5 days in New Orleans
A realistic day-by-day plan with start times, how long to allow, and travel estimates between stops.
This 5-day plan covers French Quarter Walking Tour, Garden District, Live Jazz, Louisiana Swamp Tour and more. It starts around 9am, keeps two main things per day with a proper lunch, and leaves the evening for food or a show. Travel times are estimates from the distance between stops.
Day 1
French Quarter Walking Tour, Garden District & more
- 09:00
French Quarter Walking Tour
2 h
Go in the morning for a quieter Quarter and a coffee and beignets at a local café.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
↓ About 10 min by metro or taxi
- 19:00
↓ About 10 min by metro or taxi
Day 2
Louisiana Swamp Tour & Creole
- 09:00
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in French Quarter
Historic centre with jazz and balconies.
- 19:00
Day 3
Explore New Orleans
- 09:00
Morning in Garden District
Mansions and oak-lined streets.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in Marigny
Frenchmen Street and live music.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Day 4
Explore New Orleans
- 09:00
Morning in French Quarter
Historic centre with jazz and balconies.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in Garden District
Mansions and oak-lined streets.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Day 5
Explore New Orleans
- 09:00
Morning in Marigny
Frenchmen Street and live music.
- 12:30
Lunch
Walk a couple of streets away from the main sight – prices drop and quality rises.
- 14:00
Afternoon in French Quarter
Historic centre with jazz and balconies.
- 19:30
Dinner
Book ahead if you want a specific restaurant, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The route on a map
Pins follow the order of the plan. Click a pin for details.
Best time to visit New Orleans
The most comfortable months with manageable crowds are Oct. These are broad seasonal patterns, not forecasts.
- JanCoolCrowds: busy
- FebCoolCrowds: busy
- MarMildCrowds: peak
- AprWarmCrowds: peak
- MayHotCrowds: peak
- JunHotCrowds: busy
- JulHotCrowds: busy
- AugHotCrowds: busy
- SepHotCrowds: quiet
- OctMildCrowds: busy
- NovMildCrowds: peak
- DecCoolCrowds: busy
Best months Peak crowds and harsh weatherBars show how busy it is: taller means more visitors.
5-day New Orleans questions
Is 5 days enough for New Orleans?
Three days. This plan fits the main sights into 5 days at a comfortable pace, with a lunch break each day.
Can I change the order of the days?
Yes. Group days by neighbourhood if your hotel is far from a sight, and swap any day if opening hours (many museums close one day a week) or the weather requires it.
What should I book before I go?
Book Garden District first – they use timed entry or sell out.