20+ Best Things to Do Alone in New Orleans Plus Tips for a Perfect Solo Trip

New Orleans might be famous for its wild party scene, but it’s also one of the best cities to explore solo. Whether you’re drawn by the music, food, history, or just want an adventure on your own terms, there are plenty of fun things to do alone in New Orleans. When I first visited during “Deep Gras” (the weekend before Mardi Gras), I discovered how much fun solo travel here can be, and I had to come back the next year!

If you’re planning a solo trip to New Orleans, don’t overthink it. Pick a few must-dos, then let the city’s charm lead the way. So without further ado, put on your best tacky souvenir shirt and don’t forget your crawfish bib–we’re going to the Big Easy! Here are my favorite things to do in New Orleans solo.

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Where to Stay in New Orleans

The French Quarter! It’s very safe with lots of tourists, and you can walk to most places you’ll want to see.

Map of where to stay in New Orleans:

Wander around the French Quarter

This one’s first on my list by design. If you’ve ever heard of New Orleans, you’ve heard of the French Quarter, and it’s easy to see why it’s so famous.

I’ve been to the French Quarter more times than I can count now, and walking down those streets still makes me smile. It’s impressive–the architecture, the street performers, the charm.

I recommend walking around and exploring with no set agenda in mind. If you hear amazing music, stop and listen. I recently heard a brass band playing “It Wasn’t Me” (yes, the Shaggy song) and it was phenomenal!

With that being said, though, here are some specific recs in case you want a little structure to your wandering:

Check out the unique art galleries and shops on Royal Street

Royal is one of my favorite French Quarter streets. There are so many cute shops and cool galleries there. Walk around and pop in and out of a few that strike your fancy. This is a fantastic way to spend an afternoon solo.

Stroll through Jackson Square

There are always street performers, vendors, artists, psychics, and more in Jackson Square. Enjoy the iconic St. Louis Cathedral, get your cards read, and find a souvenir to take home.

Stuff your face with beignets at Cafe du Monde

Beignets are like little squares of funnel cake covered in powdered sugar. Whether or not Cafe du Monde has the best beignets in town is up in the air, but one thing’s for sure. Cafe du Monde is an experience, and if you’ve never been to New Orleans, you have to try it out. There’s usually a great street performer here too.

Nightlife and Music in New Orleans

Frenchmen Street

Just on the other side of the French Quarter is the Marigny, where Frenchmen Street is. If you want New Orleans jazz, this is your spot.

I recommend walking around with no set agenda–just like with the French Quarter. If you want a busier night, go on the weekend. If you’re an introvert looking for a chill time, go on a weeknight. I’ve spent many solo weeknights on Frenchmen Street listening to tunes.

Some recommendations:
The Spotted Cat: This is my favorite music club in the entire city! The best jazz bands play here. People are always dancing, the drinks are tasty, and the vibe is lively.
DBA: Another great spot to watch music, often with no cover.
Favela Chic: This one’s for the introverts–if you need a break, this place is much less crowded than the others. It’s a great low-key spot to have a snack (they serve decent food!) and a drink and a breather. They have live music too!
The Frenchmen Art Bazaar: I know, not a music club. But it’s a fun nighttime art market to stroll through as you’re going between clubs.

Bourbon Street

Love it or hate it, Bourbon is New Orleans’s most famous street, and I’d recommend going at least once. Two tips for visiting Bourbon Street alone: Don’t get too carried away with the partying and keep your belongings secure. The thieves around here know what they’re doing.

Don’t let me scare you, though. Bourbon is a lot of fun! A little common sense goes a long way, so don’t worry too much, and you’ll have a great time.

And if you’re worried about being alone? Don’t be. You’ll blend in with the crowd on the packed street and in the music clubs. If you’re still feeling iffy about it, though, go during the daytime.

Here are some of my favorite Bourbon Street activities:
Karaoke at The Cat’s Meow. Imagine people who have been drinking all day climbing on stage to belt out classic crowdpleasing tunes. I’ve heard fantastic singing on that stage. I’ve also heard sounds uttered that I’m not sure were words. Either way, fantastic time!
People watching. You’ll see everything from people in full costume to people wearing almost nothing.
Live music at The Famous Door. Hard to miss–it’s right on a corner and the music will draw you in!
Fritzel’s is a great jazz club.

For a quieter night on Bourbon, go on a random weeknight. It’s a completely different experience than on the weekend. It’s still a party, just a little less of one, and it’s much more manageable for an introvert like me. In other words, the neon lights are on, but nobody’s home…

See a show at the legendary Preservation Hall

Visit a piece of vital New Orleans history. This is a small venue, and it gets crowded. You’re close to the band, and shows sell out every night. Afterward (or before), head next door to Pat O’Brien’s for a hurricane

The Columns bar and hotel. One of the many sights along the Uptown street car line.

Low-Cost and Free Things to Do in New orleans

Take the St. Charles Streetcar to Uptown

If you’re looking to go beyond the French Quarter, this is a great way to do it. And it’s cheap entertainment–a Jazzy pass only costs 3 bucks and you can ride the streetcar all day. Stop wherever looks interesting. You could do your own bar crawl or sightseeing tour.

Some recommendations:
Get off and look at the gorgeous mansions in the Garden District.
Check out the live oaks in Audobon Park.
Stop for a frozen French 75 at Superior Seafood.
Check out the unusual Columns Hotel Bar. Great drinks, cool art, and pure New Orleans style.

