New Orleans Travel Guide for Families (part 1)

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Looking to take a trip to New Orleans with the Kiddos? Here is a list of family friendly activities to help you plan your trip!

If your are familiar with the Armstrong6 you know we are often barreling down the highway to our vacation home in New Orleans. New Orleans once my home before hurricane Katrina is near and dear to my heart. We return home every 3 months to recharge our batteries. Since we have a big family we have become experts at all things kid friendly in NOLA. Here is a short list to get you started!

Mardi Gras

One of our favorite times of year is to take the family to New Orleans during Carnival (i.e. Mardi Gras)season. This follows the lenten calendar and last from to Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras Day). If your are visiting our city anytime during this season you can experience parades before Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is so much more than beads and boobs that is portrayed of party goers on Bourbon Street.

It’s full of family fun including endless parades of some of the worlds best floats, kid friendly throws (stuff animals, toys, and beads) and the best marching bands you will ever experience. 

Mardi Gras is full of rich traditions that includes the pageantry of the Mardi Gras Indians, Krewes (i.e. clubs that put on the parades), second line bands, and so much more.When visiting the parades always put a hidden identification band/paper in pocket etc on your child they can give to an officer if lost. 

There are PLENTY of police along the parade routes they can approach if they get separated from you. Take empty shopping bags for the numerous throws they will get. Sometimes you can find porta potty, or restrooms at establishments near parade routes, but if possible bring a potty in your car for littles with small bladders just in case! We attend parades with chairs, and wagons filled with snacks, water and juice for hungry kids! Parade routes can be found online or in the daily Times Picayune news paper, Offbeat, or Gambit.

Audubon ZOO, Aquarium, and IMAX

The Audubon Zoo opened in 1914 is gorgeous zoo, crowned with Spanish moss that hangs from the century old water oak trees. There are ongoing renovations since Hurricane Katrina but it has maintained its old world charm that makes this gem the best zoo I have ever experienced. The exhibits (especially the newer ones) do a great job at representing the countries cultures and climates where each animal came from. For example the new asian experience is very reminiscent to our visit to Bali, Indonesia.

It’s a great place to spend the day with the family. So much so, we have a family membership and visit every time we are in New Orleans. You can purchase the Audubon Experience Pass that will allow you to visit the Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Entergy Giant Screen Theater and Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium for one low price. Audubon Experience packages are valid for 30 consecutive days starting with your first visit. http://audubonnatureinstitute.org/tickets-audubon-experience

 

COOL ZOO

One the best parts of visiting the Audubon Zoo is the new cool zoo with lazy river addition for the 2016 season. Its FANTASTIC, so dress the kids in there suits and have a change of clothes ready so you can explore the zoo after a dip in the lazy river. The Cool Zoo sits in the center of Audubon Zoo, and has a wonderful splash park and a HUGE lazy river, and a sandy area for play. It also has two great concession stands, that serve Daiquiris!!! Yes folks,while your kids splash away to exhaustion you can enjoy an adult beverage and lounge on beach chairs. Needless to say, during the open season we go here every visit! Cool Zoo closed for the 2016 season the first week in October but will reopen in early spring 2017!

Children’s Museums

Louisiana Children’s Museum is a great place for discovery! The Louisiana Children’s Museum promotes hands-on participatory learning for children of all ages. It has great exhibits, and also hosts great monthly festivals so check out their calendar before your visit to see what awesome things they have planned such as the American Indian Heritage festival. Cost 8.50pp (over 12 months)http://lcm.org/

If you are up for a drive through Bayou country take a trip to Hammond Louisiana to the Louisiana Childrens Discovery Center. Its super quaint and super cute place to have you children explore exhibits that also represent Louisiana.

They have a cow milking exhibit, a building exhibit where they can use PVC/blocks to build, arts and craft room,  and hot air ballon experience. This discovery center is geared toward the younger littles.

