One day in New Orleans itinerary

One day in New Orleans is just about enough time to explore the top things to do in New Orleans and get a sense of the place.

While I would recommend spending longer in New Orleans, if you only have time to see New Orleans in one day, then I’ve put together a list of what to do in New Orleans so you know where to spend your time.

Our first experience of Southern Hospitality was when we pulled off the Interstate and strolled into the Louisiana welcome center. What we were greeted with would prove to be a great start for our 3 days in New Orleans.

It was our first time in New Orleans, and actually our first time in the southern states of the USA too. We loved it, and if you’re looking for a New Orleans itinerary for 3 days, what follows is a great place to start.

During our three-month USA road trip, we discovered that pretty much every state has its own welcome center (especially if you’re doing an east coast USA road trip!).

This made me laugh when I imagined each county back home having one.

The Florida welcome center gave out free orange juice, Georgia offered peaches and Louisiana offered “Louisiana smiles” (I’d tell you what you get in the Mississippi center but I slept the whole way through Mississippi (it only took about 30 minutes to drive through) and, as such, my husband didn’t stop there).

Maybe the county of Warwickshire would read you an act from a Shakespeare play and Kent would give you some shavings from the White Cliffs of Dover?

Anywhere that promises smiles though can’t be too bad a place. Can it? As we continued down through Louisiana, its swamps and bayous to New Orleans I pictured a happy, smiling place and that’s what we got.

New Orleans is one of those places, like Savannah Georgia, that stands out. When you mention it to someone they reply with either; “I loved it there” or, “I’ve always wanted to go there.” I was the latter, and now I can reply with the former.

The old town part of New Orleans is full of houses with charming iron balconies, there are buskers (good ones) on every street corner. There are men offering to write you a poem for a small fee, bands playing in restaurants, Mardi Gras beads in trees and on houses, good food, drinks, and a party atmosphere no matter what time of year you visit New Orleans.

On this 1 day New Orleans itinerary, you’ll discover the colorful French Quarter, visit some of the best cafes, and try the best food as well as explore the nightlife in New Orleans along Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street.

If that’s tempted you, here’s everything you need for your one day in New Orleans itinerary with plenty of the best things to do in New Orleans thrown in for good measure.

1 day in New Orleans itinerary

Map of the best things to do in New Orleans in one day

Café du Monde beignets

The infamous Café du Monde in New Orleans is famous for its beignets. They may not be the best beignets in New Orleans but they’re still worth a try.

There was a queue every time we passed Cafe du Monde with plenty of people eager to get their hands on these doughnuts coated in sugar.

Go early to avoid a huge line at breakfast but don’t be too put off by the line. It usually moves quite quickly if you’re just looking to get takeout.

There are two separate lines (one for eat-in, the other for take-out). Make sure you’re in the correct one.

New Orleans French Quarter

Most New Orleans itineraries start in the French Quarter and that’s for good reason. It’s the hubbub of the city and where the main tourist sights are.

The chances are your hotel is in New Orleans’ French Quarter and so if you’re jet-lagged or just sleepy from traveling, staying close by is perfect for your first day in New Orleans. Here are some things to do in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Jackson Square, New Orleans

Jackson Square is where a lot of the New Orleans buskers, street performers, and artists hang out.

There are people offering tarot and palm readings (in line with New Orlean’s mystic and witchy side), and plenty of artists selling their creations.

You’ll find all this in Pirates Alley. The square itself features St. Louis Cathedral which is a gleaming white.

This is one of the areas of New Orleans that you’ll likely have seen on postcards and (perhaps) in some of the artists’ paintings in the square. If you only have a half day in New Orleans, you should 100% visit this area.

Faulkner House Books

Faulkner House Books in New Orleans is not only the only bookshop I have come across in America so far (seriously, where do you guys buy books from? Waterstones take note there’s a serious gap in the market), but one of the coolest bookshops I’ve come across.

Faulkner House Books is also the house of a local author.

He’s turned his front room and the hallway into a bookshop which means it’s a super cute thing to see in New Orleans.

