I've read the sidebar and searched lots of threads, so I hope this hasn't already been covered (and buried) in the results.

We are traveling May 12-19, and it will be our first trip to Europe. It is not enough time, I know, for a first trip to Europe, but we have three young kids still in school and working out childcare while we're gone is already going to be tough. Travel-wise, my husband and I are different. I love history and literature and am interested in architecture and art, so I could soak up museums at a leisurely pace, but there's also so much of the other stuff in these cities that I'm happy to skip museums and walk around the monuments/sites with a guide podcast in my ears and learn about it all. We like to do outdoorsy stuff but also want to do some relaxing cafes, live music stuff. We're on a $1000 (or less-- is this possible?) food/activities budget and are not foodies or wine drinkers, so we'll be looking for cheap but tasty places to eat and this will probably be secondary to what we're seeing/doing.

We are flying into Paris at 1:30pm after overnight flights from the East Coast of the U.S.

1. I was wondering about jet lag. I'm a person who NEEDS lots of sleep, so should we try to check into our hotel and nap, or check in and immediately go back out again until we can't stand it any longer? My husband thought we could spend Sunday at the Louvre and Musee D'Orsay, but I'm worried about buying tickets or tours and not feeling up to the commitment.

2. We are staying in the Latin Quarter in Paris. On Monday, we'd like to see the Pantheon, Notre Dame, St. Chapelle and ile de cite, the Luxembourg Gardens, explore the Quarter (maybe on a free walking tour), and Eiffel Tower at night. I know the metro is great, but will we be able to walk most of this (we are runners in our early thirties)? Is it worth it to purchase those "skip the line" things they have advertised for everything? Like I said, we'll be counting our $$ spent, but are willing to purchase things if they mean we can see a little more at a little less inconvenience.

3. Tuesday, we are leaving Paris. We may go back to a museum around 9:30am, but I'd like to do a free walking tour of Montmartre which starts at 11a and see Sacre Cours, and do a boat tour on the Seine. We will most likely take the Thalys train to Amsterdam, but wasn't sure what time to plan to leave. I do not want to be rushed, but we are staying w/ family in Amsterdam and do not want to arrive too late (they have young children). Would 4 or 5pm be about right? Is there anything I'm skipping that I'd be crazy to skip?

Wednesday my cousin is lending us her family bikes for us to head to and explore Naarden Vesting, and then we are meeting up with them in Amsterdam for her to show us some WWII sites and dinner.

1. Thursday, we're leaving my cousin's house and going to Citizen M hotel near the airport. We plan to do Anne Frank in the am, and then explore more fully, do a canal tour, see some churches. This is where things get a bit hazy for me. Are there any must-dos in Amsterdam I'm not mentioning? Will I need to plan more completely than this to avoid lines? Will we be able to check our luggage somewhere in Amsterdam before we check into our hotel?

2. Friday, we will do museums, but my husband can get impatient with them (I want to see and read everything in a museum-- he's a glancer) so I think it would be cool to get out of Amsterdam. Are there any castles nearby we could explore, or something else to enjoy?

What are your recommendations for best walking shoes for these cities? I'd like them to be cute and am looking at Nordstrom. I'd like to spend $150 or less. I'm considering both tennis shoes for more active days and booties when I feel like looking cuter.

Will we be able to rely on credit cards for everything, or should we plan on getting cash out at ATMs? I've read about the Charles Schwab/no fees account, but thought it will be easier to go with BofA's preferred ATMs if we have to. Is that dumb?

We leave early Saturday am, concluding our first European visit (but not the last!). I appreciate any feedback you all can give!