
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