A Perfect 24 Hours in New Orleans

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Greetings, Internet Stranger! So you want to spend 24 hours in New Orleans? Then join me for a day of marvelous exploring. We’ll visit a fascinating historic home, take in a terrific bus tour, and of course we’ll eat all the amazing food we can possibly stuff in our mouths.

It will be a 24 hours in New Orleans that you will never forget!

24 Hours in New Orleans

Where to Stay?

New Orleans is the kind of city where you want to splurge a little on your hotel. After all, the motto is “laissez les bons temps rouler”, and nothing makes the good times roll faster than a little luxury. Plus it’s easier to take advantage of the New Orleans nightlife if you’re in a centrally located hotel, and those are a bit pricey.

I recommend the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. It’s located right in the French Quarter, but it’s not crazy expensive. The rooms are comfortable and beautiful. Plus, the hotel is haunted! What more could you want for a New Orleans day trip.

If you want something a little less expensive, on the north end of the French Quarter, try the Homewood Suites by Hilton French Quarter. This hotel is a little bit more of a walk from the main attractions in the French Quarter, but the rooms are massive and comfy, and the price is definitely right.

Finally, I recommend the Le Pavilion Hotel. It’s got an amazing location in the Central Business District which is within walking distance of the French Quarter, but not as noisy. It’s in a gorgeous historic building. Plus they have a free peanut butter and jelly spread every night. What more could you want?

If you’d rather find great deals for tons of other hotels in New Orleans, click here.

This search engine will help you find the perfect place to stay during your 24 hours in New Orleans. With hundreds of options to choose from, I’m sure you’ll find something for your schedule and budget.

24 Hours in New Orleans

Morning: BK House and Gardens

New Orleans is famous for its amazing architecture, but how often do you get a chance to go inside one of its fabulous historic homes? That’s why I recommend spending the morning of your 24 hours in New Orleans at the BK House and Gardens.

This is one of the few historic homes in the city that regularly does historic tours. They leave on the hour, and I suggest doing the 10 AM tour for this itinerary. You don’t need to book in advance, just show up fifteen minutes early and get your ticket for the house tour.

Then get ready for…

Three Fascinating Facts: BK House and Gardens

1) How Old is This House?

Great question! The house was built in 1825 for a rich man named Joseph LeCarpentier. According to our guide, LeCarpentier was really obsessed with marrying his daughter off to a wealthy man, so he needed a fabulous house that would attract the best and the richest, if not the brightest, from all over New Orleans.

After all, there’s no better way to show off your marriageable daughter than by throwing a whole bunch of parties. Apparently, it worked because she did marry a wealthy lawyer. I guess since his mission was accomplished, he didn’t need the house anymore because he sold it after less than a decade.

It stayed with wealthy families until the end of the Civil War, when it was sold and turned into a boarding house.

2) Who are some famous people who lived in this house?

You might have heard of it as the Beauregard Keyes House, for the two most famous residents of the place, General PGT Beauregard and the writer Frances Parkinson Keyes. (It’s pronounces kiez, like it rhymes with pies.) Beauregard was a Confederate general, and he rented rooms here but never owned the house. They didn’t talk too much about him on the tour.

Mrs. Keyes was a lot more interesting because she fell in love with New Orleans when she came to write a historical novel here and fell in love with the place. She bought the house and had it restored to its present fabulous condition. After her death, it was turned into this house museum.

However, I think my favorite residents were the Giacona family. A group of local mobsters tried to shake them down, and the Giacona men responded by shooting them to death. One of the mobsters tried to stop the bleeding using a nearby chicken. It was…unsuccessful.

3) What about lunch?

I recommend getting lunch somewhere fast in between the BK House and the pick up stop for the bus tour. That’s why I suggest getting one of the French Quarter’s best po’boys at Johnny’s. This place doesn’t look like anything special, but it will definitely put a smile on your face when you chomp into their freshly prepared shrimp po’boy.