Make sure to stop at Middendorfs on the way; home of the thin fried catfish. They have a electric model train that circles part of the restaurant to keep those kids memorized(for at least 5 mins!) They give you a huge amount of food, no need to order kids meals, just go for seafood platter and extra side of fries you’ll have everyone covered! http://middendorfsrestaurant.com/

City Park

City Park is a must see/do for a family with children. Always a favorite in my book we hit this park DAILY for playtime for the kiddos. It has also has seen MAJOR renovations since Katrina and with the addition of some great activities this park is an all day experience. It is massive… and one of the most beautiful city parks you will ever experience. The Spanish moss filled massive oak trees, the Gondola rides, bayou like water features with native fowl, the gazebos and art deco infrastructure are breathtaking. They have paddle boats, family bikes (seat 6), and gondola rentals. Endless beautiful walking trails, golf courses, dog parks, and MINIATURE GOLF!!! They even have a free walk through sculpture garden, an art museum and botanical gardens.

There is an awesome amusement park(open daily in the summer, weekends in the off season), that includes rides (roller coasters, kiddy rides, carousels), and a walkthrough Story Land that features life size characters portrayed in classic fairytale book. Climb aboard Captain Hook’s pirate ship, follow Pinocchio into the mouth of a whale or scamper up Jack & Jill’s Hill.

They also have a great playground, steps away from Morning Call that serves café au lait and beignets 24 hours a day! This is a first stop for tired parents….let the kids enjoy beignets (similar to a donut but BETTER) and run off the sugar at the neighboring playground while you nurse your exhaustion in rich cafe au lait! NOTHING BETTER. Make sure you bring cash, because Morning Call does not take cards, however there is an ATM near the restrooms just in case.

If visiting in the holiday season check out Lights in the Oaks, a brilliant holiday light exhibit displayed throughout the park.http://neworleanscitypark.com/

Restaurants

There are SOOOOO many good restaurants. New Orleans is known for is fabulous cuisine. Make sure to grab a PO BOY from any local shop. Notables are Orchid Seafood, Casnet, Parkway, even hole in the wall corner markets are known for making great Po Boys.

Katie’s is one of our favorite restaurants, they always do a great job at taking care of our family of 6 (all 7 and under). If you happen to visit them, any of there appetizers are fabulous but the flat bread with the crab cakes on it…LAWD HELP ME!!!. You can see what their specialties are by checking out Guy Fieri’s Triple D’s visit with them.http://www.foodnetwork.com/restaurants/la/new-orleans/katies-restaurant-restaurant/katie-s-restaurant-videos.html

Drago’s for grilled oysters. END STORY

Jacques Imos ANYTHING IS GOOD HERE http://jacques-imos.com/ 

I could go on and on about food but that is another post!

 

For Families With Older Children

Swap Tours  You can do paid swap tours or take a free walkthrough at Barataria Reserve, Jean Lafitte National Preserve to check out some gators!! https://www.nps.gov/jela/barataria-preserve.htm

Walking Tours in the French quarter are pricey but some offer great explanation of the rich history of this city. It really is fascinating!

Plantation Tours

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I will only recommend ONE plantation tour. This is a newly reopened tour that is from the viewpoint of the slaves. It is PROFOUND and the best tour I have experienced. It is the most comprehensive presentation that was done by extensive research funded solely by a philanthropist who desired to preserve history that was not properly portrayed. Please visit Whitney Pla ntation. It is drive to plantation alley, however they have a picnic area, so pack a lunch to go! http://whitneyplantation.com/ 

Festivals

Also check this link for a comprehensive list of all festivals, there is ALWAYS a festival going on you can visit to hear some great music and eat some great food. http://www.neworleansonline.com/calendar/year.html

Our favorite festival is Jazz Fest which is walking distance from our vacation rental home.  It has the worlds best music and food. It is pricey, but for the price of admission you can see several well known bands of all genres and award winning food. They also have a children’s area. Please be advised you need to bring blankets or chairs, sunscreen, and comfortable light clothing. Although it is our favorite festival, we have NOT braved it with our young children. Its is a HUGE festival, and may be better suited for adults, older children, or couples with one baby who can be worn or in a stroller. Take a fan with the water misting bottle attached to cool off in the hot sun!

Finally do not be limited to New Orleans in your search for festivals. Many of the quaint towns have AWESOME festivals such as the Strawberry Festival or Crawfish festival. 

Please feel free to ask me any questions as you plan your visit! We LOVE NOLA!

If you are interested in having your business added and reviewed as a family friendly travel location please contact us at kelli@momsavinggrace.com