New Orleans for The Time Travellers: a Friday-to-Monday weekend

The 1721 French grid's central square, the 1850 Pontalba apartment blocks and the cathedral where Spanish governors worshipped; the oldest of New Orleans on one lawn.

Charles Moore's 1978 postmodern stage set of neon-lit columns and fountains, built for the city's Italians; a joke, a landmark and a very good photograph.

A house built in 1814 for a mayor who planned to rescue Napoleon, with peeling walls, classical music and a Pimm's Cup; plot over a muffuletta.

A two-hour guided walk through the French Quarter by a volunteer guide who knows the building dates; the best way into the old city.

America's first licensed pharmacist's shop from 1823, with leech jars, gris-gris and cabinets of cures; the guide tells the stories.

The city's second-oldest restaurant, since 1856: a fixed menu of brisket with horseradish sauce and shrimp rémoulade at a long bar.

David Adjaye's weathering-steel arch over the rail line, with a long riverside lawn beyond; the old wharf sheds now frame the skyline.

The 2019 expansion by Reed Hilderbrand threads Lee Ledbetter's walkways between the oaks and lagoons; free, and open until late afternoon.

Nina Compton's Caribbean-Creole kitchen in a converted coffee warehouse: the conch dumplings and curry goat are the order.

Curtis and Davis's 1958 glass box behind a bronze sunscreen, a modern landmark with a public reading room; free to walk in.

Pavilions of aircraft and landing craft, the Higgins boats that were made in this city; allow two hours and take the lift.

Counter seats in a butcher's shop: a muffuletta or the pork belly cubano with a pickle and a beer.