So, you only have one day in New Orleans? Shame you don’t have longer, but I will help show you how to truly get a feeling for the city in only one jam-packed day. This is a city seeped in history, beauty, and some of the most unique culture in the whole country, so you have to make sure to get a little bit of everything!
We had only a short stopover in NoLa on our USA road trip, but I have also been a few times before – so this has helped me construct truly the best itinerary for 1 day in New Orleans possible – complete with all the must-dos as well as some extras too! Make sure you have energy because we’re doing it all today!
Keep reading for the itinerary or scroll to the bottom for tips on where to stay. Try to start early so you can fit in as much as possible! I also have a video of this day linked below.
Start the Day with a Cute French Style Cafe: Cafe Beignets or Cafe Du Monde
With French influence being so prominent in New Orleans, a French-Style cafe is the perfect way to kick off your one day in New Orleans. Cafe Beignet (with two locations) and Cafe Du Monde are two of the best choices, and both serve the delicious fried delicacy: Beignets. Beignets, which are fluffy, square-shaped fried pieces of dough covered in powdered sugar, are a must-try! Just try now to blow the sugar all over your clothes (I made that mistake, haha).
Since beignets are on the sweeter side, I’d recommend having them to complement other local-inspired dishes such as cajun hash or a crawfish omelet (or both – pictured above). Yum!
Walk the French Quarter
New Orleans is one of the most walkable cities in the US (mostly because it’s one of the most European cities in the country), and it’s a must to walk around the French Quarter. Wander past French-style buildings and narrower streets, with historic and UNESCO buildings dotted around with live bands playing on the sidewalk – the European mixed with Cajun/Creole culture is what makes New Orleans so amazing.
There are plenty of shops to drop into, live music at any time of day, and of course, you can admire the architecture.
Main Square: Jackson Square
Jackson Square Park, located in the French Quarter, is a scenic little area to spend some time. It’s just in front of America’s oldest used Catholic Cathedral: The Saint Louis Cathedral, which was built in 1727! You should definitely drop into the cathedral and from there you can easily access the next thing to do on this list.
Mississippi River Waterfront
Just across the street from Jackson Square is the one and only Mississippi River! There’s a long riverwalk and park to wander down as you gaze at all the old riverboats – some of which still offer cruises! Take in some views, but don’t spend too long if you want to see everything else too!
Canal Street
Canal Street might be the second most famous street in New Orleans, after Bourbon Street (we will get to that later)! This wide and long street serves as one of the main thoroughfares in NoLa with some of the main old theatres, historic trams, and of course tons of markets where you can haggle for cheap goods. It divides the French Quarter with the more modern part of the city and the Garden District – the next stop.
Head to the Garden District
From Canal Street, you can easily catch one of the old-fashioned trolleys or a city blue bike (the local bike share) to the Garden District – in fact, I recommend either one as a cool experience to have while spending one day in New Orleans. That is, unless you aren’t afraid to grab the Hop on Hop off Bus.
Honestly, although they are super touristy, I do love doing hop on hop off bus tours in certain places because they allow you to see and learn the most in a short amount of time. And the hop-on-hop-off bus tour in Nola is detailed and informative! It’s a great way to see a lot of the Garden District while learning about its history and mansions, too.
Check out the Plantation Mansions in the Garden District
Taking up 6 by 14 city blocks, the Garden District was once a part of the Livaudais Plantation before it was broken up in 1832. After that, incredibly wealthy people started buying up the land, and today, we can still see that wealth everywhere in the area. Some houses to check out include Colonel Short’s Villa, the Adam-Jones House, and the Walter and Emily Robertson House.
If you’re into the spooky side of life, you also should visit the Lafayette Cemetery, which is the oldest in the city. And for those who saw American Horror Story “Coven,” you can even visit the mansion it was filmed at (pictured above)! The houses are impressive and a stark reminder of some of the darker history in this city.
Grab Lunch in the Garden District at Cochon Butcher
The Cochon Butcher is where you’ll find famous culinary delights in the Garden District. If you love meat and want quality, this is the place to go for lunch during your one day in New Orleans.
The first must-try sandwich is the Muffuletta, which is stacked with meats, provolone cheese, and olive salad between two thick bread slices. This is actually a New Orleans classic, so a great second meal to have here in the city in one day. Another I tried at this restaurant was Le Pig Mac, which is a pork version of a Big Mac, but of course with Cochon Butcher Quality.
Afternoon: Museums
I think every trip should have at least one museum visit! And thankfully, New Orleans is loaded with them! And not just that, but they come in a variety, so you’re bound to find one that interests you. Spend time learning interesting things between lunch and dinner after a very busy morning!
Into US & Military history? Check out the World War II Museum. Get tickets online to beat lines.
Or want to get super niche and Southern? The Alligator Museum fits the bill. While you’re at it, wander down interesting shops and thrift stores on Magazine Street.
