If this is your first time in New Orleans and you have only a day, this itinerary is for you!
As a local tour guide who leads hundreds of guests through the city every week, I know what places impress visitors the most.
I’ve heard what people loved to see and do as well as places that were disappointing. I kept this in mind when creating this itinerary.
As a long-time resident of the city, I have my own thoughts about the must-sees of New Orleans. It was hard to narrow down the list and I worried that maybe I was too ambitious.
So I asked my fellow tour guides if they thought everything included could be done in one day without feeling rushed.
We all agreed that YES! This one-day itinerary will give you a big taste of the Big Easy!
Below is a video of Andrew, my fellow tour guide at Tours by Foot NOLA, taking you to all the amazing places you'll see!
For this itinerary, I assume you are staying in or near the French Quarter. If not, you can still follow this itinerary by heading to the French Quarter.
First, start your day right with a New Orleans breakfast in the French Quarter.
Next, you’ll head to Mid-City to visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 and City Park.
Afterward, you’ll return to the French Quarter to see a bit more then go to see the Garden District.
Your day will end in the French Quarter, which is dramatically different at night from the day.
Now let’s dive in!
8 AM - Breakfast in the French Quarter
I know this may be a bit early for some travelers to start their day. But you may want to eat breakfast so why do it at your hotel?
Even if you don't eat, it's still smart to be in the French Quarter at 8 am since many businesses haven't opened yet so you'll avoid the crowds that come later in the day.
If you do want to grab a bite, here are some choices:
- Daisy Duke’s
- Pasgoda Cafe
- French Truck Coffee
- Cafe du Monde
- Cafe Fleur-de-lis
- Spitfire Coffee
- Ruby Slipper
- Stanley
Just about every guest on my walking tours asks about Cafe du Monde. It's not overrated, but there are other places where you can have a good meal.
Here's a secret. Have breakfast somewhere else and then go to the Cafe Du Monde outpost in City Park which you'll visit later on in the day.
With some food in your belly, you are energized to move on to the next part of town!
9 AM - Mid-City/Esplanade Ave
Now you'll head to Mid-City New Orleans.
I suggest that you travel along Esplanade Avenue since there are a lot of beautiful historic houses to see along the way.
If you are visiting with your car, it’s an easy drive. Taking the city bus is also easy. The #91 runs from the edge of the quarter along Esplanade.
If you're biking but want to avoid traffic, ride along the Lafitte Greenway and Bayou Saint-Jean.
In this video, tour guide Andrew shows you some of what you will see along Esplanade Avenue.
By 9:30 am, you should reach St. Louis Cemetery #3.
This is one of the largest and most historic cemeteries in town, and you can learn more about it on our morning tour covering this cemetery and Bayou St. John.
When you’re done here, head to the bridge over Bayou St. John. You’ll see City Park on the other side.
City Park is more than just a park!
It's also home to an amusement park, a mini golf course, a botanical garden, the New Orleans Museum of Art, a sculpture garden and more.
I know you may wish you had more time in City Park, but there's a lot more in the city that I don't want you to miss.
You can see more of City Park when you come back to New Orleans a second time -- and I am sure you will want to!
TIP: If you need more coffee or a snack, there is another Cafe du Monde located right here in the park!
10:30 AM to 2 PM - Head Back to the French Quarter
Head back to the French Quarter the same way you came using Esplanade Avenue.
A lot of the big attractions in the French Quarter will be open by now
When you get back, you’ll notice a lot more people around, which will give you a better look at the social flavor of this city.
One of the biggest hubs of the French Quarter is Jackson Square.
Surrounding this Latin American city square are several historic sites including the St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the Presbytere.
During the day, you’ll typically hear a lot of street music in the Jackson Square area and Royal Street.
This is something we locals love about the city -- it’s hard to beat free music!
When you’re done there, head down Decatur Street to see the historic French Market.
The farmer’s market portion is a great place to find a quick bite to eat for lunch.
If you continue walking down Decatur, you’ll eventually find yourself at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, formerly the Old U.S. Mint.
From here you can get a good look at Frenchmen Street before it really becomes a hotspot at night.
On my tours, I meet guests who want to delve a bit more deeply into the African history of New Orleans.
If this interests you too, head to Congo Square, one of the most historic public squares in the United States dating back to the 1700s.
It is the epicenter of New Orleans' West African heritage.
2 PM - Uptown New Orleans/Magazine Street
To reach the next area you'll explore, you can take either the St. Charles Streetcar or the #11 bus, both of which go from Magazine Street to the Garden District.
Along the way is the National WW2 Museum, full of fascinating exhibits.
Attached to the museum is BB’s Stage Door Canteen, where you might catch a performance from the Victory Belles 1940s-style singing group.
While it might be tempting to head into this museum (and I admit, it's worth a visit), it can take a while to see everything.
I chose not to include it in this itinerary because I think that seeing more of the city is a better way to get to know it.
But, if you have an extra day, this is definitely one of the highlights of New Orleans and by all means, go!
