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Question

My husband and I will be coming to New Orleans from 5/18 to 5/22. Can you take a look at my plan to see if I am over/under scheduling? We will be staying at the French Market Inn. All the info on here has been so helpful, but if you see something that I am missing let me know.

Sunday:

Arrive at hotel around 3pm

Dinner at Coop’s Place

Explore Riverwalk and French Quarter

Monday:

Breakfast at Café Du Monde

St Louis Cemetery #1 tour at 9:15

Jackson Square

St Louis Cathedral

Lunch at Napoleon House

2pm Natchez / Creole Queen / Algiers ferry (not sure which one we want yet)

Dinner at Acme Oyster

Drinks on Bourbon

Tuesday:

Breakfast at Café Beignet

Streetcar to museum (that's possible, correct?)

WW2 Museum (whole day)

Lunch at Cochon

Dinner at GW Fins

Frenchman St for Jazz

Wednesday:

Breakfast at PJ’s Coffee

Walk around French Market

Lunch at Parkway Bakery

City Park / Sculpture Garden

Dinner (undecided, there are five I want to try, might leave for a last-minute decision)

Drinks on Bourbon/Frenchman St

Thursday:

Breakfast at Molly’s Rise & Shine

Garden District self-tour

Walk Magazine St

Linner around 3pm (maybe Commander’s Palace, everyone says it’s a must do but I’m not sold)

Leave for airport around 5pm

Answer

Your itinerary looks fantastic! You’ve included a good mix of iconic sights, cultural experiences, food, and music, which will give you a great taste of New Orleans. Here are some thoughts and suggestions to make sure you don’t feel over- or under-scheduled, and a couple of additions you may want to consider:

Sunday:

Arriving at 3 pm is great. It gives you enough time to settle in, and Coop’s Place is a solid choice for dinner (don’t forget their fried chicken!).
Exploring the Riverwalk and French Quarter sounds perfect for your first day. Keep in mind that the French Quarter can be crowded, especially on Sundays, so a casual stroll to get the lay of the land will be enjoyable.

Monday:

Café Du Monde for breakfast is a must! If you're getting there early, you might want to avoid the rush, but even if it's busy, the beignets and café au lait are worth the wait.
The St. Louis Cemetery #1 tour is a great idea. I’d recommend booking your tickets in advance, as it gets quite busy. The tour will also give you some history of the city, which is always nice.
After Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral, you might want to also check out the Cabildo or the Presbytère (both museums). They’re next to the cathedral and give you a good insight into the city’s history.
For lunch, Napoleon House is excellent. Afterward, taking the Algiers ferry is a nice way to get a different view of the city. It’s a short ride, but it gives a nice break from the walking.
Acme Oyster House for dinner is perfect, especially if you love oysters and seafood. Bourbon Street drinks afterward are a fun way to wrap up your night.

Tuesday:

Café Beignet is a great breakfast spot! You can definitely catch a streetcar to the WW2 Museum, and it’s worth noting that the streetcar system is reliable, but it can take a little time to get there depending on where you board.
The WWII Museum could take a full day, especially if you're interested in the exhibits. It’s a bit overwhelming in size, so planning to spend the whole day there makes sense.
Cochon for lunch is excellent if you’re into Cajun and Southern food. Their boudin is a crowd favorite. GW Fins for dinner will be a wonderful treat, particularly if you love seafood.
Frenchmen Street at night for jazz is a great choice, and there’s always live music at places like The Spotted Cat and d.b.a. It can get crowded, but it’s definitely worth the experience!

Wednesday:

PJ’s Coffee is a good local spot, and walking around the French Market is a great idea. The market can get busy, but it’s a nice place to pick up souvenirs or locally made goods.
Parkway Bakery for lunch is an iconic spot for po'boys, and you won’t regret it. You could also consider a stop at Domilise’s Po-Boy & Bar for an alternative local favorite.
City Park and the Sculpture Garden are relaxing spots, and you could spend as much or as little time there as you like. If you want to do something a bit extra, you could check out the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA), which is nearby.
For dinner, having a flexible “undecided” approach is a great way to keep your options open. If you like Italian, consider trying Café Amelie or a casual but beloved spot like Jack Rose in the Pontchartrain Hotel.
Drinks on Bourbon or Frenchmen is a good way to end your evening, but be sure to check out a couple of jazz clubs for a different vibe from the mainstream bars.

Thursday:

Molly’s Rise and Shine is a great breakfast choice, especially for a laid-back meal with a local flair. Afterward, your self-guided Garden District tour will be perfect for seeing some beautiful historic homes. You might want to add a stop at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 for a unique glimpse of New Orleans' above-ground tombs.
Walking down Magazine Street is always fun with its mix of boutiques, cafes, and antique shops. It can get crowded, but it’s worth browsing the shops and stopping for a coffee or snack.
For your “linner” (lunch-dinner combo), Commander’s Palace is a classic choice. While it’s known for being upscale, it offers fantastic Creole food and wonderful service. If you’re not sold, you could also try Antoine’s or Herbsaint for a slightly different experience.
Leaving for the airport at 5 pm should give you plenty of time to head back. It’s always good to be cautious about the timing as traffic can be unpredictable.

Suggestions and Adjustments:

If you like gardens, you might consider adding a visit to the beautiful Longue Vue House and Gardens, located a bit out of the way in the Uptown area. It’s a peaceful spot and offers a glimpse into New Orleans’ history with the added beauty of the gardens.
If you want to see more of the French Quarter, you could visit the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum or the historic Faulkner House Books if you're into literature.
Another fun tour could be the Bayou and Swamp tours if you have time on one of your days. Many tour companies offer half-day options from New Orleans, and it’s a great way to see the wild side of the area.

Overall, your itinerary looks well-balanced with a mix of sightseeing, food, music, and downtime. It’s definitely not too over-packed, and you have room for flexibility if you decide to take it slow or add some extra activities. Enjoy your time in New Orleans!

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