There’s plenty to see on foot in Tremé, where The Brakeman Hotel is located, and the surrounding areas of the French Quarter and the Marigny. Make the most of your trip to New Orleans by sightseeing on City Sightseeing’s Hop-On Hop-Off buses, riding one of its legendary streetcars, or hiring a human-powered pedicab that can get you to that dinner reservation much faster than you could hoof it. Here are your options for getting around New Orleans, near The Brakeman Hotel in particular.
Blue Bikes Nola
This is a bike-share option, when you rent a bike, unlock and pick it up at one of the designated Blue Bike racks throughout the city, and return it to the rack anywhere when done. You can either pay a pro-rated fee as you go or get a monthly pass.
City Sightseeing’s Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
With multiple stops all over town and great combo packages with walking tours and harbor cruises, Hop-on Hop-Off bus tours from City Sightseeing New Orleans give you the most bang for your buck and let you explore New Orleans at your own pace.
City sightseeing tours start at $46 for a one-day pass, but the best deal is the three-day pass ($59), which includes two free walking tours in the Quarter and the Garden District. Sit on the upper deck for the best views, and listen to savvy guides explain exactly what you’re seeing. You can even venture beyond New Orleans’ boundaries by booking tours that visit Louisiana’s swamps and bayous, or Oak Alley Plantation.
Need a Ride New Orleans Pedicabs
1025 Bienville St., Suite 3
Pedicabs are a clean, green way to get around town. NOLA Pedicabs’ motto is “We pedal to please,” and they can take you wherever you want to go, whether it’s the Fairgrounds during Jazz Fest or a Saints game at the Dome. Need a Ride serves the Quarter, CBD, the Arts District, and Faubourg Marigny. Both companies employ savvy seasoned bicyclists who know their way around town.
Royal Carriages
700 Decatur St.
The king of mule-drawn carriage tours, Royal Carriages was named Louisiana’s #1 attraction a few years ago by the Louisiana Travel Association. Enjoy an impromptu 30-minute ride by hiring one of the carriages parked in Jackson Square, or book a one-hour tour online ($60/person).
Streetcars
A streetcar named Desire hasn’t rattled through the streets of New Orleans since 1948, when many of the old neighborhood lines were replaced by diesel buses. But the historic St. Charles line never stopped rolling, and several new lines have been added that make streetcars the most charming, and most economical, way to explore the city.
Visitors can hop the St. Charles line at the corner of Canal and Carondelet, go through the CBD and Garden District, and continue uptown past the stately St. Charles mansions. The Riverfront line is a fun way to see the Mississippi, and it connects to the Canal St. line, which runs all the way to City Park.
The fully air-conditioned Rampart/St. Claude streetcar, the network’s newest addition, runs along the rear of the Quarter on Rampart St. to Elysian Fields and St. Claude, near several lively Marigny music spots.
Streetcars run 24/7, and cost just $1.25 per ride, plus $.25 per transfer. (Exact change only, please.) Visitors can also buy a variety of Jazzy streetcar passes good for designated periods of time. Check the RTA online store for details and to buy.
For more details on New Orleans streetcars, read our guide, “New Orleans Streetcar Sense.”
Taxis and Ride-Shares
Everyone knows about Uber and Lyft, which function the same way in New Orleans as they do in any city. Use either service’s mobile app to request a ride, but be aware of price surges during peak times and popular events.
You can also go old school and hire a taxi. There are several local cab companies, but the biggest and most reliable is United Cabs (504-522-9771). All New Orleans cabs take credit cards and have the same set fee schedules.
Finally, just like in most cities, New Orleans has a few major car rental chains, so renting a car while you are here is another option.
Planning a Trip to New Orleans?
We’d love for you to stay with us! And if you do, consider booking a guided tour of the famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans. And, for easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus we’ve mentioned above.
Take advantage of The Brakeman Hotel specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans’ famous cuisine and enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!