Inside there are books about Louisiana and the city of New Orleans, as well as fiction and non-fiction from all genres. It’s a small bookstore, but it’s well worth a browse.

Walk along Decatur Street and the French Market

You can’t go wrong here. Wherever you walk you’ll stumble upon beautiful buildings, live music, and cool shops selling all kinds of New Orleans souvenirs.

Decatur Street is, in many ways, one of the main places to visit in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

It’s where you’ll find some of the best restaurants in New Orleans as well as souvenir shops and tour companies for things to do near New Orleans.

The French Market, Shops of the Colonnade, runs alongside Decatur Street for a few blocks and is the perfect place to try some hot sauces and get souvenirs.

Wander the rest of the French Quarter

New Orleans is all about meandering and taking your time. The French Quarter is one of the most picturesque neighborhoods and is full of unusual and beautiful architecture, bars, restaurants, and street artists.

It’s just perfect for wandering through without a real aim in mind. I love just strolling aimlessly through a new city but if you’re looking for something more structured, look at booking walking tours of the French Quarter.

This way you can learn about the history of the city too.

Lunch: Eat a Muffuletta at Central Grocery & Deli

This little deli is an extremely popular stop thanks to the fact it serves Muffuletta sandwiches; something of a New Orleans specialty food.

Central Grocery and Deli claim to be the inventors of this sandwich and nowadays you can find it on the menu in a lot of restaurants throughout New Orleans.

A Muffuletta is a huge round sandwich with salami, ham, Emmental, Swiss cheese and Provolone cheese, and an olive salad. I wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t like olives as it’s pretty olive-heavy (even for me who does like olives).

But you can always scrape some out and trying a Muffuletta is a must-do in New Orleans!

Visit Lafayette Cemetery No 1 and Lafayette Cemetery No 2

New Orleans’ cemeteries aren’t like all the other cemeteries you may be used to seeing.

Due to the high water levels in New Orleans, people aren’t buried underground but rather in tombs on top of it.

If you were to dig a few feet down in the city, the grave becomes soggy as it fills with water. Therefore, tombs were the only answer to keep the dead buried!

There are plenty of famous people in New Orleans’ cemeteries and many companies offer tours of some of them such as Lafayette Cemetery.

One of the best tours of Lafayette Cemetery is this New Orleans Garden District Walking Tour Including Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. You’ll learn about life and death in the city and its unique above-ground crypts and gravesites.

You can also do a self-guided tour of Lafayette cemetery by picking up a map from the information point.

Note: Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is currently closed to the public.

Head to Magazine Street

Near Lafayette Cemetery in the Garden District is Magazine Street.

Magazine Street is full of restaurants and interesting shops making it a great place to wander around. If you’re looking for some Mardi Gras-themed souvenirs this is the place to shop!

After we’d wandered around we went into Magazine Po Boy Shop for a tasty lunch of another of New Orleans’ classic dishes.

Unfortauntely, this place is now closed, but you can find a great Po’Boy nearby at Mahonys Po Boys.

If you’re not familiar, a Po-Boy is a traditional sandwich from the state of Louisiana and almost always consists of meat or some sort of fried seafood (sorry veggies!). It’s basically just another name for a sandwich but you can’t leave Louisiana without saying you’ve eaten a Po’Boy!

A bit further along Magazine Street is District Donut which was the best doughnut I’ve ever had. Their specialty doughnuts are light and fluffy with so much flavor.

There are a couple of locations throughout the city, but since you’re in the Garden District I’d check out the one on Magazine Street.

Explore the Garden District

The Garden District of New Orleans is home to numerous antebellum mansions, pristine gardens, and southern charm. It’s where the rich residents of New Orleans live and it’s an excellent place to stroll around and marvel at the huge houses.

Although it’s getting more popular with tourists, it’s far quieter than the French District making it a nice place to get away from it all for a while.

A great way to get to know the Garden District is to take a walking tour. This way you can learn about some of the famous residents and the history of the buildings.

Check out Commander’s Palace

We didn’t eat here but did appreciate the building from the outside. If you do plan to eat at Commander’s Palace then make sure you pack some fancier clothes for your trip to New Orleans. Men have to wear a buttoned shirt and women are to wear dresses or business attire.

