Last updated: October 24, 2026 · By Ronen, Stay Near The Venue
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival takes over the Fair Grounds Race Course (1751 Gentilly Blvd) in Mid-City for two long weekends each spring. Hundreds of thousands of fans come for the music and the food, and hotel rooms across the city fill early. This guide covers where to stay for Jazz Fest 2027: B&Bs within walking distance on Esplanade Avenue, French Quarter and CBD hotels on the official shuttle route, and quieter Garden District stays.
Quick answer: To walk to the gates, stay along Esplanade Avenue or in Mid-City, where the Degas House is about a 12-minute walk from the Fair Grounds. For nightlife and the most hotel choice, stay in the French Quarter or CBD near a Jazz Fest Express shuttle stop: the Steamboat Natchez dock, the Sheraton on Canal Street or the Hyatt Regency. The Garden District is the calmer, prettier option, with streetcar links.
Top hotel picks at a glance
| Hotel | Location & highlights | |
|---|---|---|
| Degas House | 2306 Esplanade Ave, about 1 km (roughly 12 minutes on foot) from the Fair… | Check price |
| Ashton’s Bed & Breakfast | 2023 Esplanade Ave in the Esplanade Ridge Historic District, a short walk along Esplanade… | Check price |
| Canal Street Inn | 3620 Canal St in Mid-City, about 1.8 km from the Fair Grounds, with Canal… | Check price |
| Sheraton New Orleans Hotel | 500 Canal St, which is itself a Jazz Fest Express pickup point. A large… | Check price |
| Hyatt Regency New Orleans | 601 Loyola Ave in the South Market District, also a shuttle pickup point. A… | Check price |
| Hotel Monteleone | 214 Royal St in the French Quarter, a short walk to the Steamboat Natchez… | Check price |
| The Brakeman Hotel | 501 Basin St, between Tremé and the French Quarter. A modern, mid-priced option close… | Check price |
| Royal Frenchmen Hotel & Bar | 700 Frenchmen St in the Marigny, right on the live-music strip. Built for fans… | Check price |
Prices change daily – tap “Check price” for live rates on your dates.
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Compare live prices: See hotels near the Fair Grounds Race Course.
Hotel map: live prices near Fair Grounds Race Course
Jazz Fest 2027 dates: April 22–25 and April 29–May 2, 2027
Following the 2026 festival, the 2027 Jazz Fest was announced for April 22 through May 2, 2027, over two weekends: Thursday–Sunday April 22–25 and Thursday–Sunday April 29–May 2 (as reported by Grateful Web). At the time of writing, the official nojazzfest.com site says 2027 tickets are not yet on sale and that more details will come with the lineup announcement, so check the official site for confirmation. Mid-City and French Quarter hotels sell out well before the lineup is released. Reserve a room with free cancellation now, and adjust once you know which weekend your favorite acts are playing.
Best areas to stay for Jazz Fest
| Area | Distance / walk time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Esplanade Ridge / Fair Grounds area | About 1 km, roughly 12 min walk (Degas House) | Walking to the gates, local neighborhood feel |
| Mid-City (Canal Street) | About 1.8 km to the Fair Grounds, Canal streetcar outside | Streetcar access, City Park, good value |
| French Quarter | Shuttle from Steamboat Natchez dock (400 Toulouse St) | Nightlife, first-time visitors |
| CBD / South Market District | Shuttle from the Sheraton (500 Canal St) and Hyatt Regency (601 Loyola Ave) | Big hotels, loyalty points, easy shuttle |
| Garden District | St. Charles streetcar to Canal, then a bus or shuttle | Quieter stays, historic mansions, couples |
Walking distance: Esplanade & Mid-City
- Degas House – 2306 Esplanade Ave, about 1 km (roughly 12 minutes on foot) from the Fair Grounds Race Course. The former home of painter Edgar Degas, now a historic guesthouse. Ideal for fans who want to walk to the gates and skip shuttles altogether.
- Ashton’s Bed & Breakfast – 2023 Esplanade Ave in the Esplanade Ridge Historic District, a short walk along Esplanade to the Fair Grounds. An intimate B&B with eight themed rooms, best for couples who book well ahead.
- Canal Street Inn – 3620 Canal St in Mid-City, about 1.8 km from the Fair Grounds, with Canal streetcar stops a minute’s walk away. A small inn handy for City Park as well as the festival.
On the Jazz Fest Express shuttle route
- Sheraton New Orleans Hotel – 500 Canal St, which is itself a Jazz Fest Express pickup point. A large hotel on the edge of the French Quarter, practical for groups and points collectors.
- Hyatt Regency New Orleans – 601 Loyola Ave in the South Market District, also a shuttle pickup point. A big full-service hotel with plenty of rooms, good for families and late bookers.
