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Question

Hey!

Feel free to link me to another thread, as I’m sure it has been touched on a million times.

If you could add just 1 thing to my itinerary (or take 1 away) what would it be? This is my first visit, so excuse the touristy bits I’m ticking off. I’m in NOLA for 4 nights, but arrive late on the Friday.

Day 1: Cafe Du Monde, Jackson Square (St Louis Cathedral), French Market, Pharmacy Museum/Historic NOLA collection, St Charles Streetcar, Magazine St, Sazerac House, Frenchman Street evening.

Day 2: New Orleans Saints game, City Park, Bourbon Street evening

Day 3: Swamp Tour, WW2 Museum, Preservation Hall.

I have a long list of food/drink recommendations from here aswell, but keeping options open there (and avoiding writing them all out).

Any help would be amazing!

Answer

Your itinerary covers most of the classic highlights for a first-time visitor, and it’s nicely balanced between food, culture, and entertainment. Since you already have the French Quarter, Magazine Street, City Park, and Frenchman Street, one area that could add a unique local flavor is exploring neighborhoods outside the tourist core or including a historic/culinary experience that is more authentically New Orleans.

If I were to add just one thing, I’d suggest incorporating either a Garden District & Lafayette Cemetery tour or a historic Creole/food experience:

Garden District & Lafayette Cemetery: A walking tour (or self-guided) of this area provides beautiful antebellum homes, lush streets, and the iconic above-ground cemetery. It’s very “New Orleans” without the tourist hustle of Bourbon Street and gives a contrast to the French Quarter architecture.
Culinary/Food Tour: Consider a guided food tour in the French Quarter or Uptown. You’ll sample classic NOLA dishes beyond beignets—gumbo, muffulettas, po’boys—and learn about the city’s culinary history. This is also great if you want to avoid fine dining yet still taste a lot in a short time.

If you wanted to remove one item to lighten the schedule, Bourbon Street evening on Day 2 could be optional, since Frenchman Street already gives evening music and nightlife in a more manageable way. Bourbon Street is fun to see once, but it’s very crowded and touristy, so skipping it would allow more time for relaxing or exploring something uniquely local.

Other small enhancements depending on interest:

Take a riverfront stroll or a short paddlewheel cruise along the Mississippi for scenic views.
Visit the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum or explore French Market shops in more depth for souvenirs.
Evening jazz at Preservation Hall is already on your list—great choice for authentic music.

Overall, adding a Garden District & cemetery walk or a food-focused tour would make your four nights feel rounded—balancing iconic sights with local culture.

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