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Exploring New Orleans is like taking a journey through time and culture. Going to New Orleans for a day or two and worrying that you won’t have enough time to see all the beautiful sights this city offers? Or afraid to go alone?

 

Stop thinking about that! A New Orleans getaway is the perfect plan. Embark on an incredible journey and travel to New Orleans for a unique adventure now.

 

Discover the rich culture and attractions that New Orleans tourism has to offer. You can enjoy the city in just one or two days without a problem and have a glorious trip if you travel solo. Yes, it can be intimidating and uncomfortable at first, but we travel for the experience, right? So just do it!

Check out this post about my solo travel to New Orleans, Louisiana. Discover unforgettable New Orleans vacation ideas and create memories that will last a lifetime.

 

Things to Know About New Orleans

New Orleans is a world-known city for its vibrant atmosphere, jazz, annual celebrations, and festivals. It is a historic place with a rich culture and a place of birth for many famous artistic people. Best known as the birthplace of jazz and Louis Armstrong, but most importantly, this city spirit is unique, making it so special.

 

New Orleans is the best city to visit for parties and events celebrations, but it is also a place where you can have an unforgettable experience as a solo traveler.

Nola, Louisiana experienced a lot of changes after it was severely affected by Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, which caused lots of property damage, missing people, and people’s deaths.

 

Many artists created their street art (graffiti) to spread the message to the world about Katrina’s impact on the whole city, which is now the main point of the ART tours of Nola city.

 

My solo trip to New Orleans was spontaneous and very entertaining. I met a friend at the hostel I stayed in and had an enjoyable experience.

 

I would definitely recommend it. It was clean, not noisy at night, and they even allowed me to check in earlier. The bathroom/shower was located in the room, and FREE breakfast was much better than in other hostels.

 

There was a streetcar stop right across the street and a bus around the corner, but since the location itself was just Okay, I didn’t feel safe walking there.

 

Transport in NOLA

There are different options for public transportation in New Orleans. For example, there are buses and streetcars. A one-way ticket will cost you $1.25, and they take exact change only.

 

To buy a transfer ticket, you will need to pay $0.50 in addition (the total is $1,50, which is valid for 2 hours, I believe). There is an option to buy a pass as well.

 

Passes are sold in the streetcars by the driver. I bought a 1-day pass (for $3) which I could use on any transport, and it was enough for me as I stayed for two days and walked most of the time.

What to Eat and Drink in New Orleans

It was hard to decide what food I wanted to try in New Orleans as they serve a lot of fried and spicy food, which I do not eat.

 

On my last day, I went to Napoleon House to try their Special Italian Muffuletta, and I should admit I liked it very much. It was so fresh and tasty. It surprised me; I even liked the olives as I hate them and never eat :).

If you’re a fan of baked goods, be sure to visit the renowned Cafe Du Monde in the French Quarter. It’s an Iconic New Orleans cafe known for café au laits, chicory coffee & beignets since 1862.

 

TIP: In New Orleans, be careful what food you order. Make sure you ask the server if the food is spicy or not, as it is not always mentioned on the menu.

As I’ve been told later on, the cuisine of Louisiana is well-spiced in general, but there is plenty of food that is “spice-free”. You always have to ask to make sure.

 

If you are a big fan of seafood, locals say that you won’t experience New Orleans without trying it, as Louisiana is the nation’s second-largest seafood supplier. Unfortunately, I was not lucky enough to try Crawfish as it was off-season :(.

 

Here is the list of seafood seasons. Make sure you keep it in mind when you go there.

 

List of seafood based on the seasons in New Orleans

1. SHRIMP- January, April-November
2. OYSTERS (prime season) – October-April
3. CRAWFISH (prime season) – January-June, November-December
4. CRAB (prime season) – February – December

To make your great seafood tasting experience even better, definitely visit these festivals with food and music.

I suggest you check out these 10 local foods to try in New Orleans article. Those pictures made me hungry by the way:).

