Traveling Solo is still something a lot of men and women won’t do out of fear. However, every day someone decides to face that fear and explore the places they desire to explore without having to wait on others to do so. Below we share Kasie’s solo experience, what made her do it along with additional tips to help inspire you to book that trip and go!
Guest Blogger Edition
Hi everyone, I just got back from my FIRST EVER solo trip to The Big Easy (aka NOLA, aka New Orleans, aka the 504!) and let me just say it was beyond amazing!
What Made Me Do It
This was the most spontaneous, random, nerve-wrecking decision that I have ever made in my life! Anyone who knows me personally will know that this was extremely out of my comfort zone. I would always look at solo travelers like “Wow! That’s dope…but I couldn’t do it!” The thought of being in a unfamiliar place completely alone was out of the question for me.
“So what the heck made you want to go?!” To start, my flight was booked back in January and I had already been saving up for it. I wasn’t originally going alone but life happens so I was faced with the decision to either cancel or YOLO it and just go!
I made my decision two weeks before my trip. Yes, VERY last minute! I asked input from a few of my friends and they pumped me up! “Just go! You’ll have fun.” “You already paid for half of it, might as well just go!” So I decided to go for it. I am so happy I did! I feel so proud of myself. I conquered one of my biggest fears. I do admit I was freaked out because I LITERALLY read every single possible post on the internet! Every blog, every discussion board on trip advisor etc. Many of them said that NOLA was “dangerous” especially for a solo woman. I am glad i didn’t listen to what i read, because to be honest, I never felt “unsafe” while I was there. It’s all about using your common sense and street smarts. Would you go into a dark alley at 2AM alone in NYC after leaving a bar? No! So why would you do it in New Orleans?
Planning But Not Overthinking It
I researched things to do ahead of time and booked a few tours on Expedia.I could have done it once I was in New Orleans, but since I was going to be alone I wanted to have my itinerary pretty scheduled out so I wouldn’t panic over there!
Coincidentally mid way through my trip an old college friend happened to be out there. Look at how the universe looks out, my heart was so happy! I got to meet up and hang out with him. It was nice to see a familiar face!
If you are planning a solo trip or just thinking about doing it – JUST DO IT! I promise you that it’ll be worth it. Is it scary? Hell yeah! It’s the type of scary feeling that builds up anticipation and once you are there you realize it is the best decision you could have made for yourself and by yourself. If NOLA is on your list, I definitely recommend it as a destination for a solo trip. The French Quarter is filled with visitors and everyone is so nice! The southern hospitality is super real. Sometimes you just can’t wait on friends or family to join you on experiences, you just have to go out there and find your own adventure.
Ps: We have an itinerary for New Orleans HERE.
Additional Tips for solo travelers in NOLA
- Book your hotel in the French Quarter. I stayed at “Hotel Royal” on Royal St. This hotel was perfect for me personally. It did not have a lot of amenities but that was okay for me. The hotel was budget friendly, which was important for me considering I booked 2 weeks before Easter. It was also within walking distance from everything! It was close enough from the craziness on Bourbon, but still far away enough to get a decent night’s rest.
- Book some tours. I did the Oak Alley Plantation Tour which was beautiful! I had also booked “The walking Tour” of the Garden District/Lafayette Cemetery but then cancelled it because I decided to do it on my own. If I stayed one more day I would have done the Swamp Tour. Doing tours allows you to meet other solo travelers and groups as well. Make a friend! Just make sure you do your research so you go on things you will enjoy. Expedia has a lot of great options.
- Use Ebates to get cash back on hotels and tours on Expedia. This tip can be apply for anytime you travel, not just for solo travel but who doesn’t want some $$ back? Hello!
- Don’t wander into quiet and dark streets alone at night. Again, this is common sense, but it can be easy to forget the simple things. Rule of thumb, don’t do things you normally wouldn’t do back home. Use more caution. Stay in bright areas where you can see people and you can be seen.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes! The French Quarter requires a lot of walking especially if you’re just exploring. My legs and shins were hurting 3 days after my trip!
- Write it down on paper!One thing I did before I left was to write down any important phone numbers of people I would needed to reach in case I lost my phone or if it got stolen etc. Write those names on on paper, keep a copy in your room and one on you.
- Always have someone back home aware of your whereabouts. On the iPhone you can send your location to friends or family. Check your phone model to see if it has something similar. I did this every few hours just so my family and friends had an idea of where I was located.
- Keep a charger with you. One thing I wish I did have was a portable charger. It would have been easier to charge my phone in my bag instead of having to stop every now and then to do it. Traveling alone means you can’t rely on someone else to have their phone for pictures or calls.
- Talk to the locals! You will learn so much from them. After all, nobody knows a town better than its people! Ask them for recommendations, they have them
- Have some cash or coins on you. There are so many talented musicians in the French Quarter, they will appreciate a dollar or two. Also, you will notice a lot of homeless people in NOLA. They really do not bother at all but if you feel like being a good Samaritan, drop them a dollar or two.