You’ll also want to reserve in advance for this Creole fine dining experience. It gets booked up pretty much every day!

The Rum House

Alternatively, The Rum House in the Garden District is another great dinner option.

The Rum House is known for its absolutely delicious Creole/Caribbean Tacos. It’s loved by both locals and residents and is one of the best tacos I’ve had!

The menu takes on a Caribbean flair that includes meat, fresh seafood, and tacos, with an extensive selection of rums and cocktails.

If you’re in town on a Tuesday, you’re in for a treat—Taco Tuesday offers all tacos for just $1!

Dinner at Cane and Table

We also ate at Cane and Table while in New Orleans and absolutely loved the food.

Book a table, or go early, and ask to be sat outside in the garden terrace area as it’s a very nice spot to eat.

The menu is southern-inspired with some Tiki fusion.

We ate yucca chips with a three-bean hoummous for starters which was so good and the cocktails are delicious too!

Sample some New Orleans nightlife

When it comes to nightlife in New Orleans the city knows what it’s doing. There are two streets that are known for late-night bars and drinks. The first is Bourbon Street which is home to raucous partying and the second is Frenchmen Street.

On Bourbon Street, you’ll see bars selling “huge ass beers” (because beer is served out of a cup in the shape of a bum) and plenty of drunk people stumbling about late into the night.

Frenchmen Street is the more classy of the two and is known for live jazz. Take your pick or sample both!

Oh, and if you do go down Frenchmen Street (which you should at some point during your stay in New Orleans), then be sure to check out The Palace Market/Frenchmen Arts Bazaar.

This art market has art from local artists including bow ties to ginormous paintings. It’s open until midnight and it’s a great interlude between jazz bars.

If you want to go all out, book one of these drink and history tours of the French Quarter. They’re oe of the best things to do for adults in New Orleans and a super fun way of learning more about New Orleans which enjoying some drinks.

• New Orleans Cocktail History Walking Tour in the French Quarter: With an expert guide and fellow drinks enthusiasts, journey beyond the hubbub of Bourbon Street and visit four historic local haunts – cocktail included at each.
• NOLA Drunken History Tour from New Orleans: Raise a glass to New Orleans’ raucous past on a top-selling French Quarter tour that keeps the party going with a boozy mix of drinks and history. Since it’s an adults-only tour, you’ll hear New Orleans history with all the juicy bits included and stop at historic bars along the way for refills. Includes one free drink.

Other things to do in New Orleans

Drink chicory coffee

If you spent a bit too long partying last night you’ll likely be in need of some coffee. Thankfully this city has you covered.

New Orleans has become famous for its coffee thanks to the addition of chicory root! This was a style developed by the French during the Civil War when coffee was scarce.

Adding chicory meant more body and flavour to their cup of coffee and this tradition has carried on in New Orleans.

It certainly was one of the stronger and flavoursome coffees I’ve had whilst traveling in North America.

Some of the best places in New Orleans for chicory coffe are:

• Café Du Monde
• French Truck Coffee
• and Petite Rouge Cafe

Dinner and drinks at Bacchanal Fine wine & spirits

Head back to your New Orleans hotel and freshen up ready for dinner. You’re headed to the best hidden wine bar in New Orleans!

Bacchanal Fine Wine & Spirits is an off-the-grid bar to head to away from the hustle and bustle of the main New Orleans neighborhoods.

From the outside, it looks like a dingy wine store but it opens up into a twinkling patio area where customers can uncork the wine bought in the store and enjoy it with a cheese and charcuterie plate. Oh, and did I mention there’s also live music?

This feels like one of the hidden local secrets of New Orleans and it’s such a great way to spend an evening in New Orleans.

Visit Boutique du Vampyre in New Orleans

Home to voodoo and vampires, a trip to a vampire store should be on your list of things to see in New Orleans. As you wander around the city you can’t fail to miss the city’s connection to vampires and voodoo.