Just beyond this location is the Lower Garden District, and one of the best spots to shop on Magazine Street.
There are also several restaurants where you can grab a quick bite if you’re feeling hungry.
Here are a few of my favorite spots:
- Stein’s Market and Deli
- Tracey’s (Po-boys)
- Parasol’s (Po-boys)
Now it's time to go to the Garden District to see some of the most gorgeous homes in the city.
We offer a pay-what-you-wish walking tour of this neighborhood if you'd like to join us!
When you get to St. Charles Street, you have some options for where to go next.
You can keep going down Magazine Street until you reach Audubon Park, which is where you’ll find the Audubon Zoo.
Alternatively, you can hop on the St. Charles Streetcar and head back to the French Quarter to see what it looks like in the late afternoon.
Either way, I highly recommend riding this streetcar back because it’s the oldest line in the city and it’s an absolute must-do when visiting New Orleans.
The St. Charles Streetcar will take you right to Bourbon Street, the next stop in your itinerary.
5:30 PM - Bourbon Street/French Quarter at Night
If you’re visiting in the fall or winter, visiting Bourbon Street so early in the evening makes a lot of sense.
This time of year, the sun sets early, and by 5:30 pm, the city will be turning from day to night.
No doubt, Bourbon Street is best experienced after dark when the neon lights create a festive atmosphere.
During other times of the year, you might want to head down Royal Street and come back to Bourbon Street later.
Either way, this is the time of day you might want to grab a drink at one of the local bars.
Even if you don't drink alcohol, you can have any beverage and still soak in the fun vibe.
For dinner, you might also want to make reservations at one of the restaurants in the area.
Some places, like Napoleon’s, do not accept reservations, so you can play it by ear and hope they have a table available or choose another place that will guarantee you a table.
You can also opt for an early dinner and then head to Bourbon Street to experience this famed site after dark.
Bourbon Street can be a bit overwhelming for some. I don't care to spend too much time there myself for this reason.
So if/when you've had enough of Bourbon Street, head back to Frenchmen Street to find a venue that offers food, drinks and a show.
In our post on live music in New Orleans, you'll find venues that my fellow tour guides and I like.
Prefer something spooky and fun? Take a New Orleans ghost tour to learn more about the haunted history of this city.
Depending on how late you plan to stay out, you can go to Harrah’s Casino.
During weekends, the Ritz-Carlton hosts a live jazz performance that runs late into the night.
TIPS FOR YOUR TRIP
Before you head out to follow the itinerary below, take a look at my tips to help you have a smooth day of exploring New Orleans.
Wear Comfortable Clothes/Shoes
Since you’re going to be walking around the city all day, it will make sense to wear comfortable clothing.
I always layer so I am prepared for varying temperatures. You might want to do the same.
When it comes to your choice of shoes, focus less on fashion and more on comfort.
This is something I know oh too well as a tour guide who is walking for a large part of the day.
Bring Cash
So many of us have become used to paying by tapping.
But many businesses in the French Quarter only accept cash, so consider bringing some money with you.
If you don't have cash when you arrive in the city, ask your hotel where the nearest ATM is.
Try to get small bills. Stores won't be thrilled breaking a one-hundred-dollar bill for a small purchase.
Have a Transit Plan
New Orleans is a very walkable city. It's one of the things I love the most about it.
While you could walk everywhere, using public transportation, like the streetcars and buses, will save you a lot of time in your busy day.
If you’ve only got a day to see the city, consider getting a transit pass.
The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority offers day passes for $3 which are valid on buses, streetcars, and ferries.
Read our post covering how to ride the New Orleans Streetcars to learn more.
TIP: Many of us here like to bike, so renting a bike could be a possibility for you.
Have Your ID Ready
If you plan to enter a bar or similar establishments, you may need to present identification.
US citizens will need either a state ID or a driver’s license while International travelers should have their passports ready.
Prepare for Weather
Depending on when you visit, you might want to bring an umbrella for rainy days or a bottle of sunscreen and sunglasses for sunny days.
It’s also a good idea to bring a bottle of water when you get thirsty!
Download a Weather Radar App
This will help you keep track of the weather throughout the day so that you can avoid any unforeseen surprises.
Given New Orleans’ history with the weather, radar is a good way to see what is happening and make plans accordingly.
Have a Food Plan
New Orleans is all about the food. It’s tempting to enjoy as much of it as possible.
But I warn you -- if you sit down for a full Creole or Cajun meal in the middle of the day, your energy could be zapped.
Without energy, you’ll never make it to the end of this itinerary!
I suggest sharing a main dish if you're with other people or focusing on appetizers and sides if you're traveling alone.
If you want to get as much done as possible in one day, consider foods that will keep your energy up and won’t take much time to eat.
Might we suggest a Po-boy?
Neighborhood Guides
Below are our neighborhood guides, some of which are visited in this one-day itinerary.
Each guide provides a self-guided tour with tips on what to see and when best to come and visit.
