If you only have one day in New Orleans, the French Quarter is the top draw. In this historic quarter, wrought-iron Creole architecture overlooks the famously decadent Bourbon Street, and musicians fill the Jackson Square with jazzy tunes. For a different scene, catch the St. Charles Streetcar to the leafy, mansion-lined avenues and aboveground cemeteries of the Garden District, catch a live show on Frenchmen Street, or get back to nature in sprawling Audubon Park.
To get beyond New Orleans, take a day trip to Louisiana’s plantation homes along the historic River Road for a glimpse into antebellum life. Or, see the wildlife-rich swamps and unique culture of Cajun country on an airboat tour. You'll be back to the French Quarter in time for dinner.