My wife & I are planning a first time trip to New Orleans in July. Arriving Thurs. afternoon, departing Monday afternoon. Is this too many days? We've been warned about the heat and we're starting to think it might be a day too much. Any thoughts?

Relatives just did N.O. Arrived Friday afternoon....... left very early Tuesday. They felt that was plenty of time; however, they only did French Quarter things (though they stayed outside and took a hotel shuttle in.) Didn't go out to plantations or anything like that....... They said they were ready to leave by then, though they enjoyed it very much.

I think it's perfect. Wear nice cool cotton. If you dress right, you'll be reasonably comfortable. We did an early morning boat ride on the bayou (sp). and it was a nice cool interlude..in fact I needed a sweater. If you get too hot, consider one of those airconditioned bus trips that take you around to the plantations. I didn't like the zoo. There wasn't any escape from the heat.
My DH and I stayed for 6 days and could have stayed longer, and altho we visited in late April it was plenty hot.
Indoors events are nice and fun. We didn't have time to take a cooking class. (in an air conditioned kitchen) Plan a long afternoon nap in your air conditioned room.

Someone once told me NO has two seasons. February and Summer.

I don't think you have scheduled too much time at all. My husband and I spent a week in NO and could have stayed longer. This was in May, which was warm, but only hot on a couple days. Just plan outdoor activities in the mornings and evennings, plan indoor activities, pool time, and naps for the afternoons, and don't forget to drink plenty of water.

We also just got back from 4 days/3 nights and I wish we had had one more day. There is so much to see and do as well as just walking around people watching! It will be hot but just make sure you drink a lot of water, especially if you are drinking alcholic beverages.

Take a cooking class! We took one at the Riverwalk Mall, but I know there are a few places to take them. It was a lot of fun!

We saw a lot in the five days we were there, but could have used at least one, maybe two, more days.

The heat will be intense- hot and humid. So plan carefully your activities and take it easy. NO you aren't there too long. I now go for at least 5 days- every year for the last 9. Just plenty to see and do. Request their visitor guide http://www.neworleanscvb.com/new_sit...visrequest.cfm
and look over the Good times guide web site. http://www.neworleansonline.com/guide/gtg/
print out coupons you think you may want to use.

There really is never too much time to visit here. The surrounding areas have a lot to see if you have extra time & transportation. Most tourist attractions (museums) have great AC.

As for the heat...where are you from? That makes a difference as to how you feel it. My FL family has no problem because their weather is similar.TX is hot & humid too. If you are from the NE or somewhere like the upper West Coast where it stays cooler then you might notice it more. The good thing is that we have AC. I have sweated in PA before where relatives said "we don't have ac because there is always a breeze"!

Wear clothes as if you were taking a vacation to the islands- loose, cool fabrics & comfortable shoes.

Perfect amount of time, as long as you are not venturing out of the city. If you are venturing out, then it is probably tight. The point about mattering where you are from is very true. If you are not used to humidity or higher temperatures (or both) you will feel awful at times. Wear breathable clothes and drink lots of water. There is also lots of very good shopping to fill the hotter parts of the day (e.g., antiques, paintings, foodstuffs)or my favorite New Orleans activity .... eating at a good restaurant.

Plan your restaurant activities now and make reservations (even several every day which you can cancel while you are there if your plans change). The best restaurants fill up fast and you will just fill terrible if you cannot get in some of them.

By the way, the Zoo is one of the best in the USA (I think it is just as good as San Diego) and the grounds are lovely. You might want to consider the morning trolley ride to the Zoo, nice tour of the Zoo (until it gets too hot) and the journey back to downtown via the steamboat. The steamboat will help cool you down and give you a different view of the city.

Enjoy NO, even in the heat, but don't push it when you get too hot .... just focus on drinking and eating in nice air-conditioned places.

I would agree, the more time the better in NO. Certainly Thurs. through Mon. is not too long.
I used to live in Houston and we would drive to NO for long weekends. We did this maybe 10 times, and never got bored, and never really finished seeing or experiencing everything there. The most fun we have is just roaming around the neighborhoods (and in July, this means frequently ducking into get mint iced tea whereever you can). You can stroll the Quarter for days, galleries, unique shops, the church, sitting around on the riverside, feeding pigeons, music, street performers, outdoor art shows just popping up before you, food, lots of spontatneous happenings (have seen 3 full NO funerals go through the Quarter in my times there- that is an experience- more like a parade than a typical funeral). Love to take the street car and stroll the Garden District. Like Magazine St for antique store hopping. Farmer's market. It goes on and on. Makes me want to go back just thinking about it. I can't imagine getting bored there or feeling like I had too long. Yes, it's going to be hot and humid. But somehow, it becomes part of the action, sort of steamy atmosphere, and if you stay hydrated, wear a real hat w/a brim, and take it at a slow NO pace, you'll be ok. C'est le bon temps.

landry: Has anyone mentioned Acme to you? That in itself takes up about the equivalent of a day for us on a four day trip! You can get entertained sitting at the oyster bar and watching those fellas shuck oysters- they have it down to an art.