Toss a comfortable pair of walking shoes into your bag. To really experience the wonderful city of New Orleans, you'll be doing a lot of walking.
Take lots of comfortable, cool clothing since the summer months in New Orleans are hot and muggy.
Pack a camera with an extra chip or film. You'll want to take lots of photographs of the old-world architecture, the characters and the landmarks. You may want to also take along a notebook to jot down some historical facts.
Pack some rain gear. New Orleans gets most of its annual 64 inches of rainfall in the hottest months of the year. Waterproof shoes and a raincoat or umbrella may come in handy.
Remember the nightlife is hopping in New Orleans. Take some evening clothes, keeping in mind the hot, sultry New Orleans nights.
Pack a blindfold if you have children tagging along. You never know when someone may randomly expose their body. There are also a lot of novelties, gifts and T-shirt emblazoned with words some may find offensive.