How to Spend 1 Day in New Orleans

New Orleans beguiles visitors with its food, culture, and history—and you can experience it all in one fun-filled day. Whether you’re trying your first seafood gumbo, jumping into an impromptu parade, or dancing the night away, remember the city’s tagline: Let the good times roll. Here’s how to spend an unforgettable 24 hours in the Big Easy.
Morning: Tour the French Quarter
Wandering around the French Quarter is a great introduction to the city’s culture and history, and the area is magical before it truly wakes up in the morning. Dine on beignets and café au lait at Café du Monde, stroll through Jackson Square, admire the architecture, and peek in the boutiques. Consider a food-themed walking tour, going up the levee for a view of the Mississippi River, shopping for souvenirs in the French Market, or seeing the ornate St. Louis Cathedral. Don’t miss the Cabildo, once the seat of the local Spanish government and now the Louisiana State Museum.
Afternoon: Explore New Orleans’ Neighborhoods
New Orleans’ charming and historic neighborhoods are filled with colorful shotgun houses framed by ancient oak trees. To see multiple areas and attractions in a short time, try a hop-on hop-off bus tour. For more targeting sightseeing, consider a walking tour of the leafy Garden District, with its Greek Revival architecture and the verdant landscapes that give this area its name. Also worth visiting is Lafayette Cemetery #1, one of New Orleans’ famed Cities of the Dead, whose above-ground tombs house some of the city’s most famous residents. Or get a taste of the city’s renowned drinking scene with a cocktail walking tour.
Night: Hit the After-Dark Haunts
New Orleans continues to intrigue well after dark, with everything from live music and river dinner cruises to ghost walking tours. If your interests veer toward the macabre, consider a nighttime ghost and vampire tour through the Garden District or French Quarter. This is, after all, a thoroughly haunted city, whose dead continue to interact with the living. Should you favor an experience that’s not nearly as creepy, opt for a dinner cruise on the Mississippi River. Board the historic Steamboat Natchez, for example, and dine on Creole favorites while you’re serenaded by a jazz band.
10 Tours and Activities

New Orleans #1 Haunted Ghost, Voodoo, & Vampire Tour

New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter with Small-Group Option

City Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Three Hour City Tour of New Orleans

Steamboat Natchez VIP Jazz Dinner Cruise with Boat Tour and Reserved Seats

Ghost and Vampire Walking Tour Of The French Quarter

New Orleans Original Craft Cocktail Walking Tour

New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour

New Orleans City and Cemetery Sightseeing Tour

New Orleans Small-Group City and Cemetery Tour
- Things to Do in New Orleans This Summer
- Sightseeing on a Budget in New Orleans
- Top Day Trips from New Orleans
- Culture Lover’s Guide to New Orleans
- How to Get Off the Beaten Path in New Orleans
- How to Experience Mardi Gras in New Orleans
- Top Parks and Gardens in New Orleans
- How to Spend 1 Day in New Orleans