I always get a soup/sandwich combo because a little thick gumbo makes everything better. Do you have to get the Bloody Mary here as well? No. But it’s New Orleans, cher! If you can’t day drink here, where can you day drink?

24 Hours in New Orleans

Afternoon: Bus Tour of New Orleans

After lunch, it should be time to meet the bus tour! I suggest getting the extra beignet add on, which will make a fun snack before or after the tour. Just don’t wear all black because you’ll get powdered sugar all over yourself.

New Orleans has tons of great sights that are outside of the French Quarter, and this tour is the best way to see everything in one easy trip. Our guide was a local whose family has lived in New Orleans for generations, and you could tell she really knew her stuff. That’s what made the tour fun for me, and my family has also lived in New Orleans for generations.

Check rates and availability of this tour right here!

Then get ready for…

Approximately Top 5: 24 hours in New Orleans

1) Faubourg Marigny

One of the nice things about this tour is that you get to drive past all the colorful houses in the Faubourg Marigny, the neighborhood just past the French Quarter. This area was unsurprisingly named after a man named Bernard de Marigny who was in charge of a plantation that used to be located on this spot.

Legend has it that when the future King of France came to visit Marigny, he demonstrated his wealth by having gold dinner plates made. Since no one could dine on the plates after the future King had eaten on them, Marigny had all of the gold service thrown into the river after the meal.

The most famous street in the Marigny is called Frenchmen St. because it is where all the best jazz clubs are. However, what I did not know was that this street was called Frenchmen in honor of some brave Gallic souls who died to defend their right to…drink French wine. That’s right, when Spain briefly took over Louisiana, they wanted the colonial French citizens to drink Spanish wine.

Naturally, this led to a French rebellion, the leaders of which were executed by the Spanish. The street is named after those Frenchmen who simply wanted the right to enjoy a glass of Bordeaux in the evenings. Or the afternoon. Or possibly on arising in the morning. Vive La France!

2) Hurricane Katrina Rebuild

Even though Hurricane Katrina happened almost two decades ago, many visitors to New Orleans are still interested in it. My grandmother was in New Orleans at the time, and it was hard to convince her to evacuate because she’d lived through so many hurricanes. The city was truly devastated for years after the hurricane, but the rebuilding process has gone great.

You can see one example of a building project that sprung out of the aftermath of the hurricane in my photo above. The famous Marsalis jazz family helped donate homes for musicians, and you can still see those homes in New Orleans today.

Our guide, whom I shall call Ellen, said that the reason the city flooded is because the levees protecting the city broke. However, they’ve since been rebuilt and have withstood hurricanes just as strong as Katrina. So nothing to worry about when you visit New Orleans!

3) St. Louis Cemetery No. 3

I think this spot is the best reason to take the tour. St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 is very interesting, but it’s a bit out of the way, so many tourists never get to come here. We’re lucky because Ellen will give us a walking tour, so we can get some fresh air and stretch our legs.

This cemetery was flooded during Hurricane Katrina, and you can still see the watermarks on some of the tombs. However, the tombs made it through the disaster okay.

Also, two of the most famous chefs in New Orleans history are buried here: Paul Prudhomme and Leah Chase. On the tour, you’re more likely to see the tomb of the architect James Gallier, who built many of the grand homes in New Orleans.

Also, if you’re lucky, there will be a woman selling homemade pralines outside the cemetery. You don’t have to get one, but if you have some cash, grab a treat! They’re really tasty.

4) City Park

The second and final walking stop on this tour is in City Park, one of the biggest urban parks in the country. (It’s an objective fact that this park is one of the biggest in the country, but it’s also my opinion that the park is one of the prettiest, thanks to its spreading oaks.)

You’ll be able to get out here and walk around a bit, use the restroom, and buy some beignets. Unlike the cemetery, this is free time on your own, so Ellen won’t be taking you around. However, I don’t recommend getting the beignets here because there isn’t enough time. Just order the beignet upgrade with your tour, and you’ll get some very nice ones back in the city.

