New Orleans Solo Travel Guide
SOLO GUIDES
New Orleans is bursting with history, food, and culture around every corner. It simply comes alive at night with high energy and live music. For food enthusiasts, there’s the opportunity to savor Creole and Cajun cuisine.
There’s much excitement to keep solo travelers busy. Enjoy beignets at the famous Cafe du Monde, see the history and energy at the lively Jackson Square, visit the jazz clubs, and browse the French Market.
Walk around the streets of the historic French Quarter, taking in the colorful buildings and vibrant atmosphere. Keep reading below for our New Orleans solo travel guide.
Top Things to Do on a Solo Trip to New Orleans
Jackson Square
One of the most recognized locations in New Orleans, this historical landmark sits in the heart of the French Quarter district.
As you stroll through the square, you’ll find a variety of local artists, street performers and lush vegetation. A notable sight in the area is the St. Louis Cathedral, which directly overlooks the square.
Jackson Square is a wonderful spot for solo travelers to capture that perfect photo reminiscent of a postcard, or grab a seat on one of the benches and take in the warm atmosphere.
French Quarter
French Quarter is the most famous neighborhood in New Orleans. It exudes a strong cultural atmosphere, often buzzing with with street performers.
Live music is ubiquitous on the streets of the French Quarter, from blues to jazz to brass bands. The neighborhood is also home to fascinating architecture featuring wrought-iron balconies and hidden courtyards.
In the French Quarter, you’ll find the well-known Bourbon Street, which is the nightlife and party hub of New Orleans, including a haunted pub crawl. The daytime provides a quieter experience, allowing you to walk around and appreciate the architecture.
The French Quarter is a excellent place for solo travelers to eat and drink, where you can find classic items including po’boys and fried chicken.
Try the French Quarter Walking and Storytelling Tour if you’re interested in a guided experience through this epic neighborhood.
Steamboat Jazz Cruise
Hop on a historic steamboat for a leisurely cruise along the Mississippi River. Enjoy live jazz music right onboard as you cruise.
Listen to a live narration of historical facts, and admire the New Orleans sites. With four decks, there’s opportunity to capture a multituide of views of the city.
For women planning to travel alone, this is a relaxing experience where you can sit back, listen to the music and admire the scenery. Additionally, visitors can choose to add the option for the Creole Brunch Buffet to enjoy a meal onboard the ship.
Garden District
Another well-known neighborhood in New Orleans is the Garden District, which is lined with historic mansions, charming cottages and spectacular gardens. Venture down lanes shaded by massive oak trees, and admire the opulent homes on display.
Head over to Magazine Street for shopping at the boutiques and cozy cafes. This beautiful neighborhood is a wonderful spot for solo women to leisurely stroll through.
Hear stories of the lives of those who shaped the neighborhood and learn about the origins of the architecture on a Garden District Guided Walking Tour.
French Market
This energetic market is located right in the French Quarter. A common stop for visitors, this historic market features an abundance of shop vendors and eateries to choose from. Stop by for a taste of local food that’s specific to city of New Orleans.
Taste and compare the beignets from various vendors, including the famous Cafe Du Monde. The market has a lively spirit and often features a band playing music.
Solo travelers can spend some time enjoying lunch followed by perusing the stalls, which have a diverse assortment of items on display. It’s also a good stop to casually browse for souvenirs.
The National WWII Museum
A top attraction in New Orleans and one of the most renowned museums in USA, the National WWII Museum shares the story behind the American experience.
The museum features numerous immersive pavilions with powerful exhibits and interactive galleries, along with a collection of artifacts that highlight the stories of the men and women who served.
At the Boeing Center, get an up-close look at WWII aircraft suspended overhead, such as the B-17 Flying Fortress. See wartime vehicles on display, including tanks and jeeps. Learn about the history of the D-Day landing crafts which were built in New Orleans.
Catch a performance at the BB’s Stage Door Canteen, a 1940’s-style entertainment venue featuring live music, swing dancing, and period-themed performances reminiscent of that time.
Solo Dining in New Orleans: Best Places to Eat in New Orleans
You’re not alone if you’re wondering what to eat in New Orleans. The New Orleans culinary scene is a haven for food enthusiasts, featuring bold flavors rooted in tradition.
The highlights are Creole and Cajun food, which is a staple in Louisiana. Visitors don’t want to miss classic dishes such as gumbo, jambalaya, and po-boys. For dessert, the beloved beignets (fritters) come to mind.
Po-boy: Parkway Bakery and Tavern
Originating in New Orleans, the po-boy is one of the city’s most classic culinary creations. This signature sandwich is stuffed with fried seafood or roast beef, along with lettuce, tomatoes, and mayo served inside French bread. While the fillings can vary, two popular and tasty choices to try are fried shrimp and slow-cooked roast beef.
One of the best places in New Orleans for a po-boy is Parkway Bakery and Tavern. This casual restaurant serves a crusty French bread with delicious fillings such as house-made roast beef with rich gravy and crispy fried shrimp caught from the Gulf.
Beignets: Cafe Du Monde
Established in 1862, Cafe Du Monde is a historic coffee shop that is world-famous for it’s beignets and café au lait. A stop at Cafe du Monde is a must for solo travelers visiting New Orleans.
