Since our journey guides to Charleston with children and Palm Springs with children have elicited requests for extra journey concepts with children, we’re again with an overdue recap of our 3-night journey to New Orleans. We’d by no means been to The Huge Straightforward earlier than and had been impressed by how family-friendly the town is. It’s not all booze, beads, and Bourbon Avenue! So right here’s a take a look at the place we stayed, what we did, and what we’re excited to do subsequent time we return – as a result of we will certainly return!
The 4 of us (nicely, 5 for those who rely our chihuahua!) went to NOLA for 3 nights in November of 2022. On the time, our children had been 8 and 12 years previous. So sadly we will’t vouch for our ideas being match for toddlers or youthful kids. Though I’m certain ours would’ve beloved the Louisiana Kids’s Museum and Storyland playground again within the day!
Why Trip In New Orleans With Youngsters?
New Orleans is a one-of-a-kind metropolis in the US due to its various cultural influences, together with French, Spanish, and African heritages. It’s identified for its music, meals, festivals, artwork, and even for ghost excursions & the historical past of voodoo. It presents all kinds of sights and actions for all ages, and its distinctive structure and flavors typically make it really feel such as you’ve traveled to a complete new nation!
We selected it for most of the causes above, and now that we stay within the Florida Panhandle, it’s solely a brief drive away. We heard so many good issues about it from buddies and neighbors that we rapidly added it to our “should go to” record after transferring right here.
When To Go to New Orleans
Unsurprisingly, the most well-liked time to go to New Orleans is round their world-famous Mardi Gras celebration (usually in February or March), however since we had been going with our children and aiming for a extra laid again expertise, we selected a much less busy time for our inaugural go to (November). Coming within the late fall is a good way to keep away from the recent, muggy summer season months. Plus we acquired to see some vacation decorations begin to pop up round New Orleans! Numerous lovely wreaths had been held on the historic previous properties too.
The one draw back to visiting in November was that it was a bit chilly and wet someday (which is why you’ll see heavy coats on in a few of these pics). Fortunately, by the tip of our go to, we had been carrying shorts once more. Good factor we’re used to fickle climate right here on the Gulf Coast! However subsequent time we’d time our go to for September or October after we’re extra prone to get hotter climate.
The place We Stayed In New Orleans
Our household loves discovering walkable cities to trip in (that’s one more reason we beloved Charleston a lot). So we selected to remain in this artsy Airbnb in Uptown New Orleans close to the Backyard District. It’s positioned proper on Journal Avenue, one of many foremost buying districts in New Orleans. That meant we may entry tons of eating places, shops, and parks with out getting in our automotive. Plus, it solely a brief drive or steetcar trip to the French Quarter. It was an superior location!
The Airbnb itself was enjoyable and colourful, with a number of cool murals and daring wallpaper. Our children beloved drawing on the large whiteboard within the hallway and we appreciated that it was additionally dog-friendly. We suggest bringing a sound machine as a result of the entrance bedrooms face Journal St and there may be some road noise, however nothing loopy. The Airbnb is positioned on the second flooring (the primary flooring is a shoe retailer) however we heard principally nothing from beneath.
Our favourite a part of the Airbnb was positively its location. Not solely did now we have easy accessibility to Journal Avenue, we additionally may simply peruse lovely areas just like the Backyard District, St. Charles Avenue, and Audubon Park. The structure within the Crescent Metropolis is simply so distinctive, we may’ve spent all day simply strolling round homes!
After we come again, we’ll keep in the same space for certain – most likely someplace between St. Charles Ave and Journal Avenue. The one cause we’ll most likely choose a special Airbnb is as a result of we at all times love making an attempt new homes!
What We Did In New Orleans With Youngsters
We are typically extra go-with-the-flow vacationers, fairly than cram-in-all-the-sights vacationers. Numerous our 3-day journey to New Orleans was spent winding our technique to numerous meals & locations, simply taking within the sights alongside the way in which. However don’t fear, we hit up some must-see spots too. Right here’s a fast overview of our favourite kid-friendly actions.
Stroll & Window Store On Journal Avenue
Journal Avenue is a six-mile walkable stretch of eating places and retailers, each native and chain. We spent one night and the next morning leisurely exploring about half of it. From our Airbnb close to Napolean Ave, we largely walked East towards downtown. One among our children’ favourite retailers was Lionheart Prints, thanks largely to this mesmerizing wall of colourful pens and markers.
We additionally all had a good time exploring H. Rault Locksmiths. Sounds unusual, I do know, however this can be a practically 200-year-old locksmith that has fascinating collections of previous locks and different architectural salvage.
Our children particularly beloved this bin of tiny novelty keys.