- Lastly, just EAT, EAT, EAT! New Orleans is known for their amazing cuisine! You will be too busy eating to even care if you are alone or not. The food is so delicious, you will actually be glad there isn’t anyone else to share your plate with!
A solo trip is such a liberating experience! You are forced to trust yourself and your decisions. It is a great way to just spend some very necessary quality time alone, which we all need!
Safe Travels,
Kasie R
Follow her on Twitter @KasieRose_
See some more awesome pictures on her Instagram
I love this! I just did my solo trip to St Petes last month and it was everything and more! I might have to look into NOLA next year!
hope you do!
I am Inspired ! been wanting to do a Solo to NOLA but was to afraid !
Really hope you do!!!! If you do share pictures with us, would love to know how it goes
This is an awesome blog post!
I am currently in the process of planning my trip to New Orleans for December. I can’t wait to explore!
Thank you for sharing your experience and tips!
Thank you for your comment! Hope your trip to New Orleans is a successful one! Let me know how it goes
Thanks for sharing. I’m planning to go on a trip to New Orleans in June this year by myself and I was a little nervous because I’m going to be by myself (plus I have a heights thing so taking an airplane is going to be something lol). But after reading your blog I know I’ll be fine going. Im still looking for a reasonable hotel right now, I already booked my flight. Again thank you for sharing your experience!!
That is AWESOME! So excited for you! Let us know how this goes, glad this post helped you!
My 30th birthday is in June and I was planning on going to NOLA with a friend but she just cancelled. So I am trying to gather the courage to take my very first solo trip. It’s so cool that you booked your flight already.
Hi! If none of your friends want to join I highly encourage you go by yourself as the author went! You will have a great time
My 30th Birthday is in June too. Just passed on the 14th. I’m planning my first solo trip now to NO for Essence Fest, and definitely plan on going on the plantation and swamp tour mentioned in the article!
Let us know how it goes! Happy Belated!
Lol. My trips in October and my friend just canceled. Not my first solo but still…
Don’t let that stop you. We are sure youre going to have an amazing time!
You are going in October! Me too! What time? Maybe we will over lap and can do a tour together!
Thanks for the article! I am a college student and I always wanted to visit New Orleans because I am a jazz enthusiast. I have been thinking about going to New Orleans this coming spring break by myself. Your article is definitely more balanced between the positive and the cautions than other articles. I am a very “comfort zone” kind of person, and I have lived in a very safe suburban area near LA. So, this is a big step for me. I don’t know what to do haha.
Kevin,
I really hope you go on that trip! Just follow the steps to be cautious out there and stay within the French quarter area and you will be find. Needless to say be cautious of the drinks you consume. It will be a great experience!
This article was very inspiring! Being a college student who has NEVER left Houston (San Antonio, Galveston, and Austin don’t count) and explored a city alone. I was told it was dangerous and I should look for something much closer, but my heart was set on NOLA. But after doing some research and coming across this article, I finally had the courage to book an AirBNB and I am not regretting the decision I made. Thank you so much for expressing your experience in NOLA and giving a lot of women the courage to step out of their comfort zone!
This is AMAZING! We are so excited for you. Really hope you enjoy yourself. NOLA is a great place! Let us know how it goes <3
Amazing article!!! (:
I will travel to NOLA in three weeks and it will be my first solo trip. My family and friends are surprised and worried because I am doing this alone, but I know I made the best decision.
Thanks for the tips and inspiration !!
Lots of love <3
Hope it all goes well. Always play it safe. Enjoy NOLA!
This is perfect!
Exactly the encouragement I needed to push me into booking this.
Coming out all the way from Australia to see this beautiful city so I hope it is well worth the trip. I will be there this year for the amazing gumbo festival.
Thank you for all your advice and tips
Greatly appreciated
Thank you so much. We have another article which is an itinerary for New Orleans if you need some tips on where to eat and what to see. We hope you love this charming little town as much as we did. Wear your stretchy pants because there is so much to eat. Let us know how your trip goes!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’ve always wanted to go to New Orleans, but no one wanted to go or financially they couldn’t go. I just booked my flight and boy was I scared and excited all at once. Just turned 50 years old in April and I’m sick and tired of not being able to go anywhere because I allowed other people to dictate my path. This will be my second SOLO trip and I can’t wait to get there. My first SOLO was to Las Vegas and that was fun.
I can’t wait to experience New Orleans.
You go girl! So happy you took the plunge. Hope New Orleans is as good to you, as it was for us!
Hi Vicki! When are you going to New Orleans> I am booking a trip myself to go solo and I am nervous abut it!!
This was such a great story!! i was looking to go away for my 30th birthday. and no one can come with me or wants to go to new orleans….im dying to just go by myself but im skeptical about safety. Im feeling inspired after reading this!
i hope you do get to go! <3
Hi!
Just came across this and am planning a solo spring break trip so thank you for the information!
Where did you get the white shoes you’re wearing with the off the shoulder blue dress?
Hi!
Also, when traveling alone who do you ask to take cute pictures of you ?
Hello!
Other solo travelers, couples in exchange to take their picture, or other people around me