Don’t miss the scrumptious beignets, square-shaped fried fritters topped with a generous coating of powdered sugar. Try their cafe au lait where the coffee is brewed with roasted chicory root.
With several locations, including one that is centrally-located in the French Quarter, it’s convenient to pop in for a quick break while exploring the city.
Fried Chicken: L’il Dizzy’s Café or Dooky Chase’s
Fried chicken is a mouth-watering Southern classic for solo travelers to try while in New Orleans. With a crisp, golden crust and juicy, tender meat, fried chicken is the ultimate comfort food.
Try Li’l Dizzy’s Café for a casual spot recognized for their fried chicken. Here, crispy fried chicken is served with an assortment of sides such as collard greens, red beans and rice, and mac and cheese.
For an upscale option that is known for having amazing fried chicken, check out Dooky Chase’s. This elegant restaurant features a beautiful traditional dining room with white-table cloth setting and vibrant art displayed on all the walls.
Gumbo: Gumbo Shop
Gumbo is a notable Louisiana dish, consisting of a hearty stew with bell pepper, onion and celery along with either meats (chicken or sausage) or seafood (shrimp or crab), served with a scoop of rice.
It’s no surprise that the Gumbo Shop is known for their gumbo. Here, you’ll find bowls filled with chicken and andouille sausage or seafood along with okra and vegetables. The flavor is rich and perfectly captures the taste of Louisiana cooking.
In addition to gumbo, they offer other traditional favorites such as jambalaya. It’s a wonderful spot for those looking to taste a variety of classic Creole dishes in the French Quarter.
Solo travelers interested in getting an in-depth look at the local cuisine might appreciate the different Food Tours in New Orleans.
Solo Travel in New Orleans: Best Places to Stay in New Orleans
When traveling by yourself, choosing the best location to stay can really add value to your trip. In New Orleans, there are three great districts for solo travelers to consider staying in: French Quarter, CBD (Central Business District), and Garden District. These three neighborhoods are well-located, walkable, and provide access to many of the attractions.
French Quarter
The French Quarter neighborhood is an attraction in itself. It’s where many of the city’s culture, music, restaurants, and sights are. There’s no shortage of hotels to choose from in this area.
Being a walkable neighborhood, it’s an excellent choice for solo travelers that like to explore the hustle and bustle. The French Quarter is where you’ll find Jackson Square, the French Market, and the departure point for the steamboat cruise.
Staying in the French Quarter is an especially good choice if you are visiting New Orleans for a shorter period of time as it will be convenient to get to the attractions, without having to spend time commuting.
The French Quarter is also an ideal area to stay for nightlife. If you’re planning to check out a bit of the nightlife scene, try the Frenchmen Street Live Music Pub Crawl or the Haunted Pub Crawl.
CBD (Central Business District)
When considering where to stay in New Orleans, many visitors factor in walkability. The CBD is a walkable area with a large selection of hotels. The district is essentially adjacent to the French Quarter, providing easy access by foot.
At night, the CBD is quieter than the French Quarter, which is something to keep in mind for those that are not interested in the nightlife scene.
The CBD is conveniently sandwiched in between the Garden District (to the West) and the French Quarter (to the East). It’s also walking distance to the National Museum of WWII as well as array of restaurants.
Garden District
The Garden District is a lovely area that is also a tourist attraction known for showcasing grand mansions and wonderful gardens. This area is very pleasant to walk around and also home to many wonderful restaurants and boutiques.
The downside of staying in the Garden District is that there is less selection of hotels and it would require additional travel time to get downtown. However, the streetcar line does runs through the Garden District, which can connect you to the CBD or French Quarter.
Overall, it’s a great area to stay in for solo female travelers looking for a beautiful and quiet neighborhood with charm.
Getting Around New Orleans as a Solo Traveler
Walking
Many of New Orleans’ top attractions are located in or near the French Quarter district. So it’s very possible to get around by foot, especially if you are staying nearby this area. Attractions such as Jackson Square, French Market, the Steamboat Jazz Cruise, and Cafe Du Monde are all located within walking distance.
Walking is a wonderful way to take-in the lively atmosphere of the city and to get a close look at all the little details that would otherwise be missed. The streets are also quite compact, which makes walking more pleasant.
Street Car
The New Orleans street car is another great option to get around the city during your trip alone. The historic street cars are affordable and an experience in itself. The city operates the oldest streetcar line in the world, debuting in 1835, which offers a level of charm.
The most popular line is the St. Charles Avenue Line which is a scenic route that runs from the CBD (Canal Street) past the Garden District, going through the oak-lined street and opulent mansions. Visitors frequently decide to ride the historic street car along this line, just for the experience.
Sightseeing Bus Tour
Sightseeing bus tours take you around the city, passing by some of New Orleans’ top attractions. This allows you to see some cool views of the city. It is also a convenient way to see many of the city’s attractions all at once, in a short-period of time.
The sightseeing bus tours are especially great for single travelers visiting a city for a short period of time and don’t want to miss anything. They’re also great to help you get your bearings before setting off to explore the city.
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