Another favourite stops had been Peaches Information & Tapes and our daughter actually beloved testing Buffalo Alternate. It had a very good vary of secondhand clothes after we ducked inside, and it ignited her love of thrift retailer buying, which remains to be going robust two years later.
Discover The Backyard District
I’m most likely utilizing the time period “Backyard District” a bit usually, however the neighborhoods between our Airbnb and St. Charles Avenue (which is a part of the Mardi Gras parade route) had been enjoyable to stroll round. Along with the charming properties, there have been random bookstores, cafes, and eating places that we’d pop into alongside the way in which.
St. Charles Avenue reminded us a variety of the downtown space of our former city, Richmond, Virginia. There are lovely, big bushes, beautiful homes, and – oh yeah! – an iconic streetcar that goes down the center of the highway!
I truly went for a run another alongside the streetcar tracks and it was one among my all-time favourite runs. The tracks aren’t electrified and the road vehicles are comparatively gradual & rare, so a number of individuals use the world (known as the “impartial floor”) for jogging or strolling. Clearly, simply keep conscious of your environment and step off to the aspect every time a streetcar is approaching.
Oh, and for any of my fellow MTV era children on the market, it’s possible you’ll acknowledge that huge home a few pictures up because the one from Actual World: New Orleans.
Go to Audubon Park
New Orleans’ Metropolis Park is its largest and hottest public park, however our Airbnb was nearer to the smaller Audubon Park. It’s nonetheless a lot huge and is even house to the Audubon Zoo. We didn’t have time to go to the zoo, however there’s nonetheless a lot else to take pleasure in within the park. They’ve acquired playgrounds, fountains, tennis courts, a golf course, and a fantastic paved strolling & biking path. There are additionally picnic shelters and large shady bushes to seize lunch underneath.
The southern finish of Audubon Park borders the Mississippi River so there are additionally views of the water with close by playgrounds and sports activities fields.
Experience A Streetcar
The St. Charles Avenue Streetcar line is the oldest constantly operated streetcar line on this planet… and it’s only a quick stroll from Journal Avenue. A trip is barely $1.25 for adults and $0.50 for kids, so our entire household rode it to the French Quarter and again for under $7! You may pay in money, or obtain the Le Go app. There are many clearly marked stops alongside St. Charles Ave and the trip to the turnaround level at Canal Avenue took about half-hour.
Driving the streetcar felt like a step again in time and a pleasant leisurely technique to see extra of the town. However it’s nonetheless an lively public transit system so be aware of the locals utilizing it to get to work.
Expertise The French Quarter
NOLA’s French Quarter might be its best-known and hottest vacationer vacation spot. You possibly can write a complete submit nearly issues to do, see, and eat within the French Quarter. We spent a day there after testing of our Airbnb, and it was actually like visiting one other nation. Want we may have spent extra time there. We positively will probably be again.
Even within the daytime, there’s an thrilling power with artists, performers, and musicians on virtually each nook. We parked in one of many paid public tons and spent a enjoyable couple of hours popping into retailers, exploring totally different streets, and listening to some nice stay music alongside the way in which. We stayed between the river and Royal Avenue (pictured right here) as a result of we heard Bourbon Avenue (one block additional up) isn’t at all times as kid-friendly.
The historic centerpiece of the French Quarter is Jackson Sq.. The fenced sq. isn’t dog-friendly (we had our pup with us since we had already checked out of our Airbnb) however we nonetheless acquired to benefit from the open-air artist market across the perimeter. Throughout the road is the long-lasting espresso and beignet store known as Cafe du Monde and the artisan cubicles of the French Market.
We had been within the French Quarter the morning earlier than Thanksgiving, so it was pretty busy with vacation holidays. For these unaccustomed to busy cities, it may be a bit overwhelming. So that you would possibly need to plan for a much less busy day if you wish to keep away from crowds.
Test Out The Audubon Aquarium
When rain washed out our plans one afternoon, we fortunately checked out the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas downtown for a enjoyable indoor exercise. This was in 2022 earlier than its latest renovation added the Audubon Insectarium and butterfly backyard as nicely. However even then it had tons of enjoyable options like contact tanks, digital actuality experiences, and extra.
As an grownup, I additionally loved visiting an area aquarium that taught me a bit extra concerning the distinctive ecosystems of Louisiana and the Mississippi River. In the event you plan to go to the zoo and aquarium, make sure you purchase your tickets on the similar time – you’ll obtain a reduction!
The place We Ate In New Orleans
New Orleans has a well-known culinary scene, and the meals was nice! We simply discovered some nice eating places that all of us beloved. That is positively not a fancy-foodie record of the most well liked “must-eat” eating places in New Orleans – however for those who’re touring with younger diners, these had been a few of our favourite locations to seize a chew.
