What to Do in New Orleans During the Day

New Orleans is famous for its nighttime reputation, but the daylight hours in the Big Easy are just as rewarding for visitors and locals alike. Museums open their doors, streetcars run to and fro, kitchens fire up their historic lunch specials, and the French Quarter takes on a lively and unique personality. 

If you’re trying to decide what to do in New Orleans during the day, the good news is that you’ll probably have more options than you do hours to explore them. Whether you’re here for a day or a week, you can easily build a daytime itinerary around museums, outdoor spaces, shopping, and New Orleans culture. 

An Easy Start to the Day

Mornings in New Orleans are quiet in a way that often surprises first-time visitors. In the early hours before the crowds arrive, morning light illuminates ornate balconies and moss-covered trees while empty streets begin to stir and the smell of freshly-fried beignets wafts through the air. 

Wherever the day will take you, start by grabbing a chicory coffee and taking a moment to bask in the city’s peaceful atmosphere.

Be in the Sunshine: Parks, Streetcars, and River Views

New Orleans is a city that rewards you for walking, and if you're staying at The Riverfront Hotel, you're close enough to easily walk to and from most adventures. That proximity matters when you're trying to figure out what to do in New Orleans during the day without losing valuable time travelling from point A to point B. 

Daytime is a great time to be outside covering ground, and the city is full of free activities to enjoy at your leisure. Hop aboard the St. Charles Streetcar and ride past the oak-lined Garden District, one of the most photographed residential neighborhoods in the country. Whenever you want, get off and casually stroll a few blocks to admire the historic mansions up close, then catch the next car back toward downtown. 

For those venturing slightly further afield, City Park and Audubon Park are perfect for long bike rides, golfing, picnicking, and more.

If you'd rather stay closer to the water, the newly renovated Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park along the Mississippi River gives you a wide, breezy view of passing barges and of the downtown skyline, just steps from the French Quarter. It's an easy, low-effort answer to what to do in New Orleans during the day when you want to take in some fresh air without a lot of planning.

What to Do in New Orleans During the Day for Museum Lovers

New Orleans has a rich museum scene that rivals cities twice its size, and their operating hours fit nicely into a daytime visit.

A few reliable stops:

• The National WWII Museum, one of the most highly rated museums in the country and a genuinely moving experience for all ages. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Historic New Orleans Collection, an informative gem with free admission tucked into the Quarter with rotating exhibits on the city's past. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, a short walk from the Arts District with a strong permanent collection of art unique to the South. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), located in City Park calls itself home to an extensive collection spanning centuries and cultures. Open Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m.; closed Monday.

For New Orleans visitors looking for history or educational opportunities, exploring a museum or two is the perfect answer to the question of what to do in New Orleans during the day. Pair your adventure with lunch at a nearby restaurant and you can easily fill an entire morning and afternoon.

Make Time to Enjoy a New Orleans Lunch

Culinary experiences aren't detours from what to do in New Orleans during the day; in fact, the diverse local flavors and treats are often considered the main attraction down South. Food here is woven into the culture as tightly as the music and architecture, and a good lunch can end up being the highlight of the whole afternoon.

No itinerary for New Orleans works without built-in food stops, and daytime is when the city's lunch counters and po'boy shops really shine. A muffuletta at a corner deli, a bowl of gumbo at a Quarter institution, or a traditional plate of red beans and rice on Monday all fit naturally into an afternoon of sightseeing. In the mood for oysters? Consider stopping in at a Quarter classic like Acme Oyster House, where a half-dozen char-grilled bites pair perfectly with an afternoon break and a cold beer.

What to Do in New Orleans During the Day When You Want to Shop

That lull after lunch and before dinner reservations is the best time for shopping and wandering. The French Market (open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily) has operated in some form since 1791 and remains a solid stop for local goods, pralines, and people-watching. 

If you’d rather spend your time shopping further uptown, Magazine Street offers a different pace entirely, with boutiques, antique stores, and coffee shops spread across a walkable six-mile stretch.

For guests staying near the Arts District, Julia Street and the surrounding blocks are worth a slow afternoon walk. Galleries here tend to be open and less crowded on weekday afternoons, perfect for a more-relaxed answer to what to do in New Orleans during the day, especially if you're the type who likes to browse without a plan. Some of the best art galleries and experiences lie just beyond the Riverfront Hotel’s front doors, making it a perfect launch pad for any afternoon adventure.

Your Daily Dose of Culture and Music

Though it’s true that the sounds of New Orleans do come alive after dark, much of the live music in New Orleans actually isn't reserved for nighttime. Several clubs and bars host afternoon sets, especially on weekends, and Jackson Square almost always has a brass band or solo musician playing to the crowd gathered around the artists and tarot readers. Frenchmen Street, better known for its nightlife, has a handful of venues that open early enough to catch a late afternoon set before dinner.

Sitting with a coffee or a cold drink and listening to a street performer in Jackson Square for twenty minutes is, for a lot of visitors, the epitome of what to do in New Orleans during the day, especially when the itinerary is centered around serendipity and unexpected discovery. 

More often than not, the city hosts year-round festivals, parades, and larger music events, so be sure to check out the latest city calendar to discover what’s going on. 

Complete the Day’s Big Adventure at The Riverfront Hotel

However you fill your sunlit hours, having a comfortable, central place to return to is the final puzzle piece that rounds out a perfect day in New Orleans. The Riverfront Hotel sits directly across from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and is a short walk from the French Quarter and the Arts District, which means you can head out for museums, streetcars, and live music without losing time getting back to freshen up before dinner.

Whether you're building a single packed day or just seeing where the city takes you, The Riverfront Hotel puts every possible answer to what to do in New Orleans during the day within easy reach. Explore our current offers and book your stay, then let the city fill in the rest of your itinerary.

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