New Orleans Solo Travel

You’ve come to the right place to discuss New Orleans solo travel. My first ever trip was when I was 25 years old and had no idea what I was doing. All I knew was that I wanted to see London, the plane ticket was $500, and it was a nonstop flight. Voilà! Fast forward twenty years, and I am a solo traveling enthusiast. And solo trips have become a way of my life. If I din’t live in New Orleans, it would be a place I would absolutely visit alone. Whether it’s your first solo trip or your 100th, New Orleans is a fantastic place to visit, and I hope this blog helps you realize that.

Let’s go, solo travelers. I’ll help to guide you to all the good things a solo traveler would want to do here in New Orleans. And just to clarify, I’m mainly targeting solo female travel recommendations here.

Because I do live here, and do many things alone and with groups, I am in a very good position to help you suss out how you’d like to spend your time in New Orleans as a solo traveler. As we get older, it’s more challenging to find people who have our same interests and schedules, so it’s nice to be confident enough to go it alone. New Orleans is one of the most welcoming cities on earth, I am convinced. You will leave feeling like you’re always welcome back. And truly, you might want to just stay in New Orleans forever.

To us, it’s no matter if you are by yourself or in a group. We invite you to come as you are. That is a hard concept for people who are used to unfriendly or less friendly places in the country or the world. Here, it’s just how we do things. New and seasoned solo travelers, let’s dive in.

Home Tour in the French Quarter

I’m going to be very honest and direct as someone who is a resident of this vibrant and wonderful city. The short answer is yes, travel in New Orleans is safe for solo travelers. My general feeling of safety is very high here for a few reasons. First, I do not alter my state and lose control of my surroundings. This goes for anywhere I travel solo. Second, I am always with my head on a swivel and watching who is around me and my surroundings overall. Third, I carry myself with confidence. This goes for New Orleans, or Timbuktu, or anywhere else. And this is what I recommend for you as a fellow female solo traveler.

I like to get acquainted with the front desk staff at my hotel so they know to look out for me as well. Whether you stay in the Garden District, the French Quarter, or the Warehouse District, this applies to you. As many major cities have not-so-great areas, New Orleans is no different, so don’t go off the beaten path, especially at night. And please, do not hang out on Bourbon Street (at all - my opinion), and especially not late into the night. It’s not the place for a solo female to remain in a safe situation.

Enjoying a Crawfish Roll at French Quarter Festival in April

In general, if you’re coming to enjoy New Orleans, I recommend coming between October and May. While summer travel is less expensive, it is oppressively hot, and unless you’re into that, it’s not as enjoyable. My mood definitely plummets for a couple of months, as it’s seasonal depression in a reverse kind of way. Unless you’re here living it everyday, it’s a bit hard to conceptualize just how hot it gets. With that being said, do come when you can, just know there are “better” times than others if you’re asking me (which you are if you’re reading this). Here's my full guide on when the best times are to visit New Orleans.

There is so much amazing stuff to do in the months that I recommend, and the whole of the city is in a good mood and happy just to be able to call this home, or home for a few days. The French Quarter is electric, there is live music to be heard, and City Park is showing off like it owns the place. So, if I were you, I would aim to visit in the spring or fall.

Before I give exact recommendations, which I will for the solo traveler you are, I want to say that there is so much to do alone in New Orleans. I’m alone for many of my activities, and it is a non-issue. I tend to bop around this city any day of the week, as I have a very flexible schedule. And it’s awesome to get to do all of the things New Orleans has to offer.

The truth is, the locals and visitors do much of the same things, so not much is just for tourists. You’re going to be an honorary local when you come here, so embrace it. We will take you into our fold and treat you like one of ours if you let us. Let’s grab a coffee from on of our favorite New Orleans coffee shops and hit the bricks. We have lots of New Orleans attractions to see.

Enjoy the French Quarter by Day

Many days during the non-summer months, there’s nothing more tranquil than strolling the French Quarter alone. My favorite side is between Esplanade up to around the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, and I absolutely love going in and out of the many beautiful shops that inhabit the buildings. Popping into the French Market for some of the items being sold by vendors is also something I remember fondly as a kid, and it hasn’t changed as an adult. My blog on the best walkable neighborhoods in New Orleans will expound on what to do in the French Quarter while you’re there, so give that a read. If you want an official tour, book with Orion Couling or DuPont & Company.