French Truck Espresso
We walked to breakfast at French Truck Espresso one morning (the placement on Dryades St) and had the yummiest breakfast on their patio. The children had waffles and my solely remorse is that Sherry and I hadn’t began ingesting espresso but as a result of it smelled scrumptious in there! We’ll be again.
Dat Canine
One other place I’m excited to return to is Dat Canine, which is a cool sizzling canine spot with actually cool outside eating. It was fairly low-key on the chilly November night time we went, however we will think about it being tremendous energetic and enjoyable in higher climate. I acquired their particular Thanskgiving-themed sizzling canine and it DID NOT disappoint!
There are a number of places in New Orleans, however we went to the Freret Avenue location. Their footage on-line offer you a good suggestion of its vibe.
Cafe Beignet
You may’t come to New Orleans and never get beignets. Cafe du Monde might be probably the most well-known spot to get these heat powdery pastries, however it had a extremely lengthy line so we ended up grabbing some from Cafe Beignet, which has a handy location on Canal Avenue close to the tip of the streetcar line.
I’m no beignet connoisseur however my assessment can be 5 stars, no complaints. And it was actually enjoyable to trip a streetcar and hop off for some New Orleans beignets. Another iconic New Orleans dishes embody gumbo and purple beans & rice, so we’ll should get some after we return.
Sucré
To maintain our children’ energized on our day strolling Journal Avenue, we popped into a fantastic candy store known as Sucré (there are different places within the metropolis too). We shared some gelato and macarons for a pleasant sugar increase, whereas absorbing its Artwork Deco decor.
La Boulangerie
One other cease on Journal Avenue was a French bakery cafe known as La Boulangerie that’s identified for its breads and pastries. It was fairly busy, however we had been in a position to snag a desk outdoors and deal with ourselves to (extra) yummy carbs.
Barracuda
My foremost remorse from our journey was getting takeout from Barracuda Taco Stand (to eat at our Airbnb) as a substitute of eating in particular person. The climate was a bit chilly so dragging everybody out to a “margarita backyard” on a darkish November night time didn’t sound engaging. However once I went to choose up the meals it appeared like a enjoyable place to hang around (they usually had outside heaters!). The meals was nonetheless scrumptious after we ate it at our Airbnb, however I want we had gone to the restaurant. Subsequent time!
Empanola
Empanola was a cute little empanada place on Journal Avenue that supplied us some fast gas on our buying day. There have been a ton of flavors of empanadas to select from, they usually had been heat and scrumptious.
Different Child-Pleasant Actions In New Orleans
We will certainly be going again to New Orleans! There’s a lot we didn’t get an opportunity to do but (and plenty of stuff above that we need to do once more!). So listed below are a few of the issues we’d add to our itinerary subsequent time:
Mardi Gras World
This self-guided tour grants you behind-the-scenes entry to the artist studios the place the extravagant Mardi Gras parade floats and decorations are made. It seems like a good way to expertise Mardi Gras with out coming throughout that wild week of precise Mardi Gras.
Metropolis Park
The most important inexperienced house in New Orleans is Metropolis Park, positioned north of Downtown. It’s twice as massive as New York’s Central Park and has every part from an Artwork Museum, Botanical Backyard, and Sculpture Backyard to sights like mini golf and even a small amusement park.
Nationwide WWII Museum
The sprawling Nationwide World Warfare II Museum could not look like a spot to take your children, however the TripAdvisor opinions are stellar for individuals of all ages. Households say its enjoyable, interactive, instructional, and eye-opening. It seems like one other nice rainy-day different to the Aquarium!
Riverboat Cruise
A number of firms, like Steamboat Natchez, provide daytime and night cruises alongside the Mississippi River full with stay jazz music and a meal. This looks like a enjoyable technique to see the town on a captivating previous paddlewheel boat.
Swamp Tour
Barely outdoors the town are boat and kayak excursions of the swamp the place you possibly can spot wildlife, together with alligators. Cajun Encounters appears to be a preferred choice as a result of their flat-bottom boats aren’t as loud as airboats. Additionally they provide transport from the French Quarter.
Ghost Tour
This ghost tour firm presents a family-friendly tour that guarantees a enjoyable glimpse into New Orleans’ haunted aspect with out being too spooky. It appears like a cool technique to be taught some historical past whereas retaining the youngsters entertained.
Issues To Do In New Orleans With Youngsters: A Abstract
In the event you’re somebody who likes having a listing of issues to do, here’s a fast bulleted abstract of the entire sights, eats, and actions we mentioned above.
Different Child-Pleasant Journeys We’ve Taken
In the event you’re taken with our tackle different locations or are looking for family-friendly journeys, you may also take pleasure in these posts:
