Begin your day with beignets and chicory coffee at Café du Monde, then wander the leafy arcades and courtyards of [Jackson Square](https://www.google.com/search?q=Jackson+Square+new+orleans+june+3-+7th+official+site) to watch local artists at work. From there, explore the evocative rooms of the Historic New Orleans Collection for a compact primer on the city's past before ducking into Royal Street to window-shop for antiques and Louisiana crafts.
Continue exploring the Quarter with a leisurely lunch at Central Grocery & Deli to try an authentic muffuletta, then stroll toward the nearby French Market to sample local spices, pralines, and street food stalls. Afterward, take a guided carriage tour from [Jackson Square Carriage Rides](https://www.google.com/search?q=Jackson+Square+Carriage+Rides+new+orleans+june+3-+7th+official+site) for a relaxed, narrated overview of the neighborhood's history, finishing with a late-afternoon jazz set at Preservation Hall to ease into the city's soundtrack before evening plans.
As night falls, wander down to Bourbon Street for its neon energy, then duck into the intimate back-room bar Napoleon House for a Pimm's cup or classic Creole cocktail while listening to low-key live piano. After drinks, take a moonlit riverside promenade along Woldenberg Park to watch the Mississippi sparkle and end with a late-night beignet crawl at Café Beignet or a nearby 24-hour spot for a sweet, atmospheric finish to your first day.
Start your morning with a relaxed stroll through Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 to admire historic above-ground tombs and Southern Gothic charm, then walk uptown along the oak-lined blocks to take in the grand mansions, including the striking facades near Washington Avenue. Pause for coffee and a light Creole-inspired breakfast at Atchafalaya on Magazine Street before browsing boutique shops and local galleries that begin to open for the day.
After a morning among the cemeteries and mansions, take a relaxed stroll down Magazine Street, popping into independent boutiques like Moriarty & Company for Southern-made gifts and Studio Be for contemporary art and homewares, then stop at Jack Rose for a late-afternoon cocktail or craft beer on their shaded patio. Continue toward the lower Garden District to tour the ornate interiors and gardens of The Buckner Mansion (view from the sidewalk or join a short guided exterior walk) before pausing at La Boulangerie for a pastry and people-watching on a sleepy Magazine Street corner.
As twilight deepens, enjoy dinner at the cozy courtyard of Commander's Palace (ask for the jazz trio nights or porch seating) before a leisurely, after-dinner walk toward St. Charles Avenue to catch the lamplit mansions and the historic streetcar glide by. Finish with an intimate nightcap at The Columns Hotel's bar or a late-evening tipple at the tucked-away Bacchanal Wine outpost (if open), soaking in live music or mellow conversation to cap a day of elegant homes and boutique finds.
Ease into the day with a slow, art-filled morning at the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) and its adjacent Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden, wandering shaded paths and pausing at ponds and large-scale works. Afterward, cross Magazine Street for a light Creole-inspired brunch at Café at the Sculpture Garden or nearby The Country Club, then browse the small, specialized galleries along the avenue before heading downriver to begin your afternoon walk at Woldenberg Park.
After a museum-filled morning, stroll downriver along the riverfront and pause at The National WWII Museum's satellite exhibits near the riverwalk for a focused, immersive history stop, then step into Crescent Park to walk its elevated greenway with skyline views and public art installations. Follow the park path toward the lively French Market District, where you can sample po'boys at Domilise's (if open) or a waterfront oyster bar, browse craft stalls, and finish with a late-afternoon river cruise departure from Jackson Avenue Pier to watch the Mississippi light up as evening approaches.
As twilight falls, head upriver into a spirited evening on Frenchmen Street for a rotating lineup of live jazz and brass at venues like The Spotted Cat Music Club and the intimate outdoor courtyard of Snug Harbor, then linger for late-night Creole tapas at Three Muses. Finish with a moonlit stroll through Bywater's Crescent Park Overlook to catch skyline reflections on the river and, if the mood strikes, a nightcap at the low-key craft cocktail bar The Franklin to round out a day of art, river views, and music.
Catch an early pickup and head into the wetlands for a guided airboat or flat-bottom boat excursion with Cajun Encounters or Honey Island Swamp Tours, where a naturalist will point out alligators, wading birds, and bald cypress draped in Spanish moss. After the tour, warm up with a hearty Creole-style breakfast at Camellia Grill back in the city, then browse local produce and seafood at St. Roch Market to sample regional flavors before a relaxed afternoon transfer and nap ahead of the evening music crawl.
Return to the city and recharge with a late lunch at Parkway Bakery & Tavern, savoring a classic po'boy before wandering the colorful murals and antique shops of the Bywater neighborhood. Spend a relaxed afternoon exploring the quirky boutiques and coffee bars along Carrollton Avenue, then catch golden-hour views from the river-facing lawns of Woldenberg Park before preparing for an evening of live music on Frenchmen Street.
After a restorative nap back in the city, head to Frenchmen Street for an electric evening that starts with small-plates Creole dining at Three Muses before hopping between clubs. Catch a late set of trad-jazz at The Spotted Cat Music Club, then wander the nearby open-air courtyard of d.b.a. for a second round of live brass and blues, finishing with a nightcap at the cozy cocktail den Bar Tonique to round out a day of bayou wonders and intimate music.
Ease into your final day with a leisurely brunch at Court of Two Sisters, enjoying their shaded courtyard jazz brunch and classic Creole dishes, then stroll to nearby Faulkner House Books for a quiet browse of Southern literature and unique gifts. Afterward, pick up last-minute local specialties at La Boulangerie de la Nouvelle-Orléans and artisan spices or pralines at Southern Foods Marketplace, before a short walk to the Canal Street ferry terminal or your transfer point to collect luggage and make a smooth departure.
After a leisurely courtyard brunch, take a final wander through the nearby art-filled aisles of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve's visitor center exhibits or step into the boutique-lined passageways of Royal Street's lesser-known side alleys to pick up one-of-a-kind prints and jewelry. Continue with a relaxed late-afternoon stop at The Shops at Canal Place for duty-free souvenirs and regional foodstuffs, then enjoy a riverside coffee at Woldenberg Park lawn cafes while you wait for your transfer, watching the Mississippi drift by as you savor your last New Orleans moments.
Cap your trip with a relaxed dinner in the Central Business District at Cochon Butcher for modern Cajun-Italian small plates, then wander across to Moonwalk Park for a final riverside sunset and skyline view. If time allows, stop by K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen's bar area for one last craft cocktail or pick up gourmet souvenirs at Magazine Market before collecting luggage and heading to your transfer, savoring the city's evening hum as a quiet farewell.