The Sazerac House

101 Magazine St. New Orleans

This great museum is completely free and gives samples! They also hand out recipe cards so you can replicate those samples back home. If you’re looking to duck out of the heat or crowds in the French Quarter for a bit, I recommend checking this spot out.

WOLDENBERG PARK RIVER WALK

1 Canal St.

The River Walk is a relaxing retreat from all the liveliness, and you can watch the cool boats come in!

Take the ferry to Algiers Point

For 3 bucks (Jazzy Pass), you can take the ferry over to a quiet part of town, Algiers Point, and enjoy beautiful views of the city. Be sure to stop at Barracuda for some delicious Mexican food!

I had to…

City Park and the Sculpture Garden

1 Collins Diboll Cir

City Park is one of my favorite spots in the city, and the scuplture garden is fun too! You can take the Canal streetcar to see them.

Want more FREE things to do in New Orleans? Check my list here.

Try the food and drink New Orleans Is Famous For!

Nowwww we’re talkin.’ You have to try allll the food in New Orleans you can. Here are some favorites:

Crawfish

I have to admit, I was squeamish at first. But crawfish boils are delightful! And that goes for everything else with crawfish in it–etouffe, pasta, bread. Don’t miss out!

Beignets

Oh, how I love these little square funnel cakes. Bites of heaven. Check out Cafe du Monde and Cafe Beignet.

Gumbo

I’ve had a lot of great gumbo, but the best was at the iconic Dooky Chase.

Purple Drink

Try a Voodoo Daiquiri a.k.a. a purple drink at the famous Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. This is the oldest continuously-running bar in the U.S. Of course, it’s haunted too. Bonus: Nola Poboys is right up the road–highly recommend the purple drink and a poboy together. Double bonus: the hotel next door has the same menu, if you need a purple drink and you’re in a time crunch.

Frozen Irish Coffee

Frozen Irish coffee is the most delicious beverage on the planet. At least in my book. You can’t beat Erin Rose. Oh, and you can walk around with a drink in New Orleans, so…why don’t you sip on your Irish coffee on the way to Cafe du Monde? Tiny bonus: you get a little souvenir cup from Erin Rose!

Go to a festival or parade

There’s usually something going on in New Orleans. It’s a party city, after all. From Jazz Fest to Creole and Gumbo Fest to Crawfish Fest to Beignet fest…and who could forget Mardi Gras? My advice is to just go, even alone.

If you’re ready to tackle the “big one,” Mardi Gras, alone–read my post about how to travel to Mardi Gras solo.

For parades, the Parade Tracker app is a must.

Talk to strangers

The people of New Orleans are some of the friendliest folks I’ve ever met. All you have to do is walk around the block and you’ve got 10 new friends. But if you have trouble meeting people, or if you’re a shy introvert like me, here are some ways I make friends in a new city.

Statue at the Whitney Plantation

Take a tour

New Orleans has such a rich culture and history that I’d recommend at least one guided tour. You’ll learn so much and have a blast. And bonus–you can walk around with a drink for many of them.

Spooky and Spiritual Tours

Into ghosts? Many tours for that–I recommend this Haunted Pub Crawl.
Are vampires your thing? I recommend this vampire tour.
Learn all about voodoo on this tour.
Tour the most famous cemetery in New Orleans, where Marie Laveau is buried, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Plantation Tours

There are several plantations you can tour, some with shuttle pickup. I recommend the Whitney Plantation because it shows the most realistic depiction of the horrors of slavery. Not for the faint of heart

Garden District

Free tours by foot – Garden District Tour. Tour the lavish neighborhood where the rich and wealthy live.

Do Something spooky

Preferably on a gloomy day (I so love a good gloomy day in New Orleans. It’s a vibe).

Check out a cemetery

You don’t necessarily have to do a tour to see a cemetery. New Orleans has beautiful cemeteries, most of which are free to wander through. Pick one and marvel at the tombstones. That sounds weird, but the old, elegant aboveground tombstones are works of art.

Anybody know what this means?

Get your tarot cards read

You’ll find many places to do so–a sure bet is in Jackson Square.

Check out the Pharmacy Museum

514 Chartres St. New Orleans

This place was delightfully creepy and will make you appreciate current times. Suddenly, mammograms and colonoscopies don’t seem so bad.

FAQ – Things to do alone in New Orleans

Comfort and Safety tips for New Orleans

Use common sense. Don’t go down the dark side streets. Stick to the populated ones–Bourbon, Royal, Decatur, Canal… What I’m getting at is if there are a lot of people there, feel free to stroll down that street. If not, skip it.

Don’t wear open-toed shoes on Bourbon Street. Or if you do, watch where you step because there are puddles everywhere that are filled with a mystery liquid some locals call “Bourbon juice” or “Bourbon gravy.” I can’t imagine what’s in it…

Keep walking if anyone tries to hand you Mardi Gras beads (and it’s not Mardi Gras), if anyone who looks like a monk tries to give you a bracelet, or if anyone asks where you got your shoes from—these are scammers. Best to keep walking and not engage with them.

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Final Thoughts on solo Travel in New Orleans

New Orleans is a fascinating, walkable city, which makes it perfect for the solo traveler. It’s safe as long as you use common sense, keep your wits about you, and don’t fall for scams. The culture, food, and friendly people just might make you fall in love with the city and want to come back!

Would you travel solo to New Orleans? Let me know in the comments below.