As festival season takes hold in New Orleans, thousands of visitors are expected to pour into the French Quarter but some locals say they feel left out of the experience.
With the French Quarter Festival approaching, concerns about accessibility, cost, and connection to the historic district are coming into focus.
Councilman Freddie King III says he’s heard from residents who feel like the French Quarter isn’t for them.
“Some people feel like they don’t get to take advantage of what’s happening down there,” King said. “Or that it’s been a long time since they’ve experienced it.”
He says that perception is something he’s actively working to change.
“The French Quarter belongs to the people of New Orleans,” King said. “It’s our culture. It’s what draws people here from around the world.”
To help bridge that gap, King says he’s organized field trips for residents to reintroduce them to the area and its significance.
“We’ve taken people into the Quarter to remind them, this is yours,” he said.
Another common concern is cost, particularly when it comes to parking.
King says while that frustration is understandable, the reality of the Quarter’s layout presents challenges.
“There’s only so much land,” he said. “You have residents, businesses, workers, and deliveries all sharing that space. There just aren’t many options for expansion.”
Instead, he encourages residents to consider alternative ways of getting there.
“The ferry from the West Bank, streetcars, rideshare, with a little planning, those options can actually be more cost-effective,” King said.
As the city continues to welcome large crowds for events, King says it’s important for locals to stay connected to one of its most iconic spaces.
“As we navigate the number of people who love this city, I want residents to reconnect with the French Quarter,” he said. “Because at the end of the day, it’s home too.”