Of course, you can’t spend 24 hours in New Orleans without eating beignets. That’s just sick and wrong.

5) Uptown

This is one of my favorite parts of the tour because many tourists to New Orleans never get to see Uptown. It actually used to be a separate city called Carrollton, but now it’s a full part of the Big Easy, with gorgeous historic homes and tasty restaurants. If you spend your 24 hours in New Orleans around Christmas time, like I did, the homes will be decked out with fabulous lights.

Ellen will also take you past Camellia Grill, which is one of the most famous restaurants in Uptown. Come here for a slice of there famous pecan pie.

Tulane University is a big part of Uptown, so expect to see lots of green around here! (Tulane’s mascot is the Green Wave, and yes, it’s a big Green Wave that looks kind of cranky. I don’t know where the idea for this mascot came from, but Tulane students seem to like it, so who am I to judge?)

24 Hour Tip

Those are all the secrets of the bus tour that I can share with you for now.

Check rates and availability of this fantastic tour by going right here!

24 Hours in New Orleans

Late Afternoon: Explore the Marigny and Bywater

The tour should end early enough so you will have plenty of time to have adventures before dinnertime during your 24 hours in New Orleans. I suggest taking the time to explore all sorts of fun things on your own! You can continue to walk around and take pictures of colorful houses.

You could take pictures of stray cats because there are about a flobbityjillion in this neighborhood. I was excited to find three cats hanging out by this car…

and I was even more excited when a fourth cat came to join them.

If you like shopping, there are so many choices and that’s not even factoring in the random garage sales where people will be selling books of Cajun folk tales and pepper jelly. Here are just a few of my favorites. You can head into the next neighborhood over, the Bywater, for some shops as well.

1) Louisiana Music Factory is possibly the best music store in New Orleans. They have every kind of jazz you have ever thought of, and some you definitely haven’t thought of. Also, they have a public toilet in the back.

2) Dr. Bob on 3027 Charters St. in the Bywater is a great place to go if you want to buy some New Orleans themed folk art or hang out with a statue of an alligator. I got a painted coffeepot that says “New Orleans Cafe Au Lait” to hang on my wall. The motto at Dr. Bob’s is “Be Nice or Leave”, so….be nice!

3) If you get snacky during your 24 hours in New Orleans, head to the St. Roch Market on 2381 St. Claude Ave. for some raw oysters or a cold drink.

You can also just explore and see if anything odd strikes your eye. For example, why aren’t penguins allowed in this establishment? Does this mean gators are allowed? Did someone actually try to bring a penguin into this place?

So many questions, no actual answers.

24 Hour Treasure

If it’s history you want, the plaque marking the spot where, in 1896, African-American Homer Plessy tried to protest segregation by getting on a Whites Only train car is on the corner of Press and Royal St.

There is a sweet little community garden nearby where you can sit and reflect afterwards, if you wish.

24 Hours in New Orleans

Evening: Frenchmen Street!

Now’s the part of 24 hours in New Orleans when it’s time to stop shopping and start to do what New Orleans does best: eat and listen to music! I suggest heading directly to Frenchmen St and seeing at least three shows in one evening. Let me get you started with…

The approximately top 5: Frenchmen St edition

1) Dinner at Three Muses

At Three Muses, you get to eat an excellent dinner while a local jazz band plays you and a handful of strangers some sweet tunes. Make an early dinner reservation and you should be able to catch the first show of the night, which will be around six. Do yourself a favor and snack on some blue cheese stuffed, bacon wrapped dates as you listen to the music.

PLEASE EAT THESE!!!!! The tempura shrimp are also very good. Eat both! And if you are veggie, don’t worry because they have plenty of meat-free options too.

I am a fan of pairing the snacks with a Muse cocktail, which contains St. Germain, blueberry syrup, and GIN. Drinking it makes me feel like a naughty lady from the 1920s, which was definitely the best time to be a naughty lady.