Experience City Park’s Many Offerings

City Park is the absolute best, and something as a solo traveler to New Orleans I do hope you won’t miss. You can take the streetcar all the way down to the base of City Park and start to wander. My top recommendations while you’re in the park are the sculpture garden, the botanical garden, and NOMA. They are all within walking distance of each other, and the sculpture garden is free to enter. While you’re there, sit down at Cafe du Monde for some coffee and beignets and enjoy the peace of the live oak trees with their moss hanging from them. If you’re into photography, this is a good time to break out the camera and take some amazing shots. I’ve done it dozens of times, and it never gets old. 

Ride the Streetcar

I’ve just mentioned the streetcar, and while I do count the line to City Park a streetcar ride, I highly recommend the green line that goes down St. Charles Avenue. It’s a dreamy ride, passing several of the neighborhoods I mention in my blog that I linked above, and you can hop on and off with your Jazzy Pass. It’s a low pressure activity, and it’s perfect if you want to take a load off, see a lot of what New Orleans looks like, and enjoy your own company. You can even take a boozy cocktail on the ride if you so choose. If it’s cold, maybe a coffee or hot chocolate is more appropriate. This is one of those things that, even as a resident, never gets old.

Go on Some Walking Tours

Different strokes for different folks, right? That’s why there are many walking tours from which you can choose, and there is no wrong answer. Or is there? One of my favorite people is Orion Couling, and he will happily lead you on fantastic tours in New Orleans. Many people adore his ghost tour, and the great thing is that he is very protective over the females in the group, as is his nature. Even if you’re doing a night tour, Orion will make sure you are safe and secure from start to finish.

Another tour company I have enjoyed is DuPont & Company. The owner and operator is a born and bred native, and her love of the city radiates through her enthusiasm for her tours. A good one is the Garden District tour, and I would highly recommend it because it’s a great place to get to know New Orleans, and your guide will be excellent.

Check out Our Top Notch Museums

So many museums to choose from in New Orleans! If you’re a museum person, which I half claim to be, I’ll tell you my favorites and maybe you’ll like them too. I mentioned NOMA (New Orleans Museum of Art), which is in City Park, which is the art museum. Some others that are on my radar are the Storyville Museum, which tells all about the red light district here in New Orleans, known as Storyville.

Another fantastic one is the Sazerac House, and you’ll learn about New Orleans through our love of cocktails and the culture. If you like out of the ordinary museums, the Pharmacy Museum might be your cup of tea. Perhaps a WWII buff, the National WWII Museum is world-renowned and absolutely worth a visit if that is your jam. You could be there all day, I do warn you. Pick your poison, and enjoy some time out of the elements. 

Food, Glorious Food

Where to start, friend? When I solo travel, I often like to choose restaurants that have bar seating so that I can be away from being a single at a table for two, you know? I’m not one to care too much, but if I want to have a chat with the bartender or patrons around me, it’s nice to have that option. My list of bars to visit also have delicious food that they serve, so that is a great starting place. For an upscale meal, check out Doris Metropolitan or Irene’s. A little less pricey and my favorite wine bar, Pluck.

Want some good old fashioned New Orleans food? Joey K’s is your spot. And for a perfectly French breakfast, pick up a croissant from La Boulangerie uptown. There’s not shortage of good food here. But try to stay away from the tourist traps. If you see a long line, go the other way. We have way too many good places to wait.

Hear Some Live Music

If you’re hankering for some live music, because for crying out loud you’re in New Orleans, I recommend heading to Frenchmen Street. There are several places that you can go that would be a fantastic way to see what this town has to offer. Some of the notable places you can go directly on Frenchmen Street even do early shows some nights. You can check the schedule, but I’m always up for an earlier night. D.b.a. is my favorite, as I have been going there for a couple of decades. Please don’t order a fancy cocktail. And definitely know you’ll likely be standing. It’s cozy, though.

The Spotted Cat is another great pick, and so is Cafe Negril. Snug Harbor is a great pick as well. And the good news is that they are all within steps of each other. Most charge a cover, so bopping in and out might not be what you want to do, but trying out a couple might be worth the money spent. And, it’s New Orleans! You have to hear live music!

Sipping a Solo Coffee

I’m positive I’ve convinced you to come to this magical and fantastical city, have I not? It’s filled with people like myself who are full of adventure and ease, and you will slide right into our laissez-faire mentality. You can arrive and just go with it, whatever “it” is for you. We are here to help, to aid, to help you enjoy your time. You are here to enjoy yourself and and this special city, and if you come solo, you will leave with friends. I might be one of them. Make New Orleans your next solo destination, and I can’t wait to hear how you loved it. I know you’ll be back soon.

If you enjoyed this recommendation, you might also like my blog on what to wear in New Orleans. or authentic New Orleans experiences.

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