Festivals in New Orleans

1. New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. It is a perfect event for all ages and food lovers. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear the best performers every spring. April 28, 2023; April 29, 2023; April 30, 2023, May 4, 2023, May 5, 2023, May 6, 2023, May 7, 2023

2. Oyster Festival. It is an annual summer celebration for oyster lovers. It serves oysters from the best restaurants in one place and one day. TBD (dates are unconfirmed yet)

3. French Quarter Festival. It is a big fabulous festival, which lasts through the 4-day weekend. During the festival, more than 20 stages throughout the French Quarter perform local music and represent different genres. April 13-16, 2023.

4. Crawfish Festival. At the annual festival, they serve the most delicious crawfish in the world. May 1-2, 2023.

5. Treme Creole Gumbo Festival. If you love brass bands and gumbo, this event is for you. TBD.

6. Hogs for the Cause. You are going to eat, drink and dance a lot. Hogs for the Cause unites a barbecue cook-off competition and live music with fundraising for children with pediatric brain cancer and their families. TBD.

7. The Bourbon Festival. Enjoy exceptional Bourbon and cuisine, the finest Bourbon distilleries, and the restaurants of New Orleans. March 22-25,2023.

 

Popular drinks in NOLA include the hurricane cocktail, the resurrection cocktail, the hand grenade, and the so-called “huge-ass beers.”

Find your favorite event in New Orleans here.

 

Tips Before Visiting New Orleans for First-Time Visitors

1. Carry Some Cash

Many places do not take credit cards; you will need money for public transportation, food, souvenirs, or leaving tips.

2. Smile and Talk to Locals

People in New Orleans are very kind and generous. They like tourists and always want to help in case you need it.

3. Use Public Transportation

If you have plenty of time (as they do not run often and it will take you a minimum of an hour to get to the farthest destinations), ride a bus to get to any destination or to the airport instead of taking a taxi or Uber. It will save you a lot of money.

I was just 5 minutes late when I realized my bus was gone, so I ordered an Uber from the French Quarter to the airport, and I paid $33 instead of $2 if I would take a bus. Do your math :).

4. Prepare For Weather

New Orleans has rain and humid weather regardless of the month you go. So it is better to be prepared and stay dry :).

5. Book Free Tours

I booked two tours in New Orleans. The first one, a French Quarter tour, was just okay. We walked around the same area, learning about buildings and history, but I expected more variety and entertainment instead.

And another one was an ART tour, and I absolutely loved it. I explored the vibrant graffiti art scene in NOLA and discovered fascinating stories behind the artworks

6. Avoid Traveling During Mardi Gras

If you want to get a better deal on flights, avoid traveling in Mardi Gras season. Although it’s a fantastic time to experience the city, flight and hotel prices tend to skyrocket. If you’re set on witnessing Mardi Gras, be sure to book well in advance.

What Not to Do in New Orleans

1. Don’t walk alone at night. It is not safe in NOLA. If you stay late somewhere, take an Uber to get back to your hotel.

2. Don’t rent a car unless you need to go outside the city. NOLA is a big city, and finding parking is nearly impossible. Avoid this stress and take public transportation or Uber/Lyft.

Is New Orleans Safe?

Unfortunately, it is not. NEW ORLEANS is the most DANGEROUS CITY in the U.S. I was afraid to go there as a solo traveler but gave it a try. I wouldn’t recommend doing it, though, if you are starting your solo experience. It is better to go with a company and stay safe.

 

But don’t take my words as taboo and change your plans if you have already decided to go. There are always ways to stay safe in any city and enjoy your trip.

 

New Orleans is way more than partying. If you travel alone and cannot go to parties, don’t worry. There are plenty of other things to do.

 

I enjoyed the live music and the tourist atmosphere. That might sound silly, but I love to feel like a tourist, even in my city :).

 

Not brave enough to travel solo? Read about Why You Should Travel Solo

 

Top 3 New Orleans Safety Tips for Female Travelers

1. Be Careful How Much Alcohol You Drink

Some people lose control, forget things, and misbehave when they drink. Don’t be an easy target for people involved in crime, vulnerable to sexual assault and robbery, and always stay awake and prepared.

2. If You Meet New People Online or Offline, Arrange the Meeting in Public Places

Ensure you know who you are meeting with. For example, if you met through Couchsurfing, always check their references and avoid meeting at night.

