New Orleans: 1 day, 3 ways

Bursting with history, culture, incredible food, and a world-famous music scene, New Orleans is a city unlike anywhere else in the United States. From the lively streets of the French Quarter and an abundance of historic landmarks to elegant cocktail bars and flavour-packed Creole cuisine, there’s so much to experience, even if you only have one day to spare. Whether you’re visiting during a cruise stay or adding the city onto a wider holiday, New Orleans offers something for every type of traveller. To help you make the most of your time, we’re exploring three different ways to spend one unforgettable day in the Big Easy. 

• Discover Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral 
• Enjoy beignets at Café du Monde
• Spend the evening on Bourbon Street

Situated in the heart of the French Quarter, Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral are two of New Orleans’ most iconic landmarks. Jackson Square is widely considered one of the liveliest parts of the city, where visitors can watch talented street performers, browse artwork by local artists, admire the historic architecture, or simply relax on one of the benches and soak up the atmosphere. It’s also just a short walk from the French Market, which is well worth exploring during your time in the area. 

After discovering Jackson Square, make your way to the impressive St. Louis Cathedral, which overlooks the square. Standing as the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States, it’s one of New Orleans’ most photographed landmarks, so have your camera ready to capture its beauty. 

Located just a stone’s throw away from Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral, Café du Monde is one of the most famous cafés in New Orleans. While it’s also well known for serving chicory coffee, a dark roasted coffee blended with chicory root to create a rich and earthy flavour, the beignets are the real star of the show. These light and fluffy French-style doughnuts are served freshly cooked and generously topped with powdered sugar. 

If you have enough time to spend an evening in the city, Bourbon Street is often considered a must-visit. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, exceptional nightlife, and abundance of live music venues, there’s always something happening after dark. Many local bars offer ‘go cups’, meaning you enjoy your drink while exploring the street and moving between venues at your own pace. Jazz lovers might make a beeline for The Jazz Playhouse, while others may prefer to visit famous spots such as Pat O’Brien’s, home of the iconic Hurricane cocktail. Karaoke fans can belt out their favourite tunes at the lively Cat’s Meow, while those feeling peckish will find plenty of late-night spots to grab something to eat as the party continues around them. For a more authentic, slightly less touristy live music experience, you might prefer to head over to nearby Frenchmen Street, renowned for its intimate jazz clubs and laid-back atmosphere. 

• Visit the National WWII Museum 
• Taste your way through the French Quarter 
• Experience the city’s cocktail culture at Carousel Bar 

One of the most highly rated museums in the United States, the National WWII Museum is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions and a must-visit for all history enthusiasts. Through immersive exhibits, personal stories, artefacts, and interactive displays, the museum brings World War II history to life in a powerful and engaging way. Visitors can explore different galleries and gain a deeper understanding of one of the most significant events in modern history. 

After spending time exploring the National WWII Museum, make your way towards the French Quarter for a completely different experience, where you can swap fascinating history and immersive exhibits for the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavours of New Orleans’ famous food scene. Food tours are an incredibly popular activity in the city, offering visitors the chance to sample some of the iconic dishes that New Orleans is best known for. You might find yourself trying everything from hearty gumbo and jambalaya to traditional po’boys, the city’s famous stuffed sandwiches. It’s also a fantastic way to learn more about the local culture and history, with many tours weaving in storytelling and local knowledge along the way. If you’d prefer to explore at your own pace, a self-guided food tour is another great option, allowing you to spend as much time as you like discovering the flavours of the French Quarter. 

After spending the afternoon discovering the flavours of the French Quarter, round off your day by immersing yourself in New Orleans’ famous cocktail culture at the iconic Carousel Bar. Located inside the historic Hotel Monteleone, this elegant revolving bar has become one of the city’s most famous drinking spots and offers a refined atmosphere. New Orleans is often considered one of America’s great cocktail cities, and there’s no better place to experience its rich cocktail heritage than here. You might choose to sip on a classic Sazerac, which many consider to be America’s first cocktail, or sample other famous New Orleans favourites like the Ramos Gin Fizz. If you’d like to continue your evening, there are plenty of other sophisticated bars nearby, too, including the historic French 75 Bar and the elegant Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt Hotel. 

• Stroll through the Garden District 
• Take a cemetery tour
• Dine at Commander’s Palace 

For a slower-paced way to experience New Orleans, you might like to spend time exploring the beautiful Garden District. Known for its grand mansions, historic Southern charm, and tree-lined streets, this picturesque neighbourhood feels worlds away from the lively atmosphere of the French Quarter. Visitors can admire stunning antebellum homes, wrought-iron fences, and beautifully maintained gardens as they wander through the area. Magazine Street is also nearby, offering boutique shops, cafés, galleries, and local restaurants, perfect for a leisurely afternoon of exploring. 

New Orleans is famous for its distinctive above-ground cemeteries, often referred to as ‘Cities of the Dead’, making a cemetery tour one of the city’s most unique experiences. Due to the city’s high water table, many tombs and mausoleums were built above ground, creating the striking appearance these historic cemeteries are known for today. Guided tours offer visitors the chance to learn more about New Orleans’ fascinating history, burial traditions, and local legends while exploring beautifully detailed tombs and peaceful pathways. Many tours also include stories about notable residents, voodoo culture, and the city’s rich heritage. 

After a day spent exploring the Garden District, round off your evening with dinner at the iconic Commander’s Palace. Widely regarded as one of the most famous restaurants in New Orleans, this elegant establishment has been serving guests since 1893 and is celebrated for its refined Creole cuisine and exceptional service. Signature dishes such as turtle soup, pecan-crusted Gulf fish, and bread pudding soufflé have made it a favourite among both locals and visitors alike. Located in the heart of the Garden District, Commander’s Palace offers the perfect setting for a memorable evening.

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