I love NOLA. I wish I could live there. Can I come with? lol What are you guys interested in?
1st thing to do is get the number of the cab company your hotel uses and program it into your cell phone. I wouldn't take the streetcar unless you can spare 30+ minutes to get somewhere, as it stops often. Cabs aren't that pricey - I can go from the business district to the Garden District for $8.
2nd thing - Lagniappe is "lan-yap" and Tchoupitoulas Str. is "chop-a-too-lis", according to the locals.
I would stick to the French Quarter for live music. House of Blues is there - shoddy looking building but its there. Its easy to bar hop in the FQ. Just walk around, listen for the music, and walk right in.
There isn't a bad place to eat in Nola. Make sure to try the grilled oysters at Dragos (in the Hilton off the river). I also recommend The Gumbo Shop for the best gumbo, Mesperos for a mufellata (olive and ham sandwhich), Deenies for the biggest platter of cajun fried seafood you will ever see, VooDoo Cafe on St. Charles for jerk chicken, Mother's for a debris sandwhich or po'boy, Acme Oyster house for raw oysters and tobasco, and The Ruby Slipper for bfast (right around the corner from where you'll be).
If you see Aunt Sally's or Souther Pecan Co. on St. Peters, stop in and try their pralines "prah-leens". Your life will be changed forever.
Commander's Palace is very expensive but it really has the best food around. I recommend their turtle soup and deep fried crab. Also, be on the lookout for anyone famous. The last time I was there, 2 famous politicians stopped in while I was dining. Ask your waiter/waiters (at CP you have several people waiting on you) who they've served. Also, ask if you can get a tour of the place including their pastry kitchen and the big kitchen. The floor manager might have enough time to give you one.
Go shopping on Magazine Street if you like interesting and unique stores and boutiques. FQ is really for souvenirs. There is nothing special about Rivercenter Mall, or The Shops on Canal and Jax Brewery. They are more upscale than the mall but still, nothing there you can't find in any other city.
I actually like shopping across the lake in Covington - cute antiquey shops.
Any of the Emeril's resturaunts, riding the streetcar, Cafe Du Monde, Brennan's Cafe, the Katrina tours are all overrated.
Instead, visit the WWII museum (warehouse district - don't walk there!), sculpture garden behind the museum of fine arts, the Spanish square near Rivercenter Mall, Audubon Park for the huge oak trees and nice houses of famous people, the Mardi Gras museum and Lousiana State museum in Jackson Square. No matter your religious preference, visit St Louis Cathedral - its gorgeous inside. And don't forget to take your picture in front of the Superdome on Poydras.
If you have time, the Insectorium should be right across the street from you. While insects may not be that interesting to most people, its pretty cool inside and I don't know of another one like it in the country. Plus, they have cooking classes where the chefs demo cooking w/bugs and insects. When I was there he made chocolate chip cookies w/crickets and we all got to sample. I didn't.
I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Oh well, have a great great time!