At 7:45 am, I wait unified airline flight to New Orleans when a thick layer of fog covered the morning sky, delaying my flight a bit. This was my first time traveling alone for fun, and I was very nervous.
I’m used to traveling with family or friends, and I haven’t really taken a real vacation since before the pandemic. I’ve spent days planning to make the most of my time in New Orleans, but I’m still nervous about exploring a completely unfamiliar place on my own.
My trip to the Big Easy was mid-October – tourist season. So when I landed, I was treated to a seemingly empty city rather than the vibrant, bustling city I’d read about in all the travel guides.
After my plane landed in New Orleans around noon, I headed straight for the hotel. As I sat in the taxi, I wondered how I would spend my first day here alone. I can do whatever I want without the hassle of disrupting plans with family or friends. I came to this trip with an optimistic mindset, and I wanted to bring as much of my stuff as I could during these two short days.
I’ve stayed at the Moxy, which is conveniently located by both the central business district and the French Quarter. The hotel is nothing fancy as I was only in the city for one night, but it was enough for a short stay.
Related: 10 TPG-approved hotels for your next stay in New Orleans
When I entered the cramped and dark hotel room, I really realized that I was alone. I had spent the previous days jotting down to-do lists and scouring the internet for travel guides, but there was something about seeing my hotel room that made it all feel authentic. I started to worry about the fact that I was planning a solo trip to a city known for its nightlife. I began to question my decision to plan this long trip without any companions.
Maybe it was because I was exhausted from the 7:45 am flight and wanted to take a nap, but the thought of spending the day on personal activities suddenly made me feel discouraged.
Suddenly, none of my travel plans and guides seemed to fit anymore. What is the point of going to jazz clubs and bars alone? I still wanted to explore New Orleans and do all the touristy things, but I quickly realized that there are some things I can’t — or don’t want to — do as a solo traveler in a city. strange.
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Once I settled in, I immediately started looking for beignets because I had read in almost every travel guide that they were a must-try in New Orleans. I decided to walk to Café Du Monde to get a better view of the city along the way.
I bask in the palm trees and pale French-Creole buildings I see along the way. New Orleans looks completely unlike any other American city I’ve ever seen, and I feel like I’m far from my world. New York City.
While much of the city is quiet at 2pm on a Wednesday, Café Du Monde is filled with patrons and live music. Most of those dining on the cafe’s outdoor patio appear to be tourists trying New Orleans delicacies for the first time.
The beignet is topped with a pile of powdered sugar and a little bit of fried dough underneath. Being alone, the only thing I could do was eat my cupcakes in silence and watch everyone. The restaurant is one of the few lively places I came across during my stay. There was a couple sitting across from me, a group of smiling elders, and some children with powdered faces.
I’ll admit – and this is probably one of my most unpopular opinions – I’m not the biggest fan of beignets at this local establishment. Sure, three beignets and an iced coffee are only $10 (a bargain for the city prices I’m used to), but I really don’t like the way the powdered sugar coats my teeth and the teeth. the table where I am dining. They’re so messy, and it’s nearly impossible to find the fried dough underneath the sugar.
Related: A classic getaway: Travel to New Orleans to find the real Big Easy
Aside from the beignets, the rest of my day was hazy. I circled the city a little more and strolled up and down Bourbon Street, which in many ways resembled the South’s version. Times square. I don’t feel like I can indulge in posh bars or fine neon-lit cocktails on my own, especially when the streets are packed with groups of drunk tourists enjoying themselves. So I have kept my visit to this famous street to a nutshell.
After witnessing partygoers enjoying the day, I found myself wishing I was with a friend again.
When I got back to the hotel that night, I wrote down a realistic schedule of things I could do before heading to the airport the next day. I was even determined to make my second and last day in New Orleans worthwhile. I decided to walk through the Garden District and visit the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park.
I spent the next day riding the green tram in the woods along St. Charles to the Garden District. I walked through rows of slightly run-down villas, occasionally using my phone to look up the history of some historic houses. Some properties are worth millions of dollars, according to a realtor trying to sell one of the homes to an elderly couple.
Walking through the Garden District is one of the more calming experiences I’ve had on my short trip. I started to see the appeal of traveling alone – I could stop, marvel, and read about historic homes at my own pace.
Related: How to Travel Solo — and Why You Absolutely Should
There’s also something happy about strolling through the New Orleans Museum of Art alone. Like the villas in the Garden District, I can move at my own pace. I enjoyed an exhibit on the history of Negro photography in the United States and I enjoyed seeing some of the work of Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.
I also got the chance to see the idyllic New Orleans City Park, where mostly flocks of geese foraging for food. As I walk through the oaks and weeping willows, I am impressed with how many activities I can accomplish in such a short amount of time.
Relying mainly on the tram and on my own feet, I explored many cities – from beignets and nearby Jackson Square to mansions in the Garden District. Sure, I don’t exactly get to enjoy a bar or jazz club, but I still find it satisfying to visit the parks, walk the city, and learn more about all the places. historical name.
I quickly went back to the hotel to collect my luggage and head to the airport – two days went by so quickly.
My trip to New Orleans was a lesson in how to enjoy time to yourself. In New York City, I always have something to do or someone to see, and I don’t often take time for myself. On this trip, however, I was able to really prioritize myself — even if it felt a little uncomfortable at times.
While my next trip to Big Easy will definitely be with some friends or family, in the end I’m glad I experienced a new place for myself. Visiting New Orleans alone made me appreciate being a solo traveler and it taught me a few things about myself.