Whatever you believe, popping into Boutique du Vampyre is a fun thing to do in NOLA. It’s full of vampire accessories, books and incense that make for great souvenirs!

Explore some strange New Orleans Museums

New Orleans is home to some rather strange museums. There’s the Museum of Death and the Museum of Voodoo as well as the Pharmacy Museum. These museums are all rather creepy in their own right so they’re perfect for exploring as part of a spooky New Orleans itinerary.

• Museum of Death: This museum is full of items that are related to death in any which way you can imagine. If you love true crime you’re going to LOVE this place.
• Voodoo Museum: If you know a little about Voodoo already this is going to be one place you’ll love. However, even if you don’t know much you’re still bound to find it interesting.  It’s a small museum (two little rooms), but it’s only $7 and a very unique thing to do in New Orleans.
• Pharmacy Museum: This museum is in the old apothecary of the first pharmacist in the US. There’s a collection of old medical equipment, potions and more. It’s weird but awesome!

Take a food tour in New Orleans

There are so many different types of food to try in New Orleans from beignets to gumbo, po-boys, and muffuletta. Even the hungriest of travelers are going to find it hard to find the time to fit it all in but there is an answer! Take a New Orleans food tour.

My parents recently took this amazing food tour in New Orleans and had a great time.

They said their host was super friendly and FULL of stories. They managed to try all sorts of foods within a few hours which was great as they were only in New Orleans for 24 hours. Honestly, I’m kind of jealous we didn’t do it doing our own trip.

Oh, and you won’t want to have a big lunch before this afternoon food tour, there’ll be plenty of food given to you. So much that you probably won’t be hungry until tomorrow.

Or, if you are there are always so beignets to grab after your next New Orleans activity.

Take a New Orleans ghost tour

Did you know New Orleans is one of the most haunted cities in the USA? It’s time to get spooky on your last day in NOLA!

New Orleans is famous for many things (as I’m sure you’ve figured out during this article). Another thing to add to that list of things New Orleans is famous for is ghost tours.

Taking a ghost tour is one of the most fun things to do if you’re still wondering what to do in New Orleans. Especially if you take one in the evening.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, you’re sure to leave this tour feeling a little bit spooked. New Orleans is home to enough ghost stories that no 2 tours are the same and pretty much every creepy tale will leave you feeling a bit spooked. There are lots of ghost tours in New Orleans to choose from, but this one gets rave reviews.

The night tours are the best as they tend to be spookier; especially this haunted cemetery and city tour!

Learn about the Magic of Mardi Gras

After thoroughly immersing yourself in the French Quarter, make your way to Mardi Gras World, a must-visit if your stay in New Orleans spans only 24 hours!

While the actual Mardi Gras festivities occur in February, the year-round preparations are just as enchanting. Mardi Gras World is the birthplace of over 1,000 floats and 50 parades that animate the city’s iconic carnival.

The tour kicks off with a historical background of Mardi Gras, educating visitors about its origins and its cultural significance in New Orleans.

You’ll also get the chance to walk through their sprawling 30,000 sq. ft. warehouse, to see larger-than-life floats and treasured memorabilia from previous parades.

This creative space also serves as the workspace for the artists who breathe life into these floats and art pieces and it’s super cool to see.

Swamp and Bayou Tour from New Orleans

If you’re in New Orleans with your family and have more than just a day to explore, the bayou tours are one of the best New Orleans day trip ideas!

A voyage into the Barataria Preserve will offer up-close encounters with alligators, turtles, snakes, raccoons, and various bird species.

The slow-paced boat ride through the tranquil bayous is accompanied by engaging tales of local Cajun culture.

Included in the tour is comfortable transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, and you’ll convene on the banks of the Mississippi River for this captivating 2-hour journey.

How to get to New Orleans

First things first, how do you get to New Orleans? New Orleans is a popular destination and therefore its airport is well served by domestic and international flights as wel as buses and trains.

Driving to New Orleans

New Orleans is easily accessible by car from any direction via the interstate highway system.

From the east or west, you will likely travel on Interstate 10. From the north, Interstate 55 or 59 is your best bet.

