New Orleans Itinerary by Locals for a perfect trip

"Check their daily schedule in advance — some days have open studios or artist-led tours that allow up-close sketching of mechanisms.Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to sit or crouch — some best viewpoints are low to the ground and slightly off the beaten path.Record short audio loops (with permission) to bring back rhythmic cues for studio sessions; the textures of the instruments translate to gestural mark-making."

"Boarding access: the Algiers Ferry uses ramps and is friendly to wheelchairs and walkers; arrive 10–15 minutes early for level boarding.Seat choice: sit on the sheltered lower deck for comfort and easy restroom access; the ride is short (about 10–15 minutes) but lovely for photos.Local transit: taxis meet the ferry on both banks if you prefer not to walk on arrival — request drop‑off close to the landing."

"Accessibility: the museum is fully ADA accessible with elevators and multiple benches; wheelchairs are available at Guest Services — call ahead if you need one reserved.Pacing: choose 1–2 core exhibits (e.g., 'Road to Berlin' or 'Road to Tokyo') and use the plentiful seating to rest between galleries.Lunch & breaks: the museum's American Sector Restaurant and café have seating with table service and step‑free access; reserve a table for quieter mid‑day dining."

"Buy one group table if possible — it keeps coats and hot-sauce pick-ups together and makes splitting the tab easy.Bring lightweight layers — river breezes get cool after sunset even on warm days.Get to the boat 20 minutes early for best seating; the upper deck is breezier and great for photos while the lower deck is warmer and louder for dancing."

"Pacing: limit continuous walking to a couple of blocks at a time and stop for coffee or a stretch at seated cafés along the way.Accessibility: most stores on Magazine Street have level entry or a single small step — ask shop staff for assistance when needed.Shopping hack: focus on 2–3 shops (antiques, local crafts, a bookstore) to keep energy steady and avoid overexertion."

"Reserve a table in advance and request a large round table if possible — Cochon handles groups well with family‑style ordering.Order several mid‑sized plates to share rather than individual entrees so the group can sample more specialties.Ask for check splitting options up front — many restaurants will pre‑split or run multiple cards when requested."

"Focus on a 2‑block stretch that suits your group (e.g., Julia to Felicity) to keep walking relaxed and to regroup easily.Many shops accept cards but small vendors prefer cash — split a small cash pool for quick purchases and tips.Look for local bars/cafés with sidewalk seating to rest and people‑watch — great for lively conversation and people photos."

"Ask staff for recommendations on paper weights and portable panels for wet November mornings — they know which papers handle damp air best.Bring a photo or swatch of a color you want (phone photo) so staff can match pigments quickly.If you plan wet-medium work, get a small plastic palette and portable brush washer — local artists recommend these for quick cleanups between sites."

"Look for vendors that offer 1- or 2-oz sample bottles so everyone can collect a different flavor without heavy spending.Negotiate a group price if you’re buying multiple bottles — vendors will often do a small discount for multi-bottle buys.If anyone has dietary needs, ask stall owners — many are used to customizing sample spoons and will mark fiery levels."