Itineraries for Your Trip to New Orleans
1 Day in New Orleans for First Timers
What I remember most clearly about my first visit to New Orleans, at age 13, is the weather. I visited in July, and every afternoon lightning would zigzag across the sky, followed by big drops of shower water–warm rain. Having grown up in Oregon and England, I had plenty of experience with rain, but no concept that it could be anything but cold.
I’ve visited New Orleans many times since, and while I certainly love its warm climate (and, weirdly enough, its summertime humidity), what really keeps me coming back is the beautiful architecture and excellent cultural scene. While the city could easily merit a long stay, it’s worth spending even just one day in New Orleans. Here’s what to do.
If you only have time for one thing, make it the French Quarter.
If you visit in the summer, be prepared for afternoon thunderstorms.
The best way to get familiar with New Orleans is by starting your day off with a tour of the city. Opt for a tour that takes you beyond the famous French Quarter to other neighborhoods, including the Garden District, Tremé, and the Lower Ninth Ward. If possible, select a tour that stops at one of the city’s famous cemeteries, such as the St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, too. Then return to the French Quarter for your next adventure.
New Orleans has an incredible food scene, with lots of tasty treats that were invented right in the city. While you may be tempted to stop for lunch at one of NoLa’s famous restaurants, it’s worth saving your appetite for a food tour instead. Most culinary tours give you the chance to sample all sorts of famous dishes, from gumbo and jambalaya to beignets and chicory coffee, providing you with more than enough samples to make a full meal.
New Orleans is certainly not a city that shies away from the eerie and supernatural. This evening, discover the spooky side of the city for yourself on a ghost tour. Most such tours cover haunted locales in and around the French Quarter, including LaLaurie Mansion and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar. You’ll learn about voodoo history and hear ghoulish tales as you explore the city with a guide. After your tour, head over to bustling Bourbon Street to have a drink and soak in the party atmosphere before calling it a night.