Note that driving conditions and times can vary greatly depending on traffic, so plan your trip accordingly. Alternatively, you can factor in a trip to New Orleans into a larger road trip as we did!

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

Buses to New Orleans

Greyhound offers bus services to New Orleans from many cities across the United States. Megabus also serves New Orleans from select cities.

One of the best ways to book buses in North America is to book through Flixbus or Busbud. These two companies shows you the bus schedules from multiple companies and allow you to compare times, prices and book online making it super easy.

The bus terminal in New Orleans is centrally located, making it a convenient way to get to the city.

New Orleans by train

Amtrak provides train service to New Orleans via three major train routes: the City of New Orleans (running from Chicago), the Crescent (from New York City or Atlanta), and the Sunset Limited (from Los Angeles, Houston, or San Antonio).

The station is located in the heart of the city, offering easy access to various parts of New Orleans.

Flights to New Orleans

The most common way to get to New Orleans is by flying into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), which is serviced by all major U.S. airlines and select international carriers.

The airport is about 15 miles west of downtown New Orleans.

You can take a taxi, ride-share service, or airport shuttle to reach the city center.

Skyscanner is what I use to find cheap flights.

Best time to visit New Orleans

Our day trip to New Orleans was in April, towards the beginning of the month. It was hot and humid but not too busy. In general, April, May and October are the best months to visit New Orleans.

Visiting New Orleans in April and May means you get warm spring weather before it’s too hot and it tends to be a bit quieter. Planning a trip to New Orleans in October is also a great idea as it’s the off-season so generally, hotels in New Orleans are cheaper and it’s cooler.

January to March is Mardi Gras season in New Orleans. January and the end of March will be a bit quieter but you’ll see signs of it getting busier or notice beads in the trees. Visiting New Orleans in February you’ll find the city is busier and much more expensive.

New Orleans hotels get booked up far in advance for the main Mardi Gras week in February so you’ll need to book far in advance if you’re planning on staying longer than New Orleans in a day.

How many days in New Orleans?

Wondering how many days to spend in New Orleans? While this 1 day itinerary in New Orleans might seem too short, 3 days in New Orleans is just about right.

It’ll give you a chance to sample some of the delicious food, explore the neighbourhoods at a more leisurely pace and allow time for a later wake-up after sampling one too many cocktails on Bourbon Street!

You can also do a long weekend or just a weekend in New Orleans.

Where to stay in New Orleans

There are a lot of options when it comes to finding somewhere to stay in New Orleans. There are some gorgeous New Orleans hotels and more and more apartments in New Orleans are cropping up.

Be aware that hotels in New Orleans book up early, especially the end of January – March as mentioned above. While the French Quarter and Garden District are a bit more expensive, if you head out to Mid-City then you’ll find cheaper accommodation in New Orleans.

Here are a few places to stay in New Orleans that get great reviews.

• New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District: Across the street from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and steps from the French Quarter, this hotel offers newly redesigned rooms, a pool, fitness center and onsite restaurant.
• The Westin New Orleans: Next to the Mississippi River, close to the French Quarter and central business district, this hotel has comfortable rooms, two on-site restaurants, and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
• Virgin Hotels New Orleans: This 4-star hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, a fitness center and an on-site restauran, a nightclub, and a sun terrace.
• One11 Hotel: This 4-star hotel has a terrace, a restaurant, a bar, an outdoor swimming pool, air-conditioned rooms and includes a continental breakfast each morning.

FAQs on planning an itinerary for New Orleans

Final thoughts on this one day in New Orleans Louisiana guide

After spending a day in New Orleans, you’ll undoubtedly be feeling some of the city’s magic.

Despite its rich and complex history, this vibrant city has a rhythm all its own. Shaped by diverse influences, from Creole to Cajun, and jazz to blues, spending one day in New Orleans give you just enough time to get a sample of what it has to offer.

New Orleans always leaves you yearning for more and while it’s impossible to see everything if you visit New Orleans in one day, I hope you find this guide has shown you some of the best place.

Until next time, laissez les bons temps rouler, let the good times roll!

Last Updated on July 13, 2023 by Hannah