In the beginning of 2018 I traveled to Louisiana for a friend’s wedding, and while there I thought I would sneak in a quick getaway to New Orleans—after all, 2018 marks the 300th year anniversary for the city!
But what should you do when you have only 24 hours in New Orleans? Here are 10 suggestions to make your time in the Big Easy unforgettable!
1. Visit St Louis Cathedral
St Louis Cathedral is one of the most well-known and striking landmarks in New Orleans, and is dedicated to the King of France, Louis IX. There have been parish churches on this site since 1727.
However, the current building is not from the 1720s as the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788 burned the original to the ground. With rebuilding in early 1789 and restoration in the 1800s (during which the bell tower collapsed!), this church has suffered quite a lot in order to stand today as the iconic heart of New Orleans that it is.
The interior is free and open to the public, so make sure to step inside and admire the extravagant ceiling and the checkered floor as well as the display of flags.
Like many places in New Orleans, St. Louis Cathedral is also said to be haunted—so keep an eye out for resident ghosts Pere Antoine and Pere Dagobert while you visit!
2. Wander through Jackson Square
After visiting St. Louis Cathedral, take a stroll through Jackson Square and make sure to admire the iconic view of St. Louis Cathedral with the Cabildo and Presbytere on either side.
Although it’s unlikely you could miss seeing Jackson Square, formerly called Place d’Armes, it is fun to take a few moments to sit on the steps across the street while watching the horse-drawn carriages take tourists for a ride around the city.
The American Planning Association made Jackson Square one of America’s Great Public Spaces in 2012, so come check it out for yourself!
3. Get Beignets at Café du Monde
If you have friends who have visited New Orleans, it’s likely they’ve told you to get beignets while you are here. While there are a multitude of cafes that offer beignets on the menu, Café du Monde is the most popular—and with good reason.
Sit and enjoy beignets for breakfast or as a snack while listening to jazz from live musicians, and make sure to take a peak around the back of the building before you leave. You can watch the employees making the beignets through a window in the back: a fascinating process made easier by using machines to cut and roll the dough.
4. Walk Through Louis Armstrong Park
Named after New Orleans jazz legend Louis Armstrong, this park consists of the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, and several other buildings.
However, besides buildings it is filled with interesting jazz-related statues (including of course a statue of the park’s namesake Louis Armstrong) as well as a duck pond and many open spaces to relax.
This is also the location of Congo Square, a historic meeting place for slaves in the 1800s where they would gather for singing and dancing, playing music, and holding open markets.
Although this park is technically in the neighborhood of Tremé, you can spot the iconic arched entrance from the French Quarter, especially when evening begins to fall and the arch is lit up in a blaze of light.
5. Admire the Colorful Houses
While New Orleans is famous for its wrought iron railings that grace many of the buildings in the heart of the city, it also boasts an abundance of color decorating houses throughout the French Quarter.
Wander the streets and witness all the colors that make this city’s houses so adorable. On my walk through town I found the cutest pink and blue house, which I may now desperately want to live in…
6. Eat a Po’ Boy
What is New Orleans without the food? If you’ve already tried beignets, next on your list should be another classic: the Po’ Boy!
Po’ Boys are simply a traditional Louisiana sandwich that consist of meat (like seafood or roast beef) served on a baguette. But the simplicity of the sandwich belies the essence of the sandwich that has made it so popular over the years.
There are many legends about why these sandwiches are called Po’ Boys, none of which can be verified, but all refer to creating a sandwich for farmers, dock workers, or those on strike. Regardless, the name clearly implies this sandwich was created for “poor boys.”
Now, however, these sandwiches are an essential part of New Orleans cuisine for poor and rich alike. If you want to try this sandwich for yourself, Johnny’s Po-Boys is an excellent place that offers a multitude of options to choose from (I highly recommend the one with fried shrimp). You can find Johnny’s in the French Quarter at 511 St Louis St, New Orleans, LA 70130.
6. Listen to Street Music
If there’s one thing New Orleans is known for besides the delectable food, it would be the New Orleans’ jazz music. You can go to a local club to enjoy the sounds of this city, or you can simply follow your ears to find street musicians.
As I mentioned earlier, there are usually artists playing by Café du Monde…but it’s likely you will simply run into groups of musicians playing to crowds on the street no matter where you wander.
7. Dinner at the Commander’s Palace
While most of the suggestions on this list are in the French Quarter, it’s worth taking an excursion over to the Garden District if you want to experience luxury dining at its best. The Commander’s Palace has been serving customers since the late 1800s.
My favorite of the food I tried here was the Boudin Stuffed Quail, but the Turtle Soup was also excellent. With all sorts of creole-inspired flavors and seafood on the menu, you are certain to find something you like here.
Make sure to make reservations in advance if you have a specific time you wish to dine, as the restaurant can fill up quickly!
8. Grab a Muffuletta To-Go
The Muffuletta is a sandwich that was created in 1906 at Central Grocery in New Orleans. Made on large, round, sesame bread and filled with layers of salami, ham, provolone, mortadella, and olive salad, this sandwich is unique and a New Orleans must-eat.
The olive salad consists of a blend of cauliflower, olives, carrot, and celery among other seasonings and ingredients and can be bought in jars to take home to make your own Muffuletta. But of course, while in New Orleans you must try the original…which you can still find served at Central Grocery on 923 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116.
If you are pressed for time, at least grab one of these to take with you and eat during your drive or your flight back home. That’s what I did, and probably most of the people on the plane weren’t that excited about having to smell the olive salad, but it was so worth it! (And I know of at least one other passenger who was jealous and wished she would have picked one up before leaving too).
Extra suggestions…
9. Barataria Preserve
If you have a car or can rent one for the day, drive out on a quick jaunt to Barataria Preserve to see the swamp and bayou areas surrounding New Orleans.
Barataria Preserve is part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, and was once home to this famous pirate and smuggler. Get close up with cypress knees, colorful lichen, and of course keep an eye open for the resident alligators!
The rangers at the visitor center can usually point you in the right direction to find where the alligators hang out if you are on a mission to find them during your time at the preserve, but of course remember these animals are wild and should be respected…unless you want to become their next meal!
10. Place d’Armes Hotel
If you are looking for a place to stay during your time in New Orleans, you can’t go wrong with Place d’Armes—a boutique hotel just steps away from Jackson Square.
From this hotel’s location in the heart of New Orleans, it is easy to explore all the historical and cultural attractions of the French Quarter. Check out my review for a peek inside the Place d’Armes to see what it is like to stay here!
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