How's this itinerary? (first-timers, 4 days)

Question

First timers in New Orleans. Husband, wife, 18-year-old son.

Day 1: Arrive about noon. We decided to get a rental car (I know it's not really necessary, but the math works out). Stop at Ron’s Gumbo Stop for some no-frills eats on the way in before arriving at our French Quarter hotel. Take a streetcar (for the experience as much as anything else) to Vue Orleans as our visual/historic introduction to New Orleans. Walk along Mississippi River and up to Preservation Hall for a show then to GW Fins for dinner.

Day 2: We will take the green line steetcar to the WWII Museum. Cochon Butcher for lunch. Back to the museum. Then streetcar back to the hotel. Mr B's Bistro for dinner.

Day 3: Rental car drive to Barataria Preserve for a nature hike. Breakfast outside New Orleans somewhat on the way at Le Cafe Eblouir in Gretna, La. Hike around the national park/preserve. Lunch at Home Cooking Cafe in Harvey, La. Back to hotel and streetcar to Garden District for self-guided walking tour. Potentially on to Audubon Park to roam some more (Tree of Life, Labyrinth). Back to hotel, then doubling back to Commander's Palace for dinner.

Day 4: Breakfast. Self-guided tour of Jackson Square. (Maybe Cafe Du Monde beignet for breakfast?). Then check out, back to the airport and fly home.

I know there's tons more to do, but there's only so many hours in a day. Still - anything that's really missing here? And what would you remove if you wanted to add something else?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

ChicagoPair · Accepted Answer

Depending on the time of year, Barataria can be brutally hot. And, unfortunately, several of my favorite trails are still closed due to hurricane damage. So, if that is your primary reason for renting a car (did you factor in parking costs?), I would skip it and skip the car. Barataria plus Garden District plus Audubon is a lot for one day (especially in the summer).

And, if you are staying in the Quarter or the CBD, you can walk to Vue.

kaaFw · Answer

Day 3 looks like too much, especially in the heat. Keep the morning Barataria nature walk. Drop the double trip to Garden District. Instead, cool off and rest after the morning swamp, then take the streetcar to Commander's Palace. Maybe walk a couple of extra blocks before dinner, but not enough to get too sweaty. Then you can stroll around after dinner when it's cooler.

Lilidalla · Answer

I agree with kaaFw; day 3 is too ambitious. Day 2 looks good as does final day. However, be advised that Cafe du Monde will likely have a long line and they only offer beignets. We often prefer Cafe Beignet on Decatur for beignets as well as other, more substantial fare for breakfast. Hopefully you’ll have time (maybe on day 2 after dinner) to stroll around the French Quarter. Where are you lodging?

kaaFw · Answer

This is a late breakfast town, for obvious reasons. Few places are open before 7:00 and some don't even open until 8:00. Any place you get to by 9 am should be available. Most places will have a line waiting if you arrive after 10:00.

ChiTown2Vegas · Answer

Our NOLA trips were / are all 4 days tops. My fav things in those 4 days were- airboat gator tour - AWESOME- get the small one so there are only like 8 people and you can get really close to the gators. Swamp ziplining. Ok this was kinda scary- again gators below and there was hail and strong rain, but it was fun.

Very true it is hot as #$$# so many things kinda get ruined from that. Both ghost and cemetary tours we took were BRUTAL!!!! We try to not even go out to Bourban / ect til after 4 - 5 pm and that is even horrible of you are not prepared. We hit Harrahs or somewhere inside til it gets cooler.

Doing Bourban from like 7 pm - 11 pm several nights is a must if it is your first time. We always leave before 12- even though we stay basically on Bourban because it gets too wild later. Last time someone was shot like 2 hours after we left right where we were sitting.

katieinla · Answer

When are you visiting, so we can give specific advice?

How's this itinerary? (first-timers, 4 days) - New Orleans Forum

How's this itinerary? (first-timers, 4 days)

6 replies to this topic

New Orleans Hotels and Places to Stay