Best single-day trip from Virgin Hotels New Orleans
The easiest single-day trip from Virgin Hotels New Orleans is a museum-and-French-Quarter day: visit the National WWII Museum in the morning (about a 10-minute walk), then walk into the French Quarter for lunch, shopping, and music. Return to the hotel’s 13th-floor Pool Club in the evening for rooftop views and cocktails.
In this guide
Start at Virgin Hotels New Orleans
Leave from 550 Baronne St after breakfast at the Funny Library or Commons Club. The hotel sits in the Warehouse District/Central Business District, within easy walking distance of downtown sites and streetcar stops.
If you want to freshen up before you go back, note room options like Room, 1 King Bed (Chamber) and Room, 1 King Bed, City View (Chamber) — each Chamber follows the hotel’s two-chamber design separating sleeping and dressing/lounge areas.
- Hotel address: 550 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA 70113.
- Commons Club hours cover breakfast and brunch on weekends; Funny Library coffee opens early for grab-and-go.
- The front desk and concierge are available 24/7 for directions, tickets, and recommendations.
| On-site option | Best for |
|---|---|
| Funny Library | Quick coffee and pastries before you walk |
| Commons Club | A sit-down breakfast or post-trip dinner |
| Pool Club (13th floor) | Evening rooftop cocktails after your day out |
Morning: National WWII Museum (10-minute walk)
The National WWII Museum is about a 10-minute walk from the hotel and makes a logical first stop: large permanent exhibits require a few hours to tour thoroughly. Plan to arrive right at opening if you want to avoid crowds.
The museum is frequently cited as one of the city’s top cultural attractions and is walkable from the Warehouse District, making it an efficient choice for a half-day visit.
- Walking time from the hotel: roughly 10 minutes (check local maps for exact route).
- Allow at least 2–3 hours if you want to see the main exhibits.
- The hotel concierge can assist with directions and timed-ticket information.
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Buy timed-entry tickets in advance | Reduces wait time and helps you schedule the afternoon |
| Check exhibit maps at the entrance | Helps prioritize galleries you most want to see |
| Use comfortable walking shoes | Exhibit halls are large and cover multiple floors |
Lunch and early afternoon: French Quarter & Jackson Square
From the museum, it’s an easy walk into the French Quarter and Jackson Square for lunch, street musicians, and historic architecture. Bourbon Street is also within about a 10–15 minute walk from the hotel if you want to experience that nightlife strip earlier in the day.
If you prefer to stay closer to the hotel, Commons Club serves Southern- and Mediterranean-influenced contemporary American dishes and accepts reservations via OpenTable.
- Commons Club serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch — reservations recommended.
- Walking lets you take in the Quarter’s sights: Jackson Square, local shops, and live music on the streets.
- If you need quieter seating, Commons Club Private Dining Room and the Shag Room are available for small groups.
| Option | When to pick it |
|---|---|
| Commons Club (on-site) | You want a full sit-down meal or to avoid extra walking |
| French Quarter cafés & po’boy shops | You want local street food and people-watching |
| Jackson Square area | You want art vendors and short museums nearby |
Alternative afternoon: swamp tour or plantation visit
If you prefer to leave the city for part of the day, guided Jean Lafitte swamp tours depart about 25 minutes from downtown and last roughly 90 minutes. Oak Alley Plantation and Whitney Plantation are farther west and can be combined with a swamp cruise as a longer day trip.
These excursions are typically offered with hotel pickup by third-party operators; ask the hotel concierge to help arrange a tour and to confirm current departure times and logistics.
- Jean Lafitte swamp tours: about 25 minutes from New Orleans, tours run multiple times daily and last roughly 1.5 hours.
- Oak Alley and Whitney Plantation are about a 45-minute to 90-minute drive; a combined swamp/plantation tour is a common full-day option.
- Confirm pickup locations and times with the tour operator or the hotel concierge before booking.
| Trip | Typical travel time from downtown |
|---|---|
| Jean Lafitte swamp tour | About 25 minutes |
| Oak Alley Plantation | About 45–60 minutes |
| Oak Alley + swamp combo | Full-day (varies by operator) |
Evening: Return to the Pool Club and rooftop terrace
Head back to Virgin Hotels New Orleans for the 13th-floor Pool Club to unwind. The Pool Club is a rooftop bar, pool and terrace with skyline views; hotel guests may swim daily while public access to the rooftop bar begins in the afternoon and non-hotel guests must be 21 or older.
Swimming hours for hotel guests run daily; the rooftop pool is heated to 84°F and open for guests. The Pool Club’s kitchen serves light bites while the bar offers cocktails and beer through the evening.
- Pool Club is on the 13th floor; rooftop bar public access typically starts at 3pm daily for non-hotel guests (21+).
- Swimming is open daily for hotel guests; the pool is heated to 84°F.
- Pool Club hours and kitchen times vary—check with the hotel or concierge for the current schedule.
| Pool feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rooftop bar access | Public access begins in the afternoon; non-hotel guests must be 21+ |
| Swimming | Open daily for hotel guests; Pool is heated |
| Evening service | Cocktails and light bites are available on the terrace |
Practical tips for a single-day outing
Bring a small day bag and comfortable shoes—downtown New Orleans and museum campuses involve a fair amount of walking. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout if you need to check reservations or maps while out.
If you plan to swim later, bring your swimsuit and remember that some Pool Club access policies apply to non-hotel guests (age restrictions start at 21 for public rooftop access). For transportation beyond walking, rideshare or taxi are practical; the hotel suggests telling drivers the address 550 Baronne Street for pickup.
- Check Commons Club opening times if you plan meals on-site; Funny Library opens early for coffee and pastries.
- Valet parking at the hotel is available 24/7 (the hotel lists a nightly valet price; confirm current rates at check-in).
- Guests under 21 cannot be the primary reservation holder or check in — plan accordingly if coordinating group arrival.
| Need | At Virgin Hotels New Orleans |
|---|---|
| Coffee before you leave | Funny Library Coffee Shop (ground floor) |
| Tickets or directions | 24/7 front desk and concierge |
| Freshen up after touring | Return to your Chamber or suite (two-chamber layout) before rooftop plans |
