When I stepped off the plane early in the morning, I was exhausted from the travel, but with the first “How y’all doing?!,” I felt back at home. I loved New Orleans when I visited years ago, and the joyous greeting immediately made me so happy to be back.
This was a shorter visit, but I was able to pack a lot into my one day in New Orleans. I wanted to take it easy, wander around without direction, and experience the city at a slower pace. Don’t worry, I still managed to party on Bourbon Street. And I got to check out Algiers Point, the Jazz Walk of Fame, and enjoy some beignets at Cafe du Monde.
Here’s a recap of how I kept myself busy during my full day in town. This would be a great one-day itinerary for anyone visiting the city.
Enjoy Coffee and Beignets at Cafe du Monde
I arrived into New Orleans at 5 am. What was I possibly going to do at that hour, especially while dragging around a suitcase? The answer was easy: Visit Cafe du Monde.
Situated in between the French Quarter on one side and the Mississippi River on the other, Cafe du Monde has become a New Orleans institution. Every visitor to town should make the cliché stop here for cafe au lait and beignets – coffee with hot milk and fried pastry dough with powdered sugar.
Just remember not to breathe in as you take a bite, or the sugar will end up inside your nostrils!
Cafe du Monde is easy to add to any itinerary since it’s conveniently open 24/7. The shop can get crowded during peak hours, but if you’re crazy like me, you can visit in the wee hours of the morning and discover only a few tables in use.
Take the Ferry to Algiers
I love cities with ferries. I’ll take a ferry just about anywhere, whether visiting Staten Island in NYC or traveling around the Yukon Territory. So when I discovered the existence of Algiers, a small community across the river from downtown New Orleans, I sought out the next ferry.
Algiers is a nifty residential neighborhood with a bunch of very old houses. I think I might live here if I moved to town. It’s quiet, yet just a short ride away from downtown and the bustling French Quarter. The colors and architecture make the houses worth seeing.
In walking around the area, I could only locate a couple of restaurants and bars in the entire Algiers Point neighborhood. In fact, many of the shops on the town’s welcome sign are no longer in business. So while it’s a pleasant hood, Algiers doesn’t have a ton of activities for tourists.
The Jazz Walk of Fame in New Orleans
Beyond seeing the houses, the top walking attraction is the Jazz Walk of Fame, which spotlights famous jazz musicians over the years. That’s a statue of famed musician Louis Armstrong.
Don’t get it confused with a different attraction, the American Jazz Walk of Fame in Kansas City’s 18th & Vine neighborhood.
Catch a Streetcar Across Town
Back on the mainland, I quickly learned how to catch streetcars to get to some of the coolest neighborhoods around town, like the Garden District, Faubourg Marigny, Mid-City, and the Warehouse District.
New Orleans is such a history-rich city and the streetcars are a throwback to a more old-fashioned time. Between the streetcars, the ferry, and an occasional public bus, I was able to get around town without a vehicle during my entire New Orleans visit. Score!
Seek Out Food, Awesome Food, and More Awesome Food
A lot of the cooler neighborhoods in New Orleans don’t have any national chain restaurants or fast food establishments, which means that most of the eateries are locally-owned. And that’s the way it should be.
No day is not complete for me until I’ve had some sort of ice cream product, so I headed to Mid-City to check out Angelo Brocato, which has been in business for more than 100 years and has some of the highest-rated desserts in Nola. This creamy and sweet peach gelato was a much-needed treat during the sweltering afternoon.
Later, I stepped out to Sugar Park, a pizza shop in the Bywater near where I was staying. I kept it simple by ordering a couple slices and they were delicious.
By the time I made it to District, a donuts-and-sliders establishment in the Lower Garden District, I had already eaten a lot of food elsewhere, so I couldn’t enjoy one of the restaurant’s delicious-looking sandwiches.
Instead I splurged for a gooey Cookie & Cream donut, though it was hard to choose just one from a lineup that also included flavors like Dreamsicle, Almond Joy, and Mexican Hot Chocolate.
The Nightlife in New Orleans
Make sure to soak up the nightlife of New Orleans, whether that means bar hopping on Bourbon Street or taking in a jazz concert. I’ll leave the evening activities up to you. Here’s a good site to get you started.
Other Activities for One Day in New Orleans
There’s so much more you can sneak into your visit to Nola, from quirky museums to historic and educational museums.
Here are some of the other articles we’ve written on the subject!
Quirky and Fun Things To Do: New Orleans Off the Beaten Path
Visiting the World War II Museum
The Historic Voodoo Museum in New Orleans
Tomb of Marie Laveau, the Voodoo Queen
The Quirky New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
Quirky Attraction: Mardi Gras World
And if you’re into road trips, driving from New Orleans to Nashville is one of the South’s best road trips!
Do you have any additional suggestions for how to spend one day in New Orleans?