2) Jazz at dba

AND THE NIGHT OF JAZZ RAGES ON! When you’ve finished up at Three Muses, make sure you get to the 8PM show at dba, on 618 Frenchmen. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see John Boutté while you drink an Abita during your 24 hours in New Orleans. There’s a cover charge but it is definitely worth it. 

Boutté is a local treasure and whether he’s singing a jazz standard or one of his own original tunes, I guarantee his show is like nothing you’ll find outside of NOLA. (If you’re a TV fan, he also sang the theme song for the HBO show Treme.)

3) jazz at snug harbor

For the last show of the night, I insist you check out whatever is playing at Snug Harbor on 626 Frenchmen. This is the classiest jazz joint on Frenchmen, so buy your tickets in advance to the 10 o’clock show online, show up about 15 minutes before the show starts to get your seat, order a cocktail (I prefer an Old Fashioned), and get ready for some Duke Silver.

I’ve never been disappointed with a band at Snug Harbor. My favorite was the late, great Ellis Marsalis, who played on many Fridays, but the last time I was there, I heard Herlin Riley, who bills himself as the Master Drummer, and he drummed…masterfully.

But no matter who is playing, they will all talk to you before and after each song, to explain the history and meaning behind each piece. I know jazz fans get a bad rap for being pretentious, but my favorite thing about jazz is how all the jazz musicians I have seen are so passionate about connecting with the audience.

4) do some late night shopping!

If you get jazzed out, you can take a break by shopping at the artist market that operates on Frenchmen St every evening. The last time I was there, I bought a photograph of a cemetery sculpture of a crying angel by an artist named Jack Jackson. Mr. Jackson then gave me directions to the cemetery where he took the picture so I could see the statue for myself. New Orleanians love giving travel advice!

Or you can stop at the Faubourg Marigny Art and Books, which has everything from cookbooks to erotica. And if you’re still hungry, DAT DOG is open until midnight, for those who like creative wieners. Your 24 hours in New Orleans can go all night long!

24 Hours in New Orleans

How To Get There

Now, I wish I knew where you lived, Internet Stranger, because I could send you a beautiful box of beignets. But sadly, I do not, and so I can’t tell you how to get from your home to New Orleans.

But I can tell you that I used a lovely airplane to get from my hometown NYC to New Orleans. There are even direct flights there–that’s right, you don’t have to go through Dallas or Atlanta. I recommend Expedia for the best way to find the cheapest flight to New Orleans at the best time of day. It’s really easy to see all your options for flights by using their website. You can even use Expedia to rent a car if you need to.

Just click here to start looking for the best possible deals on your flight, so you can head out to 24 hours in New Orleans ASAP.

24 Hours in New Orleans

Tools For Travel

• A cell phone charger so you can take photos throughout your New Orleans day
• My favorite guidebook to New Orleans, in case you have a few extra days to spend here and want to figure out what to do outside of this itinerary
• My book Get Lost, that I wrote myself with all my best travel tips. This book will show you exactly how solo travel can take your life from BLAH to amazing!

That’s a Perfect 24 Hours in New Orleans!

What would you do with 24 hours in New Orleans? Are you ready to start booking your hotel in New Orleans right now? And have you ever asked Santa for a boob job? Please leave your thoughts below!

Note: If you want to know how I put my travel itineraries together, just click here. Keep in mind that while each article is about how to spend 24 hours in a place, that doesn’t mean you should ONLY spend 24 hours in New Orleans.

I also have an excellent New Orleans guided tour day if you want to see the city with a local. If you’d prefer a different experience, try this one day in New Orleans itinerary. You can try a day in New Orleans Louisiana City Park.

Go for the best walking tour of Garden District New Orleans. Get on the best New Orleans swamp and plantation tours. Fall for the best New Orleans food walking tours. And you can even follow the New Orleans schedule Saints travel tips.