- Hotel Monteleone – 214 Royal St in the French Quarter, a short walk to the Steamboat Natchez dock shuttle stop at 400 Toulouse St. A classic grand hotel with the revolving Carousel Bar, for first-timers who want the Quarter after the music ends.
- The Brakeman Hotel – 501 Basin St, between Tremé and the French Quarter. A modern, mid-priced option close to both the Quarter and the Canal Street transit lines.
Music nights: Marigny & Tremé
- Royal Frenchmen Hotel & Bar – 700 Frenchmen St in the Marigny, right on the live-music strip. Built for fans who plan to keep going at club shows after the Fair Grounds close.
- Inn at the Old Jail – 2552 St. Philip St in Tremé, closer to the Fair Grounds than the Quarter. A characterful boutique inn for travelers who want a neighborhood base.
Quieter stays: Garden District
- The Pontchartrain Hotel – 2031 St. Charles Ave, on the St. Charles streetcar line. A historic hotel with a rooftop bar and a jazz bar, for couples who want a classic base away from Bourbon Street.
- Hotel Saint Vincent – 1507 Magazine St in the Lower Garden District. A stylish former orphanage with a pool and two restaurants, great for recovering between festival days.
- Henry Howard Hotel – 2041 Prytania St, a restored 19th-century mansion near Magazine Street. Spacious, quiet rooms suit a slower-paced festival trip.
Getting there, shuttles & parking
Jazz Fest Express shuttle: The official shuttle is run by Gray Line and sold only through Jazz Fest. In 2026, per Gray Line’s Jazz Fest Express page, it ran from 10:30am to 7:30pm and kept going until everyone had left the Fair Grounds. Pickup points were the Steamboat Natchez dock (400 Toulouse St), the Sheraton (500 Canal St), the Hyatt Regency (601 Loyola Ave) and a free-parking lot in City Park (5700 Wisner Blvd). 2026 prices were $29 for a single-day round trip and $96 for a 4-day weekend pass, fees included. The shuttle is an add-on and does not include festival admission. Expect 2027 details when tickets go on sale.
RTA bus and streetcar: For the 2026 festival, the New Orleans RTA added extra service on the #91 Jackson/Esplanade bus between Canal Street and Grand Route St. John, and on the #48 Canal–City Park line. The #47 Canal–Cemeteries streetcar also runs to Carrollton Avenue. WWNO reported that RTA’s Jazzy Pass cost $3 for one day or $8 for three days in 2025.
Parking: According to WWNO’s 2025 festival guide, the festival offers on-site parking only to VIP pass holders and patrons with disabilities. Neighborhood street parking near the Fair Grounds is restricted to residents with permits. The free City Park lot on the shuttle route is the easiest option if you are driving.
Rideshare, taxis and bikes: Uber and Lyft use designated zones mapped on the festival website. WWNO lists taxi stands at Stallings Playground (Gentilly Blvd) and Walter Wolfman Washington Memorial Park (Esplanade Ave at Mystery St). Free bike parking is near the Gentilly Blvd and Sauvage St pedestrian gates.
Tips for Jazz Fest 2027
- Book a free-cancellation room for both weekends now, then drop one once the lineup is out.
- Esplanade-area B&Bs often have minimum stays during the festival, so check the policy before you commit.
- Buy shuttle passes when festival tickets go on sale. They are sold only through Jazz Fest.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat and a poncho. The Fair Grounds infield has little shade and can get muddy after rain.
- Download the official Jazz Fest app or check the schedule ahead of time. The Fair Grounds have many stages and you will want to plan your route between them.
FAQ
When is Jazz Fest 2027?
Jazz Fest 2027 has been announced for April 22–25 and April 29–May 2, 2027. Tickets were not yet on sale at the time of writing, so check nojazzfest.com for confirmation.
Can I walk to Jazz Fest from the French Quarter?
It is a long walk of well over 2 miles. Most French Quarter visitors take the Jazz Fest Express from the Steamboat Natchez dock, the #91 Esplanade bus, or a rideshare.
Where is the closest place to stay to the Fair Grounds?
The Esplanade Avenue corridor. The Degas House, for example, is about a 12-minute walk away. Many visitors also rent homes in the Fair Grounds neighborhood.
Is there parking at Jazz Fest?
On-site parking has been limited to VIP pass holders and patrons with disabilities. Most people use the shuttle (which has a free lot in City Park), RTA buses and streetcars, bikes or rideshare.
Does the Jazz Fest shuttle include admission?
No. The Jazz Fest Express is a transport add-on, so you need a separate festival ticket. It drops you off and picks you up inside the gates.
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We start at the venue and work outward: walking time, shuttle and transit options first, then guest review scores and value for money. Hotels can’t pay to be listed. Some links are affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices and availability change daily, so always check live rates before you book.
