What I learned when I traveled to New Orleans as a solo tourist

I waited for my 7:45 am United Airlines flight to New Orleans when a thick blanket of fog covered the morning sky and delayed my flight a bit. It was my first time traveling alone for fun and I was nervous.

I was used to traveling with family or friends, and I hadn’t really taken a real vacation since before the pandemic. I spent days planning how to make the most of my time in New Orleans, but I was still nervous about exploring a completely unfamiliar place on my own.

My trip to the Big Easy was in mid-October – tourist season. And so, once I landed, I was treated to a city that seemed more empty than the lively and bustling one I read about in all the travel guides.

After my plane landed in New Orleans around noon, I headed straight to the hotel. I was in a taxi and confused how I was going to spend my first day here alone. I could do whatever I wanted without any problems with plans with family or friends. I came into this trip with an optimistic mindset, and wanted to pack as much as possible into these two short days.

I stayed at the Moxy, which is conveniently located in the central business district and French Quarter. The hotel was nothing fancy because I was only in town for one night, but it was good enough for that short stay.

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As I entered my cramped, dark hotel room, I realized I was truly alone. Days before, I’d been writing a to-do list and scouring the internet for travel guides, but seeing my hotel room made something come true for me. I began to worry about the fact that I was planning to travel alone to a city known for its nightlife. I began to question my decision to plan this trip without a friend.

Maybe it was because I was tired from the 7:45am flight and just wanted to sleep, but the thought of spending the whole day alone suddenly seemed overwhelming.

Suddenly, none of my travel guides and plans seemed relevant. What was it like to go to jazz clubs and bars alone? I still wanted to explore New Orleans and do all the touristy things, but I quickly learned that there were some things I couldn’t or didn’t want to do as a solo tourist in an unfamiliar city.

After settling in, I immediately went for the beignets because I read in every travel guide that they were a must try in New Orleans. I decided to walk to Cafe du Monde to get a better view of the city along the way.

I drank in the palm trees and colorful French-Creole buildings I saw along the way. New Orleans looked unlike any other American city I had ever seen, and it felt worlds away from New York City.

At 2pm on a Wednesday, while most of the city was quiet, Cafe du Monde was bustling with customers and live music. Most of the people eating on the cafe’s patio seem to be tourists trying New Orleans delicacies for the first time.

The beignets came buried under a pile of powdered sugar and some fried dough. Being alone, the only thing I could do was quietly eat my house and people watch. The restaurant was one of the few fun spots I had during my stay. Across from me were a couple, a group of old men laughing and some kids with their faces covered in powdered sugar.

I’ll admit – and this is probably one of my least favorite comments – I wasn’t the biggest fan of the beignets at this local establishment. Sure, three beignets and an iced coffee only cost $10 (which is a bargain compared to city prices), but I really didn’t like how powdered sugar coated my teeth and the table I was eating at. They were very messy, and getting the fried dough under the sugar proved almost impossible.

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Besides the beignets, the rest of my day was a blur. I wandered around town a bit and walked up and down Bourbon Street, which in many ways looked like the South’s version of Times Square. Especially since the streets are full of drunk tourists, I didn’t feel like enjoying the bars or the neon-colored cocktails alone. So, I continued my short visit to this famous road.

After seeing the party goers enjoying the day, I found myself wishing I was with my friend again.

When I got back to my hotel that night, I realistically wrote down the things I could do before going to the airport the next day. I was even more determined to make my second and last day in New Orleans worthwhile. I decided to walk around the Garden District and visit the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park.

I spent the next day walking along Forest Green to reach the Garden District on St. Charles Street. I walked through the slightly dilapidated houses, occasionally using my phone to check the history of some of the historic houses. Some of the properties are worth millions of dollars, according to a realtor, who is trying to sell one of the homes to an elderly couple.

Walking through the Garden District was one of the more calming experiences I had on my short trip. I began to see the appeal of traveling alone—I could stop at my own pace, wonder, and read about historic homes.

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There was also something interesting about strolling through the New Orleans Museum of Art alone. Like the mansions in the Paradise District, I can move at my own pace. I really enjoyed an exhibit on the history of black photography in the US, and I loved seeing some of the Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol pieces.

I had the opportunity to see a New Orleans city park that was mostly filled with geese looking for food. As I waded through the oaks and willows, I was amazed at how many tasks I could accomplish in such a short amount of time.

Relying mostly on the streets and on my two feet, I covered most of the city—from Beguinage and nearby Jackson Square to the Garden District residences. Of course, I didn’t get the chance to enjoy a bar or a jazz club, but I still had the satisfaction of visiting the parks, walking around the city, and learning more about all the historical landmarks.

I soon returned to the hotel, packed my bags and headed to the airport – two days flew by.

My trip to New Orleans served as a lesson in learning to enjoy spending time with myself. I always have someone to do or see in New York City, and I don’t get to spend time alone very often. However, on this trip, I could really put myself first – even if it felt a little uncomfortable at times.

My next trip to the Big Easy will no doubt be with friends or family, I’m happy to finally have a new place on my own. Visiting New Orleans made me appreciate being a solo tourist, and taught me a thing or two about myself.