3. Prior to searching for accommodations, ensure that the area you plan to stay in is considered safe.

What to Do in New Orleans

• Visit the French Quarter – The Historic Center of New Orleans

Jackson Square was my top pick in the French Quarter. I found it to be the most iconic landmark in New Orleans. It is right by the Mississippi River, which has a lovely boardwalk. Many artists, restaurants, shops, museums, and parks make Jackson Square one of the most popular destinations in the city.

• Try Beignets  at Cafe du Monde

Choose an empty table, take a seat, and a waitress will approach you. Given the busy atmosphere, if you prefer not to wait, head to the right-corner window and place your order directly.

• Visit the French Market

You will find many local products, exciting crafts, DIY projects, and souvenirs there. Just make sure you have cash for all of that :).

 

• Explore The Most Popular Streets

Bourbon and Royal. Bourbon Street is pretty quiet during the day. However, it comes alive at night, mainly because of the many festivals. This street is full of bars and restaurants with different cuisines. Royal Street is another must-visit in the area. It is one of the original streets in Nola, which gained popularity because of antique shops, art galleries, and hotels.

• Go to Mardi Gras

If you are in Nola at Mardi Gras celebration time, you should take advantage of it. It is the biggest celebration in the city. Everybody wears masks, costumes, and beads. It is when people relax, have a lot of fun, and get drunk (just be careful with that).

This event lasts for about two weeks and you will see a lot of green, gold, and purple colors as they are traditional colors of the Mardi Gras parade.

• Get a Drink at Carousel Bar & Lounge

It is located inside the Hotel Monteleone. You will most likely have to wait to get a bar seat as it is busy over there. However, it offers guests a pleasant, slow carousel rotation around a world-class cocktail bar every 15 minutes, so might be worth the long wait.

• Ride a Charming Vintage Streetcar

If you’re not in a rush, I suggest riding a Streetcar. The single ticket will cost you $1.25, and you can pay the driver directly with exact cash. Alternatively, daily passes are available as well. The streetcars run along four lines, all starting Downtown, providing a unique opportunity to explore both the French Quarter and lesser-known areas

 

There are two downsides, though: 1. It is slow and maybe won’t be your option if you have to be somewhere at a particular time, and 2. you won’t hear drivers saying the name of the stops or if it is a final stop. So, for example, you will arrive at the final stop and get off outside to transfer to a bus for free.

• Get Lost on Magazine Street

If you are a big shopper, you should check Magazine Street. It is located in Uptown, with many locally owned boutiques, galleries, and restaurants. Just be prepared that you might need to walk a lot as it is 6 miles long.

• Listen to Live Music

Enjoy the vibrant live music scene in New Orleans, a city where tunes can be found at almost every corner. Be sure to explore the local music tour guide crafted by residents as well. Experience the perfect blend of travel and leisure in New Orleans, where every moment is a jazz-filled adventure.

• Visit Louis Armstrong Park

If you are tired from walking, take a break in Louis Armstrong Park. It is a lovely peaceful park where you can relax on the bench and observe extraordinary sculptures, duck ponds, and different trees and plants.

Top  6 FREE Things to Do in New Orleans

1. Visit the New Orleans Museum of Art on Wednesday

The museum has a collection of fine paintings, sculptures, historical objects, and travel exhibitions ranging from pre-Christian to modern times. You can ride a streetcar that leaves Canal Street, which drops you off right in front of the museum.

 

2. Ride the Algiers Ferry From Canal Street in New Orleans

You will see the Mississippi River, the downtown skyline, and the old historic city parts. It will get you to Algiers Point, one of the oldest areas on the West Bank of New Orleans, where you will have an opportunity to observe around as well.

 

3. Go to the Garden District in New Orleans

It is considered the most beautiful neighborhood in New Orleans. The Victorian homes and oak-lined streets, with many boutiques and antique shops, cafes, and restaurants, are fascinating at first glance.

 

4. Spend Some Time in City Park in New Orleans

The entrance is free, but you might have to pay for some attractions. The park is similar to Central Park in New York, but 50% larger. It is a special place for everybody where you can have fun and relax at the same time.

 

5. If You Are a Beer Lover, you will enjoy a free NOLA Brewery tour every Friday and Saturday.

 

6. If you Are a Wine Lover, there is a free wine-tasting tour in New Orleans every Wednesday.