The Ultimate New Orleans Solo Trip Guide
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Updated December 27, 2023.
There are some locations that get a reputation for being unsafe, especially for solo travelers. Unfortunately, New Orleans is on that list. But I must say, during my recent New Orleans solo trip, I only ever felt safe, comfortable, and welcomed with that classic Southern charm. Read on for my New Orleans solo trip guide!
Where to Stay
Lower Garden District: The Queen Anne Hotel
On my first visit, I chose The Queen Anne Hotel, which was a bit removed from the tourist areas. It is one street over from the St. Charles streetcar for easy access to downtown. It gives southern grandma vibes, and was very quiet, which I loved!
Warehouse District: The Cambria Hotel
On my second visit, I stayed closer to the action at The Cambria Hotel New Orleans Downtown Warehouse District. This is a great location if you want to be near Bourbon Street and other attractions. Stay tuned for my upcoming blog post on a New Orleans Bachelorette itinerary for my sister, featuring the Cambria.
Note: While New Orleans gets a bad rap for being unsafe, I think it depends on where you stay. Also, be smart and aware while out at night!
Day 1: Lower Garden District and City Park
Magazine Street
Since I stayed close to the Lower Garden District, I decided to explore this neighborhood first. My research had mentioned Magazine Street, so I headed there to check out the historic, Southern homes and of course, get some donuts! My donut stop was at District Donuts, and I highly recommend the Bananas Foster donut.
Bourbon Street
After exploring the Lower Garden District, I took the St. Charles streetcar to Canal St. The streetcars were my main transportation while in NOLA. It is a fun and cheap way to see the city. And the St. Charles streetcar is the oldest continuously operating streetcar in the world. *Tip: a streetcar ride is $1.25, but you must have exact change.
I then walked from Canal Street to Bourbon Street and then to Jackson Square. Along the way, I stopped for lunch at Tableau. These were the best Shrimp and Grits I’ve ever had! And having lived in the South most of my life, you know that’s saying something.
New Orleans City Park
After lunch, I jumped on the Canal Streetcar to City Park. If you love the outdoors, this should be on your list. City Park consists of 1,300 acres of green space, which is free to enjoy. You can also find the New Orleans Botanical Garden, Couturie Forest and Arboretum, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the Louisiana Children’s Museum here.
St. Louis Cemetery No. 3
You can’t plan a New Orleans solo trip without a cemetery visit. While the most famous cemetery in the city is Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, it was closed when I visited. So I decided to check out St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 instead. It is open to the public, and a great way to learn some of the city’s history.
As someone who loves cemeteries (check out one of my faves in my Atlanta post), this was a great afternoon excursion.
Day 2: Kayaking and Nightlife
Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour
One of my favorite solo activities is kayaking, so I couldn’t pass up a kayak swamp tour on my New Orleans solo trip. I booked through New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours thanks to a recommendation from a friend. I not only got to see a different part of Louisiana, but got a good workout in while seeing 20+ alligators! *Tip: Transportation is provided from the French Quarter for $20, meeting one hour and 20 minutes prior to tour time.
The Carousel Bar and Lounge
As a solo traveler, I usually avoid being out late at night, but I was able to meet up with a friend in town to explore some nightlife. After enjoying live music on Frenchman Street (highly recommend), we walked through Bourbon Street (as wild as you’d expect) to our next destination.
Inside Hotel Montelione is The Carousel Bar and Lounge, a circular revolving carousel bar. There is limited seating at the rotating bar, so you’ll need to be patient (and slightly aggressive) to snag a seat. But it is totally worth a visit, as the drinks are on point and the people are even better.
Day 3: Warehouse District
My third day called for rain, so I decided to check out the National WWII Museum, located in the Warehouse District. This museum was very well done, with each room matching the corresponding campaign of the war. From deserts to tropical locales to winter scapes, you felt more immersed in the history as you made your way through the war.
While the content is heavy and sometimes heartbreaking, I definitely felt this was a worthwhile and educational activity.
The rain did not cooperate, and I ended up leaving the museum as it started to pour. So I decided to wait it out at a nearby bar, Flamingo A Go-Go. They have amazing frozen cocktails, super friendly staff, and a cute patio area (for when it’s not raining). Also, a super fun mural for cute photos, if that’s your thing!
One awesome aspect of New Orleans that I haven’t mentioned yet is that you are allowed to drink in public. This means I was able to take a cocktail to go from Flamingo A Go-Go and enjoy it while walking to my next destination, the Riverwalk. This is a 1.3 mile pedestrian path for shopping, restaurants, and nice views of the Mississippi River.
On my final night in New Orleans, I got my seafood fix at Superior Seafood and Oyster Bar. If you haven’t had crawfish before, I highly recommend you try some in NOLA. And Superior Seafood had crawfish mac and cheese that was phenomenal. The frozen pomegranate mojito was also delicious. It was a great way to end my New Orleans solo trip.
Bonus: Beignets, Beignets, Beignets!
A New Orleans solo trip is not complete without trying a few (dozen) beignets. I will not divulge how many I actually ate, but it was all for research, I swear!
There are two favorite local spots that have the best beignets, Cafe Du Monde and Cafe Beignet. I tried both, and while both are amazing, my favorite is Cafe Du Monde! Cafe Beignet has cuter picture opportunities though. *Tip: be careful if wearing black, as that powdered sugar gets everywhere!
I hope this post has inspired you to take your own New Orleans solo trip! This solo trip was one of my favorites for the food, historic Southern charm, and outdoor activities. And stay tuned for updates once I visit again in October. Have you visited New Orleans before?
2 Comments
Karishma
Hey, did you have to rent a car or could you walk to most places?
Jordan
Hi Karishma,
Great question! I did not rent a car for my trip. I was able to use the Streetcar, walking, and uber. The only exception would be if you wanted to explore farther out. The kayak tour I took offered a transportation option though, so that was worth it for me. I hope this helps!