We will have one day in New Orleans in April What should we (4 adults)do? This is first time in New Orleans. Will we have time for riverboat cruise? Where to eat? More importantly where to park our car? Any info will be appreciated.

Just got back from our first trip to NO. One day is not enough to see much but a cruise should not be high on your list. A bus tour of the city will give you an overview. Walk through the French Quarter (if you like fine things, stroll Royal Street - there are a lot of really good shops) and look in on Tacky Bourbon St. If you have time take the St. Charles trolley to the Garden District and stroll a bit. Coffee and beignets somewhere. Eats will be great and depend on your budget. Good cheap at Petunia or the Gumbo Shop and you won't need reservations. More expensive at Broussards, Arnauds or Palace Cafe. We ate at all three and can recommend them. But can't you find more than one day? Sorry I can't help with the parking. Have fun. Dick

I have been to NO many times. Parking in the french quarter is expensive. There are many pay lots and they are fairly easy to find. If it is at night, make sure it appears to be in a well lit area. There are many tours you can take or buy a map and walk through the french quarter, the grab the trolley to go to the garden district to walk around. There is a cemetery of some interest in the area. The Trolley is fun and costs about a buck.

There is ample parking near Jax's Brewery, which is along the Mississippi across the street from the French Quarter. Its a little expensive by NOLA standards, but worth the convenience given time constraints. With only one day, skip the cruise. If you want to see the mighty Miss., go to the foot of Canal Street and hop on the free ferry to Algiers. Its a quick ride to the West Bank and back and provides a wonderful view. I wouldn't recommend doing anything organized, like a bus tour of uptown. One day will permit you to sample the food, wander the Quarter, and listen to a little music. Of course, that may also depend on whether you're here for the French Quarter Festival or the Jazz Festival, which are both in April. But assuming you're not, have breafkfast at Cafe Du Monde (about two blocks from the parking), stroll along Royal, Chartres and Bourbon Streets. Slurp some oysters at the Acme Oyster House, for lunch have a Pimms Cup and Half a Muffelatta at the Napoleon House, sit in Jackson Square, have a beer at the Crescent City Brewhouse (particularly if the jazz band is playing), have dinner at Galatoire's, and listen to jazz at Donnas or the Funky Butt on Rampart Street (take a cab, it will only cost a few bucks). Then make plans to stay a few more days.

It's nice to see such wonderful and helpful responses. Keep it up guys, and have a nice day.

I like the French Market (pick up some beads as souveniers and lie about how you got them when you get home <grin>), but don't know if you'll have enough time to do that and everything else that NEEDS to be seen! You really should have more than one day, if possible - enjoy the city!!

Maybe spend the morning walking around the French Quarter (better yet, take a horse and buggy ride), then take an afternoon bus tour of the city. It's probably the best way to get a little taste of everything.

If you are intersted in the history of the area, a walking tour is a good choice. We took the cemetery/voodoo tour with The New Orleans Historic Walking Tour Co and really enjoyed it. They also do a FQ tour and a GD tour. The tour was about $15 and took a couple hours. I think that with only a day, I would fit a walking tour in because you will see a lot in a short amount of time and have someone to tell you about what you are seeing - LOL.

Umm, this post is almost 5 years old.

Weird....is that some kind of N.O. voodoo that brought this post back from the dead 5 years later?!

This "nice" person lifted about 100 posts early this morning with the same "have a nice day" posts. Fodors deleted most of them.

I feel so stupid (and yes, I know I should!)........answering a five year old post.........sheesh..........

I wonder what Donna did on her 1 day in NOLA?

the gree gree (SP?) is still on her and Donna is locked in her own special N"awlins hell.

This was revived for a reason; I just made plans to go the end of March (2003 that is)and checked in for advice - Thanks everyone for pitching in!

Just got back. . . haven't even unpacked yet! Take the St. Charles streetcar up to the Garden District and do a tour of the Layfette Cemetery and then walk around and look at the houses in the Garden District. So amazing. Then continue on the streetcar to the Camiella Grill. . . good food and fun atmosphere -- line out the door nearly all afternoon! Really enjoyed the D-Day Museum. Fun people watching at Cafe DuMonde! Want to go back for more food, music, and mansion tours!