Or want to dive into the spiritual side of New Orleans? The Museum of Voodoo will do. Can’t get much more NoLa than that!
Dinner: Creole Food!
All that museum browsing is bound to have you ready for dinner for your one day in New Orleans, and here’s a few options to do it up New Orleans style! My top recommendation is to head to a place with classic Creole food. If you are up for a few drinks, head to Bourbon Street and choose an iconic oyster and jambalaya joint, and go out from there!
Acme Oyster House
As we only have one day in New Orleans, we’re keeping the dinner local! We went to the iconic Acme Oyster House and it did not disappoint with its fresh oysters and Creole Jambalaya and Gumbo. The oysters were delicious – a New Orleans classic – and if you are brave, try the oyster shot! I did it once but wouldnt do it again, haha.
Another option is to try the Creole House Restaurant on Canal Street – they even have a Creole tasting option with gumbo, red beans, and jambalaya to get all the tastes at once.
Riverboat Cruise
If you want dinner but make it extra, then a Riverboat Cruise with live Jazz music is the way to go! Hop onto an old steamboat, take in the skyline views over the Mississippi River, and indulge in a Creole-style buffet – what more could one want?!
Night Out: Start at Bourbon Street
If there’s anything people know about New Orleans, it’s the party! And it (mostly) all goes down on Bourbon Street. There’s no better way to celebrate one day in New Orleans than finishing it off hopping bars, rocking to live music, and have a drink or ten.
Bourbon Street has it all – the 1L daquiris, the live music in every bar, and the unique and interesting bars. But it’s also very touristy – you’ll get some more inflated prices, bachelor/ette parties, and more salespeople bugging you. It’s a must-do, but once you’ve had your fill, head to Frenchmen Street.
End the Night in More Local Frenchmen Street
For a less touristy but still lively experience, you can head just North of Esplanade Avenue to Frenchmen Street. It’s not only a more local, but tourist prices don’t apply like they do on Bourbon Street, so you’ll save a bit of money (or just be able to pay for extra fun!)
Frenchmen Street is similarly lively. When we went, we found a really cool local art and thrift market, and tons of live music shows that felt more intimate. You might pay cover in some bars but its definitely a more local experience.
One Day in New Orleans Video
Here’s my tiktok video explaining this whole article!
Where to Stay in New Orleans
With one day in New Orleans, finding a cozy place to rest your head after a long day is important! Below you’ll find a few accommodation options including hostels (starting at about $30/night) as well as hotels in or near the French Quarter.
Where We Stayed: Selina/Catahoula Hotel New Orleans
Seline is honestly a fitting hotel in New Orleans for just about anyone. Selina is a fantastic global hotel brand that offers hybrid hostel/hotels with both boutique rooms/suites and hostel dorms, as well as fun activities like morning yoga and mixers. We stayed in a standard room which is smaller but cheaper, but they have 1BR and suites, too.
The Selina in NoLa is simply excellent – the design is gorgeous, like a true boutique hotel in a historic building. The location is amazing – close to Canal Street and walkable to the French Quarter – and the rooms are lovely. There’s even a rooftop we used to cowork from with a view! We enjoyed a comedy night while we were, right in the hotel. This is my top recommendation, and it’s affordable too.
Another Budget Stay: Madame Isabelle’s Hostel & Private Rooms: Cozy and Social/Colorful Historical Home
This hostel brings that New Orleans charm to guests with the old architecture, decor, and furnishings. Stay at this colorful little house and you’ll can also enjoy an included free breakfast, a shared kitchen, and a terrace. Prices are generally really good here depending on the date and kind of room/bed.
More Splurge-Worthy: Bourbon Hotel New Orleans: French Quarter Hotel with Pool
This hotel has to be one of the most regal in the city center. It’s in a reimagined historic site (an old convent), in the true French Quarter architecture redone to be luxurious, overlooking the city center.
With rooms that can dip below $250 on weekdays, you get both a great deal and a high-end experience. Some rooms also have balconies to literally elevate your experience. Just imagine it: starting your day in New Orleans with a coffee, overlooking the streets.
I hope you enjoyed this jam-packed one-day itinerary in New Orleans, including a little bit of everything from food to museums to notable areas! Let me know if you got everything done or what you would add/subtract from this list in the comments below.
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Passionate, full-time travel blogger with over 230k on social media and 150kMPV blog. Extraordinary photographer with two DSLR's + a drone with a love for capturing candid moments, epic drone shots, and magical compositions. I'm a natural-born content creator originally from California, but I've been on the road for 9 years living, working, traveling, blogging, and photographing my way around the world. I recommend the most amazingly adventurous and unique + boutique travel experiences/stays and helpful products to my audience and write comprehensive guides on my website that have helped millions of travelers so far. I love to inspire people to plan their dream trips, and many readers have given feedback as such. The reach on my platforms continues to soar, especially when combining cutting-edge social content with optimized articles on my high-authority website.