Hello all. I will be spending a weekend with friends later this months in New Orleans. Since I will have a 4-hour window before the rest of the group gets into town, I was looking for a recommendation of what to do in these 4 hours. I would consider a trolley or bus tour of the sights, etc. I will not be renting a car and will be staying in the French Quarter during the weekend. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Have you and your friends made a rough itinerary of what you plan to do for the weekend, so that you won't duplicate anything that the whole group will do?
One possible activity: Take a streetcar out to the Garden District walk around the area.

I would definitely pick something that you don't have planned for the rest of the weekend. Maybe you can take the ferry over to Algiers and check out the neighborhoods there. Maybe head over to Magazine St and browse the shops. How about exploring the Fauburg Marigny neighborhood just down river from the Quarter?

Thanks for the quick feedback! We'll be in town for a bachelor party and I believe most of our time will be spend near Bourbon Street. Since I have the extra few hours before we all meet up, I thought I'd get a lay of the land, as this is my first time to the area.

Since I assume you'll be partying into the wee hours of the morning and then sleeping late, perhaps you just just walk around the French Quarter and get an idea of what it's like during the daylight hours.

I agree with Howard - if you head for Jackson Square and/or just wander around Bourbon Street (naturally on the idea that you're looking for places to take the guys ) you'll probably be amazed at how fast time goes in New Orleans. There's always Harrah's if you feel the need to throw away a couple bucks.

I would hang around Jackson Square, watch the street performers and fortune tellers, wander around the French Market area, and kick back and have yourself a couple of Buds!

Go get a massage at the Ritz. A perfect way to start the weekend. And go for a stop in the sauna or steam room. Well worth the cash.